Martin's Haven (and elsewhere in the County)

 Lots of reptiles now sunning themselves, generally from late morning. Best we have found under a single piece of cover have been 4 Grass Snakes, 3 Adders. Really interesting how closely they associate.

We have found Oil Beetles both here and along the Western Cleddau, but are uncertain as to whether they are the same species.

A really good hatch of Emperor Moths in April: well over a dozen, mostly females, attracted to an external light in a clam but cold night.

Green Hairstreaks on Brynberian Moor: stunning colour!

All the reptiles (and a Glowworm)!

 We have put a number of sheets of corrugated bitumen out in the garden and, in less than a week, reptiles have started to use them. Yesterday we had all four of the Pembrokeshire reptiles, which was nice. The best was six slow worms, one of which was moulting.

The Grass Snake was tiny: less than 10cm long, and looked like a jewel. I presume it has hatched this year.  

We have only seen one Adder this year so far, but ?he is always in the same place , frequently sunning for several hours at the time. A good length: at least 15”.

Glowworm larvae appreciate the heat from bitumen sheets, too - this is the first we have found this year. Roll on June/July, when they should be glowing!

Non-hibernating Toad

With the lack of frosts near the coast, we have come across several toads over the New Year period. Here is a full-sized on that welcomed us by the front door one night!

Bottlenose dolphins in Dale bay

Around 50 Bottlenose Dolphins moved in to Dale Bay at about 9.15am this morning. Pressumably individuals for the Cardigan Bay population returning north. The pod circled the bay and passed close to Dale Fort before playing in the mouth of the Haven for around 2-3 hours. They appeared to be a mix of ages, including mothers and calves and seemed to be feeding on small bait fish - most likely herring on the dropping tide. 

Another Glow Worm....

This larva was crawling around rather actively on our track this morning. And it is BIG: closer to 4cm than 3cm, and compared to the size estimated on several websites of 2.0-2.5cm.
we have already seen one glowing, and hope for a good June-July, once the wind stops!

Martin’s Haven Glow Worms

Many thanks to Kevin Caley for identifying this as a female Lampyris Noctiluca, (Common Glow Worm) “looks like she is in top breeding form”! We found several of these in the garden in recent weeks, and saw the first one glowing last night. They appear to prefer not to glow while the moon is shining quite so bright so, at present, that means after c.0200!
We worth a look on the Deer Park through this month and in July.

Broad-bodied Chaser

We have seen several of these in our garden at Martin’s Haven, but the numbers at Marloes Mere are remarkable, especially along the hedges on the lanes to the bird hides.

Stickleback

We found this rather dessicated 15-Spined Stickleback down on Martin’s Haven beach. It’s remarkably big, at 17cm long.

Martin’s Haven seal

With the lack of visitors to Skomer meaning that the jetty here is unused, a bull seal has taken up residence

Emperor Moth

On our Kitchen window frame all day!