Two Days In Wales

Firstly, apologies for no post yesterday, which was a really full day, but by the end we were just looking forward to some delicious steak and mushroom pie and a couple of pints of Strongbow cider.

Thursday 10th June 2010

With an extremely rare bird from the Mediterranean lingering in Wales, it had been on the cards for a few days that Lorn, Sheila and I should go for a look. We left Weymouth at 08-00 and just about 100 minutes later we were crossing the Seven Bridge into Wales.

The Seven Bridge crossing the River Seven close to Bristol in England.

Arriving in the 'Land of My Fathers'.

Withing the hour we were climbing a steep hill just outside of Blaenavon south west of Abergavenny as the visibility was rapidly decreasing. As we reached a dejected looking bunch of 'birders' we couldn't even see the windscreen wipers let alone a hand in front of us, but the first contact with the fellow twitchers was positive as they reported having good views just 10 minutes previous. Where have I heard that before?

A wait of about 30 minutes and this beautiful Marmora's Warbler appeared on a Holly bush close by and performed very well for a full 15 minutes. However, I have to echo the words of Adrian Webb on Surfbirds saying "despite the confiding posses it was a difficult bird to photograph and he had to delete most of his shots".

This is what it should have looked like.

From there we headed a few miles up the road to Vicarage Fields in search of Orchids.

Lorne & Sheila posse at the first gate of this beautiful and sensitive area.

While we saw in total c11 Red Kite this was the only on that came within camera distance, a little disappointing.

A view across the Bluebell patch.

Unidentified, but none the less beautiful flower.

Bowie looking for those illusive, tiny Small White Orchids, they remained illusive with none found.

A very difficult subject Orchid identification, so the captions are added in good faith and are subject to qualification.

Heath Spotted Orchid

The bronze Red Kite in Llanwrtyd Wells, reputed to be the smallest town in Great Britain and hold probably the most 'first class' restaurants.

After an excellent pub meal in the town of Pembroke, we spent the night in The Lion pub on the main street for just £35 Bed & Breakfast.

Friday 11th June 2010

First port of call Saint Govan's Head in search of Chough.

Looking back (north) from St Govan's Head.

Britain's most striking Crow

theChough

there were certainly c4 here but thought to be as many as 6.

Unlike Portland where the Sea Thrift has 'gone over', here it is in full bloom.

Southern Marsh Orchid

The walls of Pembroke Castle.

The Castle viewed from the main street and the Lion pub on the left, where we had to return to recover my note book.

From there we moved to Kenfig Pool and Nature Reserve to search for more Orchids.

Kenfig

The Pool with the town of Port Talbot in the background.

Common Blue Damselfly

Hairy Dragonflies copulating.

Blue-tailed Damselfly.

Common Spotted Orchid

The Cinnabar Moth

and from a different angle

Common Blue Butterfly

and again from another angle.

Large Skipper Butterfly.

Ragged Robin

Six-spot Burnet Moth.

Early Marsh Orchid of the sub-species coccinea

Southern Marsh Orchid the one on the right thought to be alba variety.

Marsh Helleborine