Monmouthshire Botany Group visit Lasgarn Wood.

At the request of Dr. Steph Tyler MBE and pending president of the Botanical Society of the British Isles (BSBI) I had the privilege of leading a group of botanists around the Lasgarn Wood near Abersychan recently on what was very sunny April day. 

The Lasgarn Wood is very close to my heart as it was the playground of my youth and where I cut my teeth as a budding naturalist. Siting on the limestone band that encircles the south Wales coalfield it is still possible to see evidence of mine workings that helped sustain historic industrial activity in these parts. Here shallow surface quarrying can still be viewed amongst the closed canopy Beech woodland with its sprawling ancient woodland indicator plants, another reminder of the close links between our industrial and natural heritage.

The footpath climb from our meeting point at Waterworks Lane was steep, but provided the group with good views of the fresh green leaves of beech woodland regeneration. Here path-side plants included Soft and Hard Shield Ferns, Early Dog Violet as well as providing a early opportunity for the group to discuss the difference between northern and southern Wych Elm - a debate that clearly emphasized the collective knowledge present on this walk. 

Beyond the Beech the woodland grades into patches of Sessile Oak and Birch with its understorey of Billberry and Heather before we broke into the squinting mornings sunlight that was provided by a recent conifer plantation clear-fell and its convenient haul road track. A few Red Wood Ant were noted stirred by the warming spring sunshine along with Orange Tip and Peacock butterflies. The group embarked on the examination of several conifer trees where a further discussion about species and hybridization ensured.

Progressing southward along the forestry track toward our lunchtime resting spot was punctuated by stops to check Lady's Mantle, Yellow Rattle and to view several Dark Edged Bee Fly. Following our re-fuelling break we returned to the forestry track but headed northwards towards a poorly recorded area. Once again there was plenty to occupy the botanists including possibly a 100+ rosettes of Common Spotted and Southern Marsh Orchid, a species of Aster, Fox and Cubs and the dreaded Himalayan Balsam. Willow Warbler were in fine song.

Where the track terminated we descended into another area of mature beech woodland close to the top of Waterworks Lane. This woodland is notable for its carpet of woodland plants none more so than Ramsons that in places cascades in abundance to smother the woodland floor. Toothwort used to occur in this woodland but was not visible on this occasion. Crosswort was found as were left the woodland to drop down past the decommissioned Welsh Water reservoir. A large patch of this plant was known from the grassy bank of the reservoir but recent, and wholly unnecessary management, had reduced this hitherto species rich bank to a botanical desert. So much for Welsh Water's public bodies biodiversity duty!

After over four hours in the field we arrived back at our meeting point and I took the opportunity to photograph a large Morel fungi possibly Morchella esculenta nestled at the base of a hedgerow. We said our farewells but not before I encouraged the group to consider revisiting this part of the vice county of Monmouthshire in the future.

Well done to all invovled!

 

The weather was set fair for another 'just past' sunrise visit to the Blaenavon Landscape. The track that led me past horse grazed fields at Garn yr erw with their eclectic mix of animal shelters and supporting bathroom clutter was lined with Hawthorn that was just coming into leaf. The trees at this altitude tend to be several weeks behind their lowland counterparts when it comes to leaf burst, nonetheless their fresh greenness set against the mornings blue sky was a satisfying sign that spring had now arrived.

A Chiffchaff and Green Woodpecker could be heard calling from the nearby Garn Lakes Local Nature Reserve (LNR) as I progressed around the foot of a steep coal tip and in sight of Hills Pit chimney. A male Wheatear sang strongly from the top of this conical- Madonna's bra -tip as if to assert his position as 'king of the castle'. At the chimney more Wheatear sparred for control of this elevated stone structure flying strongly between nearby fence posts and ground level exposed stonework before ceasing an opportunity to momentarily claim the chimney for themselves. It was clear that these early spring migrants had arrived in force and were keen to get on with the immediate requirement of establishing a breeding territory. 

Past the chimney the terrain leveled to briefly ease the contours on the map - does anyone read maps these days? Here a number of former industrial ponds, most still supporting open water but with others in clear need of management, are an unappreciated ecological and archaeological feature of this wonderful landscape. I was instantly greeted by the familiar vocalizations of nesting Canada geese. These loudmouth non-native invasive species are now so numerous that paired birds claim ownership to what seems to be sub-optimal habitat in which to raise a brood. Birds not only called loudly from the immediate vicinity but others could be heard from out of sight locations throughout this wetland landscape. Birds that were visible were often encountered grazing sheep-like on vegetated coal spoil tips.

The small number of trees around these ponds are mostly Hawthorn and Goat Willow but are punctuated by several stunted, weather beaten and decaying Crab Apple trees that are clearly a remnant of historical boundary planting. Whilst the pragmatic side of me claim them to be native Crab Apples I hold on to a romantic notion that they could be a rare or long lost breed of native apple and if so will be in urgent need of conservation. I've tried to match the fruit with others online but this has just led me up the garden path to a position of frustration and hopeless resignation that I'll never confidently identify this apple without specialist intervention.

I searched the still largely leafless trees for territory claiming birds. Skylark sang heartily high against the strong raising sun as I picked out a pair of Reed Bunting low down in a willow tree, and further on a pair of Stonechat one of four pairs encountered on this visit. The female had turned her back on me whilst the resplendent black, red and white male stood proudly at treetop occasionally knocking together those pebbles to let me know he was there. A single Linnet flew strongly overhead before I flushed a Snipe from the confines of a stand of Purple Moor Grass.

Further on two medium sized ponds were my focus of attention. Once again these former industrial ponds that last year supported breeding Tufted Duck as well as Common Toad and a typical yet notable community of upland odonata, were now occupied by Canada Geese. Recent work on the lower pond to re-establish a water management regime to help control water levels to moderate flood risk and enhance habitat was refreshing to see. This simple yet cost effective intervention will have wide ranging and long lasting sustainability benefits. Well done to all involved! More please!

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 had 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?