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.

Nursery web Spiders

The field adjacent Llanwrthwl church has lots of pouch – like spider webs in amongst the long grass. Each contains a mass of eggs, some of which have hatched. The protective Nursery web spider mum is never far away.

Farmland walk

Last sundays farmland walk proved a success. The group walked along the old railway from Cwmdeuddwr past Rhayader Tunnel nature reserve to Noyadd farm and then back along the lanes to the start. 35 species of bird including a nice Common Redstart sat next to a Spotted flycatcher on a barbed wire fence. A few day flying moths, only one butterfly (common blue on the tunnel reserve) and a few bee species, particularly on the wild raspberry. A nice patch of Broad leaved helleborine had yet to come into flower in one damp shady green lane. An extensive plant list was made along the route, including Hedge woundwort (below).

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.

Tree Bumblebee

(From Janice).We have this ‘tree bumblebee’ Bombus hypnorum, in our garden at present.  Has anyone else seen it around?  If so, please send your records to BIS as this is originally from the Continent, however, has been moving West for a few years now.  BTO are also interested to know if it is found nesting in birdboxes, as this is sometimes the case.  It does like to make a nest in hollows in trees, hence its common name.

Beetle in the sandpit.

Arthur found a large metallic green beetle in his sandpit a few mornings ago. He wasn’t happy! I took some snaps and sent them to Phil Ward for identification. The beetle was alive and well and placed in our log pile.

Phil says  – Its a notable ground beetle called Carabus monilis. Strangely, its not habitat specific but has been recorded in woods, grassland, sandy areas, quarries and gardens etc.
Its a lovely large, brassy and green species. It is an active hunter of other inverts on the ground.
I only have 4 previous records- and three of these are from the Rhayader area (other Glasbury). Interestingly, these three have all been found dead on roads!
This is obviously a scarce species, which is reflected in the fact that there are not many records. Buglife webpages add that its ‘Formerly widespread this is now a very scarce species and is declining faster than any other ground beetle in Britain. Due to this severe decline this beetle has been included in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan’

Sunny days

Yesterday, two small tortoiseshell butterflies and 3 queen terrestris bumblebees seen at the visitor centre Elan Valley and on Carngafallt reserve, Elan village.

Bat

A bat, a pipistrelle I think, flew around the garden at lunchtime yesterday. After several attempts it finally managed to squeeze into a hole under the eaves of the house. Also a few tortoiseshell butterflies about in the sun yesterday. At Penrhos, llanwrthwl a pair of stonechat back on territory and a couple of chiffchaffs singing in Nantglas this morning. A large (queen?) bumblebee also appeared in the garden today. All signs of spring…..

Bumblebees seen

First bumblebee queen seen at home 24 February – looked like red tailed (Bombus lapidarius), quite a warm day and it was zooming around. Second sighting, 1st March as it was sunny again. This time B. terrestris queen flying between crocus flowers and crawling over mossy ground – maybe looking for somewhere to start a nest.

Bees

Honeybee in the garden on the 2nd March followed b a bumblebee on the 3rd.