Arthur

It was a fine morning for a walk up into the Clwydians with Brother #2. We walked the lanes up to Moel Arthur via Siglen, returning through Llangwyfan Forest. This included a short stretch of the Offa’s Dyke footpath and fine views west over the Vale of Clwyd and the Denbigh Moors toward Snowdonia, and north and east toward the coast and Cheshire. 

There was bird life aplenty with Wheatear, Whitethroat, Stonechat, Linnet, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Blackcap and a hint of Redstarts. A Cuckoo was heard.

With the butterflies, Small Heath were everywhere along the paths in the open, and there were plenty of Green-veined White, Large White and a few Orange-tip in the verges and moorland marshes. There were also lots of Common Heath moths, one Lead Belle and a great Yellow-tail caterpillar (extra). We even saw newts in one of the moorland ponds, probably Palmate (extra).

In the afternoon it was another visit to Mum’s. She’s struggling with some shoulder pain which requires further consultation, but it’s good to spend even a little time with her after 18 months of no visits.