At Parc le breos (which would be a nice place to visit if it wasn't plastered in dog faeces - although many folks had kindly packaged them up in little plastic bags before tossing them about the park) - I noticed that there a few small tufa seepages by the approach road - which might repay a closer look. We wandered up to Cathole cave - famous for apparently having palaeolithic cave art and brown bear scratch marks beyond the locked gate - the small cave below this had a tiny patch of Marchesinia mackaii just to right of the entrance. Cathole itself was mainly notable for a lesser horshoe bat dangling in a small crevice near the entrance with a herald moth for company. There didn't seem any point in jotting down the common bryos I saw in the park, as if the site hasn't already received a proper bryo survey, then it certainly deserves one as there is a lot of good habitat around.
By lunchtime we had ended up at Pennard Pill where surprised to see Frankenia - I hadn't realised it grew here, - the only bryo of note, which stuck out like a sore thumb on the dunes, was Racomitrium canescens - the real thing. I have never visited the castle before and it was only as we approached it that I suddenly remembered that it was home to Draba azoides - not difficult to spot as it was flowering well. It was such a nice day that much of rest of time was spent looking at vascular plants, more archaeology, the scenery, walking on the beach, inhaling the sea air and eating ice cream - that's the problem with the visiting the Gower - too many things to distract you from bryos.
An old pic of mine of Fulgensia as mentioned in additional comment below - I expect that there have been searches for the species previously at Pennard Burrows, but the rare lichen Fulgensia fulgens may be something to bear in mind when walking around the dunes - I took this pic at Stackpole, so it not too far away. Apologies for straying away from bryos in this blog.
Frankenia is marching around the South Wales Coast Graham, where it has (presumably) colonised from the massive population in Merthyr Mawr. There are very large populations in Swansea Bay now, particularly around the Neath estuary. I like to think this is a natural range expansion, but many people believe that Frankenia in South Wales originated as a garden escape. Not sure if it has reached Whiteford or Carms yet - Barry may know. Park Woods is a fabulous trip in Spring. Look out for the Carex strigosa along the paths leading up to Cathole and the photogenic population of Paris quadrifolia that is nearby.
ReplyDeleteI may have to go back! Certainly sounds a bit suspicious with Frankenia rapidly colonising new areas. One thing I did have a brief look for and was disappointed not to find on the sand dunes was the lichen Fulgensia fulgens - some habitat looks like it might be suitable, but I only looked at a tiny part of the system - it occurs in Pembs - if you don't know it is quite distinctive, growing in small yellowish patches (almost always with bright orange apothecia) on stable but often sparsely vegetated dune grassland. Ill edit the blog entry and add a pic of it.
ReplyDeleteThe Marchesinia in SS59F is actually a new hectad record and it looks like most of the records from that tetrad are from Pengwern Common, so I'm sure a search in the woodland area will add a fair few new species. Thanks also for the tip off about the tufa seepages in SS58J which I was unaware of and will definitely take a look at next time I'm passing and have some spare time - I'm guessing these were along the slope above the road with the speed bumps? Sounds like you had a great day out - we went searching for adders not to far away with just a few minor bryological distractions
ReplyDeleteActually I notice Smith recorded Marchesinia in SS59 (site given as Ilston) in 1961.
ReplyDeleteGraham, regarding your casual Glam records like these, will they make their way into the SEWBReC system? If not I'd be happy to log them if you can drop me a note via email.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Barry
I usually add the casual records to list I send to BBS / BRC at end of year .... I have got a bit behind though since Atlas published. Records should therefore reach LRCs, but next time I submit some ill copy to you as Vc recorder. Seepages are where you guessed ... Not very extensive, but there may be better ones elsewhere on the site.
ReplyDeleteThat will be great thanks. BTW Frankel Ian has spread rapidly in last 10 years plus at Three cliffs, but no sign of it further West in Gower... yet!
ReplyDeleteFrankenia not Frankel Ian - autocorrect strikes again!
ReplyDelete