First, sorry but an English start.
I just cannot believe how lucky this photo is, a pair of six belted clear wings, these are moths (gwyfynod). they do not have a welsh name which is no surprise according to my data, first recorded in North Wales in 1991 and have been recorded in south Wales. They are high on the RARE data list but are probably under recorded because there are not enough people looking. The only time i have seen a similar clear-wing was on the north downs with someone using a pheromone lure. (copy of photo send for the opinion of experts).
Mursen fawr goch (gwrywaidd) - Large red damselfly (male).
Troedwas gwridog - Rosy footman.
It’s about time for two new butterflies to appear and an obscure moth, didn’t see any of these but it was a good day.
Cheers J.P.
7 Likes
I thought I heard a nightjar on Gower, but when I mentioned it, friends said it couldn’t be, as they were far too rare. Of course, that just means “rare on Gower”, I now realise, but I don’t think we get them in Argyll either!!!
There is every chance you heard a nightjar on the Gower, and could do so in any suitable environment throughout Wales. Their range seems to reach south west Scotland.
The word Rare is a bit like Fluent, rather hard to quantify, over 30 people were involved in the survey around here (approximately 10 mile circle) and 11 nightjars were recorded, not exactly thick on the ground.
The RSPB site suggest 4,600 breeding across its range, sounds a fairly big number, but as that range is over 60,000 miles square then a little bit of luck seems helpful even if one is in a promising environment. As ever to confound such numbers, occasionally people have photographed one on their garden fence, and a few years ago one got quite popular as it was churring at a south London railway station.
As for luck, my photo of the clear wing moths has been accepted as a local record.
Tomorrow promises to be the hottest day of the year thus far, this certainly looks good for moth trapping and lucky me should have access to a group of experts running traps through tomorrow night, if all goes well that means an early start to Thursday opening the traps as the sun is rising and see how many moths (gwyfynod) with Welsh names i can photograph (no promises, but could be good). pwy sydd yn gyffrous.
Cheers J.P.
2 Likes
Grovel!! I just realised after I’d logged off, that it was a corncrake I thought I’d heard and a nightjar it actually was!!
p.s. Gower folk point out that it’s “the Gower peninsula” or “Gower”, not “the Gower”!!!
Now a Corncrake (Rhegen yr yd) is on the very long list of things i have never seen, apparently once common on Ynys mon (Anglesey), now only found on western Scotland.
The light was not particularly good for photography early this morning but it was more than worth while getting up with over a hundred species that don’t have a Welsh name, here are a few i have names for so far.
Chwimwyfyn rhithiol (benywaidd) - ghost moth (female).
Gwalchwyfyn y poplys - Poplar hawkmoth.
Gwalchwyfyn yr helyglys - Elephant hawkmoth.
Gem bres loyw - Burnished brass.
Cheers J.P.
4 Likes
The French call moths in general “papillons de nuit” (night butterflies) which I think, helps to remove the dislike many people have of them. Is there a generic Welsh word for moth?
Wonderful pictures as ever, JP
Thanks Aran (i was wandering again). (on i’n grwydro eto).
The afternoon brightened.
Chwilen higorn ddu a melyn - black and yellow longhorn beetle.
Worth clicking on the image for full size, it appears to be missing a leg.
Cheers J.P.
3 Likes
Oh wow!! You mean, now, if I think I hear a corncrake, it may actually be one!!! 
p.s. When Janet sends me her pic I’ll be posting it… a very tall orchid, very bright. Much longer spike than the usual ones we get. Any ideas?
Well i’m not one to go chasing across the country just to see a rare bird, but i must admit the thought of seeing one is a strong contender for a reason to return to the far north west of Scotland. (that and the fact that i have not walked across the top of Britain).
First question about the orchid, does it have spotted leaves.
Cwlwm y cythraul - Field bindweed.
Cnocell werdd - Green woodpecker.
These are one of the butterflies i have been waiting for.
Britheg arian - Silver washed fritillary.
I will try for some better photo’s, just a few have appeared so far and sure are skittish.
Cheers J.P.
6 Likes
Tarianbryf y ddraenen wen - Hawthorn shield bug.
Pys llygod - Tufted vetch.
Sioncyn y ddol - meadow grasshopper.
Cheers J.P.
5 Likes
Good stuff, the fog comes back covered in pys llygod when he goes rabbiting, that and goose grass. Which reminds me, anyone know the Welsh for goose grass?
That’s dog, well known typing midtake
I assume you meant misbake.
Llau’r offeiriad - common cleavers. aka goose grass (i think).
Cheers J.P.
1 Like
Diolch, miss-cake, the dog says. Working his ticket, I think.
Sorry for that Hew, i thought it was a mutation, i was wrong (not unusual), sounds like a crafty dog.
Cheers J.P.
The orchid is a beauty, the best suggestion i can come up with for species is.
northern marsh orchid.
The generic for marsh orchid is - Tegeirian y gors. (i don’t have the welsh name for Northern marsh orchid but expect that is logical).
Thanks for the bullfinch photo’s, will get that close one day maybe.
Cheers J.P.
