Category Archives: Ecology

One more waxcap…

Posted on November 21, 2019 by Michelle

…and quite a special one. This is Gliophorus reginae or the Jubilee Waxcap. Why is it special? The Jubilee Waxcap was only recognized as a separate species in 2013. There are very few records of it in Wales, so it … Continue reading →

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It’s Waxcap season!

Posted on September 16, 2019 by Michelle

Here are some of the lovely grassland fungi I have found in the last few weeks. If you want to know more about these gems of Autumn, Plantlife have produced this useful guide to Waxcap and allied fungi.

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Hedgerow Management. Annual flailing and wildlife

Posted on January 5, 2019 by Michelle

I woke up at the crack of dawn this morning. As I lay there in the graying morning light, the sound of a tractor and hedge flail crept into my consciousness. My heart sank. I hate the annual flailing of … Continue reading →

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Moth Celebration – Moth and Bats Species List

Posted on June 28, 2017 by Michelle

Here is the full list of species of moths identified during our recent Moth Celebration. It’s worth a read just for the wonderful names. Thanks to Sally Hall for helping us identify them all, and to Isabel Macho of Carmarthenshire … Continue reading →

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Dyeing Wool with Plants

Posted on August 17, 2014 by Michelle

A Natural Dyeing Workshop led by Susan Martin was held at the Trust today, and an enjoyable event it was. Susan took us through the whole process of dyeing, including mordanting the wool so that the dyes will fix, collecting … Continue reading →

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Biodiversity at the Trust

Posted on July 6, 2014 by Michelle

The picture below is of a moth trap glowing at the bottom of one of the Trust’s hay meadows. This was set up on the evening of Monday 30th June and shone brightly for several hours through the night, looking … Continue reading →

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Laburnum in Flower

Posted on May 26, 2014 by Michelle

The Laburnum in the Trust hedgerows is putting on it’s glorious annual floral display at the moment, as can be seen in the picture below. A Warré beehive can be seen to the left of the picture, very conveniently placed … Continue reading →

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Establishing Yellow Rattle, Rhinanthus minor

Posted on April 22, 2014 by Michelle

Spring is well underway, the grass is growing and the Yellow Rattle Rhinanthus minor is germinating in the hay meadows. It is also germinating in profusion in many of the areas that we mulched with grass and hay from Cae … Continue reading →

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Sustainable Collection of Lichen for Dyeing Wool

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Michelle

All this wild weather has blown down a lot of branches and twigs around the Trust. It is an ill wind that blows no good they say, and on the advise of Susan Martin, we have been busy collecting any … Continue reading →

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Wonderful Waxcaps!

Posted on November 8, 2013 by Michelle

Hygrocebe punicea (Crimson Waxcap) Hygrocebe pratensis (Meadow Waxcap) A yellow Hygrocebe spp Above are pictures of some of the wonderful Waxcap fungi we have found on the Top Field of the Trust, with identification where possible This family of mushroom … Continue reading →

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