Porthkerry Country Park

The unprecedented warm and dry weather of April and May has probably caused mass emergences of species such as Common Blue Damselfly and I can imagine ponds and rivers teeming with damselflies and dragonflies. Dragonfly season is here and after being bed ridden for the best part of April/May I’m eager to step outside the confines of my home and start exploring the wonderful world of nature!

Common Blue Damselflies – Enallagma cyathigerum

Summer is happening and the sound of clattering wings in a reedbed, the sight of glistening freshly emerged damselflies on a sunny riverbank and the majesty of an Emperor patrolling its palatial pond all feel just that bit more special and reassuringly comforting at this time of uncertainty. However, I must remind myself that here in Wales we are still in lockdown and the government’s 5-mile travel restriction requires that I stay within my local area. Fortunately, Porthkerry Country Park is well within walking distance from where I live and has much to attract the curious and wondering naturalist.

Horse-fly (Tabanidae) – still chilled from the previous night’s chill.

Porthkerry Country Park has woods and meadowland in a sheltered valley leading to a pebble beach and spectacular cliffs. To top it all, there is also a late 19^th century viaduct towering over the woods, a reminder of Wale’s industrial past. It was built to carry the Vale of Glamorgan Railway between Tondu via Coity Junction Bridgend and Barry Docks. While once functional, it remains an aesthetically pleasing monument and along with the woodland and pebbled beach, provides an interesting backdrop to all the adjacent natural beauty. It’s a popular area that attracts visitors so venturing out early in the morning is the best way to avoid people while also a good time to catch torpid insects still chilled from the previous night’s chill.

Porthkerry viaduct forms a fitting monumental backdrop to the foreground towering teasels

A curious Robin takes a an early morning snack

Forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica) one of my favourite spring time flowers.
Reassuringly plentiful, providing a beautiful carpet of blue and yellow highlights.

Childhood memories of collecting tadpoles in a jar are re-kindled whenever I come across these fascinating and engaging little creatures.

Early morning dew droplets glistening on Horsetail (Equisetum)
These tall and primitive plants grow like a forest of trees and can take over a whole field!