Events Archive 2009

Borth January 2009A good turnout despite the weather the previous night – it turned out to be a gorgeous winters day – sunny, calm and not too cold. We spent the morning birdwatching from the headland at Borth – very little out to sea – just a few dozen Common Scoter but no Divers. Below the cliffs a very confiding pair of Purple Sandpipers were watched  – giving great views through the telescopes. Lots of gulls on the beach included a Mediterranean Gull – increasingly common on the coast here. After a picnic the group met a local fisherman for a talk on marine life in the area.

  

Seawatching at Borth

   

National Nest box day in Llanwrthwl – Feb 15th 2009  

National nest box week is organised annually by the British Trust for Ornithology (B.T.O) and sponsored by Jacobi and Jayne Co. Starting on St Valentines day its aim is to remind us all to provide homes for birds, at a time of year when several species are pairing up and looking for nest sites. We thought it was time that Rhayader by Nature joined in the fun, so February 15^th was set as nest box day at the village hall in Llanwrthwl. We wrote to various manufacturers for sponsorship and were delighted to receive 8 boxes as donations, from CJ Wildbirdfoods, Gardman and Jacobi & Jayne. These boxes were used to supplement our own home made efforts. Timber  from the builders supplies, a few old screws and nails, some basic tools and we were off building boxes using templates provided by the B.T.O. The weather on the day was kind and we soon had a production line going outside the hall, with all ages joining in. In all we made 17 boxes on the day and two owl boxes were completed by Richard Knight and Pip Amos the following week.  

The production line

The second half of the day saw us putting up boxes around the village, mostly on trees within Caerllan Charity Trust land. Richard Knight advised on where to site the boxes – the aspect, height and choice of tree. Most of the boxes are visible from the roads in the village or from the rear of the hall – keep a look out. Several were placed in trees along the village bank of the river Wye, some being visible from Llanwrthwl bridge. A block of ‘Sparrow Flats’ was placed on the village hall itself. Our hope is that the local Blue Tits, Great Tits and fingers crossed, Pied Flycatchers will take full advantage. The following weekend saw the erection of the two owl boxes – in ivy clad trees along the riverside. Hopefully the Tawny owls which can be heard regularly calling around the village will eventually take up residence.  

Pip up the ladder

During May we hope to return and see if our efforts were worthwhile – we shall report back!  

The result!

Mad March Hares at Nantglas.  15th March 2009  

No Hares but another good turnout on a lovely Spring day. Sorcha gave a talk on mammals, tracks and signs.  

Searching for that illusive Hare

 April 3rd 2009 7.30pm. AGM at CARAD Rhayader. Followed by a talk from Carrie Wiltshire, Rhayader Museums new Development Officer.  

An excellent evening watching / listening to the sound recordings made along the River Gwesyn, with images by Liz Fleming-Williams. Carrie introduced the plans for the new Rhayader Museum. A general discussion about the natural history aspect of the new museum and potential future involvement by the group. 

Bluebell Walk, Llanwrthwl May 24th 2009.  

 We gathered at the church in the village in glorious warm sunshine, heading off south down Hodrid Lane. We passed a singing Pied Flycatcher at the Chapel before stopping near the mill to see ‘Townhall Clock’ growing on the roadside verges. We then followed the public footpath into Cae Garw woods at Craig Lyn.  

Towards Cae Garw. P.Phillips.

Just into the field we watched a pair of Redstart feeding and at least 2 Treecreeper in an oak, before spotting a newly fledged Tawny Owl in the same tree. Once the owl spotted the 15 strong group watching it took off and lumbered into the woods, landing clumsily in the hazels by the entrance.  

Cae Garw woods is a dark, mostly oak, woods and despite Bluebells being in full flower for weeks in warmer areas, they were yet to reach their prime here. After watching a Painted Lady feeding and Orange Tips mingling with Green Veined Whites we headed on towards Cryn Fryn. Pied Flycatchers, Redstarts and Tree Pipits dotted the route, with Redpoll overhead in the coniferous plantation.  

At Cryn Fryn the group stopped to see the bronze age burial mound. This had been dug out in the early 20th century and the burial pit, surrounded by stone slabs could be clearly seen.  

Cryn Fryn burial chamber.

We headed back towards the road to close the loop, following an ancient track, now rarely used down to the Wye.  

The River Wye. P. Phillips.

Sunday June 14th 2.30-4.30pm Wildlife at The Cwm, Llanwrthwl. Enjoy the results of over 20 years of careful habitat management work at this private nature reserve. Meet at Cwm House SN953638 

Wednesday July 8th 7.30-9.30 The History of Hay Making. Why, how, past and present. Meet at Parc Farm farmyard, Cwmdauddwr. SN955683. Local farmer Owain Pugh tells the story 

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Glow Worms at Gilfach,  July 15th 2009. 

The Invertebrate group met at Gilfach Farm at 9.30pm, waiting for the light to fade before heading down towards the railway track. Despite the wind and clear night it was fairly mild, and according to our guide, Phil Ward, it was a good time to see these amazing insects. Pip however, who lives and works at Gilfach had never seen one on the reserve, so this dampened our optimism a little….. By the time we got down to the Marteg it was getting darker and the resident Tawny Owls were active. Whilst being attacked by midges the group heard from Phil about the complex lifecycle of the beetle. They feed on snails whilst in the larval stage and so tend to favour limestone areas – but not exclusively. The insect is consequently rarely seen in Radnorshire - but Gilfach has been a bit of a hotspot in the past. Phil explained how most records come from old railway lines or roadsides, where perhaps eggs spread in with the limestone used in construction.

 

Glow worm. Gilfach July 2009

Glow-worms like long(ish) grass, on which the females perch and emit a greenish light – to attract a mate. There is plenty of this kind of habitat at Gilfach, but as 10.30 approached we hadn’t seen a thing. At 10.40pm, as we walked up the cutting, Phil spotted the first under a shrub – missed by most of us. Shortly afterwards a few more were found, including one which we managed to net and watch at close quarters.

Most of the group had never seen a glow worm before so it was a special experience – we finally left for home at 11.30. I think we all left realising there could be more glow worms out there somewhere – its always worth checking suitable habitat on roadsides and old railway lines in June and July – please send in any records in the study area if you have them!

  

Friday July 31st. 8.30pm. Bat Walk at Gro Parc, Cwmdauddwr. A joint evening with radnorshire Wildlife Trust and the new Radnorshire Mammal Group. Meet at the main gate to the park near the Triangle Inn.

Sunday August 16th. 2-4.30pm An introduction to simple wildlife surveying. Doldowlod House. How do you count birds or carry out a beetle or plant survey? Local experts explain. Follow sign off A470 to carpark by the house. SN997625. 

Saturday September 19th 10-12.30pm. National Moth Day morning. At Great Vaynor SO017695 2 miles east of Rhayader. Be prepared for a beautiful surprise if you join us to look in the moth traps set the night before. Over 500 moth species are found in Rhayader district! Courtesy of Mr &Mrs Gascoigne. 

Sunday October 11th. 10-5pm Rhayader by nature annual ‘away day’. To the beach at Ynyslas for picnic, birds and beach combing. Phone Richard on 01597811169 to get your name down so we can arrange shared transport where possible. Leave Rhayader at 10 a.m, back by about 5pm. 

Sunday November 29th 9.30-12.30. An escorted tour of the ‘Rhayader by Nature’ bird food crop plots and a yellowhammer feeding station to watch and count birds. With a warming cup of tea at The Lane smallholding, nantglas, courtesy of Ben and Rachel Palmer. Meet at Llanwrthwl Village, near the River Wye bridge, ready to depart by car (car-share) at 9.30

 

Friday December 4th. 2.30-4.30 – Rhydoldog Visit – a rare opportunity to view the inside of Rhydoldog House, near Rhayader, home of the late Laura Ashley. Booking is essential and places are limited. Book your place as early as possible via our secretary on 01597 810119.

 

Friday January 15th 7.30-9.30pm – ‘Are agricultural conservation schemes good for wildlife? and if not why not?!’ An evening talk by Gethin Davies, RSPB Agricultural Advisor, followed by some discussion about potential new projects for Rhayader by Nature. @ CARAD, East St, Rhayader.

 

Friday February 19th 7.30-9.30 – ‘Red Kites – the state of play after 120 years of protection’. The longest running bird conservation story. An evening talk by Tony Cross, Welsh Kite Trust project officer. @CARAD, East St, Rhayader.

 

Saturday Feb 27th 10-12.30 ‘making nestboxes for birds – a practical workshop’. @ Llanwrthwl Village Hall. make your own in the company of others or just come and watch. Materials, information and help provided. Suitable for all ages.

 

Sunday March 21st 2.30-5pm. ‘Home Farm – Dderw Estate.’ - a guided history of the old farm buildings with Belinda and Jenny Holland, local historian Bryan Lawrence and local farmer Owain Pugh. This is a fund raising event for Rhayader by nature with an entrance fee that includes refreshments of tea and cake at the big house. £5 per person.

 

Sunday March 28th 10-12.30. A Spring Walk. – in search of flowers, birds and insects. (easy walking for 1 mile). Meet at Nantglas by the entrance to Caerhyddwen forestry plantation – 300 yards east of Nantglas Church.