Wednesday, 29 June 2011

Seeing the Changes 414

Between Blackpill and Westcross, noted Crow garlic (Allium vineale), Golden samphire (Inula crithmoides) and Traveller's joy (Clematis vitalba) in flower. The Burnet rose (Rosa pimpinella) had turned to hips.

Tuesday, 28 June 2011

Krazy Kenfig

The day started with a striking Large emerald moth (Archiearis parthenias) in Loughor. Went on the Zoology trip to Kenfig where we saw Sea holly (Eryngium maritimum), Early marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata) and Marsh helleborine (Epipactis palustris). Critters included mating Dark green fritillaries (Mesoacidalia aglaja), Bee beetles (Trichius fasciatus), a Ruby tail (Chrysis ignita) and an orange-bodied Hymenopteran.

Sunday, 26 June 2011

Seeing the Changes 413

A hot day in Oxwich! Pyramidal orchids (Anacamptis pyramidalis) were past their best and Common rock-rose (Helianthemum nummularium), Common centaury (Centaurium erythraea), Wood sage (Teucrium scorodonia) and Bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum) were making an appearance. There were many butterflies including Painted lady (Cynthia cardui) on the Wild thyme, Meadow brown (Maniola jurtina), Small heath (Coenonympha pamphilus), Small blue (Cupido minimus) and Small skipper (Thymelicus flavus). There were also sand wasps (Ammophila sabulosa), Scorpion flies (Panorpa germanica), pale flies (Thereva annulata), Grey bush crickets (Platycleis albopunctata) and grasshoppers.

Saturday, 25 June 2011

Seeing the Changes 412

In Penclacwydd, Hemp agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum), Beaked hawksbeard (Crepis vesicaria), Lady's bedstraw (Galium verum) and Bullrush (Typha latifolia) were in flower. In Bynea, Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii), Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) and Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) were blooming. In that location, Cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae) larvae were noted on the Ragwort.

Friday, 24 June 2011

Seeing the Changes 411

In Loughor, the Large-flowered evening primrose (Oenothera erythrosepala) was in bloom. In Bynea, it was the turn of the Great willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum), Field pansy  (Viola arvensis), St John's wort (Hypericum sp) and Sun spurge (Euphorbia helioscopia) were in flower. Field rose (Rosa arvensis) had produced hips.

Thursday, 23 June 2011

Norwegian Would

In Sunndalsora in Norway (home of a major aluminium smelting plant that uses 5% of the entire country's hydro-electricity generation), there were surprising varieties of wild flowers including Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris), Wild perennial lupin (Lupinus perennis), Northern marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza purpurella), Heartsease (Viola tricolor), Harebell (Campanula uniflora) and Bladder campion (Silene vulgaris). The Pied wagtails (Motacilla alba) were actively feeding in the very extended days.

Sunday, 19 June 2011

Seeing the Changes 410

The Ringlet butterfly (Aphantopus hyperantus) has returned to the playing fields of Loughor.

Drip, Drip, Drip

England and Wales's privatised Water Companies essentially have monopolies. The 'regulator', Ofwat, has approved their rising a...