Lawn cutting. The necessary evil that is the price to pay for any decent weather. Alas I fell victim on Saturday morning and was soon being punished by a combination of flying ants and a mower that weighs just a little less than a small hatchback. Thankfully I managed to escape with most of my body unharmed and did at least get to see another Ringlet butterfly and two calling Ravens overhead. Being the first day of the school summer holidays (ah those were the days) I knew that much of Gower was going to be heaving, so in the afternoon headed over to Landimore on its much less visited northern coast. From there I struck out across the fields to Weobley Castle where I was delighted to finally see a decent number of butterflies on the wing. A couple of Comma’s were the highlight but they were few and far between, the majority being made up of Meadow Browns and Green-veined Whites.

27617 - Meadow Brown
27618 - Green-veined White

Under the midday sun and with an extremely low tide birds were on the scarce side, but there was still some real quality dotted about. A male Reed Bunting in the reeds beneath Weobley was accompanied by two Stonechats, whilst a Sedge Warbler with its beak stuffed full of insects is a sure sign that they have successfully bred. The nearby bushes held a female Blackcap that was behaving in such a way as to make me wonder if she also had a nest close by. She certainly didn’t seem willing to move away any great distance, though who would with this view.

27616 - Llanrhidian Marsh, Gower

As I walked out along the causeway that dissects Llanrhidian Marsh my only companions were a couple of Gower ponies, several hundred sheep (one of which will no doubt form my Christmas dinner in a few months time) and the piercing calls of a small group of Swallows. In the few muddy pools that hadn’t completely dried out an occasional shoal of fish would scarper away at my approach meaning I never did get clear enough views for a positive id. I always find this unspoilt landscape somewhat at odds with the WW2 watch tower that still stands sentry at the causeways terminus, a reminder of less peaceful times.

27614 - WW2 Watch Tower, Llanrhidian Marsh

If I’d thought things through a little more thoroughly I would have arrived at this point on a rising tide, but as it was all I could see were acres upon acres of sand. With no immediate prospect of that changing I retraced my route. Having a Sparrowhawk shoot across in front of me was definitely a nice way to round off the trip though I’m pretty sure the Greenfinch flock it was targeting didn’t share my sentiments.


2 Comments

Gillian Olson · July 25, 2012 at 5:44 pm

You had me laughing at the description of your lawn mowing adventures. Those are beautiful vistas and butterflies.

Adam Tilt · August 29, 2012 at 10:21 pm

Trust me I wasn't laughing at the time.

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