Llanelli Naturalists Newsletter - October 2001 - No 67
Leaders Viv & Tony Lewis
Although the venue had to be changed (from Mewslade) due to the foot and mouth restrictions there was plenty of interest for the participants on a bright and breezy afternoon. Starting with a short tour of the village, Two-flowered Everlasting-pea (Lathyrus grandiflorus) tumbled over a garden wall and many seedlings of Fern-leaved Beggarticks (Bidens ferulifolia) on the roadside were survivors from last year’s hanging baskets. The latter is of interest as this alien annual from South America has not been known to persist anywhere in Britain. Leaf mines of the moths, the Laburnum Leaf Miner (Leucoptera laburnella) and Caloptilia syringella, were also seen in the village. Bur Chervil (Anthriscus caucalis) was very scarce on a grassy bank, its appearance here varies from year to year, while in sandy waste behind the car park the even more sporadic Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) was just coming into flower. Grasses seen here included Barren Brome (Anisantha sterilis) and the nationally scarce Dune Fescue (Vulpia fasciculata) whilst several 11-spot Ladybirds (Coccinella 11-punctata) were also noted.
In the sand dunes a riot of colour greeted the party, Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber), Sea Radish (Raphanus raphanistrum), Hound’s-tongue (Cynoglossum officinale), Horse-radish (Armoracia rusticana) and Dame’s-violet (Hesperis matronalis) being the most eye-catching. More subtle delights were provided by Sea Stock (Matthiola sinuate) and Bloody Crane’s-bill (Geranium sanguineum), the former possibly introduced at this site although native elsewhere on Gower. Larvae in webs of the Orchard Ermine Moth (Yponomeuta padella) were abundant on the Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) bushes on the stable dunes and galls of the Bladder Bullace Fungus (Taphrina pruni) were observed on their fruits.
The group then headed for the cliffs via the scree slopes of the disused limestone quarries passing en route Hedgerow Crane’s-bill (Geranium pyrenaicum), a species unknown from Gower until the late 1980s. The thin limestone soil yielded a rich assemblage which included Squinancywort (Asperula cynanchica), Hairy Rock-cress (Arabis hirsuta), Wild Clary (Salvia verbenaca), Common and Hoary Rock-rose (Helianthemum nummularium and H. oelandicum ssp. incanum) and Spring Squill (Scilla verna), the last still in flower as were Cowslip (Primula veris) and Early-purple Orchid (Orchis mascula). Tiny first instar larvae of the Mullein Moth (Shargacucullia verbasci) were seen on the Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) plants also growing on the cliffs. The few butterflies seen included Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages), resting in its characteristic ‘moth posture’ on a head of Greater Knapweed (Centaurea scabiosa) and the Wall (Lasiommata megera). A few Common Blues (Polyommatus icarus) were also seen. Rock ledges held the rare and very local Small Restharrow (Ononis reclinata) which we were very lucky to find in flower, and a population of Sea Campion (Silene uniflora) unusual in having the calyx yellowish and lacking conspicuous veins. The party returned through a small woodland with Tutsan (Hypericum androsaemum), and the edge of an arable field where Small Nettle (Urtica urens) was growing, finishing at the car park, reduced in numbers but well pleased, if somewhat wind-blown.
Tony Lewis
