Seeing the Changes 17

The winds of the night have converted many of the Horse chestnut flowers into a pink 'snow'. Bramble flowers also starting to emerge in Bynea, as are Elder (Sambucus nigra), Smooth sow-thistle (Sonchus oleraceus), Black knapweed (Centaurea nigra) and Pineapple mayweed (Chamomilla suaveolens).

Birder's Bonus 4

Many pairs of Starlings (Sternus vulgaris) appear (on the basis of noise and repeated trips with beak fulls of food) to be raising healthy broods of chicks under the eaves of houses in Glan-y-Mor Park, Loughor.

Seeing the Changes 16

Horse chestnuts (Aesculus hippocastanum) are at the end of their flowering period. The first visit this year by a Brimstone moth (Opisthograpta luteolata) to the house. In Gorseinon and Loughor, the first Field roses (Rosa arvensis) and Brambles (Rubus fructosus) are in flower. Broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius), Black Medick (Medicago lupulina), Hoary cress (Cardaria draba) and Ivy-leaved toadflax (Cymbalaria muralia) have also emerged. Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) and Small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata) are also flowering. A Forest bug (Pentatoma rufipes) and a ladybird, a Calvia 14-gutta, in the garden at Loughor.

Birder's Bonus 3

The egg shell of a gull (possibly Herring gull) was found on Bynea cycle track.

Seeing the Changes 16

More flowers emerge. What is probably Tuberous pea (Lathyrus tuberosus) and Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) in Bynea along with the Long-headed poppy (Papaver dubium) and Scyamore (Acer pseudoplatanus).

Seeing the Changes 15

The Gorse (Ulex europaeus) has apparently never been out of flower but is now a mass of yellow. White umbellifers, including Hemlock (Conium maculatum), and yellow crucifers are much in evidence near the river in Bynea. The first Greater celendines (Chelidonium majus) are out in the same location and the Rowan or Mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia) is in flower in Loughor. There has been a sudden influx of Clouded yellow (Colias croceus) into the region. This butterfly is capable of quite impressive migrations (from Southern Europe to the south of Sweden).

Birder's Bonus 2

Swallows were seen flying around the Loughor estuary in Loughor and Bynea.