Paul's Blog - All comments and views are my own,

WOW that was wet, almost continuous rain on Wednesday did not deter our hardy band from getting stuck in to various tasks at Morfa Berwig LNR, we were joined by students from Coleg Sir Gar doing community work as part of their Bronze DoE award. The primary task was to install a new Oak sign at the A484 roundabout entrance, fortunately after a very short while I was delegated to take some of the students and support worker to remove some fencing, which whilst equally wet was a lot easier than digging three holes for the sign. Despite the best efforts of the "sign team" progress was slow due to the difficulties in digging through the substrate to a depth sufficient to hold the sign, so after lunch it was back to it. Fair to say we were all wet and muddy by the end of a tough day, some more than others! Almost there...... ..in context Finished..... In completely different weather, today, I attended a site meeting with Simeon, local residents, Outdoor

Despite having had a really good holiday, it is always nice to come home.... I visited Pembrey Burrows and had a good look around, despite the cold wind the Skylarks were in full song, the sea and beach were oddly quite but all the cattle were present and correct. We have had a much wetter winter so far, compared to 2016/2017, evidenced by the fact that the ephemeral ponds in GF3 are full. Morfa Berwig LNR has certainly dried out quite a lot with the water levels dropping in all parts of the reserve. The refurbishment works on the bridges has been completed with them both looking good, the work should keep them safe and sound for a while to come. Looking good

Well just back from a week on the Portuguese island of Madeira, and what a great week it was. Just 3.5hours flying time from Bristol but a world away in habitats and scenery. A result of volcanic activity the archipelago consists of Madeira, The Desertas island (a national park with restricted access) and the Savage island (a bird reserve totally off limits). The highest point is Pico Ruivo at 1826m. A moderate climate where summer temperatures average 25'c and the winter is mild at around 17-19'c at lower elevations with snow on the mountains for a few days each year; t he weather  we experienced was mixed with every season experienced from SNOW on the mountains to gales and hot sunshine. There are a number of endemic land bird species on the island, and although I visited over 20 years ago I never really got to grips with them, so this trip they were firmly in my sights. I booked a half day trip with Madeira Wind Birds , run by Hugo and Catarina two loca

What a change in the weather, a trip around the eastern side of the island including a stop at the third highest point Pico Do Arieiro, at 1800+M about 6000ft. Well that didn't  happen due to the road being closed at 1414m due to SNOW. Not surprisingly the temperature at 1414m was 2'c with hail and Gale force winds. Madeira is a stunningly beautiful island with 67% a Natural Park with areas  of it having some extra  level of protection, including SPA and SAC status as well as a UNESCO biosphere reserve. On the Bird front the highlight was a brief but good view of MADEIRIAN FIRECREST, also seen were; TURNSTONE, MOORHEN, COOT, CANARY,GREY WAGTAIL,  and            Y L GULL.

I'l do a proper one off blog when I get back home, in the meantime Weather so far warm very high teens, showers. No sign of Dolphins or Whales on the boat trip yesterday but a few gulls which will need sorting when I get home, Herring Gull types plus BH gull, Grey Wagtail ssp Schmitz, Atlantic Canary, Cmn  Kestrel, Plain Swift and  few Blackcaps

Hi all, I'm going away for a few days, may update the blog from Madeira! if not normal service will resume in a while.

I'll start by apologising for the issue with yesterdays Blog!,  Just to reiterate, if anyone is keen to be involved in the Butterfly survey this year please get in touch, paul.pembreylnr@outlook.com. Yesterday saw us at the Ynys Dawela Nature Park near Brynaman where we set about removing the old information sign and replacing it with a nice new sign, in what looks like being the design for the reserves going forward. We are quite skilled at digging holes, and with a bit of huffing and puffing, mostly by me, we got the three holes dug and the new sign installed. Made from Oak it should last a good while, just needs the left hand panel completed with an information frame. Yes we made it look effortless, and its appearance belies its weight, it was heavy..., and to be honest I had serious doubts about getting it installed, after all we were digging in a layby... we shifted some decent sized stones and some post-crete from the previous sign, (actually