Gwent Glamorgan Recorders' Newsletter Issue 27 Autumn 2022

Recorders’ Newsletter

Devil’s Fingers in Brynna Woods 3

The Kingfisher in Gwent 4 5

Botanical excitements in 2022 6

Range expansion that is hard to beet? 7

SEWBReC Business Update 8 9

Gwent Glamorgan Recorders’ Forum Open for Booking! 10

Wales Wide BioBlitz 11

Focus on Figwort 12 13

Notes on Denny Island 14 15

The Lost Peatlands of South Wales Project 16 18

All Wales Rook Survey (2022/23) 19

SEWBReC Recording Grant at Swansea Community Farm 20

SEWBReC Recording Grant Scheme Update 20

Nextdoor Nature 21

SEWBReC Loan Scheme 21

Recording at Taf Fechan 2022 22 23

Blues vs Reds 24

Bilberry Bumblebee Hunt 24

Backlog BioBlitz 25

New to Wales 25

Welcome to the 27th issue of the Gwent Glamorgan Recorders’ Newsletter!

This edition showcases some of the interesting records that have cropped up this year, in part due to the unusually hot dry summer (which now continues into Autumn!). It’s been a particularly good year for moth trapping (pgs 7, 24 & 25) with several new additions to Wales’ moth list. It’s also great to hear from some larger scale projects making a difference to Welsh wildlife and recording (pg. 16 and pg. 19).

Whether it’s through events (pgs. 10, 11, 25), grants (pg. 20), equipment loans (pg. 21) or our general day to day work (pg. 8), hopefully SEWBReC continues to assist and inspire your recording efforts. We have 10 members of staff now, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with questions, suggestions and requests for help!

Many thanks to all who contributed to the newsletter; I hope it provides some winter inspiration for many recorders.

Elaine Wright, SEWBReC (Editor)

Ifyoueverwanttocontributeanarticletoourbiannualnewsletter,pleasegetintouchoninfo@sewbrec.org.uk

Devil’s Fingers in Brynna Woods

Mark Steer, Glamorgan Fungus Group

An

unexpected find in Brynna Woods NR Devil's Fingers Clathrusarcheri!

At the end of August a start was made on cutting Bracken near the Trenos railway crossing. Whilst we were removing the cut Bracken, I came across several 'eggs' with one partially opened (photos 1&2, above). On revisiting the site over the next few days, fully opened specimens were seen (photo 3, left). Over a period of 2 weeks I counted 20 plus examples at various stages of development.

Subsequently with Emma Williams and Katherine McCullum, we came across a fully opened specimen in a different location. It was first detected by Emma by its putrid smell!

C. archeri is related to Phallus impudicus (Common Stinkhorn), with its spores distributed by flies. The gleba containing the spores is a sticky, black olive mass with a putrid smell which attracts flies.

This species was first described from Tasmania and is fairly frequent in Australasia. The first record in Europe was from the Vosage region in France in 1914. It is thought that it may have been introduced in supplies for Anzac troops. It was first recorded in UK from Penzance in 1946. Although not common it seems to have spread particularly in southern England. There are records in south and west Wales from several locations.

The Kingfisher in Gwent

Colin Titcombe

The recent controversy regarding pollution levels in both the rivers Wye and Usk is nothing new. In the Autumn 1959 edition of ‘Presenting Monmoutshire’, W.J.R Howells, clerk to the Usk River Board, wrote an article entitled ‘Prevention of River Pollution’. The issue was obviously of some concern then, as it is today. Both of these rivers have their own wildlife specialties the Usk, with its extensive pebble beds, is known for its Shingle Spiders (Arctosacinerea) and for its shingle nesting birds. The Wye is noted, among many other things, for its Club tailed Dragonflies (Gomphusvulgatissimus) and the rare mayfly Potamanthusluteus . There are, of course, many more specialist species along each of these rivers, but, in common with other rivers in Gwent, they both share a typical riverine fauna and flora including Kingfishers. Like many other birds Kingfishers are not as common as they once were. For the purpose of this article I seek to compare my sightings for the years 2021 and 2022 (January 1st August 21st in each case).

During this period in 2021 I made 41 walks along stretches of riverbank in Gwent. These walks were mostly along the rivers Usk and Wye. Kingfishers were seen on eight of these walks (records in green box on opposite page).

In 2022 I carried out 74 riverside walks in Gwent, the vast majority of them along the river Wye, my local river. I also walked stretches of the Usk (on 8 occasions) and the Monnow (on 2 occasions). The total number of Kingfisher sightings was just 7, and it is likely that these represent just two or three individuals.

Kingfisher © Chris Hatch

In addition to the reduction of Kingfisher numbers those of many insects have also been lowered significantly. As a random sample I looked at my diary entries for the spring/summer period of 2010. On the 3rd June of that year, a walk along a one kilometre stretch of the Wye near my home produced a count of 94 Banded Agrion Damselflies (Calopteryxsplendens). The same walk on the same date in 2022 produced just one Banded Agrion. In fact, during the spring/summer of 2022 the highest number of this species seen on any of my walks was just three.

Another odonatid which I have been monitoring along my local stretch of the Wye is the Common Club tail Dragonfly (Gomphus vulgatissimus). At one particular site in 2020 I found 17 exuvia of this species. The number found at the same site in 2021 was 16 and this year I found just 6.

• 11/05/21 1 Kingfisher along the Usk above Pany

• 12/05/21 1 Kingfisher along the Wye at Llandogo

• 02/06/21 1 Kingfisher along the Wye at Llandogo

• 11/07/21 1 Kingfisher along the Wye at Llandogo

• 04/08/21 1 Kingfisher along the Wye at Llandogo

• 16/08/21 1 Kingfisher along the Usk near Abergavenny

• 24/08/21 1 Kingfisher along the Wye at Llandogo

• 29/08/21 1 Kingfisher along the Wye at Llandogo

•

Whether or not the decline of various insects along the rivers is due to river pollution, or simply to pollution in general, is difficult to say. While riverine insects appear to be significantly reduced, so too are insects and invertebrates generally!

The photographs shown here were taken at a time when the Kingfisher was far more common than it is today. Along the River Usk in particular, I located favoured resting sites below which the Kingfisher’s pellets could be found. These consisted mostly of small fish bones, including those of the pharyngeal ‘teeth’ (‘throat teeth’, shown right) of cyprinids (members of

2021 Kingfisher records

y Goitre

A ninth Kingfisher was noted along the Llanmartin Brook near Llanwern on the 1st July (2021).

Fishbones from the pellet of a Kingfisher. These include the pharyngeal ‘teeth’ (or ‘throat teeth’) of a cyprinid (possibly a Dace). © Colin Titcombe

Botanical excitements in 2022

Steph Tyler and Elsa Wood, VC35 Recorders for Botany

One of the most exciting finds in 2022 was the re discovery by Sarah Clay and Des Evans of Narrow lipped Helleborine Epipactisleptochila on the Wyndcliff, where it was last recorded in 1926. Trevor Evans in his Flora of Monmouthshire considered it to be extinct. Happily, this is not so. Of 72 species listed by Trevor in 2007 as extinct, at least 16 of these have now been re discovered.

As if the re discovery of Narrow lipped Helleborine was not enough, Colin Titcombe and Chris Hatch found about 50 plants of Touch me not Balsam Impatiensnolitangereway below Piercefield car park. Trevor Evans didn’t mention this species in his Flora of Monmouthshire but Schoolbred noted a record in 1888 in the same place as seen in 2022. It has taken more than 130 years for it to be re discovered an amazing find. What apparently extinct species is going to be next to be re discovered?

Other highlights include finding Smooth Finger grass Digitariaischaemumin the street at Abergavenny whilst we were leading an Urban Plant Course for SEWBReC. This alien grass from Africa was found at Newport Docks in 1906 but has not been recorded since. Other once rare alien grasses such as Rye Brome Bromus secalinus , the Bristle grass Setaria verticillata and Cockspur Echinochloa crusgalli have become increasingly common at the edge of maize crops and elsewhere.

In Monmouthshire V.C.35 we found three vice county firsts: Alchemillafilicaulissubsp.filicaulis which turned up on a limestone track in Great Barnets Wood; it coincided with receiving the new Alchemilla handbook! (A.filicaulisvestitais the usual subspecies in unimproved old pastures); also Alopecurus xbrachystylus , the hybrid between Alopecuruspratensis and A.geniculatusthat was found growing near the River Monnow at Monmouth Cap, and Scrophulariavernalis(Yellow Figwort) found by Bob Hewitt at Abersychan. Corky fruited Water Dropwort Oernanthepimpinelloidescontinues to turn up in new localities. In spring 2022 three small clumps appeared in a meadow at Lydart, near Penallt in eastern Monmouthshire and then a patch was seen in another meadow near Llanvaches in the south of the VC. It was also found to be abundant in a field down on the Levels near Pye Corner, Newport in July. It is interesting to realise that up to 2007 it was known only from a roadside verge near Tynewydd. Since then it has been found in fields at Monmouth, in a number of fields on the Levels and at St Maughans and at the additional sites in 2022.

Other noteworthy new hectad records included Polypodiumcambricum(Southern Polypody) on the walls of the church at Christchurch; Dactylorhizaxhallii(maculatumxpraetermissa)(Heath Spotted x Southern Marsh Orchid) in Chepstow Park Wood and at Earlswood; and Polypogonmonspeliensis(Annual Beard grass) and Diplotaxismuralis(Annual Wall Rocket) at Wainfelin near Pontypool, where a surprise was 15 20 plants of Euphorbiastricta(Upright (Tintern) Spurge) on a bank by a car park.

Ranunculussardous(Hairy Buttercup) mainly occurs in north east Monmouthshire in SO40 and SO41; the discovery of a large population at Great House Farm, south of Llansoy is the southernmost location for this species post 2000. Abundant Small Nettle Urtica urens was also found there. Oak leaved Goosefoot Chenopodiumglaucum continues to spread or perhaps be noticed? It was found near a muck heap a few kilometres south of Raglan in SO30, another new hectad record. Musk Stork’s bill Erodiummoschatumwas found by Elsa Wood (EW) and the Monmouthshire Botany Group in the car park at the Duffryn Recreation Ground, Newport. Up to 2000 it has been recorded in only three sites. Marsh St John’s wort Hypericumelodeswas only recorded by Evans in his 2007 Flora in 10 tetrads so the discovery by EW and Adrian Wood of this species in a pond near Crumlin in a new tetrad. Many plants of Round leaved Sundew Droserarotundifoliain wet flushes on an old coal tip were a bonus on a day botanising around Mynydd Varteg. Saxifragagranulata(Meadow Saxifrage) grows along rivers in Monmouthshire rather than in meadows although there is a good population in strips of meadow along the drive to Llanover House. It occurs sporadically along the Rivers Usk but is rare on the Wye although is much more frequent along the Wye tributaries, the Monnow and Honddu in the Black Mountains and extending downriver to below Skenfrith. In 2022 a small colony was found by Steph Tyler (SJT) on the Pill Brook near Llansoy and subsequent searches by SJT and EW revealed it at three more locations on this small stream.

It seems that all records of the Wolffia arrhiza (Rootless Duckweed) found on the Gwent Levels may need to be questioned. A recent paper by Richard Lansdown (Lansdown et al., 2022) has suggested that previous records were actually the neophytes Wolffiacolumbinaand Wolffiaglobosa

Range expansion that is hard to beet?

DavidSladeVC41RecorderforMoths

According to ‘the books’ Beet Moth (Scrobipalpaocellatella) is a coastal species, found from Suffolk to Cornwall, with the odd colony in west Wales and very few records inland, and these are generally considered to be wanderers from the costal populations.

In the autumn of 2020 however, this species underwent a rapid expansion of range, with large numbers being reported inland in England. The same thing happened in 2021, and for those of you that following moth news on Twitter (and why wouldn’t you?), you would again have seen a large number of reports of Beet moths across the UK from the middle of August 2022. It still appeared to be an English phenomenon however, until Austin Rice caught one in his trap at Caldicot on 28th August 2022.

There followed a flurry of August reports 1 in Merthyr Tydfil (Ai Lin Kee, 28th), 1 in Bridgend (Mike Cram & family, 29th), 9 individuals trapped at light in Llandaff (Stephen Hippisley, 30th and 31st). By the end of the first week of September it had even reached my garden (usually devoid of migrants), and other reports had come in from Tonyrefail (Elaine Wright editor of this fine read), Roath (Jake Gilmore), and I suspect there are other records that I have missed but will gather in the fullness of time.

The larvae are mainly known to feed on Sea Beet (Betavulgarissubsp.maritima) in the UK, but it can be a pest species in Europe on cultivated forms of Betavulgaris . Whether any of these will have survived to produce offspring remains to be seen, but what was once a scarce resident of the south coast of England may now be a common resident in Wales! Reference

The Gelechiid Recording Scheme: https://www.gelechiid.co.uk/category/scrobipalpa ocellatella

The first of many: Beet Moth in Caldicot, 28th August © Austin Rice

SEWBReC Business Update

AdamRowe,SEWBReCChiefExecutiveOfficer

This update is being written after one of the most turbulent ever periods in British politics, which, hot on the heels of Brexit and the Covid 19 pandemic, means we are now in a period of great economic uncertainty. On top of this, the ongoing concern that legal protection for wildlife may be weakened following Brexit makes this a somewhat unsettling time for a business like SEWBReC. But, on the plus side, we are extremely well placed to handle any nasty surprises that may lurk in the future. Having had a run of successful years financially, and with the careful oversight of the SEWBReC board and finance committee, we remain very positive about the future. Our strong financial position has enabled us to build the SEWBReC team in recent months through the creation of a new full time equivalent post. After Naomi Rich left us the summer (to start a PhD), we have appointed three new staff All three staff will be assisting with provision of data products to our customers, but Emma Williams (full time) will also be focusing on delivering SEWBReC’s events and outreach work, whilst Becci Robinson and Rachel Shepherd Hunt (both working part time) will be focusing on data mining (seeking new and refreshed data flows from a range of sources including partner organisations, ecological consultancies and social media).

Twelve months ago, we restructured roles within SEWBReC to focus more attention on enhancing the flow of quality data into our databases. The fruits of this restructuring are now being seen, in particular work Amy Hicks and David Slade have been undertaking to import significant volumes of new data into the SEWBReC database (and subsequently onto Aderyn). Since April, nearly 800,000 records have been imported from the sources shown in the pie chart on the opposite page. This shows a significant increase over our usual volumes of incoming data due to:

• A large update of available for our region drawn from the NBN Atlas

• The import of a large archive of moth and butterfly data made available to SEWBReC following the passing of Dr Martin Anthoney (former Lepidoptera County Recorder for VC35, Monmouthshire)

• A significant push to import a large backlog of bird data from a range of sources including the British Trust for Ornithology’s BirdTrack system.

Work to improve the quantity and quality of data flowing into our databases remains a high priority and it is great that we now have an excellent team of staff working on these tasks.

In addition to the great progress with bringing more data into SEWBReC, we continue to provide our data services to a broad spectrum of users. Data searches are carried out for all planning applications in eight Unitary Authorities in our area (up by one since April with the signing of a new Service Level Agreement by Cardiff Council). Dozens of individuals across national organisations (including Natural Resources Wales, Welsh Government, Dŵr Cymru Welsh

Slime Mould Arcyria denudata © Steven Murray

Water and Network Rail), local authorities and Wildlife Trusts have Aderyn partner access which enables them to run their own data searches in support of their work. In addition, we anticipate dealing with around 1,000 commercial enquiries from environmental consultants during this financial year. SEWBReC data is being made available at the local level to inform Local Nature Recovery Action Plans and for ecosystem resilience mapping work in Swansea, whilst at the national level it is being used to inform National Wellbeing Indicator 44 on the status of biological diversity in Wales

We are starting to return to face to face events including two indoor based species identification workshops in recent weeks (on picture winged flies and moth dissection). Our additional staff resource, including Emma working on events and outreach mean that that we will be planning a more extensive calendar of events over the next year, including species identification workshops, recorders’ field days and BioBlitzes. We will also be able to attend more partner led events than before and will be able to promote wildlife recording to new audiences across our region. Keep an eye on the events calendar on our website for information on these and any other events that are taking place in our area. Remember, the new events calendar allows you to filter events by type and location, and is an excellent tool to help you plan your recording and learning activities!

One event that is happening soon, but which is staying in virtual format (hopefully for the last time) is the Gwent Glamorgan Recorders’ Forum, including the SEWBReC AGM. This is taking place on Saturday 21st January 2023. We hope that many of you will be able to attend for a mix of interesting presentations and updates; booking is now open As usual, I would like to finish by recording my thanks to everyone who contributes to the success of SEWBReC, including staff, directors, customers and recorders. Please continue to generate and submit records in the way that suits you best (whether via paper form, spreadsheet, SEWBReCORD, the LERC Wales app or any other means) and remember to share any exciting finds or identification queries to the SEWBReC Facebook Group. So, as the weather turns wetter and colder, why not dig out your backlog of wildlife photos and notebooks from the past year and spend those long winter evenings identifying species and submitting your records? We look forward to receiving them.

SEWBReC Membership and Governance

If

We are currently actively seeking candidates to fill two current vacancies on

SEWBReC

If this is something that potentially interests you, please get in touch and we can discuss the role and hopefully invite you along to observe a meeting or two before you join.

you would like to become a member of SEWBReC, please complete and return an application form

Current SEWBReC board of directors: Steve Bolchover (Chair), Alison Jones (Vice Chair), Stuart Bain (Treasurer), Kate Stinchcombe, David Clements, Vaughn Matthews, Andy Karran, Mark Pavett. Observer: Karen Wilkinson. Company Secretary: Rebecca Wright Davies.

the

board of directors.

national species list here

On a local level, we had 51 recorders submit 575 records of 301 species. You can view the SEWBReC species list here

The pie chart above shows how many records there were for each taxonomic group on a national level.

The heat map to the right reflects the number of records at different locations (brighter colour = more records).

The national species list (left) was surprisingly different to our two May events, which were both dominated by birds. This year the moths and butterflies almost had a clean sweep for September, with just Himalayan Balsam making an appearance for plants. The lack of birds is probably due to BirdTrack data being omitted, as this is shared with LERCs as an annual dataset.

Many thanks to all who took part in the BioBlitz!

Focus on Figwort

Graham Watkeys

Figwort (Scrophularianodosa) is not a particularly common plant at Taf Fechan in that it seems to pop up randomly in small numbers at irregular intervals. For whatever reason three plants turned up this year and they proved to be extremely rewarding to observe. Firstly the plant itself, in this case Scrophularianodosa , is rather beautiful in its own right but it is highly attractive to all kinds of other species, some of which are bound to it. Social wasps love the flowers of Figwort and they were seldom unattended by them (VespulavulgarisCommon Wasp, and Dolichovespulasylvesris Tree Wasp, duly recorded) but in amongst them one day was an imposter and a fairly good one. Tenthredo scrophulariaeis a Sawfly (Figwort Sawfly). Now you could describe Sawflies as vegetarian wasps and that is true up to a point or at least it is for the larvae who feed on plants, the adults are not adverse to a little bit of protein now and again. The larvae of this species, as its name might suggest, feeds on Figwort and are impressive looking beasts (although I’ve never found any) and the adults with their bright orange antennae are easy to identify. This species was already on the list from a good number of years ago however, so nice to see, but not that exciting.

The next three species were new to the list plus they were all Weevils and frankly who doesn’t love a Weevil?

For those who are unfamiliar with the behaviour of Weevils, they have a very bad habit, well bad for recorders, very good for the Weevil. They employ the drop and vanish technique of predator evasion and this behaviour is often triggered by the slightest of bumps or nudges to the plant. This is

Tenthredo scrophulariae © Graham Watkeys

Cionus scrophulariae © Graham Watkeys

highly annoying when a supposedly carefully placed foot catches an unseen Bramble which proceeds to shake the whole plant (curses and naughty words!). Luckily returning the next day the Weevils were still there. The first on the list was Cionusscrophulariae (hmm that name again it must mean something?), commonly called the Figwort Weevil although it is one of several Cionusspecies that all look similar.

Other visits produced two other Cionusspecies both new to the list C.hortulanus(below) and C.tuberculosus(above). Oddly, or thinking about it perhaps not, the order I found them was exactly the same as the number of Aderyn records might suggest, scrophularae the most and tuberculosus the least. There are two other specialist Figwort feeding Weevils (Cionusaloudaand Cleopuspulchellus) that I have yet to find, so the Weevil hunt continues.

The last species on this particular short sojourn into Figwort is a Fly. Diptera, yes I am going there but stick with it, it’s not that scary. This particular Fly is rather small and mainly black (NO stay with me), BUT its mine on Figwort is unmistakable (see told you it wasn’t scary). Amauromyzaverbasci(um verbasci? Well this is Diptera you didn’t expect simple did you?) is an Agromyzid, an extremely under recorded group that I recommend spending some time with by the way. It produces big blotch mines on Figwort, often more than one on a leaf. Despite commonly finding it in my garden (on Great Mullein, ah verbasci!) and on almost all of the other reserves I regularly record at (mainly on Buddleia) this was another first for Taf Fechan. Four new species all associated with the same plant.

Cionus tuberculosus © Graham Watkeys

Cionus hortulanus © Graham Watkeys

The mines of Amauromyza verbasci © Graham Watkeys

ColinTitcombe

These days we are all too aware of ‘global warming’ and the consequent ‘rising sea levels’, but this process has been going on for quite some time. Recently I looked at an old map in my possession which covers the Severn Estuary off southern Gwent. It shows the estuary at low tide and what struck me most particularly was the lack of water surrounding Denny Island. The island appeared to sit in a sea of sand (the Welsh Grounds/Bedwin Sands). The map was dated from February 1928. Some thirty nine years after the production of this map I managed to walk/swim out to Denny Island after hearing stories of this being possible. Friends told me that this had been achieved on a regular basis in the past, and I also read accounts of this taking place. Brian Waters for example (1) tells us on page 9 “Eighty years ago cows were pastured on Denny, and a man made the long walk over the mud flats between tides to milk them”. And Thomas A. Walker (2) relates on page 28 “More than 2 miles from the shore is a small island known as ‘The Denny’ on which it is reported that within a hundred years, a fox followed from the mainland was killed. It is still possible at low water of the spring tides to walk to the Denny and return in the same tide, but the journey is not unattended with danger”. In this last quote the key words are “spring tides”. In my ignorance I attempted this feat on the 4th June, 1967 on a neap tide hence my having to swim across a fast flowing stream of water in order to reach the island.

In 1976 I again visited the Denny when a Portskewett man (Johnny Hubbard) took me out there in a motorized dinghy, and in 1978 the same person flew me over the Denny in a light aircraft from Bristol Airport. In June 2000 I travelled around the Denny in a boat from Chepstow and in 2001 landed on the Denny again to observe the changed brought about by the recently formed Cormorant colony. On this occasion Peter Roberts ferried Graham Harris and I out to the Denny on his boat ‘The Whimbrel’ (see reference 3, chapter 17). In the photograph I took from the air in 1978 the Denny can be seen at low tide and it is obviously surrounded by shallow water. It can only be assumed that rising sea levels are responsible for the changes brought about in the estuary and presumably making it far more difficult, or even impossible, to access the island now on foot.

Sources

1. The Bristol Channel, Brian Waters, J.M. Dent & Sons Ltd, Londond, 1955

2. The Severn Tunnel Its Construction and Difficulties 1872 1887, A Kingsmead Reprint, 1969

3. Wildlife in Gwent Post Millennium, Colin Titcombe, 2006

Denny Island as viewed from the English side, summer 2000. All images © Colin Titcombe

The approach to Denny Island 1976 Herring Gull’s nest with eggs 1976

The cap of Denny Island covered in Tree Mallow 1976 Shelduck’s nest and eggs 1976

Denny Island from above, June 1978. Note the water surrounding the island

In 2001 Peter Roberts took Graham Harris and I out to Denny on his boat “The Whimbrel”

By summer 2001 Cormorants had almost stripped the island’s cap of its Tree Mallow, the material used to build their nests

When I took a boat trip around Denny in 2000, Cormorants nested on the Island

The Lost Peatlands of South Wales Project

Richard Pulman & Michael Shewring, Lost Peatland Project

The uplands of the plateau between Neath Port Talbot and Rhondda Cynon Taf is a landscape steeped in history and change. Historically this was a place of wide, open moorlands and deep incised valleys. For thousands of years people farmed this landscape and not until the discovery of coal did this pattern of land use start to change and the mining communities that follow the valley floor developed. However, the most dramatic landscape change came about with the planting of forestry in the 50s and 60s, followed more recently by wind farm development. This afforestation has hidden the historical and biodiversity interest that once graced these hills, however, this wealth of heritage is still waiting to be rediscovered beneath the trees.

The Lost Peatlands of South Wales is a Heritage Lottery funded project focused on this upland plateau and the rediscovery and restoration of this amazing landscape. The project aims to have a positive impact on climate change through carbon storage and the area’s biodiversity through habitat restoration. Following a two year development phase beginning in 2019, the Lost Peatlands of South Wales project has been awarded a further £1.56m by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to carry out delivery of

Rhondda Fawr valley from Pen Pych © Lost Peatlands

our aims and objectives. With additional match funding from partners predominately Vattenfall’s Pen y Cymoedd Wind Farm Habitat Management Fund the overall project value is now more than £2.8million. The project is a partnership project led by Neath Port Talbot Council, supported by Rhondda Cynon Taff Council, Natural Resources Wales, Coed Lleol and Swansea University.

One of the most important aspects of the habitat works is forest to bog peatland habitat restoration and the value of the peat resource found across the plateau; specifically its potential for enhanced carbon storage and contribution to Wales’ response to the climate emergency. Peat habitats in the area are likely to store up to 350,000 tonnes of carbon. That is equivalent to at least 5 million trees planted and grown for 10 years or 794 million miles driven in a car! Peat depths across project sites vary significantly with a maximum peat depth of around 5 metres having been recorded at our Castell Nos site near Maerdy. Given the known rates of peat formation (~1mm per year) this is represents at least 5000 years of peatland habitat history in the area.

Habitat restoration at our sites is largely focused on forest to bog restoration and as such requires the removal of any forestry crop present prior to sending some large machinery in to restore peatland hydrology and reverse the forestry interventions designed to improve tree growth i.e. we use a big digger to block forestry ditches and furrows with the main aim of making it wet! This process has already started at our Castell Nos habitat restoration area (HRA) located near Maerdy (RCT), where we delivered ~28ha of restoration works over the winter of 2021/22.

The restoration works across our sites and the Pen y Cymoedd wind farm will enhance the remnant patches of natural habitat still present within the forest and help support important populations of species of conservation concern present in the landscape, and potentially encourage the re colonisation by others.

Water vole survey training at Castell Nos HRA © Lost Peatlands

European Nightjar at Pen y Cymoedd © Dan Carrington

Species such as Water Vole and European Nightjar already call this landscape home and we are designing our works to support these populations where present. For example, through creation of more open water habitat at Castell Nos to support Water Vole. We are also looking to monitor these populations over the course of the project to ascertain the effects of restoration on their distribution and populations.

Highlights of ecological aspects of the project so far include the discovery of a remnant population of upland Water Vole at the Castell Nos HRA and perhaps more impressively the discovery of a new to Glamorgan population of Sphagnum moss medium by project ecologist Joey Pickard.

Alongside the habitat restoration works the project is also focused on community engagement, education and training. The project is looking to provide better access, interpretation, signage and promotion to attract and encourage community engagement and exploration of the Lost Peatlands area. This will provide opportunities for people to enjoy and benefit from the landscape and provide outdoor learning resources and opportunities for school visits. This includes the creation of a long distance walking route (The Peatland Way circa 30km for the brave!) and a number of local shorter walks close to communities for the more social strollers. We are also training volunteers to give people the skills to get involved and have an active role in the management of their landscape through training in both the technical and practical elements of habitat surveying and management. We cater for all levels of knowledge from beginner to professional in both our upland Habitat Restoration Areas and Sites of Interest for Nature Conservation in the valleys. This has recently included a very successful series of Water Vole survey training activities at the Castell Nos restoration site, where we have trained staff from RCT Council and local volunteers in the specific survey techniques for Water Vole in an upland landscape. And it is our intention to continue running similar Water Vole events across the Water Vole survey season (Apr Oct) in 2023 and 2024 so please get in touch if interested!

Full details of this project and all training offerings can be found at www.npt.gov.uk/lostpeatlands or contact the team at lostpeatlands@npt.gov.uk

Water vole droppings at Castell Nos © Lost Peatlands

Water Vole © Terry Whittaker

All-Wales Rook Survey (2022/23)

Anne Brenchley, Chair of Wales Ornithological Society

This article originally appeared in the BTO Cymru e newsletter

In 2021 the Welsh Ornithological Society (WOS) began to plan this all Wales single species survey and the first year of fieldwork was completed in March and April 2022. Whilst WOS initiated the survey and coordinated the fieldwork, the project could not have got off the ground without the direct support of several key partners. Natural Resources Wales funded the online survey booking system, created and managed by the BTO. RSPB produced the list of survey sites (based on a stratified random method). Cofnod (the North Wales Local Environmental Records Centre) created a bespoke online recording system. Finally, most of the BTO Cymru Regional Representatives were persuaded to become the Local Organisers providing essential local knowledge and contact with surveyors. We were fortunate that the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park provided electronic tetrad maps for all the Priority survey sites. This survey seems to have captured the imagination of birdwatchers in Wales and volunteers, many new to surveying, came forward to help. A minimum of 576 Priority survey units (tetrads) were identified and by the end of April over 500 of these had been successfully surveyed. Some regions have been ambitious and amongst others Pembrokeshire, Brecon and East Glamorgan have plans to do a complete survey. The Priority tetrads chosen were based on those surveyed in 1975, 1996 and the Bird Atlas 2007 11. The main aim of the survey is to produce a robust population estimate but important additional information such as distribution patterns and tree species used for nesting have also been gathered. All this will help us gain a better understanding of Rook ecology in Wales. Initial analysis of this year’s data indicates that the Welsh Rook population continues to decline. Once a very common farmland bird and even considered as an agricultural pest this population change seems to have crept up on us very quietly. Later this year a revised Birds of Conservation Concern for Wales list will be published and it is quite likely that the Rook will appear on this list for the first time. Who would have thought? If you were one of the many volunteer surveyors then many thanks, and if you would like to volunteer to take part in 2023, please look on the WOS website: https://birdsin.wales/rook survey/

Rook © Annie Irving

SEWBReC Recording Grant at Swansea Community Farm

Katharine Aylett

Swansea Community Farm was lucky enough to receive a SEWBReC Recording Grant in January 2021. We spent the grant on equipment and ID sheets and books, to help our staff and volunteers to explore and understand the wildlife around them.

Volunteers aged 8 to 80 surveyed all areas of the Heath and Farm, including dedicated wildlife areas, dead hedges, woodland, heathland and various ponds. We have been focussing our efforts particularly on our conservation grazing area on Cadle Heath, to track the changes in the paddock due to grazing by goats and donkeys. Due to Covid restrictions, our surveys were more sporadic than originally planned, but we are hitting our stride now, and hope to submit even more records via SEWBReCORD next year.

We also used the equipment with our pre school groups, who particularly enjoyed sweep netting and finding grasshoppers and spiders. Engaging small people and their grown ups to enjoy Cadle Heath is one of our primary goals, and having a bit of kit and the FSC fold out sheets made the adventure more special, and more informative.

We used the equipment and books to take part in citizen science surveys, including PoMS (UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme) and Spot a bee. Our most popular of these was walking a monthly bee walk for Bumblebee Conservation Trust, which sparked a real passion in some of our volunteers, one of whom is now planning to get a bumblebee tattoo!

Receiving the funding from SEWBReC really helped our surveying efforts to step up a gear, and staff and volunteers have all appreciated using our new books, ID sheets and equipment.

SEWBReC Recording Grant Scheme Update

Elaine Wright, SEWBReC

Our Recording Grant Scheme has been running since 2020, with the dual aim of funding equipment and training for established recorders to enhance their skills, and/or funding community groups (such as Swansea Community Farm, above) who can introduce the concept of recording to groups of beginners.

During 2022 we have made some improvements and additions to the grant scheme process:

• The grant application form is now streamlined, with sections for either individuals or groups so no need to try and think of a project name if you just want your own moth trap!

• The SEWBReC Book Grant Scheme was launched, aimed at encouraging people to make small applications for books and guides (up to £75).

Grant application are welcome at any time, please visit our website for more information: http://www.sewbrec.org.uk/grant.

Nextdoor Nature

Elizabeth Witcombe, Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales

The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales has launched a new project called Nextdoor Nature. Through this project we plan to connect with communities in Swansea and encourage people to take action for nature in ways that suit them. These actions could be anything, from building and planting up window boxes with pollinator friendly flowers, to transforming an empty patch of land into a community vegetable garden. The main aim is that it is driven by what residents of Swansea would like to see in their local area. Our target areas within Swansea are Uplands, Sketty, Castle, Llansamlet and Morriston, but we are happy to hear from you if you live close by!

If you are a community group or an individual that would like to get involved, or have any ideas about increasing nature in Swansea, please get in touch via the methods below!

e.witcombe@welshwildlife.org / Facebook / Website questionnaire

SEWBReC Loan Scheme

Elaine Wright, SEWBReC

Our Loan Scheme has been very popular since launching earlier this year, with several people taking the opportunity to try out moth traps, bat detectors and other equipment first hand. The scheme is likely to be quiet over the winter (like much of our wildlife), but do get in touch if you would like to borrow anything, either now or next year. Equipment available includes moth traps (mains and battery powered), microscopes, bat detectors, field equipment and books on many species groups. Take a look at our website for a full list, and email info@sewbrec.org.uk to arrange a loan.

Recording at Taf Fechan 2022

Graham Watkeys

These are some of the species that I have recorded here this year. Some are new to the list, some are just species that I enjoy spending some time with or in some cases species that have chosen to spend some time with me. Some are rare, some are exceedingly common, some were deliberately searched for and some were happy coincidences.

Trissolcus sp.: This tiny Wasp is a parasite of Shield bug eggs and like many of its parasitic brethren is very difficult to get to species level. It was found under the bark of Sycamore.

Rondania

Spotted Snake Millipede (Blaniulus guttulatus): A common species but until this year it had avoided me. The pale colour and red dots of this species make it easy to identify and it was found by the simple expedient of lifting (and replacing!) some rocks.

Buff Tip (Phalera bucephala): Had to include a “Wildlife on my finger” moment so this is it. I am far more used to finding their voracious caterpillars munching away but to find an adult without the aid of a trap is unusual for me.

Oncotylus viridiflavus: This was a species I deliberately searched for. I learned of its existence from a friend’s blog (thank you Annie Irving) and thought there was a reasonable chance of it being at Taf Fechan as it is associated with Knapweed, a very common plant here. Luckily both the nymph and the adult are unmistakable so the only thing I had to do was spend hours staring at purple flowers which isn’t an unusual pastime.

fasciata: This very rare little Tachinid was a first for Wales so had to be included. I also think its Tiger stripes make it rather gorgeous. [Ed: Find more new to Wales spp. on pg. 25]

Neurotoma saltuum: Sawflies are extremely under recorded so I have spent some more time with them this year. This particular species is a gregarious feeder which produces a protective web which can cover a significant area of its food plant, in this case Hawthorn, although it can be found on other food plants. The larvae are much easier to identify than the adults in this case.

Dolichopus plumipes: The damp and humid conditions at Taf Fechan mean Dolichopodidae are a fairly common sight but identifying them is not easy (despite them often making for very good photographic subjects). Again this is a species that I have been aware of for a while but only found this year. The modified mid tarsi is the feature to look for but with most Diptera it is best to check with an expert.

Rhinoceros Beetle (Sinodendron cylindricum): This was one of the species that choose to spend some time with me. It was even polite enough to land on my left arm to allow for photos. It spent a minute or so with me before popping open its wings and flying off leaving me doing a little happy dance. What a stunning creature!

Water Cricket (Velia caprai): Despite the river Taf Fechan being a prominent feature I don’t spend a lot of time looking for aquatic invertebrates. This being confessed, I was lucky that one of my photos showed the feature needed to identify these to species. There were loads of them on one of the very few bits of standing water on the reserve.

Empis pennipes: A happy conjunction of me, my camera, a flower and an incredible looking creature. It was a pleasure to spend some time with them however brief. Not a particularly easy group to identify but the highly modified legs provide a good pointer to this species.

): I have been aware of this species and its potential to be here for a while and after several Bluebell seasons without success I finally found it this year. It is not a common species and is one to look for if you have plentiful stands of its food plant.

Bluebell Conch

(Hysterophora maculosana

Blues vs Reds

David Slade

I suppose that there may be some readers that find news of a brown spotty micro moth (see page 7) arriving in Wales for the first time as being of limited interest (some of us were very excited!). A moth that cannot fail to impress however is the Clifden Nonpareil (Catocala fraxini). When I started mothing this was the holy grail of moth traps; formerly restricted to the south east of England, it became extinct as a breeding species in the UK in the 1960s. The first confirmed Glamorgan record was in 2017 when the Cram family caught one in their Bridgend garden trap. Since then, it has appeared regularly as singletons across the county and 2022 has been another good year. The larvae feed on Aspen and there can be little doubt that this species has now colonised south Wales Gwent in particular has been seeing large numbers of records over the past three years.

You can view the current distribution map on Aderyn

Bilberry Bumblebee Hunt

Clare Flynn, Bumblebee Conservation Trust

Did you take part in the All Wales Bilberry Bumblebee Hunt this year or do you have other records of this wonderful species in Wales?

Please make sure to submit your data by the 31st December for it to be included in our 2023 map. Preferred routes are via the LERC Wales App or SEWBReCORD

Thank you from the Bilberry Bumblebee Hunt Team!

Bilberry Bumblebee © Clare Flynn

Clifden Nonpareil © Mike, Emma & Holly Cram

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