On mans Weeds anothers' Wildflowers; Saturday 1st August 2020

There are a profusion of yellow coloured flowers on show along the coast at the moment, this particular bank of "weeds" was particularly interesting.

Hoary Mustard

With Ragwort, Hoary Mustard, Wild Parsnip, Evening Primrose, Great Mullein, and Autumn Hawksbit in  the mix.

Great Mullein flower close up

Ragwort and Cinnabar Moth caterpillars

The Ragwort had a few Cinnabar Moth Caterpillars, just one of the 87 or so invertebrates which rely on the plant for survival; whilst the Great Mullein showed some signs of being attacked by the Mullein moth caterpillar.

Plenty of other wildlife about with Holly Blue, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood and Large White Butterflies all on the wing, and recently born Viviparous (common) Lizards on the wooden wall near the main access to the beach at Pembrey Country Park, a few adults were also on show, this lizard has a highly variable pattern of markings making for quite a show. Also on the wall was a very nice Robber Fly, whilst harmless to humans these are voracious predators actively hunting other insects.

Robber Fly species

Adult Viviparous (common) Lizard, Juvenile below

Autumn is here:- 27th July 2020

Not so fast some may think, however in the natural world the signs of the changing seasons are all around, not least along the coastline.

An hour on Cefn Sidan showed just what is happening with waders breeding in the sub-Arctic regions already back on the beach, with 170 Sanderling and c30 Dunlin, many moulting from summer plumage into the drab winter plumage.

Sanderling

Juvenile Black-headed, Herring, Lesser Black-back and Greater Black-backed gulls forming large mixed flocks with a few Mediterranean Gulls in the mix.
The recent unsettled weather with well timed high water has, as usual brought Gannets and Manx Shearwaters in close.

While all this is going on second brood Holly Blue butterflies are around Pembrey Country Park along with Dark Green Fritillaries.

Most flowers are "going over" however look closely and there are plenty still to be found, Yarrow in both white and pink forms is plentiful, with Common Mallow, Restharrow, Wild Carrot being some of the more obvious flowers on show.

Yarrow

Interestingly there are plenty of recently born Common Lizards to be found basking on bare patches such as the sleeper fence on the way to the beach.

Last week I noticed a flock of around 50 Swifts over the grassland areas of Pembrey Country Park, around the same date as last year, it won't be too long before they leave our skies heading south for the winter.

Now is a good time to get out and visit Old Pembrey Harbour, pick a time with a high tide and you may see decent numbers of Mediterranean Gulls, and Sandwich Terns building up as they usually do at this time of year.