Unfortunately I have had to cancel the guided event on Sunday 16th September; I am planning on rearranging the event to a date in October.
P
Friday 7 September 2018
Tuesday 4 September 2018
September nature to look for - Tuesday 4th September 2018
September is a great month, autumn in its many guises is getting underway as nature begins to wind down for the approaching winter.
Most of the flowers along the coast are now setting seed, the shrubs and trees are fruiting, many with an opportunity to provide us with delicious food such as Blackberries for a pie, Hips and Sloes to add to alcohol, Elder berries to make that wine [get a good reference book and get making]; remember to leave enough for the wild creatures that will rely on this bounty to see them through the winter.
Birds have long been on the move especially the summer visitors such as Swallows, and Sand Martins. some birds will be arriving from the north to winter with us especially the wading birds such as Sanderling or even the scarce Curlew Sandpiper.
A walk across the dunes at Pembrey Burrows LNR could turn up any odd birds such as Whinchat departing for Africa or an early Merlin looking for somewhere to spend the winter.
There are still some wildflowers in bloom, usually in sheltered spots, including Restharrow and Soapwort; now there's an interesting plant; as it's common name suggests it can be used to make soap; the leaves can be boiled for around 30minutes the resulting concoction can then be used like a mild washing up liquid.
Myself I'm off to my favourite Greek island of Lesvos for another September visit where, hopefully under blue skies and a warm sun, autumn migration will be well underway.
For those of you not joining me, with the changeable weather conditions that are likely to be on the cards make the most of any good days and explore.
Most of the flowers along the coast are now setting seed, the shrubs and trees are fruiting, many with an opportunity to provide us with delicious food such as Blackberries for a pie, Hips and Sloes to add to alcohol, Elder berries to make that wine [get a good reference book and get making]; remember to leave enough for the wild creatures that will rely on this bounty to see them through the winter.
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| Elder Berries |
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| Sloes (the fruit of Blackthorn) |
Birds have long been on the move especially the summer visitors such as Swallows, and Sand Martins. some birds will be arriving from the north to winter with us especially the wading birds such as Sanderling or even the scarce Curlew Sandpiper.
 |
| Sanderling |
 |
| Curlew Sandpiper |
A walk across the dunes at Pembrey Burrows LNR could turn up any odd birds such as Whinchat departing for Africa or an early Merlin looking for somewhere to spend the winter.
 |
| Whinchat |
There are still some wildflowers in bloom, usually in sheltered spots, including Restharrow and Soapwort; now there's an interesting plant; as it's common name suggests it can be used to make soap; the leaves can be boiled for around 30minutes the resulting concoction can then be used like a mild washing up liquid.
Myself I'm off to my favourite Greek island of Lesvos for another September visit where, hopefully under blue skies and a warm sun, autumn migration will be well underway.
For those of you not joining me, with the changeable weather conditions that are likely to be on the cards make the most of any good days and explore.
Sunday 2 September 2018
Seeing the wood for the trees, Sunday 2nd September 2018
Well, I'm not looking for sympathy but what a long tiring but great fun and great teamwork the weekend has been... Tour of Britain Grand Depart from Pembrey Country Park, a wheelie great success (get it).
My small part was to set up the nature table in the marquee, and to lead two guided walks, a beach safari and a woodland walk.
It was great to have an interesting mix of people join me for both walks, the strandline safari was tough with little of interest on the beach, just as well I did a recce in the morning, but plenty to see on the way to the beach (it took 30mins to walk from the visitor centre to the beach!!)
I tried to get the message across that the county has so much countryside and coast to explore, with the park being a unique blend of natural and manmade habitats, mentioning the now considered misguided approach of stabilising the dune systems in the post war years.. we are spending so much money undoing all that work, money well spent though (look back through the blog for details)
The woodland walk was a bit "on the hoof" as I hadn't prepped myself (admin error)but we did look at a wide variety of trees including SESSILE OAK, BEECH, ASH, SILVER BIRCH, CORSICAN PINE, HORSE CHESTNUT, GREY WILLOW, POPLAR,SYCAMORE and HOLLY.
Some of the oaks in the park have the most enormous leaves, I think this may be a stress related reaction to the environment look out for them along western ride.
There are two native species of Oak in the UK , Sessile usually a western species and Pendunculate or English Oak, the simplest way to identify them is in the autumn when the acorns are formed, Sessile acorns grow against the twig whilst Pendunculate grow on stems away from the twigs.
Holly is very common throughout the country park and Pembrey Forest, one reason for this is that most of the trees are male and don't have berries so are less attractive as Christmas decorations.
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G
(photo Pembrey Country Park FB page)
|
My small part was to set up the nature table in the marquee, and to lead two guided walks, a beach safari and a woodland walk.
 |
| Nature table, the large item on the left is an un identified whale skull |
It was great to have an interesting mix of people join me for both walks, the strandline safari was tough with little of interest on the beach, just as well I did a recce in the morning, but plenty to see on the way to the beach (it took 30mins to walk from the visitor centre to the beach!!)
I tried to get the message across that the county has so much countryside and coast to explore, with the park being a unique blend of natural and manmade habitats, mentioning the now considered misguided approach of stabilising the dune systems in the post war years.. we are spending so much money undoing all that work, money well spent though (look back through the blog for details)
The woodland walk was a bit "on the hoof" as I hadn't prepped myself (admin error)but we did look at a wide variety of trees including SESSILE OAK, BEECH, ASH, SILVER BIRCH, CORSICAN PINE, HORSE CHESTNUT, GREY WILLOW, POPLAR,SYCAMORE and HOLLY.
Some of the oaks in the park have the most enormous leaves, I think this may be a stress related reaction to the environment look out for them along western ride.
There are two native species of Oak in the UK , Sessile usually a western species and Pendunculate or English Oak, the simplest way to identify them is in the autumn when the acorns are formed, Sessile acorns grow against the twig whilst Pendunculate grow on stems away from the twigs.
 |
| Sessile Oak acorns |
Holly is very common throughout the country park and Pembrey Forest, one reason for this is that most of the trees are male and don't have berries so are less attractive as Christmas decorations.
 |
| Holly (female tree) |
Interesting gems to look for are SPANGLE GALLS on the underside of the Oak leaves caused by the Spangle Gall wasp and TAR SPOT on the Sycamore leaves caused by a fungus.
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| Spangle Galls |
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Tar Spot
During both walks we were "buzzed" by a Migrant Hawker dragonfly
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Tuesday 28 August 2018
Autumn in full swing Tuesday 28th August 2018
The natural world does not follow the same calendar of time as we humans do, nature has it's own intricate calendar and now at the end of August the "natural autumn" is well underway. The meteorological autumn starts on Saturday 1st September, whilst the astronomical autumn will start on 21st/22nd September.
This is easily evidenced by looking at the increasing numbers of birds which come to Carmarthen Bay, and specifically Cefn Sidan and Pembrey Burrows, to spend the winter.
The gull numbers are building up with good numbers of COMMON GULL, BLACK HEADED GULL and HERRING GULL using the fields in the country park at high tide; the SANDWICH TERN roost at Old Pembrey Harbour reached 171 birds yesterday evening, (before being disturbed by a big green canoe). Along the beach SANDERLING, RINGED PLOVER, DUNLIN and TURNSTONE are to be found chasing the tide. A juvenile MARSH HARRIER was recorded by Bernie Beck this week- thanks Bernie.
More significant, although harder to see, are the big numbers of the schedule 1 protected sea duck the COMMON SCOTER, I counted over 3000 yesterday and more than 2000 this morning. The UK breeding population of this sea duck is less than 100 pairs, it being mainly a bird of the Arctic and Scandinavian regions.
In 1996 a population of around 10000 birds wintered off Milford Haven then disaster struck with the grounding of the Sea Empress oil tanker which leaked oil into the sea resulting in the deaths of thousands of birds including a recorded 1700 Common Scoter.BY 2003 numbers had recovered to around 17000 wintering birds. Most surveys were carried out using aerial counts, cost cuts meant that the counts were suspended for many years, however in the winters of 2016 and 2017 counts were restarted and some 36000 wintering Common Scoter were counted.
The Carmarthen Bay SPA, (the first fully marine Special Protected Area in the UK was created in 2003 purely for the Common Scoter) holds significant numbers of this enigmatic dark plumaged duck.
Currently a good viewing point is at CE56, the main beach access in the country park, just stand on a high dune, or from CE57 where there is a viewing platform, the flock has been around 1km off shore looking towards Worms Head.
This is easily evidenced by looking at the increasing numbers of birds which come to Carmarthen Bay, and specifically Cefn Sidan and Pembrey Burrows, to spend the winter.
The gull numbers are building up with good numbers of COMMON GULL, BLACK HEADED GULL and HERRING GULL using the fields in the country park at high tide; the SANDWICH TERN roost at Old Pembrey Harbour reached 171 birds yesterday evening, (before being disturbed by a big green canoe). Along the beach SANDERLING, RINGED PLOVER, DUNLIN and TURNSTONE are to be found chasing the tide. A juvenile MARSH HARRIER was recorded by Bernie Beck this week- thanks Bernie.
More significant, although harder to see, are the big numbers of the schedule 1 protected sea duck the COMMON SCOTER, I counted over 3000 yesterday and more than 2000 this morning. The UK breeding population of this sea duck is less than 100 pairs, it being mainly a bird of the Arctic and Scandinavian regions.
 |
| A typical view of Common Scoter |
In 1996 a population of around 10000 birds wintered off Milford Haven then disaster struck with the grounding of the Sea Empress oil tanker which leaked oil into the sea resulting in the deaths of thousands of birds including a recorded 1700 Common Scoter.BY 2003 numbers had recovered to around 17000 wintering birds. Most surveys were carried out using aerial counts, cost cuts meant that the counts were suspended for many years, however in the winters of 2016 and 2017 counts were restarted and some 36000 wintering Common Scoter were counted.
The Carmarthen Bay SPA, (the first fully marine Special Protected Area in the UK was created in 2003 purely for the Common Scoter) holds significant numbers of this enigmatic dark plumaged duck.
 |
| Female and Male |
Currently a good viewing point is at CE56, the main beach access in the country park, just stand on a high dune, or from CE57 where there is a viewing platform, the flock has been around 1km off shore looking towards Worms Head.
All photos Wikipedia free to use and share, my camera is not up to the job
Wednesday 22 August 2018
Pembrey Burrows Wednesday 22nd August 2018
A spell of rather wet weather early on this morning, whilst fixing a broken stile, left me needing to change trousers and put on some waterproofs, I'm not a keen wearer of waterproof trousers but we were about to enter the fresh water reed bed for a spot of ringing ride management.
I haven't had time to do any ringing of my own for months so preparing the rides for a spot of Swallow roost action should spur me on.
Thanks to Brian and Veronica for their hard and sweaty graft.
After lunch we wandered down to CE51 to try and survey for Strandline Beetles, despite a good search none were found, this is likely to be my last opportunity this season to search for this rare beetle.
Brian found a beetle of interest which I'm waiting for an ID on;[now updated] I found an Ichneumon Wasp, seemingly out of context on the beach!, I've tentatively identified it as Ophion obscuratus,
Meanwhile Veronica found a young Slow Worm under a piece of wood on the beach
After the beach Veronica and I set off to check the Owl box situated on the edge of Pembrey Country Park, so far its occupants have included Honey Bees and Grey Squirrels so it was no surprise today to find that a wasps nest occupied the box!!!! (no photos due to the quick exit)
Now don't forget the next guided event, a strandline safari, is at Pembrey burrows on Saturday 1st September it is important to book onto the event, especially as parking restrictions are now in force, we will provide suitable parking.
Oh and to top off my day a surprise holiday to Lesvos booked for September....
I haven't had time to do any ringing of my own for months so preparing the rides for a spot of Swallow roost action should spur me on.
Thanks to Brian and Veronica for their hard and sweaty graft.
After lunch we wandered down to CE51 to try and survey for Strandline Beetles, despite a good search none were found, this is likely to be my last opportunity this season to search for this rare beetle.
Brian found a beetle of interest which I'm waiting for an ID on;[now updated] I found an Ichneumon Wasp, seemingly out of context on the beach!, I've tentatively identified it as Ophion obscuratus,
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| Phaleria cadaverina, one of the "darkling" beetles |
 |
| a poor record shot of the Ichneumon wasp |
Meanwhile Veronica found a young Slow Worm under a piece of wood on the beach
After the beach Veronica and I set off to check the Owl box situated on the edge of Pembrey Country Park, so far its occupants have included Honey Bees and Grey Squirrels so it was no surprise today to find that a wasps nest occupied the box!!!! (no photos due to the quick exit)
Now don't forget the next guided event, a strandline safari, is at Pembrey burrows on Saturday 1st September it is important to book onto the event, especially as parking restrictions are now in force, we will provide suitable parking.
Oh and to top off my day a surprise holiday to Lesvos booked for September....
Wednesday 15 August 2018
Heads down, Ynys Dawela Nature Park Wednesday 15th August 2018
Today the Wednesday gang headed to Ynys Dawela Nature Park near Brynamman in the north east of the county.
The weather was less than conducive for the task in hand, searching for the larval food webs of the rare Marsh Fritillary butterfly.
This stunning butterfly needs "scabious" plants on which to lay its eggs and then for the caterpillars to feed.
Areas of the site have been managed by the cutting and collecting of vegetation from four meadow areas, Marsh Fritillary does live in the area but is a fickle creature.
The search involves delving into the bases of the scabious plants looking for the tell tale signs of the caterpillar, disappointedly none were found today.
I did however find several stunningly coloured Four-spot Orb wed spiders, quite fearsome looking beasts in shades of orange and yellow.
The weather was less than conducive for the task in hand, searching for the larval food webs of the rare Marsh Fritillary butterfly.
This stunning butterfly needs "scabious" plants on which to lay its eggs and then for the caterpillars to feed.
Areas of the site have been managed by the cutting and collecting of vegetation from four meadow areas, Marsh Fritillary does live in the area but is a fickle creature.
The search involves delving into the bases of the scabious plants looking for the tell tale signs of the caterpillar, disappointedly none were found today.
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| larval food web ( Wikipedia ) |
 |
| Four-spot Orb web spider |
Tuesday 14 August 2018
Pembrey Country Park Moths Tuesday 14th August 2018
The older toilet blocks at the country park are a real magnet for the hundreds of species of moths found on the site.
This mornings collection included a Lime-speck Pug and a Sharp-angled Peacock moth, both quite stunning looking moths.
Accompanying the moths were a number of Toad-lets, which I liberated back into the wild, they must have had quite a journey as the nearest pond is at least 2km away.
Yesterday evening the Carmarthenshire Bird Club held its annual Tern Watch event at Old Pembrey Harbour on the eastern boundary of the reserve, a good turnout of around 20 people saw a good range of birds, as detailed below, Turnstone and Mute Swan were new for the reserve list which now stands at 104 species for 2018.
SANDWICH TERN 70, MED' GULL 44, WIMBREL 7, KNOT (in summer plumage 2), TURNSTONE 1plus REDSHANK, RINGED PLOVER, DUNLIN, HERRING GULL GBB GULL, LBB GULL, BH GULL, CORMORANT, and CURLEW.
Autumn in the natural world is well and truly underway
This mornings collection included a Lime-speck Pug and a Sharp-angled Peacock moth, both quite stunning looking moths.
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| Lime-speck Pug |
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| Sharp-angled Peacock Moth |
Accompanying the moths were a number of Toad-lets, which I liberated back into the wild, they must have had quite a journey as the nearest pond is at least 2km away.
Yesterday evening the Carmarthenshire Bird Club held its annual Tern Watch event at Old Pembrey Harbour on the eastern boundary of the reserve, a good turnout of around 20 people saw a good range of birds, as detailed below, Turnstone and Mute Swan were new for the reserve list which now stands at 104 species for 2018.
SANDWICH TERN 70, MED' GULL 44, WIMBREL 7, KNOT (in summer plumage 2), TURNSTONE 1plus REDSHANK, RINGED PLOVER, DUNLIN, HERRING GULL GBB GULL, LBB GULL, BH GULL, CORMORANT, and CURLEW.
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| Sandwich Tern |
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| Red Knot |
Autumn in the natural world is well and truly underway
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