Not surprisingly, yesterday's Redstart had moved on from Cosmeston - they never stay long in the springtime - things to do! However, I did find my first 2 Large red damselflies of the year, & only my second Green tiger beetle at this location - super little creatures! #odonata #carabidae
I have a LOT of butterfly photos so this year, apart from shots for recording purposes, I'm trying to get better compositions & backgrounds, not just the butterfly. Today a male Orange-tip finally stayed still for some pics, & then didn't want to accept a female's rejection! #SouthWalesButterflies
Thank you, and, yes, thanks to James. I've recorded the fungus with its previous name. I guess, at some stage, some poor soul will have to go through the existing fungus records and change those for Harlequin ladybirds to the new name.
I see tons of Dock bugs but Box bugs are rare in Wales. From iRecord, there's only one record in ST17 and that's from this year. I think there are only about 6 records total in Wales.
In today's pick 'n' mix: my first Box bug (Gonocerus acuteangulatus), I think - very few Welsh records so hope this is correct; a Common footman larva (Eilema lurideola); & 1 of several Early mining bees (Andrena haemorrhoa) - I tend to avoid bee IDs but these are such beautiful creatures.
I could hear this male Blackcap ticking his way through the scrub but he didn't know I was there until my camera shutter started clicking when he popped out into the open on this branch. Their glorious song seems to be coming from every tree & hedgerow at the moment. #BirdingWales
Thanks for the update, James. That's really helpful.
Interesting! Just checked iRecord and it's not there either. Not sure how these various systems get updated but I'm going to tag my LERC @sewbrec.org.uk and see if they can check this. Thanks for you help.
Thanks, Jeremy. I presume that's very recent as the species is not yet showing as an option when I try to record it in my local records office database.
Thanks for that. I presume the fungus is the same - do you know?
Thanks, yes, I saw your redetermination. The small size, overall colour & brown legs had me fooled. :-)
On the local park railings today a 10-spot ladybird (Adalia decempunctata), which I think has been infected with the fungus Hesperomyces virescens, not something I've seen before; & a tiny mirid bug nymph, Rhabdomiris striatellus.
Cardiff Bay this morning, with hundreds, perhaps thousands of hirundines feeding over the water. Most were Sand martins, though there are also some House martins. I did later see Swallows but I'm not sure I captured them here. Video at half speed. Magical! #BirdingWales
youtu.be/rwMqtGh_4dQ
#RecordOfTheWeek today is this delicate Brimstone butterfly (Gonepteryx rhamni) recorded by Annie Irving on the Wales coastal path near Lavernock.
Many thanks to Annie for the record and photo, submitted via the LERC Wales App www.sewbrec.org.uk/recording/app
Yes, Bluesky's been having problems all day. It's not just you. :-)
The paddocks had previously been cut for hay once a year, which worked well at controlling any scrubby plants & gave the council some income. I think too many organisations have jumped on the 'conservation grazing' bandwagon without considering the overall impact of their choice.
At my local country park in south Wales, the introduction of 'conservation' cattle grazing has obliterated the previously healthy population of Small & Essex skippers because the cattle eat the grass that contains the skipper larvae & pupae. Madness!
A mix of sunshine & cloud today made for good butterfly watching conditions at Grangemoor, the butterflies less frantic, many perching. Seven species seen: these Small white, Brimstone (fem), Holly blue & Orange-tip (fem), plus Speckled wood, Peacock & Comma. #SouthWalesButterflies
From Cosmeston this morning: mating craneflies, Nephrotoma appendiculata I think; the only migrant I could find, a Whitethroat in full song; & a busy Robin parent with a beak full of food for its chicks.
A lovely meander around Lavernock NR & along the coastal path today produced 48 butterflies of 8 species: 1 Large white, this egg-laying female 1 of 3 Brimstones, 8 Peacocks, 11 Speckled woods, 17 Holly blues (having a good year so far!), 6 Orange-tips, 1 Comma, 1 Small white. #SouthWalesButterflies
The Merlin app has its uses but I'm fed up with people using it who think they're instant experts.
Today: 'Are you photographing birds? I can tell you what they are with my app." Well, actually, I know what they are using my ears & my brain!
"It's a Bank swallow." In the UK, it's a Sand martin!
After a weekend of rain, hail, & strong winds, it was nice to finish with sunshine & butterflies in Dingle Park, including my first Green-veined whites, lots of Holly blues, Small whites, & a Speckled wood. #SouthWalesButterflies
Happening now, the Coastguard Rescue team in action off Penarth Head. I assume this is a practice exercise as the person being rescued is wearing a helmet and life jacket ... but it may not be. What a brilliant job these people do!
Thanks for the confirmation. I certainly will record it. :-)
I looked at that but the abdominal markings were confusing me - didn't look quite arrow like. But I can see darker variations at the link you shared, and it would certainly be more likely in my area. Thanks for your help, Andrew. :-)
A spider conundrum & not very clear photos to help solve it. Found this on bedroom wall last night, next to an open window so not necessarily a house spider. I live next to a slice of ancient woodland, sth Wales coast (ST17). So, could this be Tegenaria silvestris? @britishspiders.bsky.social
I returned the one I got, with some comments they probably wouldn't appreciate scrawled in large red pen all over it! 😜
These are my first four Whitethroats of the year, found at Cardiff's Grangemoor Park today. The air was alive with their song (one was even songflighting!), as well as Chiffchaffs, a Willow warbler, Blackcaps, Goldfinches, a Chaffinch, & hirundines were whirling around overhead. #BirdingWales
A walk across the Barrage to Cardiff Bay wetlands & back: 2 handsome Wheatears on the outer rocks; my first Reed warblers singing at the wetlands (not showing though); 2 lingering Goosander (maybe non-breeders?); large numbers of Sand martins; missed the 2 Sandwich terns. #BirdingWales
I had 3 of these on my local park railings earlier this week. Wasn't entirely sure what they were at first but now verified. :-)