Hi,
As temperatures soared on the reserve so did the number of flying invertebrates. Black Darter and Emerald Damselfly were recorded for the first time this year whilst Four-spotted Chaser, Common Hawker, Emperor Dragonfly, Brown Hawker and Golden-ringed Dragonfly could also be sighted along the reserve trails. A Holly Blue butterfly in the Eunant area was a good record. The weekly butterfly transect recorded Large White for the first occasion this year alongside good numbers of Ringlet and a small scattering of Large Skipper and Small Tortoiseshell.
The stunning Emerald Damselfly was recorded for the first time this year.
The Black Darter is a specialist of moorland habitats.
There were some great birds on the lake this week including, 8x Common Scoter (17th), 3x Teal (Lakeside Hide, 19th) and 2x Mandarin Duck (Lakeside Hide, 19th). The pair of Great Crested Grebe decided to construct another floating nest at the top end of the lake, so we have our fingers crossed yet again for them. Other regular birds utilising the lake included, 1x Cormorant, 4x Grey Heron, 10+ Herring Gull and 20+ Lesser Black-backed Gull. Also seen on the Lake this month, for the first time in 30 years, was a Water Vole. Well done that fisherman, even if you didn’t catch anything else!
Earlier in the week we unveiled the following mystery photo on the RSPB Mid Wales Facebook Page.
I can now reveal that the creature lurking behind the vegetation was in fact a Grey Heron. Well done to everyone who answered correctly.
Grey Herons have been showing incredibly well from the Centenary Hide.
Other interesting bird sightings this week included, a good spread of Kingfisher records with two on the Afon Vyrnwy, one near Pont Cynon and one at the Centenary Hide. 1x Hobby flew over Llanwddyn (18th), Peregrine Falcon (family party regular along the Dinas Mawddwy road), Green Woodpecker (utilising fields near Abertridwr), Wood Warbler (1x at the Visitor Centre and 2x singing on the Purple Trail), Garden Warbler (family party at Centenary Hide,19th),1x Pied Flycatcher (Centenary Hide, 20th) and Crossbill (regular, Visitor Centre, Purple and Green Trails).
Bramble patches were alive and loud with the sound of hundreds of buzzing insects.
Macrolepidoptera Of The Week
Peppered Moth is a species well known to anyone who has studied biology at some point in their lives. The reason for this is its connection to the study of natural selection. The Peppered Moth occurs in two colour morphs, one dark and one light, the story goes that during the industrial revolution pollution in towns, and cities left widespread coatings of soot. The dark morph moths benefited from this as they became well camouflaged and were better at hiding from predators in comparison to the light morph moths. The population of dark morph moths increased greatly in comparison to the light morph, as it was able to cope better with the selection pressure (predation).
Light morph Peppered Moths enjoy the fresh air at Lake Vyrnwy.
Cheers,
Adam