Record counts for WeBS and WBC

Headed out to do my WeBS early this morning. A couple of Daubenton's Bats were flitting over the Taf Bargoed alongside Mill Road. Up at the lakes a Common Sandpiper was a pleasant surprise. Mallard total came in at 99 - a record WeBS count for this site. How long before I break the 100 mark? I also counted 87 Pied Wags leaving the reedbed roost.
From there, it was a  walk round CCF. As expected, birding was hard work but ultimately rewarded with the disclovery of a female Pied Fly and two youngsters. Away from the birds, the highlight was a small group of Chantrelle mushrooms.

Taking advantage of the reasonably decent weather, I then headed over to undertake my second Butterfly count. Whilst most species were not particularly showy, a grand total of 488 Six-spot Burnet made it onto the recording sheet. The number along the ridge must be several 1000.

On the walk back home, I came across this unusual chap on a Bramble leaf.

A bit of digging, and it turns out to be a late instar Dock Bug.
 

Sunset

This was Wednesday night  and what a brilliant sky .

Martin getting photo bombed

These ponies snook up on Martin who was unaware they were there until they started going after his bag. The little grey one also tried to eat my rucksack. It really looks like they are checking Martin’s butt out and any caption on what they are saying is most welcome.

Day Trip to Kenfig Pool

Sunday Morning Phil, Martin and myself went to Kenfig for a walk and also did Sker. At Sker Farm  after a bit of of searching found the Little Owl in the old barn under the apex of the roof. At Sker there was lots of Curlew and Oystercatcher, a juv Kittiwake was the only thing of interest passing out at sea and on the beach were a small flock of Sanderling.  We saw a couple butterflies including three different blues and this Holly and Small Blue were a great bonus for me for the day. We saw loads of Gatekeepers it seemed every bush had one on it. We also found some more Sulphur Beetles which were new for Martin.

I thought this was a old bud of a flower but on looking closer could see it was a clump of Small Tortoieshell Caterpillars .

The boys chilling before walking back.

Over the Cwm and on the Nant Clydach River

I found this moth and it seems to be more coastal and called Pammene Gallicana or Purple Shaded Piercer. I have been told by Paul Parson it's the third for Glamorgan and he has not long found the second one over with him, the first was in the eighties.

 I have also been looking for this beetle and it was great to see again Pachytodes Cerambyciformis

Sicus Ferrugineus

Martin's post RE the conopid fly, Sicus Ferrugineus, reminded me of the photo I managed to get of this species last year at Crymlyn Burrows.

As well as the distinctive, curled under abdomen, the species frequently piggy-backs on each other. There doesn't appear to be any mating significance to this behaviour, but it is quite distinctive. It's also one of my favourite photo's from last year.

Bryn Du, playing catch up

I managed to get up to Bryn Du yesterday morning, to checkout the Round Leaved Wintergreen's found by Mark earlier in the week. Thanks to the directions from Martin I found the two plants - larger flowered than I had presumed.

The Bramble surrounding Martin's Thistle was alive with Bees, Wasps, Hoverflies, etc. including three new hoverflies for me.

 The large wasp mimic Sericomyia silentis,

 the smaller Meliscaeva cinctella,

and Platycheirus albimanus.

The Wheel wash was alive with invertebrate life, dozens of Great Pond Snails, Azure, Common Blue and Emerald Damselflies and a male Emperor Dragonfly patrolling the pond.  Water Boatmen came in many differing sizes including both the Greater (also known as backswimmers) and the intricately marked Lesser Water Boatmen.

On the bird front, highlights were a flock of 17 Crossbills.