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

I spent a few hours on the Pembrey LNR this morning before getting on with preparing for the BioBlitz in the Pembrey Country Park which takes place tomorrow (Sunday 10th). The weather improved quickly this morning from overcast to hazy warm sunshine which caught me out whilst on the beach looking for the STRANDLINE BEETLE, sadly there is very little debris on the beach suitable for the beetle so I didn't find one in the mile or so of beach I checked. On a brighter note I did find some "new" BEE ORCHIDS, growing in a different location to last year, the PYRAMIDAL ORCHIDS are also beginning to put on a show across the reserve. Bee Orchid flower The pond in field 2 continues to improve with 7 times more SOUTHERN MARSH ORCHIDS compared to last year as well as EMPORER, BROAD BODIED CHASERS and BLACK-TAILED SKIMMERS, all putting on a show Black-tailed Skimmer Good numbers of SMALL BLUE as well as SMALL HEATH butterflies were pleasing to see as this year seems a

A routine visit to the Pembrey LNR was rewarding in so much that the site is looking amazing. The cattle were taken out of GF2 a couple of months ago, this has allowed the vegetation in the pond to grow without being grazed off, as a result the pond and "slack" area will be at their best in a week or so, Southern Marsh Orchids are already coming into bloom, with the shoots of Lesser Spearwort providing resting places for the Broad bodied Chasers. Southern Marsh orchid With many of the summer flowers on show the accompanying butterflies are out in force with 10's of Small and Common Blues on the wing. mating Common Blues Now that the kids are back in school and there is a quieter feel to the reserve get out and explore.. It has certainly been a busy half term I'll let the photo below speak for itself, (the used bbq's  had aleady been moved off their original position, hence the burn marks however they were still hot when I got to them so we en

Having spent the last two days welcoming visitors to the country park it seemed a good idea to start a "wildlife seen" list at the entrance. The catalyst for the idea was a WEASEL running across the road, with great views. The birds are quite "tame" with great views of MISTLE THRUSH, SONG THRUSH, BLACKBIRD, ROBIN, DUNNOCK, BLUE and GREAT TITS, JAY, and MAGPIE; ok not the most exciting birds but the thrushes were in good numbers with the Mistle Thrushes feeding fledged young. The woodland in the park is well worth an explore at any time of year so don't forget the  BioBlitz event on Saturday 9th June with an event evening for BATS and more, and the a packed day of guided events on Sunday 10th starting at 6:30am with a ringing demonstration. BOOKING ESSENTIAL for all events Move the page around to read the poster

I started my new GDB, ( I mean this in the most positive way as the role is so varied) role with the Outdoor Recreation Service on Saturday the weather was not great until Monday when we had a busy bank holiday, four hours of saying " hi, that's £5 please here's your receipt have a great time..." On the plus side whilst out and about in the park I found a HORNET, as well as a few fledged MISTLE THRUSH, a ROBIN feeding young in one of the workshops and SWALLOWS investigating nesting sites. Hornet, Vespa carbo I checked the reserve before and after my shifts, they are looking magnificent with a wide range of flowers on show, the SOUTHERN MARSH ORCHIDS, are just coming into flower. Thanks to Bernie for letting me know of his bird sightings, adding KITTIWAKE and believe it or not SAND MARTIN (I still haven't seen one at Pembrey) to the year list which is now at 100. Get out and about the sun  is here... for now!

Just returned from a "family" holiday on the Spanish Island of Lanzarote. A really interesting location and some good birds and volcanoes The weather was mixed with a constant NE wind (the trade winds) and heavy cloud cover for most if not all of every day - the weather at home was much better as I kept hearing... A respectable bird list of 22 birds with the specialities discovered on a tour with a local Eco guiding company. New birds for me included, HOUBARA BUSTARD, CREAM COLOURED COURSER, LESSER SHORT TOED LARK AND SOUTHERN GREY SHRIKE.   I also had good views  of  BARBARY FALCON, ( an adult and a well grown chick) A selection of "record shots" below. Houbara Bustard Cream Coloured Courser Southern Grey Shrike Barbary Falcon chick The scenery is amazing with over 200 inactive volcano cones, [the whole of the Canary Islands complex is still considered volcanically active] and extensive lava fields as well as an interesting "desert

I have been monitoring the 44 nest boxes at Morfa Berwig since the beginning of April, there have been signs of activity in 49% of the boxes, however todays update perhaps presents a better idea of the breeding season so far. The cold nights in the past week have taken their toll on one box where all seven well grown Great Tit chicks have perished. It seems that a predator, probably a Weasel, has finished off two clutches of eggs. On the brighter side I did manage to ring three great tit chicks, albeit there were originally eight eggs in the clutch. NEST BOX NUMBER ACTIVITY RECORDED Species 3 Female incubating NB not counted Blue Tit 4 Female incubating NB not counted Great Tit 6 Nest deserted, all seven chicks dead Great Tit 9 Nine eggs warm Great Tit 11 Female incubating NB not counted Blue Tit 16

Due to commitments I couldn't make the Wednesday volunteers yesterday, and only managed a few hours out of the house today. In bright sunshine but with a stiff westerly I attempted a short butterfly survey alas the butterflies had other ideas so I consoled myself by looking at some of the spring flowers making a decent show on the dunes at the moment. With Thrift, Wild Pansy, and Horseshoe Vetch, Birds-foot Trefoil,  Meadow Buttercup and of course Green-winged Orchids; there was plenty to look at.  Wild Pansy, Viola tricolor, spp curtisii Thrift