The Elizabeth and Rowe Harding Nature Reserve, Ilston, Gower, Swansea
Carboniferous limestone quarry, plantation, scrub, and surrounding woodland. Geological SSSI (quarry face only).
Carboniferous limestone quarry, plantation, scrub, and surrounding woodland. Geological SSSI (quarry face only).
Mainly found in Southern and Eastern England, the Common hornbeam is a tall tree of ancient woodlands. Its large catkins appear in spring, and its winged seeds are dispersed by the wind in autumn…
Ancient broadleaved woodland, plantation, calcareous pasture and quarry. A small part of the leasehold land is notified SSSI, being part of the Cwm Ivy Marsh, Dunes, and Tor SSSI.
Look out for the small Holly Blue in your garden or local park. It is the first blue butterfly to emerge in spring, and a second generation appears in summer. The caterpillars are fond of holly…
The large, fluffy caterpillars of this moth are often seen in summer and early spring.
In the spring, birds choose the best locations to build nests, so why not offer them a safe place to settle?
This birch-loving moth can be seen flying on sunny days in early spring.
A scrambling 'weed' of waste ground, fields and gardens, Common fumitory can be found on dry and disturbed soils. Its pink flowers appear over spring and summer.
The Early purple orchid is one of the first orchids to pop up in spring. Look for its pinkish-purple flowers from April, when bluebells still carpet our woodland floors. Its leaves are dark green…
In spring and summer, look out for 'cuckoo-spit' - the frothy mass of bubbles that appears on plant stems everywhere. This is actually the protective covering for the nymphs of the tiny…
The bright green ring-necked parakeet is an escapee and our only naturalised parrot; its success is likely due to warmer winters. It can be seen in the South East.