Llanelli Naturalists Newsletter - Summer 1993 - No 55
Richard Pryce
Leaders: Dr.George Hutchinson and Richard Pryce.
Dyfed Wildlife Trust, Llanelli Section meeting.
A glorious, hot, sunny afternoon encouraged a good attendence at this meeting which was intended to be an introduction to the varied wildlife to he found in this area.
The party slowly progressed up the approach road to the dam 1122/514042) with the leaders pointing out plants of interest, -emphasis being placed on those species which are often found to be difficult to identify. Yellow composites included Cat's-ear (Hypochoeris radicata), Nipplewort (Lapsana corn munis), Dandelion (Taraxacum sp.) and Hairy Hawkbit (Leontodon hispidus) whilst amongst the grasses were Crested Dog's-tail (Cynosurus cristatus), Cock's Foot (Dactylis glomerata), Sweet Vernal-grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum) and False Oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius). The trees in the plantation were mainly the hybrid Larch, Larix x eurolepis (L.europaeus x L.kaempferi), the cross between the European and Japanese Larches.
The dry, southern bank of the reservoir dam was seen to support a good range of different grasses with damp patches having several species of rushes. The characters used to separate these superficially similar plants were demonstrated and all the common species were found to be present: Soft Rush (Juncus effusus), Conglomerate Rush (J.conglomeratus), Hard Rush. (J.inflexus), Sharp-flowered Rush (J.acutiflorus) and Jointed Rush (J. articulatus). Several different leguminous species were also 'present here. These were the yellow flowered Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus uliginosus) and Meadow Vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis), the purple Common Vetch ( Vicia sativa subsp. segetalis) and Tufted Vetch (V.cracca) and the diminutive white flowered Hairy Tare ( V.hirsuta). There were many butterflies feeding at the flowers on this hank. A Marbled White was the highlight amongst the numerous Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Large Skippers and Common Blues. Six-spot Burnet moths were also seen.
A small remnant of Purple Moor-grass (Moilinia caerulea) dominated acid grassland was discovered just across the dam at the southwestern corner of the reservoir (22 /512042). Ericoid species included Heather (Calluna vulgaris) and Cross-leaved Heath (Erica tetralix) and Heath Spotted-orchids (Dactylorhiza maculata subsp. ericetorum) were also frequent. Ribbed Sedge (Carex binervis) and Common Cotton-grass (Eriophorum angustifolium) were additional plants typical of this habitat type whilst "choicer" species included Saw-wort (Serratula tinctoria), Tawny Sedge (Carex hostiana) and Pale Sedge (C.pallescens). Occasional delicate, white, umbelliferous flower-heads of the plant so characteristic of Carmarthenshire, Whorled Caraway (Carum verticillatum), were also seen waving in the wind.
The party continued into the woodland clothing the reservoir's western side. The shade was welcome although the clegs were not! A typical coalfield woodland dominated by Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) with frequent Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and an understorey of Holly (Ilex aquifolium), Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and Hazel (Corylus avellana).
The wet, swampy area at the top end of the reservoir (22/508048) was colonised by Common Reed (Phragmites australis) with much scrub invasion mainly of Grey Willow (Salix cinerea) and Alder (Alnus glutinosa). However, a short expedition necessitating the leaders wading into the water to the limits of their welly-boots produced a species rare in the Llanelli area, Marsh Cinqufoil (Potentilla palustris), with its unique dark brownish-red flowers and palmate leaves. Bottle Sedge (Carex rostrata) was also found here in small quantity.
The rank, tall-fen area around the bird-hide (22/509049) was next visited with plants including frequent Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), Meadow-sweet (Fillipendula ulmaria) and Angelica (A ngelica sylvestris) with Bindweed (Calystegia sepium) and Bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara) scrambling through them. Bird-life was, however, disappointing. Only Coots and a lone Moorhen were seen, there being no sign of the pair of Great Crested Grebes.
The return was along the track skirting the eastern bank of the reservoir. The alien rush Juncus tenuis was frequent in its characteristic trackway situation whilst Toad Rush (J.bufonius) was seen in small ponded areas and dessicating puddles. There was, however, remarkably little aquatic vegetation although several species of damselflies and dragonflies were observed hawking and patrolling their territories. The dam was eventually reached and members said their weary farewells after thanking the leaders for a very intense and informative few hours.
The leaders are grateful to Mike Williams, Hon. warden, and the Welsh Water Authority for granting permission to visit this site which is normally closed to the public.
