Gill Barters Fields

 Many members may not be aware, but some years ago our very own Gill Barter purchased a number of fields near Pencoed in order to ensure that they were conserved in line with their SSSI status. 

Yesterday members of the society were treated to a guided tour of the highlights of the fields with Gill acting as tour guide 

We had a wonderful trip and here are some of the highlights with identifications from me. if any of them are incorrect please leave a comment or send a message via the contact us form

View of a field, Whorled Caraway Carum verticillatum, Sedges etc.

Common Green Grasshopper Omocestus viridulus

Saw-wort Serratula tinctoria

Red Sword-grass, Xylena vetusta Catterpillar

Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria

Dog Rose Rosa canina

Nuthatch Sitta europaea nesting hole

Common Sundew Drosera rotundifolia

New Year Birdwatch details now arranged

We are adding to our programme this event for Sunday 19 January 2020

Cosmeston Lakes Country Park, Penarth. CF64 5UY ST17846918

Meet at the Visitor Centre in the car park at 10am.

Cosmeston’s two lakes attract plenty of waterbirds, and the surrounding bushes, reedbeds and meadows support a variety of other birds. Afterwards we may go on to a different site depending on the weather and other birding opportunities, such as last January’s Black-necked Grebe in Cardiff Bay. Mostly we will be on firm level paths.There is a café (with toilets), or bring a packed lunch.

This is a joint meeting with the Cardiff Group of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, led by Linda and Rob Nottage

If you are not a member please get in touch to let us know you would like to come along, There won't be a charge, but we like to have an idea of numbers. if you would like to become a member please click the Join Us link

Cosmeston Lakes

if you were not on the walk you have just missed a lovely evening looking around the Cosmeston Lakes Country Park with Sharon Mullins

Assistant Countryside Ranger

Here are a couple of pictures firstly of their new  education area and meadow turf grassland 

And the Absolutely fabulous new carved oak nature themed statue that is in the area

More pictures to follow in the newsletter

Regards
Andy Kendall

Please help us spread the word

With this 2017 / 2018 Autumn and Spring events poster 

With direct information about how to get tickets for the Iolo Williams evening at the National Museum of Wales - Amgueddfa Cymru

Information on the Museum exhibition at the Cardiff Story Museum 

and more 

Its in an easily shared and printed PDF format

You can get the poster HERE

Peterstone Super Ely

The 25th of May turned out to be a wonderful day for a walk with friends

We went on a route picked out by Rob and Linda Nottage around Peterstone Super Ely

The wildlife abounded in the late spring sun and we were treated to a nice selection of habitats to wander through

The birders amongst us watched out for life as we crossed the river, but I failed to spot anything moving that fast. However I did find some Green Dock Leaved Beetles (Gastrophysa viridula) so engrossed that they did not care when I turned their leaf over.

She's heavily expecting so soon the  larvae will be turning the leaves into something that looks like a fine lace doily. I suspect the small brown pile behind them is exactly what it looks like - frass is the technical term

 

We wandered along the riverbank and spotted this nice mature Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) or conker tree to the young at heart. This part is overhanging the river so whoever collects these will need to be careful

Oh well when they've had enough exercise collecting the conkers they can rest on this well placed bench 

No good for us though, so we headed from the riverbank into meadows and were soon admiding many wildflowers. Whilst the rest of the team were marvelling at Monkshood I was admiring this Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)

 And a nice yellow Flag Iris (Iris pseudacorus) looking cheerful in the sunshine

And on to open landscapes where we hunted in vain for Sand Martins. not a good show this year, we hope they all found somewhere nice to nest. 

The whole of this flood plane is covered in the most wonderful meanders. Its not possible to do them justice in a picture taken at ground level.  Hmmm  I wonder if can I get permission to drive my land Rover here as a photo platform?

Others were making proper records of what they saw, but I hope some like this simple photo diary of my day out

Excellent company, excellent wildlife, excellent landscapes

Regards
Andy

Field Trip to Clyne Gardens - Sunday 1st June

by Bruce McDonald

We celebrated the official onset of Summer with our first visit to Clyne Gardens, close to the sea and between Swansea and The Mumbles. 12 members along with two guests from the Friends of Dyffryn Gardens enjoyed the company of Tony Titchen as we skirmished with some of the magnificent trees in this scenic park.

Clyne Gardens was purchased in 1860 by William Graham Vivian with much of the work in the gardens continued by his nephew Algernon, 'The Admiral', who had a major influence on it between 1921 and 1952.

We hardly scratched the surface, as in four hours we probably covered just a quarter of the site. Scope for another visit in the future? The estate is famous internationally for its collection of Pieris, Enkianthus and Rhododendrons (they were blooming and there's a photo of one below), yet we did not get round to looking at many of these - nor the bog garden, bluebell wood, Japanese Bridge, heather beds, Italian bridge, Joy Cottage and the wildflower meadows!

So what did we see? First stop was a Persian Ironwood, Parrotia persica, originating in the forests south of the Caspian Sea and related to the Witch Hazels (photo below). There are two forms, one arborescent, the other shaped like a tree. The wood is very hard, hence the name, and a number of us proved the point by banging our heads on the low-lying branches as we weaved our way around the trunk.

 

Next a cedar and a less common variety than the Atlas, Deodar or Cedar of Lebanon normally encountered in parks. This was the Cyprus Cedar, Cedrus brevifolia, with its Latin name indicating its short needles (below). There are three geographical sub-species and Tony commented that this was the best specimen he had come across.

Next a substantial oak, a Red Oak, Quercus rubra. If you examined the big leaves it was noticeable how the veins continued to a point on the leaf, a 'bristlepoint'. Tony indicated that the wood of Red Oak is tougher than English Oak and in the American War of Independence this provided American warships with an advantage as they were clad in Red Oak which was more successful in repelling cannon-balls than the English ships with their covering of Quercus robur.

This is a good time of year to catch the dogwoods in flower. Our first encounter was with Bentham's Cornel, Cornus capitata. The extended stems on the flowers (bracts) were eye-catching. Tony then demonstrated how to distinguish Dogwoods from Viburnums - with the former it was possible to gently tear a leaf in half and although separated they would be held together by thin strands.

 

Next a Macedonian Fir, Abies borisii-regis although Owen Johnson refers to it as King Boris' Fir. Those members who could smell anything agreed that the crushed leaves gave off an odour of grapefruit. A few erect cones at the top of the tree were evident but were really only visible with binoculars.

Now one of the more common cedars - an Atlas Cedar, Cedrus atlantica, and this a glaucous version. This also sported short needles and the Atlas is characterised by ascending upper branches. A short distance away was a clump of Scots Pine, Pinus sylvestris with their reddish bark colouring, particularly in the top half of the tree. Tony suggested that this along with Juniper and Birch were the only three tree species to survive the last Ice Age.

 

This is also a good time of year for the Paper Handkerchief or Ghost Tree or more correctly the Dove Tree, Davidia involucrata. An 'involucre' (one of our new words for the day) is a covering and the white 'petal' is actually an involucral bract covering the flower or inflorescence with the styles and ovaries clearly visible. Next a spruce and this one the Serbian Spruce, Picea omorika. We were asked to check if the needles were flat or round, the technique being to attempt to roll one in your fingers - if it rolled it was round. Ours wouldn't, confirming that the Serbian Spruce has flattish needles. Spruces also tend to drop their cones.

 

A Katsura, Cercidiphyllum japonicum, gave us an opportunity to compare and contrast its opposite leaves with those of the Judas Tree, Cercis siliquastrum,  which has them alternate.  A Tulip Tree, Liriodendron tulipifera, did not appear to be bearing any flowers, Tony noting that it can take 25 years before flowering. The Chinese Tulip Tree, Liriodendron chinense, tends to have much more narrowly waisted leaves.

 

Next a tree with few clues as to what it was although a visit later in the year should reveal the metallic blue berries which are a bit of a giveaway. A native of Asia it has various local names such as Glory Tree, Peanut Butter Tree or Harlequin Bower Tree but Clerodendron trichotomum usually works in the UK (photo of Tony Titchen with the Clerodendron below). The crushed leaves are supposed to smell of peanuts but we found it just unpleasant and Tony commented that its original name of foetidum was appropriate. A hazel with large and very soft leaves turned out to be the Turkish Hazel, the only hazel that will grow into a tree.

 

 

Our attention was caught by a Magnolia and this had a bit of history to it. A small. multi-stemmed tree, suitable for small gardens this was Magnolia liliiflora X stellata. The story goes that eight hybrids, known as the Eight Little Girls (one pictured below), were developed at the National Arboretum in Washington D.C. and were named after the secretaries who worked at the arboretum or wives and daughters of staff. They are Ann, Betty, Judy, Randy, Ricki, Susan, Jane and Pinkie. As I have a wife, Judy and a sister, Ricki, that is the next two birthday presents sorted! We never convinced ourselves which this particular specimen was, but Ann was a strong possibility.

 

 

We sailed past a Chusan Palm, Trachycarpus fortunei, which Tony confirmed was female as it was carrying berries and then had a look at some trees which exhibited twisting of the trunk - sinistral if it goes to the left and dextral to the right. A Coast Redwood, Sequoia sempervirens, gathered us under its wings as we prodded the spongy bark. A fire climax tree  resistant to fire but which it needs to release the seeds from the resin-packed cones at the top. From the Oregon to Monterey area this is now probably the world's tallest tree as the Douglas Firs and eucalypts have been felled for their timber.

 

Glossy green leaves and floral spires on a medium-sized tree had us puzzled although Tony felt that Prunus azorica might have been a candidate with hints of Bird Cherry and Portugal Laurel. A specimen was detached so that experts could be consulted. Owen Johnson subsequently confirmed this was Prunus lusitanica! A holly provided Tony with an opportunity to mention that lightning is less likely to strike a smooth-barked tree like holly than one with rough bark although if you are caught in a thunderstorm avoid trees altogether! A beautifully elegant lime also refused to reveal its identity so had to offer up a specimen for further analysis. Owen confirmed this was Tilia platyphyllos.

 

And next was a Stuartia, in this case pseudocamellia, which was not only covered in blossom but had carpeted the ground underneath with its flowers:

 

 

A Brewer's Spruce, Picea breweriana, was the next favourite, its elegant weeping form described as 'lugubrious'. There are two white lines on the needles. And a weeping beech also cascaded downwards although the orientation of the branches was to the left. Time for one last encounter and this was with a multi-stemmed Himalayan Chestnut, Aesculus indica, also known as the Indian Horse Chestnut. Whilst the number of leaves varies the predominant number was seven (or more) in contrast to the Horse Chestnut's seven (or less) - if that helps! Indica is later-flowering than hippocastanum and the floral candles on ours were only just beginning to open.

 

The top pond:

 

Our thanks to Tony for another interesting, informative and entertaining day. A list of the more interesting trees noted at Clyne Gardens by Tree Guide author Owen Johnson follows.

 

Bruce McDonald

Photos by Bruce McDonald and Margaret Samuel

weeping spruce:

 

OWEN JOHNSON'S TREE LIST

 Acer capillipes, Acer crataegifolium, Acer X freemanii 'Autumn Blaze', Acer pensylvanicum, Acer pycnanthum, Betula kenaica, Betula utilis SSP. jacquemontii, Callitris rhomboidea, Cedrus brevifolia, Cupressus macrocarpa, Davidia, involucrata var. vilmoriniana, Eucryphia moorei, Fraxinus americana 'Skyline', Juglans mandschaurica, Magnolia campbellii var. alba, Magnolia doltsopa, Malus hupehensis, Malus X robusta 'Red Sentinel', Malus yunnanensis, Neopanax laetevirens, Nothofagus menziesii X obliqua, Nothofagus solanderi var. cliffortioides, Ostrya carpinifolia, Pinus radiata, Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa, Populus glauca, Prunus serrula, Pseudotsuga menziesii ssp. glauca, Pterocarya stenoptera, Quercus castaneifolia, Rhododendron arboreum ssp. cinnamomeum var. roseum, Rhododendron decorum ssp. diaprepes, Rododendron falconeri, Sorbus decipiens, Sorbus X kewensis, Stuartia sinensis, Styrax obassia, Thuja occidentalis 'Spiralis', Tilia mongolica, Ulmus 'Sapporo Autumn Gold'.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2013 - 14 Programme is now on-line

Our New programme is now on-line as you can see

http://cardiffnaturalists.blogspot.co.uk/p/programme.html

As was noted to members in the last newsletter we have LOADS and LOADS of really wonderful wildlife books for sale. The plan is that each and every indoor meeting this year will be preceded by a book/picture sale until I have nothing left in my front room.

The books are those left to the society by Dr Mary Gillham. There are books on just about everything and keys on all plant and animal groups, new naturalists, large format picture books and many, many books written by Mary Gillham herself.

We’ve boxed them up into general categories, but I won’t be going through them and bringing them in any specific order as there are simply too many boxes to be going through them each time. So the best thing you can do is get there early (from about 7:00) and give yourself time to browse and chat with other members.

To members, most things will be name your own price, but there are some rare books we know have value and will be putting a suggested donation on. All proceeds from these sales will be going towards our Student prize fund so you’ll be helping me get my front room back and the society with your donations and the next generation by funding their studies

Non members will be requested to offer a little more in donations for the books that were published with prices as per the publications page on the CNS website. Members prices will be so low you should seriously consider joining us

Field Trip Changes

It is with great regret that we have to tell you about 2 field trip cancellations / postponements and some alternate arrangements we are putting in place. Please can you tell anyone you know who does not tune into emails regularly  

The trip scheduled for this Saturday is planned to be on the top of the EPPYNT RANGES and given the weather forecast, the likelihood of not being able to see the landscape features and the long distance to travel in bad weather as well we have reluctantly decided to postpone this trip

Also the trip planned for Saturday, September 7th. WENVOE ORCHARDS. Has been cancelled as our planned leader is not able to lead the walk for us. This event has been postponed and will now be held in September 2014

We are therefore able to offer the EPPYNT trip on the 7^th of September as an alternate date which is hopefully already reserved in your diary

We are adjusting the start time of this trip to 11:00 in Eppynt or 9:00 in Cardiff to share lifts as part of this change so the new details are as follows PLEASE NOTE NEW DATE AND TIME

On this walk, we will explore the geology and natural history of the eastern edge of the Epynt Ranges. We will look at the flood plains of ancient rivers and volcanic ash of Devonian age and evidence of shallow seas in the Silurian as well as evidence of recent glaciations.  This is a circular walk with a couple of extra side stops, a total distance of approximately 5km. This area is a fairly exposed upland environment with some uneven footpaths so please come dressed appropriately. Toilets at the visitor center are usually open. 

Meet the Epynt Ranges Conservation Centre – Pentre Dolau Honddu (SN 99307 43788). Please bring a packed lunch

OR 

Meet at the BGS Cardiff offices at 9:00 to share lifts north. See http://www.bgs.ac.uk/contacts/sites/cardiff/ for details 

Please email Andy Kendall via info@cardiffnaturalists.org.uk to say that you will be meeting there so we know to expect you or call me on the details below to discuss arrangements

Rhoose Biodiversity Blitz details posted and another event in the Calendar

The Rhoose point event details have now been updated with the starting place and time

Sat

Jun

29

TBC

TBC

Rhoose Point NEW EVENT. A Biodiversity Blitz organised by the Vale of Glamorgan Council ecology team to which Cardiff Naturalists’ members are invited. We shall be trying to record as many species as possible in the company of some experts and local enthusiasts and residents. We shall meet at 10am at the Rhoose Station car park (ST 0620/6623). The event is being organised by the Vale of Glamorgan Council and will include both experts and non-experts.  Members of Cardiff Naturalists' Society are very welcome, particularly as there was feedback from last year's survey that people would like to get involved in Biodiversity Blitzes'

Vale of Glamorgan Council ecology team

Another Bioblitz this Summer that Cardiff Naturalists' members are very welcome to join and this one is at the Amelia Trust farm on Saturday 27th July. 

Timings to be confirmed but are likely to involve Vegetation and Insect surveys to start around 10am. 

A dawn chorus for the early birds might be on offer along with a Bat Walk and Moth Survey in the evening. 

The Amelia Trust farm is just off Five Mile Lane (A4226) between Bonvilston and Barry. You can read more about the farm and how to get there by looking at their website at http://www.ameliatrust.org.uk/

No special skills are necessary to help out - just an interest in wildlife

Wild About Cardiff

Cardiff Naturalists had a wonderful time at the Wild About Cardiff Springwatch event at the Forest Farm Nature reserve and enjoyed the walks we did on Saturday and Sunday immensely 

Many thanks for Rob & Linda Nottage and Barry Embling who were our walk leaders, and to those members of the public who joined us on the walks

We also had fun supporting the Rangers in the pond dipping sections. I especially had fun when my nephew joined me and we hunted tadpoles together - Thanks Osian !

Once we'd admired them we caught them again from the tray and released them back into the pond. I could have watched the hard work for ages... Thinking about it that's what I did

Also thanks to the Cardiff Parks Rangers and the Friends of Forest Farm for hosting the event

If you missed the event this year look out for it in next year's programme