This last week the volunteers mainly worked on the estate maintenance. We however managed to spot some great wild life :
Wet grassland – Penrhyn Gerwen
Yellow-rattle is flowering. Some fields are displaying yellow flashes. The Yellow-rattle is an indicator of unimproved grassland. As it is semi-parasitic onto grasses, it promotes broader-leaved grasses diversity.
Yellow-rattle (Rhinanthus minor)
The raised bog - Covert Coch-
Bog Rosemary flowers are just starting to bloom in the bog. This typical plant of bogs is closely related to Heathers. Raised bogs are a priority habitat under the EU Habitats Directive as they are now very rare. They act as carbon carbon stores and thus play a capital role in reducing green house effect.
Bog Rosemary (Andromeda polifolia)
The Bird Life
Chicks are definitely growing bigger. Juvenile birds have been seen in trees and bushes. Blue and Great tits were observed. This new week the volunteers will start the third round of nest box survey. Many of the Blue and Great Tits will have fledged by now. The Oystercatcher however is still on the nest in Domen Las. The Redshanks are seen alarm calling their young in Lodge Farm.
Redshank (Tringa totanus)
Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria)