An eye out for the Golden-eye lichen

 

It seems the once thought to be extinct in the UK Golden-eye lichen is making something of a comeback in the South Wales valleys. Recent records from Parc Penallta, Caerphilly and the Merthyr area suggests its worth searching those stumpy hawthorn trees that are such a feature of the upland margins for this attractive eye lash lichen. With this in mind I made a short but unsuccessful visit to search a group of trees near to Garn Lakes Local Nature Reserve (LNR) Blaenavon, before moving on to look for early summer visitors in the Pwll Ddu quarry area.

Despite the day being bright and sunny there was a cold brisk wind as I kitted up for what was to be a bracing walk around Pwll Ddu. Call me strange- and trust me I've been called a lot worse- but I enjoy tracking down March dates for species such and Chiffchaff and Wheatear. However this year a two week overseas holiday in the middle of the month had removed a chunk of available time for recording these birds. Chiffchaff is always the easier of the two as I often record my first singing birds from the comfort of my back garden. Wheatears are different, effort is required to either visit a coastal location or to get out in the chilly uplands.

The information post that advises dog walkers to keep their animals on a lead to prevent disturbing ground nesting birds or to not get shot for worrying sheep is largely ignored. And so it was the case on this day! I made my way to the first limestone quarry full of expectation as I knew Wheatears has arrived in the locality thanks to social media posts. Alas no amount of sheltering from the cutting wind was enough for this quarry to support a sight of this characteristic white-rumped bird. And so it was the case for the other quarries in this area. Slightly crest fallen it was time to get back to the car and to head home. Am I the only one that thinks the natural world conspires to take the piss out of people me? As after a couple of hours in the cold searching for Wheatears two birds showed well on a dry stone wall less than 20 metres from the car park- along with a pair of Stonechat. There must be somewhere a small operational committee comprising of a representative from taxonomic group that oversees the movements of birds etc. just to have a laugh at my expense. The thought then crossed my mind that I could of sat in the comfort of my car listening to Iron Maiden just waiting for the birds to alight on the wall and fence posts in front of me. But then that's pure laziness or is it?

Gwent Ornithological Society Talk

 

It was great to present a talk about the Natural Heritage of the Blaenavon Landscape to members of the Gwent Ornithological Society last week at Goytre Village Hall.  The society is close to my heart having been a member since I was fourteen years of age, so that's over 50 years ago.

My talk was based on my naturalist activities in this post industrial landscape. Whilst it focused on birds it also included some rare plants and insects as well as promoting this landscape as an important pond area with many wetland features. 

Many thanks to all attendees. 

Blaenavon white out

 

A break from the demands of retirement allowed enough time to get out into the Blaenavon landscape following the recent heavy snow fall. Day one's visit was spent around Canada Tips and Cefn Garn yr erw and day two took in the landscape around Garn yr erw and Garn Lakes Local Nature Reserve (LNR). 

Day One - This excursion involved parking just off road near to Keepers Pond. Here the snow was thick and the wind biting as my son and I walked towards Canada Tips. It was no surprise that we weren't the only ones enjoying the snowy landscape. Whilst there were many people around the visitor hotspot of the Keepers Pond, that incidentally was totally frozen, others, many families with young children, were using the coal tips of Canada Tips for a spot to sledging. We stayed just enough time to take some winter landscape photos before moving on to Cefn Garn yr erw.

At the top of Garn Lakes LNR we took the incline of old haul road to Cefn Garn yr erw only to be greeted by two off road quad bikes and a Land Rover Discovery. A kestrel passed us on the way to try its luck around the trees of nearby enclosed farmland. Due to the extensive snow fall it was only stands of gorse and some over mature heather that were able to show above the extensive white carpet, but this didn't stop a single meadow pipit from eking out a living in these harsh conditions.

Day Two - The following day we were purposefully out early to avoid the crowds enjoying the white out. Thankfully at this time it was quieter yet as were reached the top of the Cefn Garn yr erw haul road a mountain biker stopped to talk to us about birding and how he was concerned about bird declines. He was refreshingly engaging going on talk about a friend of his from the midlands who was a keen birder.

From Cefn Garn yr erw were turned south towards into the wider upland expanse of Garn yr erw itself. We followed a route taking us past several frozen ponds punctuated by stands of reedmace towards Hills Pit chimney. Here the virgin snow showed a trial of well marked footprints of  a nighttime fox. A red grouse called in the distance before two bullfinch alighted in the top of a nearby pond side willow tree.

It was taxing walking through the heavy snow and by the time we'd reached Hills Pit chimney the cold was penetrating our feet so were dropped down and crossed the road to continue our walk through Garn Lakes LNR. Here even a slight drop in altitude and the presence of semi mature trees was enough to see an increase in bird activity. More bullfinch, magpie, house sparrow and blackbird were visible. Passing the largely frozen lower lake of the reserve a small area of unfrozen water acted as a focal point for wintering wildfowl including, coot, mallard and moorhen. Here too it was great to bump into Alan and Margaret Underwood. Alan is a keen photographer and dragonfly recorder and was quick to share his news on finding a willow emerald damselfly on his garden pond in Abergavenny.