Category: Nature Notes

The Spiked Star of Bethlehem

THE SPIKED STAR OF BETHLEHEM

Not many may recognise the plant in the photo which is popping up around the Upper Orchid Field. On the logo of the Wildlife Group in a design by Heather Pollington, it is Spiked Star of Bethlehem which was first recorded growing along Caerau Lane in the 1980s. This is possibly the only site in Wales where it is established in the wild. It grows through the hedgerow, but it is a mystery how it got there, one possibility being that it was grown along the edge of the adjacent field and seeded itself into the hedgerow. Also known as Bath Asparagus, it grew around the city and was sold in local markets as a substitute for Asparagus. The Wildlife Group have attempted to plant it in new sites around Wenvoe, so it becomes even more widely established but the bulbs cost £5 each so it is not cheap. However, if you see a plant in seed why not try growing some and plant it either in your garden or semi-shaded locations in woodland

Year of the Fire Horse

YEAR OF THE FIRE HORSE

It is the Chinese Year of the Fire Horse. Whilst we cannot include Fire Horses in the list of Wenvoe’s wildlife, we do have a couple of species with ‘horse’ in the title. Arguably one of our best-known trees, still visited by adults and children from near and far, is the Horse Chestnut with its popular Conkers. Grange Park has some very fine specimens. Introduced from South- East Europe in the late 16th century, extracts of the fruit are still used for a wide range of medicinal treatments. In the First World War, children were paid to collect conkers from which Acetone could be extracted, and this was used in the manufacture of the explosive, Cordite. In the event, the process was not viable and the factory involved closed in 1918. A particular characteristic of the Chestnut Tree leaves in Grange Park is their tendency to turn brown as early as August, prompting some people to assume Autumn has come early. However, the colour change is caused by the larva of a very small moth which tunnels inside the leaves. Assuming every leaf on our trees has half a dozen caterpillars, mathematicians might like to try to calculate how many larvae there are in Grange Park!

The other species including horse is the Horse Leech, a harmless but large leech up to 15 centimetres or 6 inches long. They used to be seen in the watercourse that ran between the back gardens in Rectory Close and the Grange Estate. However, since the housing development, there is very little flow of water, and we can assume the Horse Leech has disappeared from that location

Wenvoe Wildlife Group Birdwatch Results 2026

WENVOE WILDLIFE GROUP BIRDWATCH RESULTS 2026

Thank you to everyone who took part in this January’s birdwatch. The weather was awful, but the number of individual birds seen was 439, which is up by 196! We received 23 returns (six up on last year) and 25 different species sighted (4 down on last year). Below are the results for this year, with last year’s results in brackets.

The top five birds last year and this year remain the same although the jackdaw has jumped from fifth to first equals with the blue tit. The great tit has dropped from 6th to 10th and the goldfinch from 9th to 13th. The blackbird has remained more common than first reports suggested, but the song thrush remains a rare bird in the parish (one sighting last year and one this). As this is only the second year for our bird watch it is hard to interpret any definite trends. However, jackdaws do seem to be on the increase particularly in the centre of the village, as do magpies and wood pigeons.

 

  1. = Jackdaw: 58 (last year 24 sighted. Fifth in the table last year). = Blue Tit: 58 (last year 37 sighted. First in the table last year)
  2. Wood Pigeon: 51 (last year 36 sighted. Second in the table last year)
  3. Long Tailed Tit: 46 (last year 26 sighted. Same position as this year)
  4. Blackbird: 41 (last year 30 sighted. Third in the table last year)
  5. Magpie: 32 (last year 15 sighted. Not in the top ten last year)
  6. Robin: 29 (last year 21 sighted. Same position as last year)
  7. = House Sparrow: 23 (last year 18 sighted. Same position last year). = Chaffinch: 23 (last year 16 sighted. Tenth equals last year)
  8. Coal Tit: 21 (last year 16 sighted. Tenth equals last year)
  9. Great Tit: 20 (23 last year. Tenth equals last year)
  10. Dunnock: 17 (8 last year)
  11. Greenfinch: 16 (4 last year)
  12. Goldfinch: 10 (17 last year)
  13. Feral Pigeon: 9 (2 last year)
  14. Carrion Crow: 8 (12 last year)
  15. Lesser Black Backed Gull: 7 (zero last year)
  16. Starling: 5 (3 last year)
  17. = Collared Dove: 4 (3 last year). = Wren: 4 (6 last year). = Greater Spotted Woodpecker: 4 (3 last year)
  18. = Nuthatch: 2 (2 last year). = Pheasant: 2 (3 last year)
  19. = Song Thrush:1 (1 last year). = Sparrowhawk:1 (zero last year)

 

The species seen last year but not this were goldcrest, moorhen, mallard and snipe.

Once again thank you to everyone who took part. We now look forward to our summer birdwatch in May.
Wenvoe school will be taking part again this year. Let’s hope it is better weather than in January!

 

Our Biggest Wild Animal

Our Biggest Wild Animal

The biggest wild animal we have in the Parish is the Badger and this has been the case for hundreds of years ever since the last wolf was hunted to extinction. But this could all be about to change. The deer is Britain’s largest land mammal, and the species is gradually spreading throughout the mainland. The population is believed to be about 2 million, an increase of 1.5 million in the last 50 years. Deer come in all shapes and sizes with the largest being the Red Deer. However, the species most likely to appear first in our Parish is the Muntjac, shown in the photo. Around the size of a dog it has been spotted in Lisvane so should not take long to spread through the Vale. Although taller than a badger it is not heavier so it could be argued that the badger will continue to be our largest until other varieties such as Roe or Fallow put in an appearance

Muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) buck showing tusk

So, is this good news? Many would argue otherwise as deer can cause significant damage to crops and your gardens. They browse on young trees so prevent regrowth and reduce biodiversity. They can be a hazard on roads causing accidents for drivers and damaging vehicles, particularly during the mating seasons when they are more active. Around 350,000 are culled every year but this has done little to check the increase in their populations.

But there is another mammal which could become our largest. Weighing in at up to 200 kilograms – a badger may get to 35 kgs – these can also cause major damage to gardens, parks and other green spaces. Whilst well-established in the Forest of Dean there have been occasional sightings near Cwmcarn. This is about 25 miles away by road – less as the crow flies. Once a common feature in the Welsh countryside and featured in the Mabinogion it is, of course, the Wild Boar.

Definitive List Of Welsh Apples

Definitive List Of Welsh Apples

There has been some press coverage recently following an announcement by the National Trust of the publication of a definitive list of Welsh Apple varieties. There are 29 listed. As we have gone to great lengths to plant many of the Welsh varieties in our orchards, we have been considering the list and its implications. In fact although 29 are listed they are broken down into 3 categories. The first category is the Historic list – apples unique to Wales with evidence of cultivation in the country pre-1950. There are 16 of these and include varieties planted in our orchards such as Cissy, Gabalva and St. Cecilia. We have 11 varieties of these.

 

The second category is referred to as Modern which are unique to Wales but introduced by a Welsh breeder or nursery post 1950. One of these is Bardsey which is claimed to date back hundreds of years as it was found in an old orchard on Bardsey Island and sold around the world as such. However, as there is no evidence to support the claim and it was discovered in 1998/9, it is officially post-1950 and thus Modern. There are 5 of these of which we have Bardsey and Machen.

The final category is called Associated and these are not unique to Wales but may have been given a Welsh name and widely cultivated in Wales or the Marches. There are 8 of these of which we have only planted Morgan Sweet.

However, we have another 7 which we understood were Welsh but do not fall into any of these categories such as Afal Wern, Pig Aderyn and Cadwallader. The implication is that these are English apples which were just given a Welsh name. So, this list does help to clarify which varieties are truly Welsh and which were adopted and introduced from elsewhere. To check out the full list go to the National Trust website.

‘The Gentleman In Velvet’

‘The Gentleman In Velvet’

He was toasted as the ‘gentleman in velvet’ by the Jacobites. A recent classic book was called ‘The Boy, the ?, the Fox and the Horse. In Under Milk Wood, Dylan Thomas wrote:

‘The houses are blind as ? though ? see fine tonight in the snouting velvet dingles’

He was a leading character in the Wind in the Willows. The answer and missing word is, of course, Mole.

The Jacobites, who supported the deposed King James II, were delighted when in 1702 the then King William, died after his horse stumbled on a molehill. He suffered a broken collar bone when he fell and died a few weeks later. The Jacobites then traditionally raised a toast to ‘the wee gentleman in the velvet jacket;’ who had brought about his downfall.

These days moles tend to be seen as a nuisance when they create molehills on pristine lawns, cricket pitches and bowling greens. But for many centuries moles, once called ‘mouldywarps’, were valued for their fur which has a short, velvety texture. Particularly in Victorian times it was used for garments and accessories. So they were trapped in large numbers. The Molecatcher of Wenvoe is recorded as having killed 3,000 moles in 1932 and 3,400 the year before. (Nigel Billingham research).

The mole has a cylindrical body and very powerful forelimbs with claws like shovels making them strong diggers capable of tunnelling 20 metres a day. The tunnels help to aerate the soil and mix up the soil levels which is beneficial to other animals and plants. Their main diet is worms which they consume in large numbers but they also paralyse some with their saliva and stash them alive in ‘larders’ for later consumption.

So whether you are a Jacobite, nature or literature lover, why not drink a toast to our velvet friend?

A Fierce Asian Carnivore

A Fierce Asian Carnivore

They are all over the media and all over Wenvoe! Think of a Channel Island and a fierce Asian carnivore. If you haven’t guessed it, it is the Jersey Tiger – a type of day-flying moth.

They have been seen recently on Walston Road, in Clos Lanfair, Twyn-yr-Odyn, Walston Close and Church Rise. We are being urged on TV and in many of the newspapers to look out for it as part of the annual butterfly count. It is reported that it has increased by 78% in the last year – reversing the trend of most other species which are in decline. In Victorian times it was considered a rarity but in the last 10 years has been spreading from the South and throughout Britain. Originally mainly known from the Channel Islands – hence its name. The prominent stripes are reminiscent of a tiger.

If you see one with the wings open it reveals a bright red or yellow underwing. Most moths are nocturnal, but this one is diurnal as it is out and about during the day – another reason why it is seen more often.

Trees, All Is Not Well

Trees, All Is Not Well

 

Walk past the top of Walston Close and you will see, next to the pavement, this magnificent tree – a candidate for Wenvoe’s Favourite Tree – although you may well have your own nominations! It is Eucriphia Nymanensis and it is covered head to foot in blossom with an attendant army of bees taking in the pollen and nectar. We are fortunate in the village to have a range of interesting and mature trees. Those of us struggling in the hot spell will have appreciated our mature trees, not least in and around the Village Green. Trees, as we know, keep us cooler, absorb carbon and help our sense of well-being.

However, all is not well with the regular cutting down of trees which are seldom replaced. Examples of losses in the last couple of years include a Walnut in Station Road, Tulip Tree outside the Community Centre, Weeping Silver Lime in Gwenfo Drive, Loquat near the library and Balm of Gilead Poplar in the churchyard. There may be reasons for their removal but what reasons can there be for not planting a replacement?

Things look a bit brighter in Grange Park where the Vale Council have planted several trees to replace losses and on the Village Green and small patch of land outside the Church Hall there have been individual plantings and trees donated by residents. The Wildlife Group have planted around 150 fruit trees in the orchards and on the perimeter of the Upper Orchid Field around 30 native trees have been placed over the last 15 years.

How do you feel about our trees and is it now time, as some are suggesting, for residents, councils and businesses to take concerted action to reverse the trend? As Persian singer/songwriter Sina Shahbazi sings in his song, Protect The Trees

From the roots to the sky

Their spirit will rise

A beacon of hope

When nature cries

Let’s honour the trust

For the ones yet to be

A legacy green

As far as we see

Protect the trees

Protect our home

Together we stand

We’re not alone

Wenvoe’s Favourite Tree

Wenvoe’s Favourite Tree

Regular sightings of one or more Polecats on the wildlife cameras near the village has now confirmed that we have an established population of this rare and elusive mammal. It was once heavily persecuted and was on the verge of extinction. They were declared as vermin during Elizabeth I’s reign and the word was used to describe a vagabond.

By 1915 it was just hanging on in mid Wales and some border counties. However, it is now protected by law and making a comeback but there were only 896 confirmed sightings for the whole of the UK during 2024. Interestingly, there are no records in the last 5 years for Cardiff and Wenvoe – until now!! Most will be familiar with ferrets, but these are the domesticated version of the Polecat.

Polecats have a long history in mythology and folklore. Associated with the God Dionysus of wine, fertility and revelry fame but also the Norse Goddess Freya representing love, fertility and beauty and often depicted alongside her. They were valued by farmers and villagers for their pest control abilities, keeping down populations of rats and mice but also for their fur which was particularly warm and durable. Great to know that not only do we have a species coming back from the brink, but they can be really useful to us in helping to control our rodent population.

Hedgerows Are Invaluable

Hedgerows Are Invaluable

You can stand anywhere in the village with a view of the countryside, and you will see hedgerows. Along Port Road, Old Port Road and around the school as well. You could be forgiven for thinking they are common and unthreatened. Yet since 1950 the UK has lost 118,000 miles of hedgerow. This is what the Woodland Trust says:

Hedgerows are invaluable. Who doesn’t love seeing a hedgerow, brimming with blossom and alive with pollinators? Thousands of species depend on hedgerows for food, shelter and moving through the countryside. Hedgerows are also extremely beneficial for the land, reducing soil erosion and flooding, storing carbon, extending growing seasons, providing shade, sustaining pollinators and providing natural pest control. Over 500 plant species, 60 species of nesting birds, hundreds of invertebrates and almost all our native small mammal species depend on hedgerows. Many are ancient landmarks, some of the oldest and steadiest semi-natural features in our landscape.

The Wildlife Group, with the help of the Woodland Trust, WWG members and groups such as the Scouts, have planted new hedgerows which you can see on the Community Orchard, around the Goldsland Orchard, the Bee Loud Glade and Cae Ysbyty. These are increasingly full of fruit and berries such as Rowan, Damson, Guelder Rose (see photo), Hawthorn and Wayfaring Tree. But we need more if wildlife is to flourish so if you have sufficient land, a large garden, farm, smallholding or even allotment areas, consider planting a hedge. They cost little and in the right circumstances you can get free trees from the Woodland Trust.

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