Getting my 10,000 steps a day in and doing a bit of birding as I go, especially around Rhaslas, note camera work hasn't improved.
A late morning visit was almost abandoned when I found; 8 paddle boarders, several dog walkers and 2 birders already present. I ignored everybody and carried on regardless, making the most of the break in the weather and was rewarded by distant views of 11 whimbrel, my highest count at Rhaslas (record shots only). Also present were 3 swift (first for the year), a single common sandpiper and a fresh influx of wheatear c5. Note 11 whimbrel were reported at Llangorse later in the day, I wonder.
Bird briefly present on the 24th, on ridge to east of pool, then slipped east. Maybe I should have enlarged image sooner, nah! just a juv peregrine with a fat moustache.
2 little ringed plover present today, singles have been noted briefly over the last week but flush at a distance and appear to head north. 3 common sand also noted.
Rhaslas this morning; singles of turnstone, dunlin and common sandpiper on shoreline with flyover lapwing and curlew. Yesterday a little ringed plover heading north.
With Mike and Martin Bevan both bringing the blog back to life, I thought I'd better do an update on my PSL challenge, which I set myself a couple of years ago - to get my home monad (1x1km grid square) and its 8 neighbours up to 1000 species.
At the end of 2020 I had managed to get my home monad (ST0996) up to 1067 species and by the end of 2021 it was up to 1248 species.
For the remaining 8 monads, progress was made but was hampered as I spent some 5 - 6 months in Scotland looking after my parents, sorting out the sale of the family home, etc.
A new year and another list so I thought I would give this blogging another go. Local listing is a great way to get you out and about especially checking your local patches in the valley, rain or shine still gets you out. I always start listing religiously at the beginning of the year and than it seems to fade off as the year go on. On adding up my list for last year I was surprised to see I had beat my previous high count by two birds and my best now stands at hundred and twelve birds for the valley.
On the second of January I started my first day birding local. I went to Dare Valley Country Park first stopping to pick up Tufted Duck but on arriving I was surprised to find my flock had gone from nine to two. It just go to shows you can't take anything for granted. I also did Tirfounder fields and all in all I picked up 42 species. As I got home I had a phone call from Phil to say he had found a Great White Egret, its a big local rarity and I think a third or fourth for the Valley, a brilliant find by Phil. On arriving I got the news I had missed it by five minutes, it was seen at Peace Park if your local or any non native people to the valley Pwll Waun Cynon Nature Reserve.
The biggest part of my birding is done when I am out with the dog, my walk a couple times day consists of a field at the top end of Robertstown . It turns up some good birds over the years, its where I found my first Yellow Browed Warbler. At the field yesterday I managed to see four species of birds of prey in twenty minutes, I got my first Peregrine of the year, my local female Goshawk for the third time this year. It's a juvenile bird and I have been watching it since last autumn. I have seen it chasing Wood Pigeons but most day its after the Jackdaws going to roost or leaving the roost at Aberdare park. Two days ago I was over the field and I spotted her flying over, she was taking some big flaps and I was starting to think she was going to do a display flight but with that she shot off west and out of sight. Within minutes a male Sparrowhawk flew towards me really fast and dropping in to stoop. I thought it was hunting but little did I know it was being hunted by the Goshawk chasing it over a wood and out of sight. For a second you think wow, what a sight, a first for me and then the coin drops and you start to think I hope it missed. I had to wait two days before I saw both again and boy was I relieved. I have also noticed that there seems to be a lack of Winter Thrushes and it took me a couple of days to get both, in the past I would have got both on the same day. Last thing big cheer for Martin for keeping the blog going and boys I am sick of buying all the tea.
It's been a long time since any post on the blog - the last from Mike a worthy call to arms. This will be a short post to highlight a recent find with very few records in the UK.
Last weekend I was down Pembrokeshire. First stop was Barafundle Bay. Walking down the steps to the bay I noticed several galls on the leaves of Greater Knapweed, Centaurea scabiosa. On opening one, a small orange grub was in residence, looking very much like a fly larva.
On getting home I checked with the excellent Bladmineerders website (https://bladmineerders.nl/) and this led me to Loewiola centaureae, a species of Cecidomyiidae fly with only 4 records listed against it on the Aderyn website and only 8 in the UK.
After doing bits and pieces around the house on Saturday morning, I headed out looking to add to my PSL challenge, this time tackling the monad immediately east of my home monad, looking to add mainly fungi, bryophytes and lichens to the squares list, keeping an eye out for any avian year ticks - in particular the very invisible Fieldfares.
I was quite successful in adding over 50 species to the monad's list. Amongst these were a couple of lifers.
First lifer was the micro fungi, Phragmocephala atra. This is a micro fungi of dead Nettle stems, found when checking the Nettels for the much commoner Leptosphaeria acuta. Mark had posted about P. atra on Facebook a couple of years ago, but I couldn't find any at that time. They look like short, dark, stiff hairs erupting from the stem, but when they are fresh they have a "pompom" head, which makes them quite distinctive.
The second lifer was also a new family for me. Bristletails, Machilidae. Thanks to a recent post on Facebook by Christian Sparrow Owens, providing a photo reference for bristletails, when I spotted one, I felt that I might be able to identify to species level, so grabbed a few pics. A quick perusal of the reference photo's were enough to convince me that I had Dilta chateri. I did, however, post it up on Facebook and Christian agreed the id.
This species appears to be restricted to Wales. In fact the NBN atlas has only 14 records for this species and all within south Wales.
Yesterday was a day focusing mainly on PSLing, looking to get the species lists up in a couple of 1km squares centred on Mynydd Goetre-Coed. I wasn't able t add any birds to the frankly pathetic year total of 51, but did find myself some new bryophites - the moss, Bicolored Bryum, Bryum dicotomun and the Liverwort, Thick-set Earwort, Scapania compacta.
I also managed to find my first spider for the year whilst looking under stones, as well as Yellow Meadow Ants. I also found my first caterpillar for the year - looks to be the caterpillar of Dingy Footman.
Whilst wandering over the top of the ridge, I noticed a couple of pellets, about 40mm long, mainly,with largish bones protruding. In one of the pellets, very near the surface was a claw. Quite large at over 10mm long. Any suggestions as to prey, or preditor?
Today is back to birding, with a visit to Nelson Bog and Parc Penallta - both an easy walk from the house, so complying with the current Covid restrictions.
The first year tick came within minutes of arrival at Nelson Bog as a Green Woodpecker flew over. Making my way to view over the back bog I flushed a Snipe, the second year tick of the day, from a ditch. As expected the back bog held a few Teal and, eventually, a Reed Bunting. At this point I thought I heard Willow Tit, but could only find a couple of Blue Tits. Given both Blue and Great Tits can make calls similar to Willow, I assumed it was the Blue Tits as that was all I could locate. Moving on I passed the main feeding point, lots of Coal, Blue and Great Tits, but no Willow coming for seed. It's been almost 2 years since I recorded a Willow Tit at this site, and the more visits without a sighting the more likely this species has vanished from what was one of it's local strongholds. Further on, however, another Willow Tit call - this time I was certain it was and I quickly located the bird. It showed well for a couple of minutes before flying off. Great to see that at least one is still around, but worrying that it was only one bird.
On to Parc Penallta, where a second Snipe was flushed, before two Water Rail were seen dashing for cover and later a Woodcock was flushed. Making my way up to the pagoda I could hear a flock of finches feeding. Next thing, a flock of around 40 Lesser Redpoll flew past. Further on a second flock of over 60 birds, this time mainly Siskin was found, though there were a couple of Redpoll in the flock. The Lesser Redpoll taking the year list up to 59.
Well as expected the birding has gotten off to a slow start. Rather than the 1st January out with the boys picking up75+ species, it was a wander around the local area, with just 30 species logged. Highlights(?) were a couple of fly-by Stock Doves, a fly-over Goosander and a small flock of Siskin.
Today's shorter wander was up round Parc Taf Bargoed and the settling beds. This added a further 15 species to the year list. 6 Red Kites was a record site count for me, but these were outshone by a Sibe Chiffy feeding at the lake side. Although it never called during the 20 mins or so I followed it, it was generally browner than a normal chiffy, lacking any green tones to the upperparts plumage. The cold pale grey underparts lacked any yellowish hues. The Super' was quite lengthy. The best of my photo attemps is below.
Whilst the birding might have been slow, I've managed 4 lifers across other taxa. Yesterday was 2 fungi - a single largish mushroom proved to be the Goblet, Pseudoclitocybe cyathiformes. This was follow by a tiny mushroom, Cinnamon Navel, Omphalina pyxidata.
Goblet
Todays wander round Parc Taf Bagoed produced a further two lifers and just go to show that no matter how many times you visit a site, there is always something new to uncover. First up was the fern, Maidenhair Fern, Adiantum capillus-veneris. Whilst photographing this I noted a slug not far away. This turns out to be (tentively) a Rusty False-keeled Slug, Arion fasciatus.
Whilst the birding has been pretty poor this year, my PSL listing has continued apace with my adding some 570 species to my life list - I started the year on 3011 species and I'm currently on 3582, and not expecting to add anything between today (29th) and the start of the New Year.
So what have been the highlights?
Moths
Making my first forays into moth trapping has been great, and brought quite a few new species - I also seemed to add quite a few new moths away from the trap, sometimes as caterpillars, but sometimes as adults.My top additions this year are all species I've wanted to see for some time and I managed to get at least one in the trap this year.
Top billing has to go to Merveille du Jour, with the runner up spots to Vestal and Chinese Character.
Chinese Character, Cilix glaucata
Beetles
Without doubt my top addition was the Blue Ground Beetle, Carabus, intricatus from Melincwrt, That was, however, a bit of a twitch. My best find was the colourful, and reasonably large, rove beetle Platydracus stercorarius.
Bugs
Again an easy choice, Spiked Shieldbug, Picromerus bidens has evaded me until this year, so it was nice to come across 2 over the year.
Remaining insect orders
Two standout finds this year. One I'll leave to the end of this post, the other was part of the bye-catch from the moth trap - a Giant Lacewing, Osmylus fulvicephalus.
Other animals
The standout addition was a slug - the Lemon Slug, Malacolimax tenellus. I know, a slug - something many people think are disgusting and most don't give a second glance to, except to try to kill. But this is quite attractive and unlike most slugs when you handle them this doesn't curl up and do nothing - rather this acts more like a snake or slow worm, in quickly trying to get away. This individual was about eye level on a conifer trunk in the middle of a gloomy patch of dense forestry and just stood out.
Lemon Slug, Malacolimax tenellus
Plants
The highlight plant was a twitch, on the back of twitching the Forester Moth (that didn't even make my top three new moths this year) - the Narrow-lipped Helleborine, Epipactis leptochila. My only new orchid of the year.
Of my own finds, my highlight was Heath Groundsel, Senecio sylvaticus found whilst undertaking my BBS.
Heath Groundsel, Senecio sylvaticus
Fungi
This was close to being my best find of the year, Whilst surveying for Willow Tit, I cam across a mass of Hoof Fungi, Fomes fomentarius. Whilst in itself it's not that spectacular, it was the shear number of fruiting bodies - well into 3 figures - that made this a spectacular find for a species with very few Welsh records.
Hoof Fungi, Fomes fomentarius
As stated above, the Hoof Fungi was close to the top addition to my life list this year. So what beat it. For that we have to go back to virtually the start of 2020 and the Snow Flea, Boreus hyemalis, found some 800m from home. Just wish I managed to get better photo's of it.
At the start of the year I set myself a Pan Species Listing (PSL) challenge to increase the number of species recorded in my home 1Km square (ST0996) to over 1000 species. Foolishly, I also decided to expand that to all those 1km squares that border my home 1Km square. While I may have foolishly expanded the challenge, I also set out to get all 9 squares up to 1000+ species over a 2 - 3 year period rather than try to do it in one calendar year.
So how have I gotten on? Well the home square started with 756 species logged. A few days ago, I called up the current list from Aderyn and it now stands at 1067 species. A quick check through it shows some species I have recorded have not yet worked through, such as Yellow-line and Red-line Quakers, Twenty-plume Moth. So success for ST0996. What about the others?
I have increased all, but some not by much The list is
I don't think anyone needs reminding of what a strange year this has been as a result of the ongoing Covid pandemic, with only a faint glimmer of light at the end of a distant tunnel showing, it looks like restrictions are going to be in place for a while yet. The restrictions have curtailed travel resulting in a bird list that only just scrapped over two hundred, 201 to be exact, plus a probable Ring-billed Gull from last weekend, and 3 non counters (all wildfowl).
That said, there have been some highlights. The 3, possibly 4, Ring Ouzel from a local common in April stood out. It's the third year, in the previous 4 that I've recorded Ring Ouzel at this site. A couple of years ago a male held territory for about a week, with a female also present. His territory was centered around a small disused quarry. Unfortunately the quarry is a favoured training site for climbers, so disturbance is high if the weather is nice. With the potential to breed at the site, I'm keeping the exact locality quiet.
Coed Cefn Ffoerest held no fewer than 5 Spotted Flycatchers in early May, my highest number for many years, that included 3 singing males. At least 4 were still in the wood at the end of the month, but I couldn't find any later in the breeding season.
The other spring highlight was a brief Sedge Warbler at the edge of local woodland at the edge of Treharris.
The biggest disappointment was not connecting with the Great White Egret at Parc Taf Bargoed. It spent at least 40 minutes there early one morning, only for news to be put out after it had flown off. Given the growing frequency of both this and Little Egret, its only a matter of time before I can add either to my list for the site.
The autumn highlight was undoubtedly the flock of 11 Common Sandpipers at Parc Taf Bargoed in early August. A single, Black-headed Gull in late September, provided my only site tick of the year for the park.
With a mild night forecast, I decided to put the moth trap out, more in hope than expectation as returns have, predictably, become rather scarce.
On first inspection this morning it didn't look too promising with the top of the trap covered in water. Fortunately from a heavy dew, rather than rain. However, opening the trap brought my second Merveille de Jour, Dichonis aprilina just inside the lid. As always a smart moth, and already made it a worthwhile catch.
In total I had 7 moths, of 7 species - my best return for a few weeks. Even better, 3 of those moths were lifers, the highlight being the migrant moth Vestal, Rhodometra sacraria, though the Streak, Chesias legatella is a scarer moth in Glamorgan. As well as being new for myself, and my home 1km square, all three are the first records for the 10km square ST09.
Brick, Agrochola circellaris (lifer 2)
Good morning out with Mr Bevan last Sunday the highlight being this little stunner at Dare Valley Country Park. Its a rarity like me posting on here lately. Must do better.
As expected the returns in the moth trap are dwindling and after a nil return on last Sundays efforts, I was contemplating stopping for the Winter. However, with others still pulling in the odd moth or two, including a few that wood be lifers, I've kept going.
I ran the trap on Thursday (8th) and it returned 4 moths, of 4 species. This included the first Red-green Carpet, Chloroclysta siterata for the trap and for the km square, and a lifer in the form of a Flounced Chestnut, Agrochola helvola.
I ran the trap again last night and a slightly small return of three moths of 3 species. But it did contain two lifers, Red-line Quaker, Agrochola lota and Yellow-line Quaker, A. macilenta. They don't quite live up to the Yellow-browed Warb' found by Phil and Martin in Aberdare Country Park yesterday, (Top find guy's, I couldn't even find a Chiffy) but it will do for me.
Taking advantage of the good weather and the fact I am still working from home, I've ran the moth trap three nights this week, Sunday, Tuesday and last night. Whilst numbers have been low, the trap has produced a lifer each session, including one of the moths I've most wanted to see since I started taking an interest in them.
A couple of weeks ago the trap contained a Copper Underwing, but is escaped before I could check the underside of the hind wing. Opening the trap on Monday morning, amongst the 11 moths, of 7 species, was another Copper Underwing. This one didn't get away and a check of the under hind wing confirmed it as Amphipyra pyramidea, the commoner of the two species in south Wales.
On to Wednesday morning and a slight increase in numbers to 14 moths of 8 species. The newcomer was a Pale Mottled Willow, Paradrina clavipalpis.
I then made a late decision to put the trap out last night, starting it just after 9pm. Low numbers this morning, just 8 individuals, from 8 species. But it did contain one of my most wanted moths. Unfortunately not a Clifden Nonpareil, Catocala fraxini, which seem to be sweeping through south east Wales at the moment. I think it's a much better looking moth, Merveille du Jour, Dichonia aprilina.
Sandwiched in between the trapping sessions, I've managed a couple of trip out with some sucess. On Tuesday I was coaching in Haverfordwest, and spent the afternoon in the Marloes Mere / Gann estuary area, picking up the two Buff-breasted Sandpipers at Marloes, before picking up a few plant lifers, including Chamomile and a Boat Bug, Enplopis scapha, and a couple of fungi, including the spectacularly coloured Gibberella gordonii, a fungi that feeds on the much more common fungi Ergot on the Spartina.
After coaching in Neath last night I decided to take advantage of the good weather and the fact it was getting dark earlier to hunt for one of the most spectacular beetles inhabiting south Wales. the Blue Ground Beetle, Carabus intricatus. Until recently this large beetle was only known from 10 remote sites in Devon and Cornwall but a few years ago one was photographed in Skewen. Bug Life has undertaken a number of surveys and found a reasonable sized population in south Wales. I'd taken part in one survey a couple of years ago that failed to find any, so this was definitely on my "most wanted" list. About 30 minutes of torch light scanning of large oaks, interrupted by a curious Tawny Owl, that needed to check me out, and bingo, about 3m up there was a large armoured blue beetle. Unfortunately too high to get a decent photo, but a couple of record shots were obtained.
I made a fairly late decision to put the moth trap out last night, not switching it on until 9pm, as the forecast was for a warm night with cloudy skies. This turned out to be a good move as I had one of the best night recently with the number of moths in the trap up to 17, when previous nights had been down in single figures. Large Yellow Underwings and Dusky Thorns took the lions share with 4 each. The highlight was a tick in the shape of a Pine Carpet, Pennithera firmata.
