Paul Grennard

This afternoon i visited the famous ditch on Canvey Island by train and folding bike. 10 Southern Migrant Hawkers, 2 Southern Emeralds, 8 Willow Emeralds and lots of Ruddy Darters. I failed to locate any Scarce Emeralds so i will try again tomorrow morning before heading back to Pembrokeshire.

This morning at the Neath Canal, 2 Southern Hawkers. Otherwise, it was pretty quiet.

Another trip here by train and folding bike was not as rewarding as my last visit. 1 Lesser Emperor from the South Hide several Ruddy Darters, fewer Black-tailed Skimmers, Common Darters were numerous and quite a few Emperors. A Grayling was a new butterfly for the year.

Fingers crossed indeed! 🤞

Strumble Head 05.45 - 12.00 3 adult Sabine's Gulls, 4 Cory's Shearwater, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 6 Storm Petrels, 1 Arctic Skua and c200 Whimbrel were highlights from an excellent morning at Strumble.

Any pics?

I remember hearing a singing Turtle Dove at Netherfield.

I missed my train after finding the Norfolk Hawker and had to wait 2 hours for the next one. That didn't matter, though, as i was still buzzing! I am seeing MDC today in Newport. Up the punks!

It has been quite a few years since i last saw one lovely Dawn.

I am glad you've seen it, Neil hasn't yet.

BoC shot of a Mandarin i found this afternoon on the lake at Withybush Woods, Haverfordwest. They are not regular here.

Superb trip to one of my favourite places 😊

Thanks Barry 😊

Red-veined Darter Kenfig NNR

At least two Red-veined Darters on the eastern shore at Kenfig NNR

Another pic

I found this Norfolk Hawker or Green-eyed Hawker at Kenfig NNR today, which was the first record for Glamorgan.

Pair of Emerald Damselfly Dowrog Common

5 Barnacle Geese Ivor's Pond were unusual for July

St. Davids today. Several Small Red Damselflies Dowrog Common. 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Tufted Ducks, and 5 Barnacle Geese Ivor's Pond.

Wow, that sounds a bit bizarre!

Vegan Thali Vegetarian Food Studio

When in Cardiff it is a must for me to go for a Thali. Chai Street and the Vegetarian Food Studio both do excellent Thalis.

Brown Hawker

Bevan Memorial Stones

A trip today to Waun y Pound ponds, Ebbw Vale by train and bike for Brown Hawker was successful with 5 seen and 2 Common Hawkers. Brown Hawker doesn't occur in Pembrokeshire. I checked Cardiff Bay Wetlands for Lesser Emperor and drew a blank there.

pair of Lesser Emperors ovipositing Cardiff Bay Wetlands 12th July 2025

White-letter Hairstreak

White-letter Hairstreak

I found two White-letter Hairstreaks this afternoon in Haverfordwest at a different site to the usual one of Withybush Wood.

Wildflowers Marloes Mere

fflesci bus

male Ruff WWT Slimbridge and not the one i saw at Marloes Mere, which I was unable to photograph as my camera died 😢

Folder at Marloes Mere

Folding bike on the fflesci bus

A trip down to Marloes today on the fflesci bus with my folding bike. The highlight was a stunning male Ruff that dropped in briefly in front of the Britton Hide, Marloes Mere. Otherwise, common Odonata species, common butterfly species & stunning displays of wildflowers.

Red-veined Darter

Scarlet Darter

Scarlet Darter

Scarlet Darter

5 male Scarlet Darters. male Lesser Emperor, 4 Red-veined Darters, Hobby, and 3 Egyptian Geese over - Crossways, Dorset.

A trip to Crossways, Dorset today. 8 Scarlet Darters and 3 Red-veined Darters were the highlights.