Phew; What a Scorcher!

Taking advantage of a gorgeous day, I finally got around to visiting a site I have meant to look at for ages. My main reason for going to Craig Fforchaman, above the village of Glynhafod, was to look for mosses; in particular Goblin Gold, having found another site for it, at Tarren y Bwllfa on Saturday. Walking from where I parked, on the Maerdy mountain, I skirted a conifer plantation, in which I could hear Crossbills calling, as well as Robin, Redpoll  and Siskin, while out on the sheep pasture, there were three Mistle Thrushes. Dropping down alongside the plantation, which is of Larch, around its edge, I was amazed to see just within it, a plant of Pheasant Berry (Leycesteria formosa) growing happily under the larch. I wonder if it will survive the demise of the larch and replanting with an evergreen conifer species? It was nice to hear Chaffinch and Coal Tit singing. While exploring the landslip and grabben features for mosses, I heard Gos calling in the distance and saw a small party of Meadow Pipits. The sun felt pleasantly warm and there were a few insects flying about, while on some of the larger tumbled boulders, there were hunting male jumping spiders, which are always entertaining to watch close to.

The Zebra (jumping) Spider Salticus scenicus. 

Jumping Spider Salticus scenicus (male) Enjoying the Sunshine

Apart from the mosses, my other reason for going there was to visit the point at which four ordnance survey one hundred kilometre squares (SN, SO, SS and ST) meet. As you can see, it is a featureless place.

Where SN, SO, SS and ST meet.

On the way back I picked up some Snipe feathers, which had been sheared cleanly off, so either a fox kill of scavenged by a fox. A male Kestrel was a lovely sight, as I left.

Little Gem

Martin Bevan and myself nipped down to Forest Farm this afternoon after work to hopefully have a look at the Little Bunting. It took us longer to find the Warden's Hut than to find the bird, it was perched up right outside the hide. We then walked over to the other hide where the female kingfisher was on the perch right outside the hide unfortunately with her back to us. She did turn slightly to the side so I just managed the above shot.

Lastly we drove over to Forest Ganol but the Hawfinches weren't playing ball today.

Whose Cooting Rob

 This little cracker was at Cannop Ponds

Hang out the bunting

Nothing like a little twitch on the way to work.

After the discovery of a Little Bunting at Forest Farm yesterday - apparently Rob was on eye level with it - I decided a call in on the way to work was called for. As the train pulled into Radyr station, a Tawny Owl was spied on a trackside tree - great start. The short walk over to Forest Farm allowed me to locate the hide from which the Bunting had been seen. After about 40 minutes the Bunting was located feeding quite close, allowing for a couple of record shots. before it dissapeared, followed by myself - making work about an hour later than normal, but a much better commute than normal.

 

Bang!

A bit more of the Forest of Dean

 Great looking window but a funny place to find it.

 Grey wagtail Cannop Ponds.

This is the damage that wild Boar can do and seen everywhere in the forest but sadly no sign of the beast itself.

Yes a tart tick but what a cracker.

 Elf Cup sp

 Nags Head no birds but lots of scarecrow type things and this is our new club member .

Bracket Fungus

Forest of Dean

A few photos from Sunday's trip out with the two Martin's.