Nature with Nev

Butterflies are extraordinary little things, not just because of their shapes and vibrant colours, but some in particular make some incredible journeys to get here, and when you consider they are such delicate things, it makes them even more remarkable and impressive. Yesterday evening I was on the Gwent Levels at the Goldcliff reserve, where I was pleased to see at least eight of the migrant Painted Lady butterflies. I took a number of pictures and the above one I was particularly impressed with. Painted Ladies arrive here in May and June where they have migrated from south-west Europe and North Africa - a distance of more than 600 miles (1,000km). Now that in anyone's book is an impressive feat of flying. Some years they can be scarce and yet in other years they can be seen in vast numbers. Take 1948 for example where over 30,000 were recorded in the UK. Other notable years ahv eincluded 1952, 1966 and 1969. They are however a powerful flyer, and reach speeds of around 8 or 1...

For many, the little Sand Martin signifies that summer is nearly upon us, and although the Swallow brings about the summer in many peoples eyes, it is the Sand Martins that generally arrive first in the UK, from their wintering stronghold in West Africa.  This small but powerful little flyer crosses the Sahara, makes its way up to the African coast, crosses the Mediterranean into Europe where groups branch off, with some making their way through Spain and into France, where eventually they will cross the Atlantic usually onto the East coast. Others fly across into the Bristol Channel - as is probably the case for the ones mentioned here.  At a mere 12cm in length with a weight of 10 - 17g and a wingspan of 27 - 29cm, what they lack in size they make up for with aerial feeding skills and strength. I have noticed that the birds entering from the Channel make their way along the Gwent Levels coastline and some branch off to start to follow the main rivers inland. The pho...

Shovler, Black-winged Stilts and an Avocet from Bishop 1 hide Majorca is gearing itself up for a hot summer ahead. This will be the time of year when all of the islands birds will be breeding, with some species on their second and possibly a third brood. It is also a time when the birds and wildlife generally feel the heat, and it is not an uncommon sight to see a bird perched up and panting. They do this to cool themselves down. It is not a time for exertion either, and any walks you may be doing, short or long distances, take some water with you and apply the sun cream.  As a birdwatcher, I can stay out all day with some snacks and water, sun cream and insect repellent, but one thing I notice is that the birds do have a ‘siesta’. Bird activity is fast paced in the early mornings when they are feeding after a night of roosting. By late morning things slow down a little, and between around 1-4pm there seems to be a bit of a lull. Most birds are hunkered down in shady areas whe...

Whilst at Goldlciff on Saturday morning near to one of the viewing platforms, I checked the mass of Nettle that grows alongside the platform as there are always Ladybird's and insects on and around the plants. Today I noticed several 10 spot Ladybirds, but some movement further back caught my eye. I noticed a moving mass of black wriggling around at the top of the Nettles, and when I looked closer I could see it was caterpillars. I was impressed by the sheer number, and after consulting my books back home I was able to narrow them down to the caterpillars of the Peacock butterfly. These hairy black caterpillars are conspicuous on Nettle leaves, and as they grow older they become more orange. In the winter, the Peacocks hibernate in sheds and similar buildings, usually on the ceiling or in the corners, and may even come into houses. They can live for almost a year, from July until at least the following May. The eggs are laid in groups on the underside of the Nettle leaves, which...