The past week has been very frustrating with weather here in south Wales, we've had far too much rain for July
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
but I've stuck firmly to my mantra ...and "
ventured out"...the results however have mean't spending time with some of our more common butterflies, but that's no real hardship
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
. On Saturday 18th a visit to
Magor Marsh NNR on the Gwent levels produced a very pleasing welcome in the form of an apple eating Water Vole
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
I had to be very careful in trying to get a record photo and just managed to capture one before it became aware of me and 'plopped' into the water from it's raft. This lovely little semi-aquatic rodent has been introduced to Magor Marsh over the last few years by the Gwent Wildlife Trust, the animal was exterminated by Mink on the levels many moons ago, the rafts incidentally are used in the reens (small canal type waterways) for feeding and monitoring etc.
![P1220657Water Vole.jpg (325.83 KiB) Viewed 1875 times My lucky capture...the original Ratty...a Water Vole!](./files/thumb_8479_2a53584191a77a380e37ec330bd41eba)
- My lucky capture...the original Ratty...a Water Vole!
After the excitement with Ratty the visit became a little showery and weather restricted with only
Small Tortoiseshell, Small & Green-veined White, Small Skipper, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Ringlet and Speckled Wood seen during the morning, I took just a single photo of a nicely conditioned
Peacock when the intermittant sun came out - before settling down to spend a bit of time with dragonflies.
![P1220720Peacock.JPG (217.79 KiB) Viewed 1875 times The beauty that is the Peacock...](./files/thumb_8479_6f7cd5507645c730fe2df60c64c751b1)
- The beauty that is the Peacock...
It was 'rain stop play' until last Thursday, then there was respite (thank heavens
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
) and I decided to head into the Brecon Beacons National Park and do a walk around
Llangors Lake which happens to be the largest freshwater body in southern Wales. I've spent many happy hours in this nature rich setting over the years, but today was to be a casual walking visit and what turns up...turns up...no particular species to find, no rarities to search for on this visit, just enjoy the lovely scenery and a bit of sunshine on one's back
![P1220795Llangors.jpg (309.65 KiB) Viewed 1875 times View from Llyn Llangors](./files/thumb_8479_84aa43a7628612165e2f08a540acbd90)
- View from Llyn Llangors
I passed through a wet meadow that was alive with
Green-veined Whites eagerly nectaring on Meadowsweet and Marsh Thistle, we probably all take this common butterfly for granted, but I think it's a super looking insect when fresh and many I saw were exactly that, I took a few pics.
![P1220727Green-veined White.jpg (153.67 KiB) Viewed 1875 times Green-veined White on stinging nettle](./files/thumb_8479_97701475e8dc501caf6a7df98617ef4c)
- Green-veined White on stinging nettle
Now the next image had me head-scratching for quite a while before I decided on whether it was a male
Small White or Green-veined White I only saw the upper-wing shot you see below, does this particular individual have an unusually yellowish head? whatever, I decided on
Green-veined White owing to the wing-tips being more tri-angular black than
Small White the actual size was of no help at all, and if you think it's the other species please explain why...cos' I never want to stop learning
![P1220769Male Green-veined White.jpg (148.94 KiB) Viewed 1875 times Which White is wight (right)? lol](./files/thumb_8479_4f13a10593f942805b8456dd45248287)
- Which White is wight (right)? lol
At the far end of the afore mentioned wet meadow I saw four
Commas either feeding on Marsh Thistle or flying onto bramble leaves to bask, I'm never short of wonder regarding the incredible shape and colours of this insect, folded up it's a camouflage expert, open-winged it's an advertisement for a birds take-away meal
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
Once upon a time the
Comma was a very scarce British butterfly and it's only real stronghold was (perhaps locally) within this area and the neighbouring counties of Radnorshire and in particular Herefordshire.
![P1220754Comma.JPG (244.79 KiB) Viewed 1875 times A fine specimen of Comma](./files/thumb_8479_29154c4b0539a646d16c3a75128140b3)
- A fine specimen of Comma
You don't usually find too much Ragwort in such highly farmed areas, I was rather pleased to note a delightfully well advanced Cinnabar moth caterpillar happily enjoying life on a plant that escaped the local farmers attention
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
I've never agreed with the DEFRA policy of total eradication of Ragwort
![Mad :x](./images/smilies/icon_mad.gif)
and yes I also know its a highly contentious issue, but I strongly believe there should always be a place for Ragwort (and Cinnabar!) in our countryside.
![P1220812Cinnabar Larva.JPG (180.06 KiB) Viewed 1875 times Cinnabar larva in it's rugby jersey outfit!!!](./files/thumb_8479_f3f28d9551f5b9719fad54d693df9d81)
- Cinnabar larva in it's rugby jersey outfit!!!
Its not just Cinnabar that needs Ragwort, further along my walk I came upon several other plants and many held nectaring butterflies including a nice
Small Heath - its apparent that the plant is absolutely full of the goodies that butterflies and other insects both tolerate and enjoy
![P1220819Small Heath.jpg (182.45 KiB) Viewed 1875 times Note Cinnabar larvae behind the nectaring Small Heath](./files/thumb_8479_86e74bc63bc6b3fca34071da08933e77)
- Note Cinnabar larvae behind the nectaring Small Heath
Walking through the near lake-side buttercups I disturbed the pretty micro moth
Pyrausta purpuralis this little critter can be found in lots of different types of habitat and is a proper 'show-stopper' when its uniform is fresh and tidy
![P1220785Pyrausta purpuralis.JPG (159.11 KiB) Viewed 1875 times What a colour scheme...moffy flower power!!!](./files/thumb_8479_7d4633f4e6609848198a40adaed90626)
- What a colour scheme...moffy flower power!!!
My visit ended on the lakes shoreline near to good stands of Reed Mace, a
Small Skipper with curious flight took my eye and landed on the reeds, this gave me a decent background to outline the wings, one appeared to fold in on itself, probably hindering the little insect and creating the unusual flight.
![P1220804Small Skipper.jpg (163.5 KiB) Viewed 1875 times Note the right side wing...](./files/thumb_8479_c59f287ed0ea90fba99ae1fcf3f2cd76)
- Note the right side wing...
Another most enjoyable visit to Llangors and undoubted proof that you don't always need the rare and threatened butterflies to make a good day...mind you such butterflies can help
Bill
"When in doubt - venture out"