Kenfig NNR orchids- part 2

Following on from part 2, here are some more of Kenfig's orchids.

Southern marsh-orchids. 

Early marsh-orchids subsp. incarnata.

Early marsh-orchids subsp. coccinea.

Early marsh-orchids subsp. coccinea.

Early marsh-orchid- creamy white form (notably not subsp. orchroleuca as is occasionally suggested).

Early marsh-orchid- a particularly loosely flowered individual, and southern marsh- early marsh-orchid cluster.

A particularly vigorous early marsh var. coccinia and a view of the slack with fen orchid, southern marsh and marsh helleborine. 

Speckled wood.

Damselfly sp. yet to be identified. 

Dark green fritillary.

Kenfig NNR orchids- part 1

On the way back home from Wales, Tom enjoyed a quick stop off at Kenfig NNR, near Bridgend, for a rest stop. 

Meadow thistles in the dune slacks of Kenfig.

On entering the dune slacks there were plenty of marsh helleborines coming into flower, with some just in leaf, most in bud and a few in flower. They were notably squatter in stature compared to the Waitby Greenriggs helleborines. 

Marsh helleborines coming into flower- just the basal flowers of a few individuals were in bloom.

Marsh helleborine.

Marsh helleborine.

As well as the plentiful marsh helleborines there was a wide variety of 'common' orchids including common twayblade (in the wooded verges), common spotted-orchid (very sparse) and southern marsh-orchid along with numerous hybrids. 

Common twayblade, common spotted-orchid, southern marsh-orchid and Dact. x grandis.

Far less common, is the fen orchid- the jewel in Kenfig's crown. It seems they've had a very good year, despite local environmental drought, with many flowering plants and young-non flowering individuals.

Fen orchid var. ovata.

Fen orchid var. ovata.

Towards the dunes there was also plenty of the spectacular viper's bugloss. 

Viper's bugloss. 

Small mining bee sp. yet to be identified. 

Crymlyn Burrows SSSI

The final part: after visiting Pant-Y-Sais NNR, Tom went to Crymyln Burrows SSSI, a reserve of mixed woodland, mature dune, unstable dunes, beach, salt marsh and estuary, a real mixed bag. Sadly, the cloud had rolled in, so there were less insects active, but a fantastic assortment of flora.

Towards Mumbles, and salt marsh (sea lavender).

Dune pansy.

Dune pansy.

Yellow (biting) stonecrop, toadflax, bladder campion and evening primrose.

Small blue, common blue, treble bar/lesser treble bar, meadow brown. Also seen was small heath, dark green fritillary, cinnabar and speckled wood.

Southern marsh orchid and pyramidal orchid.

Common broomrape.

Pant-Y-Sais NNR

While Tom went to Crymlyn Bog NNR earlier in the year, he was unable to extend his visit to the adjoining Pant-Y-Sais NNR, which is part of the same fenland system. This time he spent the morning there on what is a fantastic little reserve.

The entrance at Jersey Marine by the Tennant Canal.

Spectacular stands of royal fern.

Royal fern.

Southern marsh orchid, bog bean and marsh cinquefoil.

Thick-legged flower beetle on bog bean.

Ragged robin.

Small tortoiseshell and five spot burnet moth, also seen were red admiral and small heath.

As the large number of butterflies on the wing, there was a rich variety of birds- most notably reed bunting and large numbers of unidentifiable warblers. 

Peacock caterpillars.

The Tennant canal- full of damselflies with the odd emperor dragonfly flyby. 

Swansea Bee Orchids

From Tom: A fantastic day exploring east Swansea towards the River Neath, which was so packed it is going to be split into three separate posts.

Bee orchids are fairly rare in and around Swansea, and aren't as common as the swathes of them in the Gower dunes, most notably Oxwich NNR. They are supposedly in the dunes by the Swansea Marina, but after three searches this year, I was pleased to finally find some this year, albeit slightly further afield. 

The verges around Bay Studios and Amazon are full of fantastic flora, including pyramidals, but the real treat were the bee orchids. 

The verges

Large emerald, found in the verge early morning. 

Beautiful demoiselles of Clyne Valley

An unexpected treat today on the walk from my house, along the coastal footpath to Clyne Valley country park. While it is a regular walk I've never been this time of year, because I'm usually off on the Gower at nature reserves and walking the coast, so its fantastic to see something new.  

Swansea Bay towards Mumbles.

As well as the far more common common broomrape in the dunes, in the wooded area backing the dunes and along the cycle path some impressive stands of ivy broomrape can be found- note the more distinct and darker purple colour and yellow stigmas.

Ivy Broomrape- spectacular stands next to the cycle path just before Blackpill.

Once in Clyne valley I made it down to the ghyll to a small glade/opening in the trees where there were two, a male and a female, beautiful demoiselles, but they were incredibly flighty and generally stayed in the canopy of a river-side tree.

Beautiful demoiselles high in the canopy.

All along the river the demoiselles fluttered, making an audible sound, until I came to another opening where there were 6 males and 3 females in around 1m^2. 

Male beautiful demoiselles in flight.

This included a female laying eggs.

A female laying eggs on submerged vegetation.

Males and a female (bottom right).

An unlucky individual caught be a grey wagtail.

Large red damselfly.

Female beautiful demoiselle.

Male beautiful demoiselle.

On the way back I stopped off at spot where last year I had seen small pearl-bordered fritillary. This time there was only one and it was very flighty due to the heat, so no photos, likewise with the speckled woods and common blues. 

Space for small pearl-bordered fritillary.