Nantmel Tip on sunday

We had a successful time at the old Nantmel Tip site on sunday. Three moth traps and lots of mammal traps were set the eveing before and the group set about emptying these whilst some wandered around sweeping for other species.

The site covers a large area and consists of drier sedge covered expanses, a small choked up pond and a marshy area full of meadowsweet, hogweed and angelica. The site also borders more mature  boggy woodland. The final count for moths was 108, caught in 3 traps – including an Old Lady, Gothic, Beautiful hook-tipped and Double Lobed.

Double lobed

In addition to the larger moths a miniscule orange coloured micro-moth Agonopterix conterminella proved to be a first Radnorshire record. Sorcha managed to catch a few Field voles, Common and Pygmy shrews, many plants were identified and birds included Green woodpecker, Whitethroat, Sedge warbler and Willow Tit. The invertebrate experts found some uncommon bugs including one that remained unidentified on the day and was taken away for analysis. A lovely yellow and black longhorn beetle proved to be a rarely seen Radnorshire specimen.

 

Butterflies and dragonflies were low in number (as seemingly has been the case elsewhere this year?) but we did record Red Admiral, Comma, Meadow Brown, Green veined and small white as well as Brown hawker and Emporer Dragonfly.

A common frog was the lone amphibian.

Caerhyddwen, Nantglas

This broad bodied chaser was newly emerged this evening – drying its wings

This Flame Shouldered moth was a victim of a spider.

Gold swift moths were attracting the duller looking females with their pineapple scent. (Dont know what these two males were up to though!)

Froghopper sp.

Unidentified beetle sp. (Phil?).

Also a couple of Brown china mark moths around the pond near the ruin. Birds included 2 Willow Tits, Bullfinch, Redpolls, Yellowhammer, Chifchaffs, willow warblers, Whitethroat and Stock Dove. Well worth a visit.

The Wye at Hodrid

A walk down the Wye south of Hodrid yesterday. A kingfisher on both the Radnorshire and Brecon side near Argoed Mill, 2 grey wagtails and a group of 4 or 5 spotted flycatchers fed on swarming flying ants. A brown hawker dragonfly hunted up and down the waters edge. In the river shoals of fry looked like grayling. The hedgerows near the old railway bridge are full of fruiting bird cherry. Also found was this curious nest – containing a tiny (moth?) grub.

Caerhyddwen Woods, Nantglas

A walk this evening through the woods from the Nantglas side almost as far as the summit of Gwastedyn Hill. Lots of crossbills about – around 30 including a group of 18. Also 3 willow tit, 10 redpoll, 5 common whitethroat and a spotted flycatcher. The breeze and threatening cloud kept invertebrate activity to a minimum but the area around the pond at the woodshed had lots of inactive emerald damselflies and a small skipper.

Emerald damselfly

Nantmel Tip

The site is in really good condition at the moment – full of wildlife of one sort or another. Birds included Whitethroat (carrying food), Sedge Warbler – 2 pairs, one of which was carrying food, 2 reeling Grasshopper Warblers, a Wood Warbler near the hide, Mandarin and several singing Willow Warblers. Also of interest – dozens of Azure Damselflies, a Beautiful Demoiselle, Southern Hawker and a Large Skipper.

Beautiful Demoiselle

Large Skipper

Pictures from Llanwrthwl

Lousewort

 

Broad bodied chaser

 

Unidentified moth sp

 Images from Claire Montanaro at Llanwrthwl – can anyone id the moth?

Damselflies

Large Red damselflies with either common blue or Azure out at Nantmel Tip pond this evening. Also a cinnabar moth disturbed nearby. Birds included Spotted and Pied flycatcher, Sedge warbler, Redstart, Reed bunting, Blackcap and several singing Willow warblers.

Late dragonflies

In the sun at Caerhyddwen wood, Nantglas on Sunday there were a couple of late Southern Hawker dragonflies. Also a Red admiral butterfly. Yesterday a Painted Lady visited the garden.

Southern Hawker

Two Southern Hawkers in Caerhyddwen woods Nantglas this evening with a Common Hawker at the pond. A fruitless search for Crossbills with Ricahrd Knight – but a Kestrel was a nice record along with a few Redpolls and 30+ Siskin.

Banded Demoiselles

The Invertebrate Group outing to Gilfach this morning was a success, with a few Banded Demoiselles on show along the Marteg. Very flighty and not the easiest to photograph!

Also seen was a Common Hawker dragonfly as well as lots of butterflies on the wing, enjoying the sun. These included a Common Blue on the railway, lots of Small Skipper, Ringlets, Meadow Brown and Small Pearl bordered Fritillary. A Kingfisher flew downstream.

Banded Demoiselle, Marteg July 09