Snake in the grass

Rather predicably Llandegfedd Reservoir was devoid of interesting waterfowl yet full of fishermen. So when this occurs one has to look elsewhere for an ecological kick and one was found in the meadow around Greenpool Bay. Apart from the emergence of common spotted orchid the most striking botanical feature was thousands of adders tongue fern springing forth from the grassland and so early in the season as well. If you've not seen this smart little fern get out the reservoir now for some botanical twitching.

Birdwise the woody margins were alive with chiffchaff, blackcap and willow warbler and the water margins supported a couple of snipe. A Jimmy Edwards (who!) lookalike blue tit with a large handlebar moustache provided some brief entertainment and the ideal opportunity to field test a new 70-300mm Sigma DG lens.