Eglwyseg, World's End, Llangollen

We had a great walk from World's End to Lllangollen today, going we followed the Offa's Dyke path along the base of Creigiau Eglwyseg, and on the return journey we went over the top of Eglwyseg Mountain.

The cliffs were full of wildlflowers, including the very rare Welsh Hawkweed which is endemic and known from only three sites in Wales. Butterflies included Dark Green Fritillary and Grayling. There were lots of birds, including a pair of Peregrines with two juveniles, and we watched as an adult passed prey to one of the youngsters on the wing. There were lots of Whinchats and Stonechats about, and we saw a juvenile Cuckoo being attended by a Meadow Pipit.

Welsh Hawkweed (left) and Pale St. John's Wort. The purple blotches in the leaves of the hawkweed make this a straight forward identification (or so I'm told!).

Creigiau Eglwyseg and Goldenrod

Field Scabious and Carline Thistle

Meadow Cranesbill and Cuckoo with Meadow Pipit. We all know about Cuckoos and Meadow Pipits, but in 40 years birding, this is the first time I have ever seen it in action! As you can see in the photo, the pipit has food in it's mouth, and is about to feed the Cuckoo.

Lake District, Ullswater

Another glorious day in the Lake District!

Looking towards Kirkstone Pass and Brotherswater (left) and Ullswater and Helvelyn (right). Both photos were taken from exactly the same spot, on the side of Place Fell.


We saw several magnificent Golden-ringed Dragonflies, and Boardale (left) in Martindale, was a particularly good location for them. Ok, confession time, the photo on the right is of Golden-ringed Dragonfly, but was taken last year at Silver Howe. I've not been able to get close to one yet this year.

More moths

A couple of good moths from last night, the Shark (left) and Buff Arches (right). It's only taken me 10 years to work out why it's called the shark, but it's quite obvious on this photo. You an see the sharks fin on top of its head!

Some recent moths

There have been some decent nights for moth trapping recently, so here are a few photos of some of the more spectacular species.


Elephant Hawk-moth and Swallow-tail moth.


Old Lady (from above) and Old Lady (from below).


Bordered White

Berringtons Lane, Rainford

Grasshopper Warbler reeling

Silver Howe and Blea Rigg

We had a great walk in the Lake District today, looking for sedges and dragonflies, but also taking in the wonderful scenery and enjoying the beautiful weather! We started from Grasmere, walked up to Silver Howe, along Blea Rigg and then back down to Grasmere via Easedale Tarn. We found a good selection of sedges, and saw at least three Golden-ringed Dragonflies, as well as Large Red Damselflies and Four-spot Chasers.


Fairfield (left) from Silver Howe and Helvelyn and Easdale Tarn (right) from Blea Rigg.

Fir Clubmoss (left) and Slow Worm (right).

Common Cotton Sedge on Blea Rigg

Warblers in the Sankey Valley

Warblers singing in the Sankey Valley this morning 7:10-7:50am, Carr Mill Dam to Mucky Mountains: Reed Warbler 5; Chiffchaff 16; Blackcap 12; Willow Warbler 1; Whitethroat 6

Warblers in the Sankey Valley

Warblers singing in the Sankey Valley this morning, 7:15am - 8:00am, Carr Mill Dam to Mucky Mountains: Blackcap 13; Whitethroat 9; Chiffchaff 10; Willow Warbler 2; Reed Warbler 2.

A great few weeks

It's been a hectic few weeks, with not much time for posting to the blog, so here are a few photos from some of the spectacular places we have been.....

19/06/2011 - Y Garn, Cwm Idwal, North Wales
At 3100 feet this is the 15th highest mountain in Wales, and is just 100 feet lower than Scafell Pikes in Cumbria. It rises above Cwm Idwal and the Devil's Kitchen. It's just a 4 mile round walk to the summit and back to the car at Ogwen Cottage, but pretty tough going in places. Lots of botanical interest, with the main flowers seen including Globeflower, Welsh Poppy, Mossy Saxifrage, Starry Saxifrage, Fir Clubmoss and plenty of interesting sedges. Sadly no Snowdon Lily. I think we were probably too late. I didn't have my camera with me, so this photo, taken from the summit, is from my phone.



11/06/2011 - Malham, Yorkshire Dales
Spectacular scenary, and some great flowers, notably Globeflower, Bird's-eye Primrose, Mountain Pansies, Rock Roses and lots of great sedges and ferns. Saw a few Redstarts.

Malham Cove

Malham Tarn and Gordale Scar.

30/05/2011 - Berwyns
A stunning walk from Pistyll Rhaedr, the main birds seen were lots of Whinchats. Once again lots of nice sedges and ferns.

Hare's-tail Cotton Sedge

Upper Teesdale

Our luck deserted us today, and the weather in Teesdale was pretty awful. Even so, there were still some great flowers to see. Scottish Asphodel was unexpected and a first for me, whilst Apline Bistort is a plant I have only seen once before in Britain, at Ben Lawers in Scotland. Other interesting plants included Hair Sedge, False-sedge and Long-stalked Yellow Sedge.


Globeflower and Water Avens


Alpine Bistort and Scottish Asphodel

Great Orme

It was a glorious day on the Great Orme. I had great views of two Choughs and a Peregrine, but star of the day was this fantastic Spiked Speedwell.

Spiked Speedwell