November 2020

[David M]

You're spot on about the absence of wind, Dave. Whilst at the Trig point we spoke to a guy who had unfurled a paraglider and intended to glide across to Sugar Loaf. He promptly threw himself off Skirrid and a few minutes later came down in a field half way between the two peaks. No wind.

Lol! You'd think these enthusiasts would check the weather forecast, wouldn't you? Wind speed on the Gower coast was a mere 5 mph so further inland it was always going to be abnormally becalmed.

I guess he must have plummeted to earth somewhere near Pantygelli.

[PhilBJohnson]

Small White larva, more comfortable through it’s winter larval slowdown on “evergreen” Aubretia ground cover, than some other brassicacea

Small White Larva

[David M]

Sunday 8th - Solitary Red Admiral seen nectaring on the copious hebe blooms at around 3pm at Limeslade Bay, Gower:

[Deborah]

Glorious sunshine and no wind. Can’t believe it won’t be followed by the first proper frost of this autumn... So this could be it from me. But Two Red Admirals, a Comma and a Male Brimstone will have made a pretty good end of November finale!

[Maximus]

Red Admiral seen today, nectaring on Mahonia.

[David M]

Red Admiral seen today, nectaring on Mahonia.

That Mahonia's sure doing the business for you, Mike. Might have to look into growing some myself.

[David M]

Thursday 19th - solitary Red Admiral spotted in flight at Oystermouth Cemetery, near Mumbles on the Gower.

[Maximus]

Comma seen during todays sunshine, basking on a rose.

Mahonia's are great for a late nectar source, David, well worth growing.

[David M]

...Mahonia's are great for a late nectar source, David, well worth growing.

Thanks, Mike. Will definitely look into getting some.

Nice Comma by the way. The season is still not over!

[bugboy]

...Mahonia's are great for a late nectar source, David, well worth growing.

Thanks, Mike. Will definitely look into getting some.

Beware the leaves though, they are vicious! Would work well as part of a garden hedge to give trespassers second thoughts!

[millerd]

One lesser-known feature of Mahonia is that the berries (which ripen in July/August) are edible - hence its alternative name of Oregon Grape. However, they are rather tart in taste (not at all like grapes in fact!). You'd be surprised what you can eat - Fuchsia "berries" are also edible - as are the flowers - and there are even varieties available that are marketed specifically to be eaten.

Dave

[David M]

Thanks, Paul/Dave, I'll be sure to bear these things in mind. Where I live is ideal for plant species that don't conform to 'tidy' standards and anything that can attract butterflies in the month of November can be as scruffy as it likes.

[David M]

Wednesday 25th - single Red Admiral spotted nectaring from hebe at Limeslade Bay, Gower:

[David M]

Thursday 26th - solitary Small Tortoiseshell seen nectaring from valerian on the south side of a residential wall at Port Eynon, Gower: