Bluebell season

‘How the merry bluebell rings, To the mosses underneath…’– Alfred Lord Tennyson The UK is home to almost half the world’s population of english or native bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta). Synonymous with ancient british woodlands, these iconic flowers are at their most spectacular in spring, usually flowering from mid April onwards. Nothing says spring quite like…

Poison paradise

After an absolutely dismal May which was quite literally a wash out, it’s nice to see the return of sunny skies here in Aberystwyth. Thanks in part to all that rain, and the absence so far of the council mowers the wild areas around the harbour have sprung into life providing a habitat for all…

Decimation

A visit to one of my favourite local ‘patches’ earlier this week did not bring me the joy I had hoped for, in fact quite the opposite. On arrival I discovered to my shock and horror that the hedgerow running the length of the stream at Plascrug ditch has been decimated! Where once there was…

In search of snowdrops

As winter begins to make way for spring I have been eager to find a good spot to photograph snowdrops, before they wilt and wither to be replaced by more fair-weather flowers. All I have found so far is a few underwhelming isolated clumps here and there on my daily walks, not quite the carpet…

Strange & Beautiful

It was back in the warm and relatively carefree days of summer that I stumbled across a rather unusual find when out searching for insects among the wildflowers. In among a cluster of corn chamomile flowers growing beside the harbour wall, was this rather unusual looking bloom. This particular stem and in a conjoined or…

Aberystwyth in Bloom: Part 2

With a change of scenery in order, what better time to visit the grounds of Aberystwyth Castle, a great spot for a morning of nature therapy! I was hoping to find some wildflowers to capture as part of my ongoing photography project and fortunately I was not left disappointed. The usually short cropped lawns have…

Aberystwyth in bloom: Part 1

Whilst lockdown has been an awful and difficult time, there have also been several positives which have emerged from this bleak situation. I like many others around the country have found absorbing myself in nature a great distraction and a way to stay positive and uplifted over the past 10 weeks or so. I’ve particularly…

Nature is still open for business

The world is currently in the grip of a devastating virus, a type of coronavirus known as covid-19. Originating in China, the illness has now spread rapidly across the globe resulting in a pandemic being declared a little over a week ago. Since then life as we know it has changed dramatically. Offices, pubs, restaurants…

Aftermath

WARNING: Graphic content As storm ciara swept across the UK, bringing with her gale force winds and lashing rain we at least were able to cosy up indoors in safety and warmth. But spare a thought for all the wildlife who had no choice but to tough it out and battle the conditions. As the…

The importance of wildflowers: Part 2

You may have seen my previous post about the importance of wildflowers, continuing that theme today I am looking at another small but vital habitat close to home. Just above the high tide line of the harbour is a small patch of rough ground, usually strewn with small rowing boats used by seafarers to reach…

The importance of wildflowers

Stepping just outside my back door is a small wildflower verge, a strip of long grass and a tangle of wildflowers, underappreciated by the regular traffic of dogwalkers. This area is however a small but vital habitat for many species of plants and animals and should be valued and protected. Plantains and grasses growing wild…

Blossoming

As the quote from artist Vincent Van Gogh says “If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere”, and I am a firm believer in this. I don’t often get to visit spectacular landscapes or spend hours in nature reserves filled with wonderful plants and creatures, instead most of my nature encounters are confined…