Llanelli Naturalists Newsletter - June 1984
Richard Pryce

Leaders: Frank and Olive Webb

About fifteen members and visitors assembled at the head of Pembrey Harbour pier, in glorious sunny weather, at the height of the spring heat wave. The plant-life of the harbour area was first studied, with Danish Scurvy-Grass (Cochlearia danica), Shining Cranesbill (Geranium lucidum) and Sainfoin (Medicago sativa) being particularly noted. A plant of Fumaria was seen and the leaders took the opportunity of demonstrating the use of the keys provided in Clapham, Tutin and Warburg to determine its species, which turned out to be the Wall Fumitory (Fumaria muralis). The party then followed the track through the dunes between the golf-links and the shore and discovered several stunted trees of Wild Cherry (Prunus avium) and a clump of the Spanish Bluebell (Hyacinthoides hispancus) presumably a garden throw-out. Many plants of the common duneland violet, Viola canina, were seen and the differences between this species and the inland, hedgebank species, Viola riviniana, were established 'before continuing to the Lifeboat Plantation.

More than fifty flowering plants of the Green-Winged Orchid (Orchis morio) were counted by the junior party members although, due to the drought, many plants were only an Inch or two in height. The main dune-ridge was then crossed and a short break resulted in discussion over the fate of the saltings and dunes in the light of the Borough Council's proposed developments for the area.

Return to the harbour was made along the strand-line and saltmarsh where several of the typical plants of these habitats were identified and a fine view of a cuckoo was afforded as it flew across the marsh towards the Links.

Finally the more intrepid botanists amongst the party, intent on turning ¬up new records, searched the disturbed sandy, waste-ground near the harbour, created by the earth moving associated with the council's saltings road development, and discovered some interesting weeds! Most noteworthy was the Annual Nettle (Urtica urens) growing in some quantity though showing obvious signs of drought, this being only the fourth record for Carmarthenshire and only the second since 1970. Swinecress (Coronopus didymus) Bugloss (Lycopsis arvensis) and Thale Cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), all species which thrive on dry, free-draining soils and unable to cope with competition from other plants, were also recorded.

Back at the cars, the leaders were thanked and the party disbanded after a very pleasant and educational afternoon.