May 17th we went down to Penallta park for a wander round, see what we might see, we used to visit often, it’s one of those places that can be almost totally empty during week days and busy at the weekends but, it is big enough to absorb large numbers, which is great.
It has become busier in between visits, it’s over three years, many more cyclists, runners and dog walkers now, no bad thing but, they do change the peace often needed for bird and nature watching.
As it happened we heard lots of birds but didn’t get to see that many, apart from flitting between trees and bushes so this turned out to be a bug walk for me, which was nice. There are several ponds at the lowest part of the park, some of which were drying up, rain needed I think! Still plenty of beasties there for me.
There were lots of damselflies around and having a good time of it I might add.
Large Red Damselfly
Not as many butterflies as I’d hoped to see.
Speckled Wood
The Azure Damselflies were enjoying the sunshine 🙂
I didn’t see any Large Red activity though.
I did see this Bee looking pretty laden, adding it to iNaturalist brings up Furrow Bee but if anyone knows better, please shout out. 🙂
At one of the lowest and driest ponds I came across a few Broad-bodied Chasers, I now know why they’re called chasers!!!! That’s exactly what they do, chase one another all around the pond.
Another, very bright beastie caught my eye as I manoeuvred around the Chasers.
A European Hornet! Nasty beasties when upset so, I stayed back.
Did I mention the damselflies partying?
I think a good time was being had by all concerned!
Ok, one more shot of the Chaser.
That wing mechanism is astounding and those eyes!!!!
My final spot for this walk was a Brimstone butterfly, hadn’t seen one in ages and I saw several as we headed for the car park.
It was a scorcher of a day, first time I’ve worn any form of hat for ages but it was a great walk and good to reminisce. I also heard a Reed Warbler in the reeds, oddly enough, at that same pond, never caught a glimpse though, we don’t really get them around us so, I stored the information for later use 😉
road trip
Scozmo's Photery 
Nice finds and great pictures! I have not seen dragonflies here yet. Other bugs like mosquitos are increasing in numbers.
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Thank you Sharon, this was a place we used to walk in a lot, when we lived in S. Wales so it was great to visit and there was loads to see, we don’t suffer from Mosquitos much but we do get Midgies !!!!
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Midges can be awful as well. Do they carry some diseases like mosquitoes can? We have West Nile here and some other things that people occasionally get after getting bitten.
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Good morning Sharon, no, our midges don’t carry anything …. yet 😦 Just really annoying and for those with allergies. As far as I know our only danger here is Lyme’s disease from Ticks and they are getting more prevalent
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Lyme is no joke. I’ve already had it. I hike a lot in the woods. They just put signs up on the trails I hike to warn people.
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You replied to this comment.
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I had a few great days with beasties, got Beautiful Demoiselle which I’m not sure I’d ever seen before, to follow 🙂
Thank you
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