Posts

Useful addition? Thursday 18th May 2017

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I've always been interested in the weather, (well it is a British obsession!), and have run an electronic weather station for many years, however since moving back to Wales, although the station has been running and recording I've not really done much with the data. As a consequence I've moved the station to Pembrey reserve where the data collected can be used in a more informative way. Data capture unit, ignore the readings, it was initializing! There's always the danger of vandalism but I think we have to be a bit more optimistic and run the equipment positively. Equipment in place, I think it's high enough! (and yes it actually is vertical! depending on the angle of view) The station measures, temperature, wind direction & speed plus, rainfall, pressure, and humidity all pretty useful information. In addition I've installed a separate rain gauge which can be checked/emptied manually on each visit. Rain gauge The weather was gre

Something to do on a damp day Tuesday 16th May 2017

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I like to keep the information in the shelter at Pembrey Burrows LNR, fresh and relevant. I thought a few topical posters would be useful, so with no funds to buy anything I've set about making three, one each for Orchids, Butterflies and Sea Mammals. I'm quite pleased with the result and as they are home produced are more relevant than a generic off the shelf publication. Despite the damp conditions there was a good steady passage of Swallows this morning, with Gannets feeding offshore, always nice to see. Don't forget the guided walk 10am on Saturday 20th May.

April & May a few photographs 15th May 2017

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A few photographs taken at  Pembrey Burrows LNR from the spring of '17 Green-winged Orchid Lapwing Common Morel Cornu aspersum Cepaea nemoralis Theba pisana Moonwort Sedge Warbler Feral Apple! Dingy Skipper

Sunny Sunday 14th May 2017

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At last a break in the weather gave a few millimetres of rain over the last few days and has really freshened the vegetation, another benefit of a change of wind direction, this morning the visibility was superb. The fresher conditions brought out quite a few bird watchers and walkers (without dogs) who all appeared to want to have a chat which is great. A nice selection of birds were on show this morning, with the usual Stonechats, Skylarks, and Meadow Pipits the obvious species, but a secretive Shelduck will require further investigation, as will the pair of Common Ringed Plovers I watched on the fore-dunes. Common Ringed Plover, pretending not to be seen Butterflies were keeping their heads down with the westerly breeze but Dingy Skipper and Small Blue were on the wing.   Some unsettled weather in the coming week may make finding wildlife a challenge, but don't forget the ramble with a ranger on Saturday 20th May.

I got a mauling Friday 12th May 2017

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I'll come back to the "mauling" in a while, yesterday evening whilst having a late look at the reserve at Pembrey I was delighted to have a close encounter with a Badger. We know they live on the reserve, we also know they are TB free, rarely seen due to their nocturnal habits seeing one out at dusk was great either a younger male or a female but either way it looked, turned and ambled off into a field. Badger, Wikipedia photo Now the mauling, I am carrying on with my Starling project, today using a 40' net as well as traps, when a low flying Lesser Black-backed Gull decided it wanted in on the free mealworms! She, for on biometrics it was probably an adult female now carries a BTO ring, a wing of 405mm, and a head and bill length of 110.5mm. Lesser Black-backed Gull I've got one or two scars although the secret is to wait until the bird lets go of your flesh before pulling away..............

Divide and conquer wednesday 10th May 2017

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Today being Wednesday means one thing, volunteer day, when the other three stalwarts, Veronica, Brian and Neil turn out to tackle tasks and "monitoring". Today we turned our attention to the main entrance area of the reserve, having removed part of the old wire fence a few weeks ago, it didn't take long for cars to be parked on the grassy area when the hard standing is full. Neil helped out for a while before going off to do a breeding survey for Stonechat, one of the ubiquitous birds of sand dunes and heaths. Digging in sand is great, however working on the edge of a tarmac road meant we soon found the going a bit tougher than usual but undeterred the replacement fence went in easily and even more satisfying is the fact that apart from any nails, all materials were recycled from "old unwanted waste wood". Brian hard at work Finished? I may tweak it a bit more! After lunch Veronica set off to look for the Strandline Beetle which should be emergi

Dry and sunny, the week so far Tuesday 9th May 2017

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The dry spell of weather continues, the reserve at Pembrey is very dry and the Green-winged Orchids are not at their best, a spell of gentle rain would freshen the vegetation and breathe some life into the dune flowers. Butterflies are on the wing, despite the strong winds at the weekend, with SMALL HEATH, and DINGY SKIPPER being new for the year. Dingy Skipper, there's always a piece of grass in the way! Despite many species of bird on eggs or feeding young there's quite a bit of song still to be heard through the day especially the scratchy notes of the Common Whitethroat. Seven new cattle are now in F2, they are still quite curious as some of them can barely see over the fence, but I bet they could jump it if pushed... the over winter grazing in F2 and F3 has benefited the wide range of flowering plants and as the season progresses they will be a riot of colour; we have a few flower walks planned so don't forget to put a note in your diary: 24h J