Plas y Brenin | The Natural Environment in Snowdonia

Golden Saxifrage

This is an indication that spring has finally arrived. Although not in bloom yet, these will soon be covered in beautiful four petalled golden flowers.........

Mar 20

Lambs

Always a nice sight to see, new born lambs are all around right now. Speaking to local farmers the number of lambs is down due to the harsh winter but.........

Mar 20

Winter Butterfly

This tired beauty fluttered into our equipment stores today. I'm sure he won't be around for much longer but with snow still on the ground I think it .........

Jan 28

Fox Tracks

I came across these fox tracks on Moel Rhiwlug above Llyn Alwyn. Foxes have a diagonal walking gait - one foot almost transposes on the other. However.........

Jan 18

Large Heath Butterfly

We spotted this large heath butterfly (Coenonympha trullia) whilst out with a group from the RSPCA. It is found mainly on acid moorland where its la.........

Oct 10

Cowberry Flowers

We spotted these Cowberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) flowers whilst out practising navigation on a recent Walking Group Leader Training Course. This is a.........

Oct 9

Brachiopods

Snowdonia would not the first venue that springs to mind if you wanted to go fossil hunting, there are much easier pickings to be had on the beaches o.........

Sep 30

Emperor Moth Caterpillar

We spotted this Emperor Moth Caterpillar (Saturnia pavonia) whilst out on a rainy day during a Mountain Leader refresher course. During its larval st.........

Sep 11

The Sickener

Whilst seeking shelter in a forest, on a wild and wet day, during a recent Mountain Leader Assessment expedition we came across several of these fungi.........

Sep 7

Badger Sett

We came across this excavation whilst out on the expedition phase of a Mountain Leader assessment last week. It was at over 600m above sea level, so w.........

Aug 30

Golden Eagle Feather

I found this Golden Eagle feather on the top of the Douve Blanche Arete above Arolla and that really is a full size ice axe next to it for a size comp.........

Aug 22

Cinnabar Caterpillars

These distinctive yellow and black caterpillars were munching away on some ragwort at South Stacks on Anglesey. They are Cinnabar Moth caterpillars. .........

Jul 21

Red headed cardinal beetles

Climbing at Holyhead mountain last week we noticed that every yarrow plant was littered with these little red beetles. They were all locked in a simil.........

Jul 20

Heath Bedstraw

It not difficult to find clusters of this little four petalled white flower at the moment. And you'll have no problems remembering a tale to tell your.........

Jul 14

Dog Lichen

i took this photo in the forest to the east of the Rhinogs. It is Peltigera membranacea, commonly known as dog lichen. It can be found on rocks and tr.........

Jul 14

Dwarf willow (Salix herbacea)

I posted Dwarf willow, also known as Least willow on this enviro diary a couple of years ago (May 2007) and this week passed by the same spot, near th.........

Jul 12

Arctic Terns

I saw this flock of Arctic Terns nesting on the Skerries, which is off the North West corner of Anglesey. The Arctic Tern has the longest regular migr.........

Jul 11

Hermit Crab

Another find on our sea kayaking rock pool extravaganza was this little hermit crab. Hermit crabs are not actually that closely related to true crabs.........

Jul 9

Common Starfish

The Common starfish (Asterias rubens) can vary in colour quite a lot, this one was a particularly bright orange but they can be found from red to yell.........

Jul 8

Slow Worm

Although these look like snakes they are actually 'legless' lizards. One way to tell is that unlike snakes they do not have eyelids (you've gotta get .........

Jul 6

Fairy Ink Cap Mushrooms

We came across this cluster of tiny mushrooms whilst out mountain biking in the Gwydyr Forest. These can often be found in large numbers like this u.........

Jul 6

Sea Hare

Stopping in our sea kayaks on the Anglesey coast the other day I spotted this Sea Hare This bizarre looking mollusc has a body that encloses its shell.........

Jul 5

Common Brittle Starfish

Exploring rockpools during a sea kayaking lunch break I came across this Common Brittle Starfish recently and managed to get a photo of it. These are.........

Jul 5

Rhododendrons

Walking along the river beside Beddgelert you may notice the land is densely populated by large bushes with thick waxy leaves and exotic pink flowers..........

Jul 4

The Ant Aphid Relationship.

I took this snap whilst out walking with a group this weekend. It's a fine example of the intimate, symbiotic relationship exists between ants and aph.........

Jul 4

Red Deer

Although adapted to a woodland environment Red Deer are the dominant wild mammal of the Scottish Highlands - encouraged as a 'target' species for game.........

Jul 2

Self Heal

These brightly coloured chunky little flowers can be found from May until September. They are pretty invasive and considered an unwelcome visitor by .........

Jun 30

Cuckoo Spit

At this time of year you'll come across this everywhere in the hills. These foamy blobs of white liquid are not actually anything to do with cuckoos a.........

Jun 25

Butterwort

There are lots of Butterwort species found around the world and most live in alkaline soils, but this species found in the Europe and North America ha.........

Jun 25

Large Red Damselfly

We saw this brightly coloured beauty hovering over a small stream on Moel Siabod yesterday. Quite the common in the UK, the large red damselfly emerg.........

Jun 24

Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)

Foxglove
(Digitalis purpurea)

This striking flower is one everyone will be familiar with and one that is certainly not difficult to find. Although known throughout Britain as Foxg.........

Jun 15

Mergansers

I spotted this Merganser and her chicks on Llyn Padarn yesterday. We were paddling through the lagoons and the minute she saw us her well trained chic.........

Jun 15

Tormentil (Potentilla Erecta)

These little Tormentil flowers are everywhere at the moment. Easily distinguished from buttercups - they have four petals whilst Buttercups have five.........

Jun 14

Painted Lady Butterfly

Whilst enjoying the recent spell of warm weather, I realised we had some visitors in the garden all the way from Africa. We're lucky enough to have a .........

Jun 10

Meadow Saxifrage

I took a photo of this meadow saxifrage whilst out mountain biking in Newborough, Anglesey. Its scientific name, saxifraga, means stone-breaking. .........

May 27

Blenny (lipophrys Pholis)

Also known as a Shanny or Sea Frog (because sometimes they sit on rocks in the sun next to rock pools and hop frog like in to the safety of the water .........

May 27

Edible Crab (Cancer pagorus)

Easily recognised by their black tipped pincers and the 'pie crust' edge to their shell, they are not the commonest crab around the UK coast and you a.........

May 27

Herb Robert

Stopping on our mountain bikes yesterday on a forest track at Newborough, Anglesey I saw this Herb Robert and took the chance to grab a quick photo. .........

May 26

Silver Studded Blue Butterfly

This little fella was one of many blue butterflies zipping around the woods near the beach at Newborough on Anglesey this weekend. The ground was cove.........

May 26

Ivy-leaved toadflax

Cymbalaria muralis (Ivy-leaved toadflax or Kenilworth Ivy) is a flowering plant native to Mediterranean Europe, it was introduce to the British Isles .........

May 21

Dolphins

On a gloriously sunny day we set of from the beach at Abersoch, our plan being to follow the coast to Porth Ceiriad for some lunch and then to circumn.........

May 21

Emperor Moth

I saw this female emperor moth whilst climbing at Tremadog yesterday. Female Emperor moths fly at night but release a pheremone during the day to a.........

May 20

Red Campion

I saw these flowers alongside a woodland path near Abergwyngregin yesterday. The Red campion has many alternatives names including 'Adders Flower'.........

May 20

Danish Scurvy-grass (Cochlearia danica)

Not all climbers suffer with vitamin deficiency, however if you have pale skin, bleeding gums and loss of teeth then you could be suffering with a sev.........

May 13

Forget-me-not

I came across this little patch of forget me nots by the side of a woodland path not far from Plas y Brenin. I'm pretty sure these are creeping forge.........

Apr 29

Cuckoo Flower

Out walking yesterday I came across this patch of Cuckoo Flowers. Also known as Lady's Smock or Milkmaids, they prefer damp areas and their petals ra.........

Apr 21

Bladder Wrack

Competing for space in the same 'mid tidal' water as Egg Wrack (see my last post), Bladder Wrack can easily be distinguished by its 'paired' bladders..........

Apr 9

Egg Wrack

You can't fail to come across Egg Wrack (also known as Knotted Wrack) on the coastal waters of North Wales. Growing up to 2 metres or more in length, .........

Apr 8

Red Kite

Whilst out mountain biking at the Nant yr Arian forestry centre near Aberwystwth this weekend we stopped to take a few photos. A few minutes later thi.........

Apr 7

Common Polypody

I found this common polypody, Polypodium vulgare on a ruined wall on the lower slopes of Moel Cynghorion. The fronds with triangular leaflets measure .........

Apr 6

Parallel Roads

I took this shot of the classic 'Parallel Roads' in Glen Roy, North of Fort William on my way to pick up our team of winter mountain leaders as they f.........

Mar 24

Common Lizard

We Found this little critter high in the Carneddau scurrying about in area of boggy ground. It is a Common Lizard also known as the Viviparous Lizard .........

Mar 23

Willow Buds

It's a fantastic time of year rIght now - buds appearing on trees everywhere as nature readies itself for the warm regeneration of spring. These buds .........

Mar 20

Halo

This is a good example of a 22 degree halo.
This is a rather frequently appearing optical phenomenon forming a circle 22 degrees around the sun, o.........

Mar 18

Turnstones

Sea kayaking can be a great way to see some wildlife that we don't usually come across.
Just on the shores of Bull Bay on Anglesey these Turnstone.........

Mar 17

Rime

Last Monday, on the top of Carnedd Llewelyn, the rime on this wall had built up from 10 to 15cm long. Riming builds up on the windward side of objects.........

Mar 5

Chrysalis

This butterfly chrysalis was hanging from a tree branch down by Llyn Mymbyr. I have no idea what kind of butterfly will emerge from it, only that it i.........

Mar 2

Cladonia

As John Cousins pointed out in his earlier entry about 'Lichens' Cladonia comes in many shapes and sizes.
Here is another fine example of a Clado.........

Feb 26

Witches Brooms

I've seen these clusters of twigs in trees many times and always dismissed them from a distance as disused birds nests. Recently I looked a little clo.........

Feb 25

Wild Boar

Whilst out snowshoeing in France recently with a group on International Mountain leaders I came upon this baby wild boar which had been attacked and .........

Feb 25

Hard Fern

Very few plants remain green throughout the winter but this Hard Fern (Blechnum spicant), found in the woods at Plas y Brenin, is one of them. The lon.........

Feb 24

Birch Catkins

These catkins are starting to appear in the woodlands surrounding Plas y Brenin right now.
I'm pretty sure these, drooping yellowy fellas are the.........

Feb 24

Star Moss (Polytrichum Commune)

Generations of Mountain Leaders have been identifying Star Moss for their clients as they explore the mountains of Wales. It is also known as Common H.........

Feb 24

Lichens

Winter is not the most obvious time to start looking for plants but once you stop searching for flowering plants you begin to realize there is plenty .........

Feb 19

Shag

This Shag was enjoying the sunshine on the Menai Straits this week. Although it's not the world's greatest photo, you can tell it is a Shag rather th.........

Feb 19

Ice Damage

This damage was caused by the recent thick ice on our lake breaking up and sending huge chunks of ice down the river below. The ice has been hitting t.........

Feb 18

Arctic Hare

We've seen fleeting glimpses of arctic hares in Glencoe and the Mamores in their fantastic winter coat, which luckily matches the snow covered hills. .........

Feb 11

Robin

This little Robin (Erithacus rubecula) was looking for a few sandwich crumbs from our team as we headed through Glencoe's Lost Valley towards the summ.........

Feb 9

Wood Mouse

Anyone who has ever walked up to Cwm Glas should know that it can be a bit of a slog up the steep hillside from the Pen y pass road. A sandwich stop h.........

Feb 3

Cwm Idwal refurbishment

We spotted this collection of steel work and scaffolding yesterday at the outflow of Llyn Idwal on a wild and wonderful winter day. Our guess was that.........

Jan 20

Sheep Eating Bark

We spotted this oak tree behind the Pinnacles in Capel Curig today. We have had such sustained low temperatures in the last four weeks that it is easy.........

Jan 15

Alpine Ibex (Capra ibex)

The Alpine Ibex commonly called by its local names in the various languages - French bouquetin, German steinbock, Italian stambecco, Slovenian kozoro.........

Oct 1

Golden Eagle

This Golden Eagle was circling over my four IML assessment candidates last week (as if they didnÃ¢Â.Â.t have enough to worry about!). The birds r.........

Sep 29

Crocosmia

This is a stunning display of Crocosmia photographed on the banks of Llynau Mymbyr.
Some people call this plant Montbretia but the true name is d.........

Sep 23

Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum)

Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum) is one of the best-known mountain flowers in Europe and I saw this one last week during one of our IML assessment cou.........

Sep 21

Yellow Staghorn Fungus

This delicate, vivid yellow fungus was growing on a small tree stump not far from the canoe coral at Plas y Brenin.
This fungus is fairly common .........

Sep 20

Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly (Aglais urticae)

The small tortoiseshell is bright orange and black with a row of blue crescents around the wing edges. Underneath, they are camouflaged dark grey and .........

Sep 11

Shaggy Ink Caps

This week we were treated to these spectacular fungi growing on the Plas y Brenin lawn. Coprinus comatus also known as Judges wig or LawyerÃ¢Â.Â.s.........

Sep 6

Ring Ouzel Chick

We spotted this young Ring Ouzel at a local crag whilst doing a bit of evening cragging this week. In fact it was hard to miss, as it sat squawking on.........

Aug 4

Giant Wood Wasp

Jim in our equipment stores brought my attention to this giant wood wasp near Bryn Engan a couple of days ago.

About 40mm long, these beasti.........

Aug 3

Adder or Viper - Vipera Berus

We saw this Adder just on the forest track by Plas y Brenin.
Also known as 'Vipers' Adders are active during the day, spending time basking in the.........

Jul 21

Roseroot

To me Roseroot is the most improbable arctic alpine plant of them all. The Polar Regions and high summits conjure up barren regions and extreme weathe.........

Jul 18

Lapwing

Canoeing down the river Conwy this weekend, I stopped for a rest on the bank. As I sat back in the sunshine I saw this lapwing trotting around in the .........

Jul 15

Meadow Pipit's Nest

At this time of the year the hills are alive with the sound of meadow pipits. That Ã¢Â.Â.Little Brown JobÃ¢Â.Â. flitting around you on the gra.........

Jul 14

Scarlet Pimpernel

Also a novel, a play, a musical and a cocktail! The Scarlet Pimpernel is in fact a very pretty little flower. We spotted it recently whilst wandering .........

Jul 7

Sea Holly

ThereÃ¢Â.Â.s plenty of sea holly out and about on the coast right now.
ItÃ¢Â.Â.s not actually related to holly at all but is part of the.........

Jul 3

Pyroclastic Flow deposit â�.�. Cwm Idwal

This fascinating piece of brecciated tuff tells us a lot about the violent volcanic history of Snowdonia. Brecciated means broken bits whilst, tuff is.........

Jul 2

Pillow Lava

Llandwyn Island off the south west coast of Anglesey is the classic location within the British Isles for studying pillow lavas. The examples photogra.........

Jul 1

Tree Mallow

This tree mallow was one of many to be seen dancing furiously in the high winds along the coastline of the Conwy Estuary this weekend. This plant was.........

Jul 1

White Stonecrop

Sitting down to each my lunch one the bank of the River Conwy yesterday I noticed this tiny cluster of White Stonecrop by my side. Difficult to make .........

Jun 30

Heath speedwell (Veronica officinalis)

IÃ¢Â.Â.ve seen a lot more of these than normal this year. I wonder if it's down to the weather as Heath Speedwell likes to grow in dry grassy area.........

Jun 26

Calosoma Inquisitor

This beautiful beetle was spotted in Cwm Idwal during one of our recent Mountain Environment courses.
It normally lives in deciduous woodlands, pr.........

Jun 25

Birdsfoot Trefoil

I spotted this fine example of BirdsfootTrefoil on Canna whilst on a sea kayaking expedition with a group. Often known as 'Ladys Fingers' and a smash .........

Jun 24

Moon Jellyfish

This Moon Jellyfish had washed up on the beach on Anglesey.
For Sea kayakers, these jellyfish are a common sight in the UK. It's good to know tha.........

Jun 23

Swans

I saw this mute swan trying to keep her young cygnets under control in a howling gale on the Conwy Estuary this weekend.
Within a few hours of hat.........

Jun 22

Viper's Bugloss (Echium Vulgare)

On a recent visit to Llanddwyn Island on Anglesey with a mountain environment course we were impressed to find the car park full of this grand flower..........

Jun 15

Bladder Campion

This Bladder Campion was swirling around in the summer breeze yesterday on the Great Orme. Bladder Campion is popular with many moths, butterflies and.........

Jun 14

Parsley Fern

This intricate small fern is not as delicate as it looks. Parsley Fern (Cryptogramma crispa) thrives in the cold wet conditions of Cwm Idwall, where .........

Jun 11

Navelwort

I noticed this ornate cluster of Navelwort whilst climbing at Tremadog.
A member of the stonecrop family it can be found growing in abundance on l.........

Jun 11

Thrift (Sea Pink)

Walking down to the crag at Rhos Colyn, the hillside is covered in a carpet of these striking wild flowers.

Thrift (or sea pinks) can be seen i.........

Jun 10

Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary

I spotted This beautiful butterfly beside one of our minibuses and quickly whipped out my camera to grab a snap of it.
I'm no Einstein when it co.........

Jun 9

Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary (Underside)

I spotted This beautiful butterfly beside one of our minibuses and quickly whipped out my camera to grab a snap of it.
I'm no Einstein when it co.........

Jun 9

Dolphins

Whilst paddling along the west coast of Rum on our Hebridean Sea Kayak Expedition, enjoying the high pressure conditions with accompanying flat seas, .........

Jun 5

Mallard Chick

It's a beautiful time out on the rivers and lakes at the moment. Everywhere you go you see young birds taking to the water for the first time, always .........

Jun 4

Ox-eye Daisies

Right now these giant daisies are everywhere and when found in large numbers are quite breathtaking. I took this shot of a cluster of Ox-eye daisies a.........

Jun 3

Yellow Flag (Iris Pseudacorus)

This beautiful iris stands proudly radiating its deep yellow colour amidst the cotton grass in marshes, ditches and ponds. The leaves are very distin.........

Jun 2

Arctic Tern

Here's a photo of an Arctic Tern I took whilst sea kayaking yesterday. They are displaying and breeding at 'the Skerries' on the coast of Anglesey at .........

Jun 2

Scottish Primrose

I came across this Scottish Primrose on Rum on our Hebridean Sea Kayak Expedition.

The only place in the world this beautiful, small purple pr.........

Jun 1

Mountain Avens

In the Alps there is a plant called the Ã¢Â.Â.King of the AlpsÃ¢Â.Â. and in my eyes this beautiful Mountain Avens deserves at least Ã¢Â.Â..........

May 30

Snowdon Lily

I took this shot of a Snowdon Lily this weekend while I was working on a rock climbing course.

The only place in the UK you will find this il.........

May 28

Refurbishing the Kitchen

Just as I started to get used to no 'woolly maggots' in Cwm Idwal a load of new white blobs have appeared below the Devil's Kitchen. They are easily v.........

May 28

Grey Seal

This grey seal was calmly watching us as we paddled around the Anglesey coast the other day. Several of her friends chose to watch inquisitively from .........

May 28

Honey Bee

I noticed this honey bee buzzing around whilst walking down to the crag at Rhos Colyn, Anglesey.
I took a quick snap and carried on my way. It was.........

May 27

Guillemot

I took this shot of a young guillemot on a sea kayaking trip along the coast of Anglesey.
Widespread on UK coastal waters, Guillemots only come to.........

May 26

Lazy Beds

We saw these lazy beds while on a recce for next year's Scottish Canoe expedition in Loch Nevis. They consist of parallel alternating strips of raised.........

May 20

Pied Flycatcher (Male)

These are two pictures are of Pied Flycatchers (this one is the male) whichÃ.Â I took outside the Bar at Plas y Brenin.
I had just spentÃ.Â�.........

May 15

Pied Flycatcher (Female)

These are two pictures are of Pied Flycatchers (this one is the female) whichÃ.Â I took outside the Bar at Plas y Brenin.
I had just spentÃ..........

May 15

Wasps Nest

I took this snap of a queen wasp beginning the construction of her nest in our canoe store recently.

Wasps construct their nests by chewing .........

Apr 23

Sandstone

I was lucky enough to attend the BMC AGM in Northumberland recently. The BMC put on a great show with lots of entertainment and some fantastic food, t.........

Apr 22

Slime Mould

This brightly coloured slime mould has developed on an old log in the woods opposite Plas y Brenin.
Slime mould is a broad term referring to roug.........

Apr 20

Red Tailed Bumblebee

Spring is finally winning its annual struggle against winter and bringing with it many of the beautiful and uplifting sights we associate with the mos.........

Apr 17

Garlic Mustard

I saw this Garlic Mustard growing in some sand dunes at the mouth of the Conwy Estuary whilst out paddling this weekend. Although the one I came acros.........

Apr 16

Toad Spawn

I spotted this toad spawn whilst out canoeing with a group on the river Llygwy.

Frog spawn is laid in clumps in shallow water, whilst toad spa.........

Apr 14

Grape Hyacinth

I noticed these beautiful blue flowers in a wooded area backing onto sand dunes at the mouth of the Conwy estuary this weekend. They are Grape Hyacint.........

Apr 12

Meadow Pipit

At this time of year the Meadow Pipit's are back on the uplands. They are small birds and will be seen darting around in pairs in acrobatic tumbling p.........

Apr 9

Polytrichum

Most walkers will be familiar with Polytricum commune, commonly known as 'Star Moss'. But did you realise that there are several other species of poly.........

Apr 8

The Weather

Everyone knows the British weather is notoriously fickle and this week has been no exception. The phrase 'four seasons in one day' has held good every.........

Apr 7

Rock Formations

This is a view of the magnificent rock formations found in Mousetrap Zawn close to South Stack on the North coast of Anglesey.
These rocks are som.........

Apr 2

Spring Squill

Here's a snap I took yesterday of an early flowering spring squill.
This native plant grows well on our western coastlines and particuary enjoys t.........

Mar 25

Lambs

I spotted these lambs under Moel Cynghorion on Saturday as the first I have seen in the hills this year. They might be the scourge of flowers, trees a.........

Mar 5

Tunnels

Whilst on Beinn an Dothaidh near the bridge of Orchy we came across these insulated tunnels built between the ground and the now-melted snow pack. An.........

Mar 3

Cromlech toilet

If you stand on the Cromlech bridge facing towards Pen y Pass, look left and then walk 150m up you will come across a boulder field with this small dr.........

Feb 18

Ferral Goats

Ferral goats have been part of Snowdonia since the last ice age and while they were once semi domesticated they are seen these days as part of wild Wa.........

Feb 17

Welsh mountain ponies

We came across this mountain pony while out for a lunch time run around Cwm Idwal.
Mountain ponies have grazed the Carneddau in Snowdonia for at l.........

Feb 12

Cormorant

Paddling on Plas y Brenin's Llyn Mymbyr this afternoon I spotted this unusual visitor to the mountain environment. IÃ¢Â.Â.m afraid the photo isnÃ.........

Feb 12

Minotaur Beetle (Typhaeus typhoeus)

I spotted this beetle near Capel Curig this weekend.

The Minotaur beetle can be recognised by its horns. It burrows under various kinds of dung.........

Feb 12

Polytrichum juniperium

Similar to Polytrichum commune but smaller and slightly greyish. It is recognised by the reddish-orange tipped leaves. It is usually low growing but .........

Feb 12

Snowdon Summit Cafe

Work seems to progressing on the rebuilding of SnowdonÃ¢Â.Â.s summit cafÃ.Â© but I am hoping there is a lot of landscaping and painting still t.........

Feb 11

Bracket Fungus

I came across this lovely bracket fungus in the Afon Ddu gorge.
The 'brackets' are characteristically semicircular and flattened. They are a funga.........

Feb 11

Cloud Inversion

High pressure dominates the country at the moment and with this pressure comes great examples of cloud inversions.
I took this shot on the way to .........

Feb 10

Frog Spawn

I saw this frog spawn whilst out mountain biking on the south side of the Rhinogs at the weekend. Despite it being unusually early to find frog spawn .........

Feb 9

Motorbikes

I saw these two motorbikes on my way down from Moel Eilio.
The police in this area have recently appointed a liaison officer specifically to deal .........

Jan 31

Stag

We saw this magnificent stag on our way towards the Hidden Valley in Glencoe during a winter mountaineering course.
Red deer get their names from .........

Jan 28

Surface Hoar

I took this shot of rime ice beginning to form on the bridge below the Brenin. Surface Hoar tends to build up on the windward side of exposed objects .........

Jan 7

Chamois Tracks

While skiing in Andermatt I came across these Chamois tracks. These amazing creatures live high in the Alps and to survive as a herbivore in winter ha.........

Dec 21

Frost

With the recent cold temperatures and clear skies we've had some magnificent displays of early morning frost.
Frost is created when water vapour .........

Dec 18

Birch Polypore

This splendid example of the Birch Polypore piptoporus betulinus was spotted growing below Plas y Brenin at the side of our popular canoe pond.
It.........

Nov 28

Great Balls Of Fire

I came across these Ã¢Â.Â.cannonballsÃ¢Â.Â. on the side of Moel Hebog whislt out walking with a group yesterday.
Although there can be se.........

Nov 27

Lichen

After an amazing autumn in Wales the wild weather is finally stripping the trees of all their leaves. To keep the interest going you have to look a l.........

Nov 21

Scarlet Caterpillar Club fungus

This cheesy wotsit look-a-like was spotted growing in the short sheep cropped grass just behind Jerry's Roof in the Llanberis Pass.
It is the rema.........

Nov 16

Evening Primrose

On the day that snow began to fall over the hills of Snowdonia I was mountain biking near Llandwyn Island on Anglesey and was delighted to discover th.........

Nov 15

A load of rubbish!

This week the Countryside Management course from Bangor University came to us to enjoy a week of outdoor activies around Snowdonia.
We had a be.........

Nov 12

Algae

On one of the recent warm, sunny, still days I went for a quick paddle on the lake at lunchtime. As I passed through one of the shallower areas of the.........

Nov 2

Reindeer Moss

This is Reindeer Moss (Cladonia Rangiferina) photographed in the Moelwyns.
It is a lichen of the Cladonia family and it is prevalent in mountain .........

Oct 22

Fungi

The heather has passed it's glorious purple best, the hills have faded to golden russets, and Autumn is well and truly upon us. It's mushroom season h.........

Oct 17

Grass Snake

Whilst Paddling on the lower Glaslyn with Helen Morton last week she took this great photo of a grass snake swimming across the river!

Often .........

Oct 15

Mole

This photograph was taken in one of the farmers fields next to the Brenin.
Mole hills are abundant but it's quite rare to see a mole itself above .........

Sep 16

Tides

I took this photo from my canoe on Saturday of the 'Fifer Lass' aground on a well charted rock at Rhoscolyn Bay on Anglesey. There are neap tides at t.........

Sep 12

Four spot orb weaver spider

This four spot orb weaver (Areaneus quadratus) decided to hitch a lift on my back into the office from down by the lake. With a body about the size of.........

Aug 23

Badger

There are several Badger sets in Capel Curig. I took this shot a couple of nights ago just a few hundred yards form the centre. Unfortunately, as is .........

Aug 14

Jay

I spotted this Jay in the woods at the bottom of Plas y Brenin's Garden yesterday.
A Jay is the most colourful of the crow family but their wary .........

Aug 9

Peacock Butterfly

The peacock caterpillers I photographed back in June are now emerging as Butterflies as you can see in this shot which I took yesterday.
Adults Pe.........

Aug 6

Bog Asphodel

I took this shot of Bog Asphodel (Nathecium Ossifragum) while dashing between rock climbing groups during the young person's week (not too much intere.........

Aug 2

Otter

Otters regularly visit the river and lakes at Plas y Brenin. Their Holt is several miles away but they come here to feed from the well stocked lake. .........

Jul 31

Dead-Nettle Leaf Beetle (Chrysolina fastuosa)

We saw this Dead-Nettle Leaf Beetle during our Alpine Apprenticeship week.
You can find them quite easily in the Alps by looking in half-shaded m.........

Jul 27

Violet ground beetle - Carabus violaceus.

A member of my hillwalking group dislodged a small rock in the Moelwyns and uncovered this beauty. This is the most common Carabus in the British Isle.........

Jul 26

Red Breasted Merganser

I snapped this picture of a female red breasted Merganser as she lead her new family on a swimming lesson on the river at the bottom of Plas y Brenin'.........

Jul 25

Red Breasted Mergansers

Here you can see the female red breasted Merganser with her five young. Their swimming lesson was fascinating to watch. For over half an hour they swa.........

Jul 25

Black-veined White Butterfly

We were treated to a visit from what seemed like hundreds of these large and beautiful butterflies whilst eating our lunch on a sunny riverbank during.........

Jul 24

Black-veined White Butterflies

We were treated to a visit from what seemed like hundreds of these large and beautiful butterflies whilst eating our lunch on a sunny riverbank during.........

Jul 24

Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis)

This beautiful little flower has just come into flower. It can be seen in the Llanberis Pass and Cwm Idwal. This example was spotted on this weekend .........

Jul 23

Swallows

This morning I watched as three juvenille swallows were teased from a telegraph wire by their mother after she had fed them repeatedly in flight.
.........

Jul 23

Common Emerald Moth

I spotted this beautiful moth on my way out of the building last night. I quickly dashed back in to grab my camera and took a few shots.
It is a C.........

Jul 19

Adder

We were canoeing on the top lake at Plas Y Brenin when we spotted this female adder having a drink. At over a meter long she is the largest adder I h.........

Jul 18

Glow Worm

We have a very small colony of glow worms here in Capel Curig. The females emit a greenish light from their abdomen to attract the males. (looks like.........

Jul 16

BIllberry

Delicious treats have arrived early on the hill this year. Bilberrys are starting to appear and due the warm wet weather thay are fatter and jucier .........

Jul 16

English Stonecrop

Stunning displays of English Stonecrop have heralded the arrival of summer. Unfortuantely the weather hasn't!
Stonecrop is beautiful little flow.........

Jul 16

Woodpecker

This Great Spotted Woodpecker was busy feeding in my garden yesterday. You can tell it's a male by the red flash on his head. The fact that the red ex.........

Jul 15

Heath Spotted Orchid

Superficially similar to the common spotted Orchid but restricted to damp, mostly acid soils on heaths and moors. Flowers are usually very pale and h.........

Jul 11

Slow Worm

We spotted this slow worm making its way down a path in the Ogwen valley. Often mistaken for a snake, the Slow Worm is a legless lizard. The easy way .........

Jul 10

Spring Gentians

We saw these Spring Gentians (Gentiana verna) on the ascent to the Pas de Chevres above Arolla on the Alpine Apprentice course last week. They have th.........

Jul 9

Rosebay Willow Herb

I took this snap on our recent IML Assessment course in Zinal, Switzerland.
Growing here on the site of a recent forest fire, Rosebay Willow Herb .........

Jul 3

Pied Wagtail

This busy little Pied Wagtail was gobbling up insects on the rocks at the bottom of our lake. Nothing rare or unusual about seeing one though, the Pie.........

Jul 2

Redstart

We have a couple of redstart frantically feeding their young in a nesting box outside the bar. I took this shot of the proud mother returning with ano.........

Jun 28

Grey Wagtail

I took a shot of this grey wagtail whilst paddling on our lake. They are much more colourful than their name suggests and are often mistaken for the y.........

Jun 27

Sea Anemone

I took this shot of a Red Beadlet Anemone (Actinia equina) whilst on our Hebridean sea kayaking expedition. The water is less polluted up there so the.........

Jun 26

Sandpiper

We're lucky to have such a variety of birdlife in and around the lake here at Plas y Brenin.
This regular visitor, the Common Sandpiper, lends its.........

Jun 25

Rhagium Bifasciatum

The recent high pressure over Snowdonia has brought some gently rising warm winds across the mountains. I was out on Moel Siabod last week and the s.........

Jun 22

Wild Rabbits

Young rabbits are everywhere at the moment, sometimes in groups of 20 or more. This was one of several feeding on the Plas y Brenin lawn very early th.........

Jun 22

Oblong Leaved Sundew

It is definitely midge season right now with our 'midge machines' around the garden sucking up tons of the little creatures. On the hills we can only .........

Jun 19

Wood Tiger Moth

This little beauty was found hiding in the grass just short of 2000 feet above sea level in the Carneddau last week. It is commonly seen on heathland .........

Jun 19

Click Beetle (Ctenicera Cuprea)

Half the world's biomass is insects and half the insect biomass is made up of beetles. There are lot's of beetles!
Many are microscopic, but wit.........

Jun 11

Meadow Pipit Nest

One of the commonest birds flying around on the grassy uplands at this time of year is the Meadow Pipit. It does appear to be just another LBJ (littl.........

Jun 10

Peacock caterpillars

I spotted this mass of black, short spined, white speckled Caterpillars in a bunch of nettles on my way into work.
The female Peacock butterfly l.........

Jun 4

Blue Tits

Here are a couple of photos of blue tit chicks I saw being fed yesterday.
Blue tits can lay up to 12 eggs in one clutch but seldom do more than 2 .........

Jun 1

Blue Tit (close-up)

Here are a couple of photos of blue tit chicks I saw being fed yesterday.
Blue tits can lay up to 12 eggs in one clutch but seldom do more than 2 .........

Jun 1

Cotton Grass

The cotton grass is putting on a great display at the moment. It is useful to look out for and to avoid this plant when walking in the hills as it is .........

May 22

Least Willow (Salix herbacea)

This very small creeping plant is unlike any other member of the Willow family. It is a true acrtic-alpine plant of higher altitudes. It can only t.........

May 9

Sundews

It's pretty hard not to like Sundews.
They have a lovely name, look like something from another planet and, best of all, they eat midges. The onl.........

May 8

Jellyfish

We found several of these jellyfish stranded on the shore, during a canoe journey down the Mawdach Estuary on an introduction to canoeing course. Hope.........

May 3

Lichen

I am no expert on lichens but to me this one is particularly special. Its distinctive mustard yellow colour is only to be found on the very best viewp.........

May 2

Lesser Celandines

I saw these lesser celandines while setting out part of the IML Speed Navigation Test on Moel Siabod. They are described as a woodland or meadow flowe.........

May 1

Fire in the Moelwyns

Controlled burning of heather moorland is common practice in winter but the fire that burnt the Gwynant slopes of the Moelwyns between Pen y Gwryd and.........

Apr 30

Ladybirds

We spotted these Ladybirds on some boulders at the base of Stanage Edge in the Peak District whilst climbing with our Fast Track team. It was a hot da.........

Apr 25

Butterwort

This first Butterwort of the seasons was spotted on 24th April in the Moelwyns. This remarkable little plant grows in acidic boggy areas. These areas.........

Apr 24

Strange Marker

I spotted this strange red marker in Cwm Tregallen, Snowdon. Any one know what it is there for?.........

Apr 23

Chamois

A rare, if long distance sighting of a family of Chamois. We saw these illusive goat-like animals whilst on our off-piste ski safari course this Easte.........

Apr 20

Purple Saxifrage

The Purple Saxifrage is a classic little arctic alpine plant.
This would have been one of the first flowering plants to colonate the area after th.........

Apr 12

The First Crocuses

A special part of the ski-touring season is when the snow finally fades away to spring. We saw these crocuses at the end of a magnificent week's skiin.........

Apr 12

Columnar Jointing

Here is a good example of columnar jointing on the ridge of Crib y Ddysgl.
The rock on the top of the ridge is an upper rhyolitic tuff formation. .........

Apr 11

Columnar Jointing (above)

Here is a good example of columnar jointing on the ridge of Crib y Ddysgl.
The rock on the top of the ridge is an upper rhyolitic tuff formation. .........

Apr 11

Herons

We saw these herons whilst open boating in the Menai Straits. Don't let the graceful appearance fool you. These birds are voracious killers, spearing .........

Apr 1

Green Worm (Eulalia viridis)

I saw this beastie feeding on barnacles on the Menai Bridge Stanchion whilst open boating with a group on the Menai Straits.
Appropriately the Gr.........

Mar 30

Tadpoles

The dry weather recently has reduced the volume of water in streams and ponds, not good news for a lot of frogspawn and tadpoles. The large amount of .........

Mar 29

Gorse

This Gorse gave us some early season colour and a sure sign that spring is on its way. This was spotted on the approach to Tal-y-Fan on the north coa.........

Mar 29

Blackthorn

We spotted these blackthorn flowers whilst taking a well earned rest at the top of Craig Bwlch y Moch. It's not often you see a vicious spiky bush li.........

Mar 29

Unidentified Posts

I found about five of these posts in a small stream near Foel Gron. They look pretty new, I'm not exactly sure what they are, probably some sort of su.........

Mar 29

Canada Goose

At the moment we have two pairs of these large, unmistakable birds on our lake. Travelling quietly over the water in an open canoe is a great way to s.........

Mar 28

Canada Geese

At the moment we have two pairs of these large, unmistakable birds on our lake. These two seemed quite happy to have their photo taken from as little .........

Mar 28

Toad

I spotted this toad last night. It was pretty comatose so I think it was literally just emerging from its hibernation. It might be in for a shock with.........

Mar 27

Toad (Close up)

I spotted this toad last night. It was pretty comatose so I think it was literally just emerging from its hibernation. It might be in for a shock with.........

Mar 27

Great Creasted Grebe

I spotted this little fella swimming up the lake whilst tucking into my lunch on the balcony. A quick dash down the steps with my camera resulted in t.........

Mar 21

Trilobite

It's not often you come across fossils in Snowdonia. When you do they are very special. Why are they special? Because they are so very old. I was gree.........

Mar 20

Ivy Leaved Crowfoot

And now the first flower of the season. This Ivy Leaved Crowfoot was spotted growing in spring on the north side of Cwn Penmachno. It's peak flowering.........

Mar 16

Garden Of Devils Matchstick

Whilst wandering around the hills above Cwm Penmachno I was amazed to find so much beauty in a rotten old fence post..........

Mar 15

Garden Of Devils Matchstick (Close-up)

Whilst wandering around the hills above Cwm Penmachno I was amazed to find so much beauty in a rotten old fence post..........

Mar 15

Fresh Water Pearl Mussels

.........

Mar 14

Primrose

I found this flowering primrose (primula vulgaris) in woodland in the Conwy valley at the weekend and, for me, it is the first sign of spring. You'l.........

Mar 12

Wind Damage

I've been around Capel Curig for 30 years and I can't remember such ferocious winds as we've had this winter. This Oak Tree in Bryn Engan woods is jus.........

Mar 6

Lunar Eclipse1

Taken on the evening of Saturday the 3rd of March 2007 at about 11pm. This full lunar eclipse occurs when the earth casts a shadow over the moon's sur.........

Mar 3

Lunar Eclipse2

Taken on the evening of Saturday the 3rd of March 2007 at about 11pm. This full lunar eclipse occurs when the earth casts a shadow over the moon's sur.........

Mar 3

Lunar Eclipse3

Taken on the evening of Saturday the 3rd of March 2007 at about 11pm. This full lunar eclipse occurs when the earth casts a shadow over the moon's sur.........

Mar 3

Caterpillar

This caterpillar could be in for a shock, we spotted it on the 2nd of March high in the Moelwyns..........

Mar 2

Tormentil

Tormentil leaves are pushing through earlier this year. Normally not seen until about the third week in March this year it is four weeks early, this e.........

Mar 1

Red Deer

Myself and my group were treated to a visit by a herd of red deer (the largest species of deer in the world and the largest mammal in Britain) whilst .........

Mar 1

Frog Spawn

Frog spawn has been seen earllier than usual this year. It's not usually around until the middle of April. This example was snapped in the Moelwyns on.........

Feb 28

Daffodils

No set of nature notes for Wales is complete without the national flower, the daffodil (helped perhaps by the fact that the scourge of all plant life,.........

Feb 28

Snow Buntings

We spotted these Snow Buntings enjoying their holiday from Iceland on the summit of Ben Nevis on the 20th of February..........

Feb 20

Snowdrops

Often thought of as the first flower of the year I saw these Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) in a beautiful woodland on Anglesey in mid February.........

Feb 18