Scorchio!

 

Having just returned from a weeks holiday in the Canary Islands to arrive home to similar temperatures in the UK I took the first opportunity to get out into the Blaenavon landscape for a spot of biological recording. So I made my way to Coity Tip in the mid afternoon sunshine with a sense complacency that if I can cope with foreign holiday conditions then anything domestic weather can throw at me should be child's play.

On my way I met two American tourists one of which was trying to track down bird song with a phone app. After being asked if I was 'bird chasing' I explained I was a naturalist looking for all manner of wildlife. Here I offer no criticism as it was good to witness visitors with a healthy interest in wildlife and to confirm my long held belief that those who visit Blaenavon primarily for its industrial heritage will often have a supplementary appreciation for its natural heritage.  

On the tip it soon became apparent that my alleged tolerance for hot conditions was foolhardy. The grassland was awash with Birds-foot Trefoil with patches of Blue-eyed Grass, and there were many Common Blue, Dingy Skipper, Small Heath and Painted Lady butterflies along with much bee activity. However my efforts to get down on my knees to photograph some of these invertebrates was met with exposure to the burning sun. It was frankly, unbearable, so I reluctantly turned for home before heat stroke began to bite.

On the return journey I passed the small pond the base of Coity Tip. Here Broad-leaved Water Plantain is showing well and what appears to be Greater Spearwort. If confirmed this will be my first record of this plant from Blaenavon. Here too the adjacent interpretation board remains in a appalling condition - almost totally unreadable. Not a good image to convey to foreign visitors!