Just spent the week at the Ryhd-y-creuau field centre, Betws-y-coed, studying freshwater invertebrates.
Drift sampling, one of the many types of sampling we used.
Rhithrogena semicolorata, one of many species of mayfly nymphs we found in the local streams.
An unidentified case caddis fly nymph.
The centre pond was good for amphibians. We saw lots of Common Toads and Palmate Newts, and most spectacularly on the last day, at least 50 spawning Common Frogs.
Cors Bodgynydd, near Llanwrst, a good site for many sphagnum moss species, and in summer for Golden-ringed Dragonfly and Keeled Skimmer, as well as Nightjar. I saw Siskins and heard Crossbills at this site.
Yes they spawn early in the year. I suppose because ponds are in danger of drying out if they leave it too late and we have a hot summer.
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