Catching up Saturday 9th May 2026

 Bore da pawb a Croeso

Its been a while, there's been quite a bit going on, so where to start.

Well lets start with the annoying senseless vandalism at our Ynysdawela Local Nature Reserve, a picture is enough.

News on the Welsh Government funded Nature Networks Five project - Pembrey Coast SSSI Improvement project.

Liam and "Sparrow" looking for Dilwyn!

Surveys have started with one of the target species, Dilwyns Dung Beetle Onthophagus nuchicornis already found in decent numbers by Liam and Christian (Sparrow), it lives in fresh cow dung, 

Grass Eggar caterpillar

George started strong with Small Blue, Cupido minimus non target but hugely important records Also had a Grass Eggar, Lasiocampa trifolii larva and the striking and very large rove beetle Staphylinus dimidiaticornis.

Staphylinus dimidaticornis

I have now appointed a conservation ranger to help deliver the project as well as have  amore consistent presence at the Pembrey Burrows & Salting's LNR, not appropriate to mention her name yet

Artificial refugia for the Strandline Beetle and other critters have been deployed with the help of our volunteers, Ruth from NRW and Matt form Natur am Byth. 

Barry Stewart and I deployed five more at the western end of Cefn Sidan on Friday where we observed good numbers of Dune Tiger Beetle, Cicindella maritimus, Liam and Sparrow found around 87 this week ! Barry found the first Strandline Beetle of the season

Strandline Beetle