Recycling Conifers at Afan Argoed

This day looked at plantations of conifers (Japanese larch, Scot's pine and Sika spruce) as crops and as a public amenity. In addition to the trees, notable plants in flower included Welsh poppy (Meconopsis cambrica), Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) and a violet (probably Viola mirabilis). Wild strawberry (Frageria vesca) was in fruit and Ivy-leaved crowsfoot (Ranunculus hederaceus) was blooming on the small roadside pondlets. We also noted the problematic aliens Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) and Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum). In terms of insects, there were many red and black froghoppers (Cercopis vulnerata), the probable brood of a Parent bug (Elasmucha grisea) and Forest bug nymphs (Pentatoma rufipes). There was also a wasp mimicking hoverfly (Chrysotoxum cautum) and an actual wasp (Tenthredo celtica). A male Oedemera nobilis beetle was also spotted. The pondlets also contained Palmate newts (Lissotriton helveticus).