Beside a concrete plinth

In  the edgelands of Blaenavon just short of a turning to Llanelly Hill and in view of the largest upland bog in Gwent (a site waiting to be valued by those charged with valuing such valuable habitats!) is an unofficial, bootleg roadside pull in. This highway notch provides easy access to another fading facet in the over exploited valleys landscape. Here the remnants of a concrete plinth fractured by the freeze thaw activities of an often hostile winter climate has bedded down with coal spoil a tarmac track and a perished size 8 Wellington boot to provide a botanical past time for a child at heart inquisitive naturalist.

Just like the first bend of an Olympic 1500 metres final plants jostle for position behind the pace setting purple moor grass (Molina caerulea) and common cotton grass (Eriophorum angustifolium). On the edge of a short length of the black stuff 20+ bee orchid (Ophrys apifera ) are just coming into flower. These are late individuals but no surprise given the lofty elevation in which they've chosen to frequent. Elsewhere wild thyme (Thymus drucel) flowers along with the dainty fairy flax ( Linum catharticum ). A single moonwort (Botrychuim lunaria) pushes its way through a bed of moss whilst overhead up to 30 meadow pipit and an odd goldfinch line an electricity wire calling to fledglings hidden in nearby thatch. The larval cases of burnet moths litter the storks of gramineae species but the only visible was a single adult narrow bordered five spot (Zygaena lonicerae) on a now withering southern marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa). The diminutive blue fleabane (Erigeron acer) dominates the otherwise lichen dominated skin of this upland rudural feature. All in all enough to satisfy the simple demands of a working class naturalist, one of more pure breeding would no doubt make a longer list  

Blast furnace slag slope

I make an annual pilgrimage to the limestone blast furnace slag slope (bit of a mouth full!) on the northern edge of the Gilchrist Thomas Industrial Estate, Blaenavon around this time of year for the plants and associated invertebrates. I've not done any specific research as to the origin of this slag but its a fair assumption that its a by-product of the nearby Blaenavon Ironworks now managed and showcased by CADW.  However what limited knowledge I have about the industrial heritage of this area suggests that this mountain of slag has largely gone unnoticed by local armchair industrial historians.

This south facing slope is fringed in trees offering a micro-climate that benefits plant diversity, and as its a mainly limestone substrate it provides an island of variety within a wider sea of acidic habitats. The sparse yet colourful habitat is dominated by cats ear ( Hypochaeris sonchoides), ox eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) and birds foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus). Search more carefully and you will find blue fleabane (Erigeron acer), wall pepper (Sedum acre), southern marsh orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa) and common restharrow (Ononis repens). Day flying moths are represented by the limestone loving micro Pyrausta despicata and orthoptera by the mottled grasshopper (Myrmeleotettix maculatus).

You've avoided the boiling oil and then........

Usk Castle has adopted a modern day defence system by allowing a stand of giant hogweed to mature within its grounds. Not sure why they've not chosen to deal with this species but it was an interesting sight nonetheless.

Heading east

Dropped down into the Usk Valley for some true country walking in rye grass dominated fields beside the River Usk at Llanwenarth. It was not long before my way was barred by a horse and several immovable tail swishing cows.This had me scrambling down a bank onto the pebble dominated river margin. It was not long before I pick up the call of a common sandpiper actively feeding on the extensive shoal deposited along this part of the river. The soft sandy banks provided nesting opportunities for sand martin with two separate colonies noted. A couple of heron dropped in and a kingfisher and grey wagtail flew past.

Insects were is little thin on the ground and in the air. A stand of nettle edged with thistle supported a number of small tortoiseshell and a fly past red admiral. On the return journey I chased a male clouded yellow through a field until it alighted long enough for a photo. Twelve or more male banded demoiselle danced among riparian herbage.  

Orchidfest

A couple of evenings ago I took a bus mans trip to Garn Lakes Local Nature Reserve where I was in search of dragonflies around the recently established reedbed.  Success came in the form of hundreds of scarce blue-tailed damselfly and two black-tailed skimmer. A healthy supporting cast included the reed beetle (Donacia vulgaris), several reed bunting, many hundreds of southern marsh orchid and a single bee orchid.

Welsh Chafer

Another lunchtime One Hour Challenge had me chomping on my sandwiches whilst wandering around a meadow in Llanyrafon - this is multi-tasking in action. An in flight coleoptera alighted on a patch of Rubus and turned out to be the Welsh Chafer (Hoplia philanthus). A not often recorded beetle but under recorded rather than rare I suspect. Same bramble patch supported the large attractive hoverfly (Volucella Bombylans) and in the meadow were a couple of Narrow-bordered Five Spot Burnet moths.

One hour challenge

I like Springwatch especially Unsprung so in true Nick Baker fashion I took the One Hour Lunchtime Challenge hitting the Mon and Brecon Canal for some odonata watching. I was pleased to be able to track down a dozen or so red eyed damselfly among the azure and blue tailed. A tree bee also performed.

Leapt on

A marathon three hour session in the Blaenserchan valley looking for tickable lepidoptera ended in a right royal soaking. This unsuspecting small heath got pounced on by a lying in wait crab spider. The number of active small pearl bordered fritillary peaked six and green hairstreak at just a single. Other notables included an early cinnabar moth. Interesting plants didn't get much beyond a couple of moonwort. 

Thunderclap

Made my way this morning to that large area of bracken and gorse dominated heathland otherwise known as Cwm Lickey. With the skies still dark and the continued threat of another bout of thunder, lighting and heavy rain I didn't venture too far in case of getting caught out by a trouser wetting downpour. Linnet, skylark, tree pipit, meadow pipit, raven, redpoll and willow warbler weren't too difficult to track down. A horse grazed meadow that had clearly been agriculturally improved in recent years was supporting a population of around 150+ common spotted orchid.

Heritage trees

There's a disused forgotten farmstead on the hillside above Blaenavon by the name of Tir Abraham Harry. For readers of the human landscape its not too difficult to trace the remnants of a farm building, some collapsed drystone walls - now covered in bilberry - and a fragmented field boundary of gnarled and stunted hawthorn with two similarly weathered crab apple trees.   

Crab apples are not something often found in the uplands as text says the altitudinal range of this species is about 400 metres. Tracing the contour line on my Landranger puts these two trees at just over this limit. For a landscape elevated to global status for its historical unsustainable use of natural resources its reassuring to find at least some escapees from those scorched earth times.  

Kicking about in this landscape I flushed a sitting meadow pipit and encountered a pair of stonechat defending their nest site, skylark were widespread, a reed bunting sang and linnet and redpoll were frequent. Although is was early morning several large red damselfly were on the wing and the attractive upland click beetle was in flight.

Xanthogramma pedissequum

Another very short stop at Rogiet Countryside Park this male Xanthogramma pedissequum hoverfly was the pick of a lightweight bunch. 

Exuviea

This azure damselfly exuviea was collected from Llandegfedd Reservoir recently. Methinks I should start a voucher collection!

Living in perfect harmony!

Alright I know we've been here before but the Brynmawr roof top gull colony demands my attention every time I'm there or there abouts - sorry poor sporting cliche. The colony was alive with birds yesterday I counted around 108 and was unable to view the whole site due to some sitting on nests within the valley bottom of the pitched roof and therefore out of sight. My estimate would be closer to 140 with 60% in favour of herring gull. 

I was pleased to see the return of the much travelled Blue CHL standing guard over its sitting mate and was amazed by some of the fortress type defences built mainly by brooding herring gull. 

Have net will travel

Its The British and its just up the road so convenient for an evening visit of little effort. On this occasion I decided to press into action my sweep net freshly laundered for a new vegetation bashing season.

There is a small watercourse on site that was swollen to a size that required a bit of a leap to clear leaving a fine impression of a walking boot tread in the bank side mud. It was here I met four lads taking advantage of the natural play opportunities provided by this post industrial site that's lettered with Nanny state health and safety disclaimer notices. They engaged in hearty conversation and while one  bashed the heads of a stand of nearby unfurling bracken fronds the others make a reasonable assumption that I was out to catch fish with my net. I would have taken time to explain my real purpose for being there but I couldn't really be bothered after long day in work so I was pleased when an in-flight singing common whitethroat caught my attention so I bid the lads farewell and went in pursuit of a 'whitethroat on top of flowering hawthorn tree' photo.Needless to say the lung busting warbler had no intention of posing for a pic. 

Moving on I deployed the net with increasing gusto stroking through the herbage like an in form KP on a flat wicket. More often than not my efforts were rewarded with little more an a net containing yellow meadow ants. An exception to this was a specimen of a 24 spot ladybird (Subcoccinella 24-punctata). A cuckoo called as I dismantled my gear for ease of transport. 

 

Hirsute

It was Rogiet Countryside Park today - not sure why its called a countryside park as the site was fashioned from old railway sidings etc., maybe Rogiet Edgeland Park might have been more apt. To call something other than countryside in Monmouthshire would surely be grounds for gross misconduct. Either way the site is an interesting blend of ponds, herb rich grassland and tree planting with areas that are in urgent need of management. Of interest were a few hairy dragonfly, a single brimstone butterfly and around half a dozen brown argus, at least two reed warbler were also in song. 

Its carnage out there

Having spent last Sunday morning at Llandegfedd Reservoir hoping for a coastal stray but drawing a blank, I happened on this one at lunchtime today near the dam. Unfortunately this gannet was unable to find its way back to his more characteristic marine habitat.

Those of a nervous disposition........

Blackbirds, hedgehogs, rabbits and badgers are frequently encountered splattered on our road network, but its not often a stonechat becomes a victim of the motor car. This male was found on a hillside road in Blaenavon.  

Otter on the Ebbw

A late posting from earlier this week and its a report of a short visit to the former Marine Colliery and adjacent River Ebbw near Cwm. The colliery site has long since been reclaimed and plateaued in readiness for new sunrise enterprises but with the characteristic obligatory nod and a wink to its past with the incorporation of the collieries pit head wheel as an on site design feature.

The River Ebbw was interesting. A metal bridge spanned the watercourse where features of its industrial past could still be found in a cluster. A gated level with wooden way marker as if part of some newly branded tourist attraction, an attractive weir with evidence of recent shoal removal and structures such as riverside walls and gabion baskets to ensure the watercourse remains straight jacketed along its original route. Some decoration was provided by a long since dumped car in an advanced state of decay with various pieces of river detritus trapped within interior. That said the oak and beech woodland with attractive understorey covered the steep hillside nearby was a delight.

A short walk down the river bank was just enough to whet the appetite for another more time consuming visit one another day. A female mallard with young drifted down stream, a ringed grey wagtail probably part of Dave Cooksey's study put in an intermittent appearance, a fly by dipper. Overhead swifts and house martins had arrived en block while willow warbler, chiffchaff and blackcap sang heartily. A redstart could also be heard but in the distance. However the most noticeable ecological feature was the amount of fresh otter spraint that was clearly visible on a number of the larger in-river stones. 

Landscape features of heritage value

I've posted about vintage fence posts before (what I hear you say!) but they really are gems in an often featureless landscape. Those that run adjacent to the now disused railway cutting at Waun afon bog are a case in point adding structural diversity to an upland landscape sometimes bereft of focal points. Like sun bleached sentinels their variety in shape and form, age and quality are surely of contemporary cultural value. Like culturally modified trees they are temporary features but with few champions. There's no organised recording project that document these boundary features, so over time will be lost, all to the detriment of future generations. Its a shame that these historic features are made of a natural product; if of stone or metal the full might of CADW and the sliver haired members of local history groups would be crawling all over them.

These ageing fence posts provide excellent nature conservation value. Encrusted with lichen and mosses they offer feeding perches for raptors and smaller upland breeding passerines. At Waun afon recently posts were used by calling stonechat, meadow pipit and even a wren. Butterflies too enjoy alighting on these features.    

Dancing in the sunlight

It was an invert day in the Blaenserchan valley with a first of the year dingy skipper on view along with a number of small copper. Elsewhere amongst the herbage where several small-purple barred, widespread common heath and a dozen or so long horned moths (Adela reamurella) active in the sunshine around a small hawthorn tree. A lumbering bloody nosed beetle was on view along with many slightly more energetic green tiger beetles. Notable birds in song included redstart, wood warbler, tree pipit and garden warbler.

Magor meadowland

Called in to Magor Marsh on my way back from Bristol this afternoon in the hope of finding an odd male garganey or so. No garganey but Cetti's warbler, reed warbler and reed bunting were in song. In the grassland ley just outside of the reserve were 16 mute swan, 3 Canada goose and 3 greylag goose. Invertebrates included a slender ground hopper, a brimstone and the first odonata of the year in the form of several azure damselflies. 

Natural capital - urban street trees

Cut it, bash it, lop it, trim it, hit it, sever it, chip it, fell it and don't re-plant it, pin things to it, nail it, drive in to it, risk assess it, spray around it, strim it, carve it, pee against it, complain about it, neglect it.  Value it - not a chance!