Hooded Crow at Sker

Hooded Crow at Sker

 A Hooded Crow was found this morning by Graham Roblin in the fields between Sker Farm and the Royal Porthcawl Golf Course. While I was there it favoured the field with the sheep (ss798794) but, was mobile and on occasions was east of Pink Bay Pool also at Sker Rocks briefly.

Little Owl at Sker

On the way there this Little Owl caused me to forget all about the Hooded Crow (and the rain!!) for about 15 minutes while it showed well in gloomy conditions. I've seen some pretty nice stuff recently but, this Owl is right up there with the best of them! Some footage of this fantastic bird via the link below.

Little Owl video

Hornet on Gower Peninsula

Chinch Gryniewicz http://www.chinch-gryniewicz.com/ wrote ...
'Now, there was an opportunity - and i missed it, or did I? Yesterday evening, coming home and into my living room, i found myself in the company of a queen Hornet (Vespa crabro) trying to get out of the closed window! never seen one before. what an extraordinary sight - very close to two inches long and vibrating with life, intensity and purpose. As all external doors and windows were closed, I imagine the following: This week gone we have just started replacing my old roof, a lot of banging, hammering, ripping out old stuff has been going on and I wonder whether she was disturbed from up there, having overwintered or perhaps even already considering building a new nest up there. I stared at her in awe with a fast beating heart for some considerable time and then was so intent on moving her safely out of the house, carrying her a good way away from my home down into the woods, that it wasn't until I finally saw her flying off into the dusk that I realized "oh no, didn't take a picture....". Unbelievable, isn't it. so much for the always prepared photographer. But you know what - and i have felt this numerous times before: Sometimes the absence of a camera is a good thing. It often seems that when there is a camera between me and the 'object'  that this somehow diminishes the impact of the immediate experience. There is too much concern about getting a good 'record', the camera becomes a subtle barrier between me and 'it', emphasizing our separateness. When the camera is not there, I often find that my connection to what I have stumbled across is much more raw and emotional and leaves a far deeper impression, reverberating in my mind for a long time. It doesn't become a picture, but a real encounter and a powerful and lasting memory to treasure. Part of me is really glad that i missed this 'picture', but oh boy, am I glad to have met this queen Hornet.
Will I leave the camera in the bag next time? Well, we'll see, I'd certainly recommend it once in a while.'

[As far as I am aware this is the first occurrence of Hornet on the peninsula]

Butterfly eggs on Cuckooflower

(c) R.G. Smith

Richard Smith photographed this larva on Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis) near Welsh Moor on 28th April. It is either an Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines) or Green-veined White (Pieris napi) and can be seen eating its egg shortly after emerging; note the unhatched egg below.

Toothwort at Parkmill

(c) D. Roberts

Dai & Lynda Roberts recorded 10 flowering spikes of Toothworth (Lathraea squamaria) in Parkmill Woods on 7th April. This is a parasitic species associated with Hazel and Elm on calcareous soils and is very localised in the county.

Ramson's Hoverfly at Resolven

I've been away the last couple of weeks so apologies for a few belated postings I received via email.
Andrew Lucas wrote:
'A family walk along the canal at Resolven on Easter Monday gave me a chance to do a little hoverfly recording.  One species out in force was Portevinia maculata, colloquially known as the ramson's hoverfly.  Its  larvae burrow into the bulbs of ramsons, and it flies during the plant's flowering period.  Watch out for a fly about the size of a small bluebottle, with distinctive silver markings on the abdomen, buzzing around it's food plant.
Not surprisingly, the species is widely recorded on Gower, but seems to be more local elsewhere in Swansea Neath Port Talbot.  This appears to be the first record for SN80 (according to the hoverfly recording scheme website), but this reflects a lack of recording rather than any great discovery on my part!'

Dotterel at Cefn Cadlan, again.

Dotterel male(left) and female

Yesterday, Martin Bevan and Phil Hill found a pair of Dotterel around the limestone pavement at Cefn Cadlan. These birds were still performing very well today but, the strong gusty winds were making them a little edgy on occasions. They were seen in flight on one occasion and were often spending periods of rest crouched down out of the wind.

male Dotterel

Interestingly, a pair of Dotterel were found by Graham Smith a year ago today in this exact same location. Grahams posting on Glamorgan Birds from last year read  "2 Dotterel this afternoon on Cefn Cadlan at SN983116 (the '458' spot height on map). Park by the cattle grid at SN991114 and walk WNW 1/2 a mile up onto the slopes of the rocky hill just beyond the isolated small wooden pen." The birds stayed around for just under a week last year so there is every chance these will be around for a few more days. It is well worth the effort.

female Dotterel

Bluebells

This photo was taken in Briton Ferry Woods this morning. You usually have to wait until the middle of May to see bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) like this. Bluebell woodlands are a special feature of the British countryside. If you want to see one of the best bluebell displays of the century, get out there now before it's too late!