The big natural event during our time away was of course the partial solar eclipse. Being so far South we were only forecast 85% coverage but even that would be better than the cloudy conditions which marred my viewing of the last total eclipse back in 1999. For some reason Read more…
The Wildlife Trusts (of which I’m a member of the South and West Wales branch) recently launched a new campaign entitled My Wild Life. Its premise is a simple but powerful one, to get people talking about what nature means to them and how it helps them in their everyday Read more…
Way back in 2013 I covered new planning application noticeswhich had gone up on my local patch detailing a proposed flood alleviation scheme designed to protect the nearby village of Pontarddulais. At the time I was pretty excited by some of the details including a new wetland area and landscaping Read more…
On Sunday we took part in the RSPB’s annual Big Garden Birdwatch, the largest citizen science project of its kind and one which has been reporting on the state of our nations birds since 1979. You only need look at the number of people who have already submitted their records Read more…
A new year calls for new goals as once again I shall be eschewing the traditional resolutions in favour of an undoubtedly more achievable set of plans and ambitions. I did the same thing last year, though in a far less formal way, and ended up having one of my Read more…
Earlier this week the long running saga concerning a breach in the seawall at Cwm Ivy Marsh finally reached its conclusion (read my original post on the subject here). For those locals who were lobbying the National Trust to make immediate repairs the announcement that the area is to be Read more…
A summer plumaged Great Northern Diver drew us inextricably towards Mumbles Saturday before last where, contrary to recent form, the bird was not only located but also found to be performing extremely well. Although too far out for a record shot, binoculars allowed its active feeding to be observed well Read more…
I find fireworks are best enjoyed gratis and around here you don’t get a much wider view than that offered from Penclawdd. Below are just a few of the long exposure shots I took from there tonight. More could undoubtedly have been produced but have you felt how cold it Read more…
Saturday morning found me on a train bound for Cardiff (environmental win) where I was to attend a course laid on by SEWBReC (South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre). The subject being covered was an introduction to Harvestmen and I was hoping that through it I’d finally gain an insight Read more…
I mentioned at the end of my last post that the Gower coastal footpath is currently closed at Cwm Ivy Marsh with a lengthy diversion taking walkers further inland. This change in route has been made necessary as a result of recent high tides which have breached the medieval seawall Read more…