Broomrape at North Dock, Llanelli

We are all aware of the importance of brownfield sites for wildlife. This site at North Dock, Llanelli holds a population of common broomrape Orobanche minor but like many such sites is destined for redevelopment.

Transit of Venus

Although we were up before dawn on the 6th, it was soon apparent we had no hope of seeing the 2012 transit of Venus due to the blanket of rolling cloud. However, conditions were better on 8th June 2004 when we did manage to take a few shots on film.

(c) S.J. Stewart

Memories

In case anyone has forgotten, this what a butterfly looks like! The sun is forecast to shine tomorrow so we may get lucky and see a few beauties like this Small Blue photographed at Limeslade by Owain Gabb on 4th June.

(c) O. Gabb

Busy Tree Bees

I was quite surprised to see up to 7 Tree Bumblebees (Bombus hypnorum) busy on the Wall Cotoneaster (C. horizontalis) outside the kitchen window yesterday, despite the persistent rain. They were coming and going all the time so there's clearly a nest nearby. The only other species noted braving the weather were a couple of Early Bumblebees (B. pratorum). Today's weather is much more extreme, with gales as well as driving rain, so it will be interesting to see how hardy these newcomers really are!...

Painted Lady at Crymlyn Burrows

At least 2 Painted Lady flying around the dunes at Crymlyn Burrows this evening. The Common Scoter seen on 19th May (68 that day) are still showing in the bay albeit a bit distantly. I would safely estimate their number to be at least 70 this evening maybe c80. Waders still hanging on Sanderling(47), Dunlin(24) and Ringed Plover(21 inc a juv)

Marsh Tit at Carmel SAC

immature Marsh Tit

A family party of Marsh Tits was a very pleasant surprise at the Carmel SAC this morning. The immature birds, of which there were 3, were busily preening out their downy feathers while an adult bird nearby was much more elusive, but calling, thankfully!

Fairwood's Oaks

Chicken-of-the woods (Laetiporus sulphureus)

There are some very nice Pedunculate Oaks (Quercus robur) at Fairwood. Those shown below were measured as mostly 2.0m-2.5m in circumference, but one was an impressive 6.4m. I'd be interested to know if there are any bigger trees in our area. These mature trees mark ancient boundaries with the enclosed land being largely dominated by Rusty Willow (Salix cinerea ssp. oelifolia) and Downy Birch (Betula pubescens) with a field layer supporting stands of Remote Sedge (Carex remota), Creeping Soft-grass (Holcus mollis) and mosses such Sphagnum spp. and Thuidium tamariscinum.

A number of ornamental planted trees were also noted including what looks like Dutch Elm (Ulmus x hollandica), but the leaves were about 5m too high to confirm!

Dutch Elm