Seeing the Changes 201

In Swansea, the first Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) was in flower. Sea plantain (Plantago maritima) was in evidence in West cross as well as Common sorrel (Rumex acetosa) and Annual wall rocket (Diplotaxis muralis) in Blackpill. In Loughor, Yellow oxalis (Oxalis corniculata) popped out along with the Pignut (Conopodium majus). Scorpion senna (Coronilla emerus), Guelder rose (Viburnum opulus), the Wayfaring tree (Viburnum lantana), the alien Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) and Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) were also in flower. A 10-spot ladybird (Adalia 10-punctata) scuttled about in this location as did a Cardinal beetle (Pyrochroa serraticornis) and some frisky beetles (Chrysolena geminata) mated. An interesting gastropod (Succinea putris) was also found. A Crab spider (Misumena vatia) lurked and two Hawthorn shield bugs (Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale) also got down to mating. In Bynea, the Common mouse-ear (Cerastium fontanum) was much in flower and a beetle (Oedemera nobilis) fed on pollen. Other beetles (including a mated Gastrophysa viridula) and flies were in evidence there.