Autumn is the time of whirling flocks of jackdaws, when the swifts have gone and the swallows and martins have packed their bags for warmer climes. Sparrowhawks benefit from the sparrows’ seasonal population explosion; beautiful birds close up (pictured). Young Tawny Owls are now independent from their parents and establishing territories; you may hear the screech or “kee-wick” of a female, sometimes followed by the “twoo” of an answering male.
Also at night you may catch the “tseep-tseep” of Redwings flying overhead as they arrive from Scandinavia. Increasing numbers of waders arrive, such as Redshanks, Curlews and more Oystercatchers, which can be heard on the estuary at low tide.
Carmarthenshire Bird Club runs an annual Tern Watch in August, spotting the autumn passage terns as the tide comes in at Pembrey Old Harbour. Hundreds of Oystercatchers are usually seen shuffling up the sand as the high tide advances.
This year’s event was the first time members had been able to meet up since Covid-19 struck. Their first indoor meeting will be on 13th October (details below). You can keep up with local bird sightings on their website.
Their chairman Adam Dare (a Llanelli Naturalists member) had a big surprise when he opened his overnight moth trap in Burry Port on 5th September and found a Clifden Nonpareil.
These are big moths with a wingspan of 90-106 mm and a distinctive blue-banded hindwing.
They are rare migrants, occasionally breeding in southern Britain, and this is the first to be recorded in Carmarthenshire.
Adam’s friend in Norfolk saw one a few days before and had suggested they were spreading west this autumn. At least two more have been spotted in Carmarthenshire since (photo on our Facebook page).
The August butterfly survey at Pembrey Burrows produced even more sightings than in July, with a total of 588 butterflies seen in one afternoon! Five members carried out the survey and counted an amazing 378 Common Blues. Only those seen within 5 metres each side of a set path, or transect, are counted.
Look out for the red Hawthorn berries this month. They are rich in antioxidants and enjoyed by migrating thrushes such as Redwings and Fieldfares, as well as small mammals.
In Carmarthenshire, Hawthorn is a common hedgerow plant; as land was enclosed in the 18th century they were planted in their thousands in the hedges when fields were created. They can be made into a jelly rich in vitamin C.
On 5th September, twenty members had a good look at the flora of an abandoned brownfield site behind an old factory in Bynea Business Park. What was hard-standing is now covered in a mixture of native and invasive species, with a mat of White Stonecrop over much of the ground. It was a lovely warm sunny afternoon and a very enjoyable way of socialising with like-minded people. Photos on Facebook.
Tip of the month: Avoid planting frilly “double” flowers which lack nectar, as the reproductive parts of the flower are mostly converted to extra petals; no good for bees!
What’s happening this month:
2nd October is UK Fungus Day. There is a move to develop this into a World Fungi Day, to which end the Arboricultural Association have organised an international seminar, details: www.trees.org.uk.
4th October: our first indoor talk of the season, held at our new venue of EJ’s Cafe, Bar & Restaurant, Vauxhall Road, Llanelli, where there will be ample room in a cabaret setting, disabled access, free parking opposite, and a bar also serving tea. The meeting starts at 7.30 pm when Dr. Kevin McGinn of the National Botanic Garden of Wales will be speaking on conserving Welsh plants through seed banking. Non-members welcome.
13th October: Carmarthenshire Bird Club AGM followed by a talk from Adam Dare on Birds of Morocco, 7.30 pm at Llanelli Cricket Club, Stradey Park. There will also be hundreds of natural history books (mostly on birds) available for sale by donation.
17th October: Our last field meeting of the year will be a fungus-finding walk at Pembrey Country Park, starting at 1.00 p.m. Park entry fees apply (£3.50 per car all day). The walk will be led by local fungi enthusiast Stephanie Thomas. Non-members welcome. More details on our website and Facebook nearer the time. This event replaces our advertised fungus walk at Gelli Uchaf.
21st October: Unknown Wales Wildlife Conference, online again this year 6.30-8.30 pm. Organised by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales in partnership with the National Museum of Wales, talks will cover DNA analysis, urban habitats, spiders, beavers, and items about the Museum’s collections. For details of talks and booking instructions see www.welshwildlife.org/unknown-wales-wildlife-conference.
25th-31st October: National Mammal Week – further info from The Mammal Society.
For membership enquiries, email hainesveronica@hotmail.com; website www.llanellinaturalists.org.uk, Facebook page: www.facebook.com/llanellinaturalists.
