Ö÷²¥´óÐã

There are over 250 species of fish in Wales so it can be tricky working out whose who unless you're an expert or keen fisherman.

Help is now at hand in the form of a new book entitled 'Marine Fishes of Wales' published by Marine Wildlife.

The book has been a joint venture between the MCS, CCW and Welsh Federation of Fishermen's Associations.

The has been set up to coincide with the book's launch so that anyone can log the details of fish they've caught or seen, as well as anything out of the ordinary.

The information will help CCW and others build up a more accurate picture of the fish in Wales.

A colourful red gurnard. Image courtesy of CCW:
Mandy McMath, CCW marine specialist said: "Some species, if recorded routinely, could reveal important information on climate change and seasonal migrations.

"We are also keen to hear from people who see unusual and endangered species, species where information gaps exist such as information on migratory species at sea; and species encountered by commercial fishermen and anglers."

Paul Kay of Marine Wildlife is also interested in hearing from people who know of local place names that refer to fish or Welsh colloquial names for fish species.

"For example, Porth Ysgaden in Pen Llyn, Gwynedd, translates as Herring Port. Although no herring are found here now, they must have been an important resource in the area in the past."

If you've any information to share, get in touch with Paul via the .

Gull
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The weather is much drier today with some sunshine for a change but it goes without saying that we've had an awful lot of rain this month.

Ray Garner who runs a rainfall station in Llanfynydd, Carmarthenshire has recorded 328mm, over a foot of rain, making it the wettest November since he began taking measurements in 1996.

Ray's November average is 78mm.

His previous wettest November was in 2002 with 297mm. The wettest day occurred on 21st November 2009with 31.4mm and five days measured in excess of 25mm.

Across Wales the wettest November was in 1929 with 336.9mm. I don't think we will beat this but November 2009 will probably end up in the top 5 wettest Novembers exceeding the total rainfall in November 1954.

The Top 5 wettest Novembers (so far) are:
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336.9mm 1929
283.1mm 1940
282.3mm 2000
282.1mm 1960
278.8mm 1954

Today's dry weather will continue tonight but with clear skies and light winds we are in for the coldest night of the Autumn so far.

Lowest temperatures 0 to -4 Celsius with a widespread frost, so if you have any tender plants in the garden cover them up or better still bring them indoors.
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After a dry start tomorrow rain will move in later morning and during the afternoon. A little snow is likely too on the higher hills and mountains and it will feel cold and raw with a freshening wind.

So if you're off to the Winter Fair at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd make sure you wrap up warmly.
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Mind you, the cold snap will be short lived and it's back to square one for Wednesday and Thursday.
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A bit milder but wetter again with showers or longer spells of rain and before you ask, it's still too early to say whether if will be a white Christmas this year!
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Derek

It's been very mild this month with plenty of rain, flooding and strong winds and a lack of frost but more recently temperatures have taken a dip and the winter woollies will come in handy over the weekend. It might also be an idea to bring the geraniums and other tender plants indoors!

We are in for a cold snap over the next few days with a real mixture of weather. Some sunshine, rain, a few showers and a dusting of snow on some hills, the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia mountains.

Read the rest of this entry

We've had some lovely rainbows over Cardiff lately. I keep seeing them out of the window opposite Ö÷²¥´óÐã Wales HQ here in Llandaff.

This one appeared at around 10.30am and was joined by another one.

Our guru - Geoff Rogers snapped this one:



Someone mentioned that there was a special name for this occurrence so I turned to good old which said:

"Secondary rainbows are caused by a double reflection of sunlight inside the raindrops, and appear at an angle of 50°-53°.

As a result of the second reflection, the colours of a secondary rainbow are inverted compared to the primary bow, with blue on the outside and red on the inside.

The dark area of unlit sky lying between the primary and secondary bows is called , after who first described it."

So there we have it - Alexander's band in action and all before my second cup of tea...

Gull

The rivers are swollen throughout Wales thanks to all this rain.

I've had these photos in from reader Colin Roberts who says, "This is the river Dee in Llangollen which passes the bottom of our garden:"

Derek

This article just in from the about farmers in Wales doing their bit for the environment:

"Even in the farthest flung corners of deepest rural Wales, thoughts are turning towards how we can all play our part in what must follow from Copenhagen's Climate Conference in December.

More than 20 farmers are taking part in a pioneering project that will calculate the carbon footprint of their farm activities, leading to advice on how cuts in carbon emissions can be made.

The scheme is part of the Cambrian Mountains Initiative, a project which works with local farmers to promote sustainable rural development through the highest standards of environmental management.

Steven Bradley, the Countryside Council for Wales' Cambrian Mountains Project Officer will be visiting the farms in November.

He said: "This carbon footprinting work extends the scope of existing farm carbon footprint tools to include carbon fluxes in agricultural soils and natural vegetation on farms, as well as considering the carbon footprint of bought-in feeds and fertilizers.

A fuller picture of the role farms and land management play in reducing emissions will emerge."

The footprint analysis, being carried out by Bangor University, will provide hints and tips on how to reduce each farm's footprint.

Steven added: "We are delighted that the farming community has embraced this project. If there are considerable savings - in terms of emissions emitted as well as financial benefits - we hope the model can be applied in other areas."

Gwern Evans, the Cambrian Mountains Initiative Business Manager said: "The Cambrian Mountains is a region already associated with producing high quality food and we are looking to develop opportunities where we can strengthen the green and sustainable credentials of our region's produce.

We hope that the findings of this work will demonstrate that the region's products are not only tasty but also sustainable.

We will also use this research as a platform to explore new ways of reducing agricultural carbon footprints in the region."

The Cambrian Mountains Initiative is a collaborative project involving the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG), Countryside Council for Wales (CCW),The Prince of Wales and his Charities, Tourism Partnership Mid Wales, CADW, Forestry Commission, Environment Agency and the local authorities of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Powys.

The Initiative is a working collaboration between communities, projects and all levels of the public, private and voluntary sector."

I had a phone call this morning from Geraint Edwards. He runs a weather and climate station in Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog in Denbighshire and sends his data to the Met Office in Exeter.

So far this month Geraint has recorded 240mm of rain. The wettest November was in 2000 with 244mm so he is very close to beating this. And I think he will...

We have seen the worst of the rain for the time being but showers are expected over the next few days.

Yesterday temperatures in Trawscoed, Ceredigon reached 15 Celsius but temperatures today are lower, no higher than 11 Celsius, and its going to turn even colder over the next few days.

There might even be a touch of frost over the weekend!

Frosted leaves in ButeÌýParkÌýby Jim McLaren:

The air heading our way has its origins in the Arctic so that explains the drop in temperature but as the air crosses the relatively warmer seas around Britain it becomes unstable forming large towering clouds, heavy showers, hail, thunder and the odd waterspout.

If you're lucky you might even see a rainbow.

Let me know if you find the pot of gold!

Derek

If you have a spare minute over lunch today, have a read of the latest article on climate change that we've commissioned as part of the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Wales Green Season.

This one is written by Dr Tim Rich from the National Museum of Wales and looks at the possible impact of invasive plant species and pollen levels as temperatures rise in Wales.

We're all used to reading about heat waves, storms, wetter winters and floods but how many of you have ever thought about plants and pollen becoming a major issue?

You can find more articles about climate change and its effect on Welsh wildlife on Ö÷²¥´óÐã Wales Nature.

Gull

Ö÷²¥´óÐã Wales Green Season

Earlier this Autumn we enjoyed some fine and warm weather but its all a distant memory now with flooded fields and swollen rivers a feature of the countryside.

I bet most of you will be glad to see the back of November. In a recent blog I mentioned the poet T. S. Elliot who described November as being a 'sombre month'.

Recently, I received a letter from Martin Blackmore from Sketty in Swansea who sent me a copy of a poem by Ted Hughes called 'November'. In it Ted describes November as "the month of the drowned dog". I tend to agree! ;)

was caused by a combination of factors. A constant supply of warm and moist air from the Atlantic and very strong south-westerly winds.

As the air hits the high ground in the Lake District the air is forced to rise upwards creating more condensation, clouds and rain.

In meteorology, this process is called 'Orographic Enhancement' when rainfall in the mountains can be at least 10 times greater than on the coast.

In Wales, November is the third wettest month of the year with an average rainfall of 156.8mm.

So far this month we've exceeded that with 241.8mm of rain but some mountainous areas have had more than this!

At our weather station at Dyffryn Mymbyr near Capel Curig in Conwy, 496.6 mm of rain has fallen so far this month, way in excess of the November average of 285.6 mm for that location.

• The wettest day in Wales was at Lluest Wen Reservoir in the Rhondda Valley on November 11th 1929, with 211.1mm of rain in 24 hours.

• While the wettest November in Wales came in 1965 with over 311mm.

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• Late October and early November 2000 also saw severe flooding with over twice the normal rainfall.

The River Dee in North Wales burst its banks and landslides also occurred in early February 2004, around Llanwrst in the Conwy valley of North Wales.

Preceding this, there was prolonged heavy rainfall across Snowdonia, with over 300 mm of rain falling at Capel Curig in just 6 days.

As climate change takes hold, winters in Wales are expected to become milder and wetter with less snow and more storms.

Warmer air can hold more moisture so more intense downpours are likely too with an increased risk of flooding.

In the short term, an active cold front will cross Wales tonight bringing a short spell of heavy rain accompanied by very squally winds.

Wind gusts around 70mph are possible on exposed coasts in the South and West and the odd isolated tornado is possible too!

Wednesday will be brighter and colder with a mixture of sunny intervals and showers. Most of the showers in the south and west.

Some heavy with a risk of hail and again it will be windy. Temperatures lower than today 9 to 11 Celsius with a strong to gale force South Westerly wind.

Derek

Treat your feathered friends to a Xmas tree with a difference this year!

The RSPB at Conwy have come up with an ingenious idea...

Forget baubles and tinsel - they are SOoo last year. This season's must have accessory is a Xmas tree covered in bird accessories and feeders of all shapes and sizes.



If you'd like to see it, then pop along to the visitor centre at the, which is gearing up for its Christmas fair this weekend - 28 & 29 November.

There will be lots of stalls and prizes to be won and plenty for the kids to do -Ìý including: designing Xmas cards, making bird feeders and a special visit from Santa!

Admission to the fair is free.

Gull

There are currently two flood warnings in place for North East Wales: Bangor on Dee and the Lower Dee Valley from Llangollen to Chester.

There is more heavy rain to come in the next few hours with a Met Office severe weather warning in force For the following areas: Ceredigion, Conwy, Gwynedd, Powys

Rain will become heavier for a time today with up to 15mm of rain expected and as much as 30mm possible over the next few hours.

This flood photo came in to our from Christian Roberts. It showsÌýa recentÌýview looking down over Llanrwst:

The public are advised to take extra care and refer to the latest Environment Agency Floodline and in force and for further advice on road conditions.

The unsettled weather is set to continue this week with more rain and strong winds tomorrow and given the ground is already saturated there is a risk of further localised flooding.

Take care and avoid walking anywhere near swollen rivers.

Derek

I thought you might like to see someÌýphotos of the lovely Claire Summers and I in action from Friday night when we danced our socks of, allÌýin the name of Children in Need!

Sadly we were pipped at the post by 'team X-Ray' aka Rhodri and Lucy Owen but we all had a great time and there's always next year...

Photos by Oliver Johnson:

So far you've raised a staggering £20,309,747 butÌýthere is still time to donate if you haven't done so already!

Visit the website to find out how.

Derek

It's not that long ago that red kites were on the brink of extinction here in Britain.

Thanks to a successful breeding and protection programme here in Wales, we now have a very healthy population.

The red kite feeding station at Gigrin Farm is testament to that, and I was lucky enough to visit in person during Springwatch 2009 when I witnessed hundreds of birds circling in the skies for their 3pm feed.

A red kite I photographed back in May 2009 swooping in for some meat:


Incredibly some of these birds had flown in from as far afield as Scotland and the South of England for their lunch.

According to the - there are now around 800 breeding pairs here in Wales and over 1,600 across the UK.

In Europe however the picture isn't so bright...

Numbers on the bird's main wintering grounds have halved since 1994 and there have been big falls in the number of breeding pairs in its heartlands of Spain, France and Germany.
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So alarming is the drop in numbers that the EU has now adopted a Red Kite Action Plan, produced by the RSPB on behalf of and with the support of red kite experts across Europe.

Intensive farming in Eastern Europe is one cause, but the main problem is the widespread use of poison and birds feeding on dead animal carcasses which have been illegally poisoned to control foxes and wolves.

In some countries, vole plagues are legally controlled by farmers using large quantities of 'rodenticides' spread out in the open across fields.

Red kites are excellent scavengers and are particularly vulnerable to poisoned baits.

In other places birds of prey are are still being deliberately targeted.

The steep decline in breeding pairs - 40 per cent in Spain and 30 per cent in France and Germany - contrasts sharply with their success in most parts of the UK.

Information courtesy of the

Gull

We're enjoying a welcome break from the bad weather today with some sunshine for a Children in Need but its only a brief respite because there is more wet and windy weather on the way!

Some rivers remain swollen with several flood warnings and flood watches in force.
Showers will clear this afternoon to leave a fine evening with a few mist and fog patches forming.

Most places will be dry overnight but a little rain will reach South Wales by the end of the night. The wind slowly picking up after midnight with lowest temperatures around 4 Celsius in Denbigh.

The satellite image shows an area of low pressure to the left hand side which will bring heavy rain to Wales tomorrow:



Saturday - Rain in the South will spread across the rest of Wales during the morning. The rain becoming persistent and heavy with extensive hill fog.

20 to 40mm of rain are expected, about 1 to 2 inches with a risk of localised flooding and poor travelling conditions.

Top temperatures around 15 Celsius and windy. The South to South-Easterly wind will be strong to gale force with gusts of between 50 to 60 mph.

If you're heading to Cardiff for the rugby tomorrow at the Millennium Stadium allow extra time for your journey. There will be a lot of surface water and spray on the roads.

Saturday night - The rain will clear, followed by more showers.

Sunday - Will be windy and feel a lot cooler. There may be a few bright intervals but also plenty of showers and longer spells of rain - some heavy. Top temperatures 9 to 11 Celsius with a strong to gale force South Westerly wind.

I'm afraid the unsettled weather is expected to continue into next week.

Derek

"But you'd better not kill the groove..."

You may have heard on the grapevine via Radio Wales or from watching Wales Today that I'm doing a spot of Strictly Come Dancing with Claire Summers for Children in Need this year.

We're going head to head against, Jamie Owen and Louise Elliott, Lucy and Rhodri Owen as part of Strictly for Pudsey.

Heaven help us! We've only had a handful of lessons and its been a bit hectic trying to rehearse in between news and weather bulletins.

At one stage I was in such a rush I nearly forgot to take my pink leg warmers off before I went on air. What a sight that would have been!

We've all been given 3 dances to learn - jive, waltz and salsa.

I've found the jive the hardest. It is so fast and furious, it's easy to forget what comes next and I am often having to take my lead from Claire.

The waltz is my favourite because it gives me time to catch my breath before the salsa!

Dancing is a great way to get fit though as you use so many muscle groups. I do have a few aches and pains, my right knee is clicking and I've started walking like John Wayne...but overall I am feeling the benefits.

Lucious Lucy and Rumba Rhodri think they are favourites to win but they do have an advantage over us - they're married! So they can practise at home in the kitchen.

As for Lordy Owen and the Lovely Louise, they are confident as well. Louise has even bought her own dance shoes but despite this, I'm quietly optimistic that Claire and I can two step them to victory.

At the end of the day, though, it doesn't matter who wins on the night. It's the taking part that matters as well as having fun for Children in Need and making people smile.

Of course, beating Jamie would be the icing on the cake.

Watch us live on Friday, 20 November around 9pm on Ö÷²¥´óÐã One Wales.

For those with a strong stomach, .

Vote Derek

The weather has been making the news recently with heavy rain, flooding and gale force winds causing problems.

And we're not out of the woods yet. Most of Wales has been dry today, but there is more heavy rain to come tonight into tomorrow.

In fact the Met Office has a weather warning in force for heavy rain currently for North West Wales, Anglesey, Gwynedd and Conwy.

Rainfall totals of 30 to 40mm are expected, and up to 75mm over high ground. The rain accompanied by strong to severe gale force winds.

The warning for heavy rain is likely to be extended this evening to include other areas of Wales.

In the last 48 hours over 120 mm of rain has fallen near Capel Curig in Snowdonia, almost 5 inches of rain, so there is a risk of more flooding.

Some rivers are already very swollen with flood warnings and watches in force.

You can .

So tonight rain will spread across the the whole country. Some of the rain heavy with strong to severe gale force winds.

Northwest and West Wales bearing the brunt of the gales. Forecast wind gusts typically 60 to 70 mph but as high as 90 mph on the high ground in Snowdonia.

Now for some good news!

Rain first thing on Friday will soon clear and then we can look forward to a much drier and brighter day. A few scattered showers and some sunshine.

The wind lighter as well and feeling fresher. Top temperatures slightly lower than today around 12 or 13 Celsius.

Friday evening and most of the night will be dry but it won't last.

The chart for Saturday shows a deep depression in the Atlantic and that means big waves for surfers but another dose of wet and windy weather.

More heavy rain and strong to gale force winds and a risk of further flooding given the ground is saturated.

Sunday should be a bit better. A few sunny intervals but remaining windy with showers or longer spells of rain.

So there is more bad weather on the way but at least we can look forward to a much drier, brighter day tomorrow. Ideal for all the fundraising events taking place across Wales for Children in Need.

Derek

I think we have seen the worst of the rain for the time being but there is a more heavy rain on the way. Strong to severe gale force winds as well.

North West Wales catching most of the rain in the next 24 hours. Rainfall totals of 30 to 60mm are expected.

That's around 2 inches with 70 to 100mm in places, 3 to 4 inches, especially on higher ground so there is a risk of further flooding in places.

Tonight will be drier apart from a few spots of drizzle with some rain spreading into the North West around midnight.

A mild night but windy. If anything the wind will strengthen with gales on many coasts and on high ground.

Tomorrow most of the rain will be North West Wales. Heaviest on the Snowdonia mountains. Elsewhere the rain lighter with some drizzle.

However parts of Powys, South and North East Wales will be largely dry with a glimpse or two of sunshine.

Top temperatures 13 to 15 Celsius but feeling cooler in the strong to gale force South Westerly winds.

The North West and West of Wales bearing the brunt of the gales. Forecast wind gusts 60 to 70mph.

Tomorrow night rain in the West and North West will spread across the rest of Wales. Some of it heavy with gales.

The rain will clear early on Friday leaving a drier and brighter day for Children in Need with some sunshine. The wind lighter as well.

However, more heavy rain and gales are expected over the weekend.

The flood line number 0845 988 1188.

Or .

On a lighter note, Aberhafesp Primary School are celebrating their 100th birthday with a special concert.

Congratulations to them and the weather should be dry on Friday evening with lighter winds!

Derek

Some of you may have spotted the TV adverts currently going out on Ö÷²¥´óÐã One Wales to promote our new Green Season this month, which will be looking at how Wales is dealing with global warming and environmental issues.

There are a number of programmes both on Radio Wales and TV as well as a new dedicated Green Season website which will link off to a lot of the season's content.

If you're interested in how global warming is already affecting our wildlife here in Wales then you may like to check out our mini site on the nature portal.

I've also put together a gallery featuring some of the more unusual species which may have arrived here as a direct result of climate change.

We're certainly seeing a lot more migrant species these days and fin whales were particularly abundant off the coast this summer (10-20 spotted on 13 August) and who can forget that which made the headlines in July 2009!

Richard Crossen at the recently informed me that 1500 common dolphins were actually spotted on 28 June from their survey boat and we've also had risso dolphins arriving to give birth - is this connected to our rising sea temperatures?

Then we had the rare glossy ibis appearing in Camarthenshire - a sight not seen since 1910!

The weather and U.S hurricane season was the likely cause of this but it is all ultimately linked to climate change, hence our wet and wild summer this year. I've never eaten so many damp sausages!

The harlequin ladybird has been another species to hit the headlines this year. This little critter is spreading like 'wild fire' and it's only a matter of time before they arrive 'en masse' to Wales.

We've had a few sightings in Mid and North Wales but most are in the South East of England. Hopefully the Severn bridge tolls will put them off...

Who knows what effect they will have on our native ladybird species but they're competing for the same food. Are there enough aphids to go around?

It will also be interesting to see how early the first frog spawn arrives in 2010 and when the first daffodils spring up. December/ January seems to be the norm these days...

In the meantime I'm finding the Ö÷²¥´óÐã's Bloom blog on climate change very entertaining.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this and find out what is going on around Wales.

Have you encountered any signs of global warming, directly?

Do your frogs now spawn ridiculously early? I can see a time when frogs will cease to hibernate at all...

Have you noticed any unusual species visiting your area or noticed any invasive species in your garden? They come in all shapes and sizes.

Gull

While Scotland football fans were feeling disappointed after losing to Wales on Saturday, I was up in bonnie Scotland enjoying a weekend break in Edinburgh.

Fortunately, I managed to miss the worst of the stormy weather, but despite a little wee sunshine there was a definite chill in the air, so it was a good job I wasn't wearing a kilt!

We often complain about the weather in Wales, and sometimes rightly so, but it's definitely colder North of the border and compared to the Welsh capital - Edinburgh is on average colder and drier than Cardiff.

Most of the rain falls on the Welsh mountains and the Scottish Highlands leaving the Eastern side of England and Scotland much drier.

But when the wind is from the east, Edinburgh can be troubled by sea fog, known locally as 'haar'.

This is formed when moist, warm air crosses the cold waters of the North Sea and the resulting low cloud, mist and sea fog is carried up the Firth of Forth by the wind.

It usually occurs between April and September and can make summer days cool, grey and damp.

Mind you, sometimes you only have to travel a few miles down the road to escape the 'haar' and be in glorious sunshine.

If you're ever out walking in Scotland, watch out for "Scotch mist" which is common in the hills and mountains.

It's a combination of thick mist (or fog) and heavy drizzle and is associated with a moist tropical maritime airstream.

Because of the tiny water droplets it can soak you in a matter of minutes.

So, if you're thinking of heading to Scotland for a walking holiday, go prepared: pack a jumper and the waterproofs just in case.

Oh and don't forget the midges!

Derek

The challenge is to:

Write a 1000 word article on a subject of topical environmental or wildlife interest in Wales which inspires you.

The winner will receive a prize of £500 donated by and the first four runners up will receive a subscription to magazine.

Closing date is 31 March 2010.

Find out more about this competition on the

Gull

Its Friday 13th and we're going to be very unlucky with the weather this year.

It looks like we'll need to batten down the hatches over the next 36 hours...

into Southern Britain and it's heading our way. It's all tied to a deepening area of low pressure.

The storm is expected to move North Eastwards across Ireland and Scotland later tonight and tomorrow, bringing plenty of heavy rain and strong to severe, gale force winds.

for the stormy weather:

Expected rainfall totals, typically 20-30 mm, over 40 mm in South Wales with 50-75 mm (2 to 3 inches) in parts of the Brecon Beacons.

On top of saturated ground there is potential for localised flooding.

for details of flood watches and flood warnings.

Hopefully you won't need it, but the flood line number just in case is 0845 988 1188.

If you're travelling to Cardiff for the match this evening then drive carefully.

The roof of the stadium will be closed but allow extra time for your journey because there will be lots of surface water and spray on the roads.

Today: It will be turning wet across Wales this afternoon and into this evening. The wind will be picking up, becoming fresh to strong with gales developing on exposed Southern and Western coasts with 60 mph gusts.

Saturday:The rain will turn more showery after midnight followed by a very blustery day tomorrow with rain and squally showers.

The wind will be a big feature with strong to severe gale force winds. Gusts will typically be 50 to 70 mph with 80 mph possible on exposed coasts e.g. Mumbles Head and certainly strong enough to bring down the odd tree.

However, it will turn drier and less windy later in the afternoon with more in the way of sunshine.
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Sunday: Will be less windy but still breezy with fresh to strong South Westerly winds bringing us a mixture of sunshine and scattered heavy showers.
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Monday: More wet and windy weather followed by blustery showers.

Have a good weekend and stay safe.
Ìý
Derek

No, it's not your local boozer or perhaps it is... but in this instance it's an unusual birdÌýsighting!

Black Swans are native toÌýAustralia and are the state bird of Western Australia so one to remember for your Black Swan pub quiz.

I wonder if I could hypnotise you....if I write the wordsÌý'Black Swan' enough in this blog?

Image courtesy of Ralph Hillard:

Black SwansÌýwere firstÌýintroduced to Britain accidentallyÌýafter ornamental birds escaped and you can now find them sharingÌýthe same types ofÌýhabitatÌýas our ownÌýnative swans.

In Wales they aren't a common site though,Ìýso we were delighted when Ralph Hillard sent in these shots from Anglesey, takenÌýonÌý4 November:

This particular swan was spotted at Cemaes Bay in Anglesey and was happily feeding, swimming, walking and taking short flights with it's white wing tips clearly visible.

Has it escaped from somewhere locally? OrÌýdid this individual fly in from further afield...

Thanks to Mike Thompson for passing on the information and photos.

Gull

The forecast is looking pretty dire with wet and windy weather at times. There will be heavy rain and a risk of flooding with strong to severe winds.

Today's heavy rain will clear early this evening leaving a drier night with a few scattered showers with the wind easing. Lowest temperatures will be around 4C inland and 7C on the coast. Ìý

Friday should start fairly quiet with a few scattered showers in the North and some sunshine.

Further South, most places will be dry with some brightness but cloud will increase. The odd shower and at this stage the wind light. But the dry weather won't last.

Rain will reach South Wales by late morning and spread across the rest of the country during the afternoon.

The rain will become very heavy and persistent with a risk of localised flooding.

The wind will also be picking-up becoming strong from mid afternoon onwards with gales likely on exposed coasts and hillsides.

Wind gusts could potentially reach as high as 60 or 70mph, so if you're heading to Cardiff for the rugby tomorrow evening - allow extra time for your journey!

There will be a lot of surface water and spray on the roads so take care on the M4.

Friday night there's more rain to come, eventually clearing to showers but it will remain windy.

Saturday will bring a mixture of sunny intervals and blustery showers and very windy with strong to severe gale force winds.

Sunday should be less windy with some sunshine and a few showers.

Monday will bring another dose of wet and windy weather.

So, in summary - there is a real risk of flooding over the next few days.

The Floodline number is 0845 988 1188 or keep an eye on the for the latest updates.

Take care

Derek Ìý

A long way, away from Wales lie the - a group of rocky islands located 47 km's off the coast of San Francisco and home to a vast array of wildlife including sea birds, invertebrates, mammals, fish, sharks and even an endemic salamander!

The islands are well known for their colony of Great White Sharks and ever since Jaws, these amazing predators have been in and out of the news on a daily basis, so I thought I'd feature one of the key research centres for them.

I read a great book about the shark research, the wildlife and the dare devil scientists that inhabit this bleak rock, entitled 'The Devil's Teeth' by Susan Casey.

It's well worth a read from your local library if you're interested in sharks.

but if you want to watch the live web cam, then I'm afraid you'll have to tune in later as it operates on U.S. time.

Could we ever see Great White Sharks off the coast of Wales? Possibly...We have the resident seal populations, and our sea temperatures are definitely suitable for them.

The Porbeagle shark, a close relative, already resides in UK waters all year round.

When you consider how far sharks can swim - thousands of miles, and that there are Great White Sharks in the Mediterranean, then anything is possible.

If you've come across an unusual nature webcam then let me know and I might feature it next time.

Gull

Great White Shark videos on Ö÷²¥´óÐã Wildlife Finder

The clocks changed a few weeks ago but at least we've gained a little extra light in the mornings.

I've been out and about surfing around 6.15am on days when it's been worth going and the extra light has proved to be a real blessing.

It's an incredible feeling - paddling out into a dark ocean and watching the sun rise as the water all around you gradually turns to pink and orange - mirroring the skies above.

Here's some video from a camera I mounted onto my surfboard recently:

A friend who went surfing the other morning arrived to find poor surf but said it was worth going, just to see the sunrise, which sums it up nicely.

must to be the most hard working of all the UK bird species - always up first and normally the last to bed with their distinctive, panicky calls, echoing eerily along the shoreline.

It won't last for long though, as winter is drawing in quickly. We've definitely been feeling it in South Wales this week with bitterly cold temperatures on Monday and Tuesday.

For those of you who enjoy an early start, you'll have witnessed some amazing sunrises recently.

This one comes from Shane Phoenix in Llay, North Wales who wrote: "I've never sent a photograph in before but this morning's sunrise over Llay, my home village was spectacular."

If you've got some nice photos you'd like to share, please e-mail them to me here at wales.nature@bbc.co.uk

Not so long ago we were showcasing sensational sunset photos.

Thanks

Gull

Few people find November pleasant...

The Anglo-Saxons called November 'wind monath', because it was the time when the cold winds began to blow.

The poet T.S. Elliot went one further: "Since golden October declined into sombre November. And the apples were gathered and stored, and the land became brown sharp points of death in a waste of water and mud".

At this time of year we can expect any kind of weather. If the wind is from the south it can feel almost like summer.

On this day in 1989 the temperature at Abergwyngregyn in Gwynedd soared to 18.3 Celsius but if the wind is from the North or East, then we can have a taste of winter.

On 9 November, 1921 the temperature in Welshpool, Powys plunged to minus 11.7 Celsius!

There's no sign of a heat wave or a big freeze on the horizon but it is going to turn milder and wetter on Thursday and Friday.

In fact on Friday a deep depression looks set to bring us a spell of heavy rain and strong to gale force winds.

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How much rain and how strong the winds will be depends on the exact track of the low pressure.

Keep an eye on the forecast and my blog over the next few days.

Derek

The Autumnwatch team visited Pembrokeshire this week, to film a few sequences for this years programme.

Chris Packham and Kate Humble were down at hoping to film choughs, various wading birds and try their luck at some rock pooling.

It's a lovely spot and I spent a lot of time here as a child, swimming on the far right hand side of the bay and jumping off the old wooden jetty.

It was also the place where I saw my first canadian goose. I can always remember being amazed to find a pair nesting on small island - a short walk around the headland, to the South of the bay.

They looked completely out of place to my young eyes which were accustomed to seeing seagulls or cormorants, not exotic looking geese?!

Nowadays they're a common sight on lakes and ponds but in the late 70's, it felt like I'd discovered the Loch Ness monster on my home turf!

Pembrokeshire is particularly good for rock pooling during the summer months due to the crystal clear water and warm gulf stream currents which allow a variety of unusual creatures to live there.

Let's hope the rain held off long enough for them to spot the odd rock goby or crab. The sea anemones never disapoint though.

West Angle is particularly well known for it's fossils too and both sides of the bay are littered with them, in the cliffs and shale below.

We've got some great spotter guides for kids to take with them to the beach if this weather ever clears up, so take a look.

Let me know if you spotted the Autumnwatch team or took any photos of themÌýduring their brief visit.

Gull

If you've got any plans for the weekend, maybe a walk on the coast or in the mountains, the waterproofs will come in handy. Showers or longer spells of rain are in the forecast but I can promise a little sunshine as well, especially on Sunday.

Read the rest of this entry

If you're planning a bonfire party or firework display this evening thenÌýwrap-up warmly and take an umbrella if you're heading out.

It's not going to the best of weather for being outdoors although some parts of Wales will fair better than others.

Low pressure is moving south across Britain today producing some rain, showers and gusty winds.

It looks like Mid and North Wales will see the worst of the rain.

In fact the Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for heavy rain for the following counties until 9pm this evening:

Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Anglesey, Powys, Wrexham

Heavy and prolonged showers this afternoon and at first this evening are likely to give rainfall totals in excess of 15 mm with a 3 hour period in some places.

Overall totals in excess of 30 mm of rainÌýare expected in some parts, more especially over high ground.

So it's going to be a bit soggy in places this evening but parts of south Wales may get away largely dry.

There's a big 'Firework Fiesta' on Barry Island which is scheduled to start at 7.45pm.

Its going to be chilly so don't forget your scarf and gloves. I wouldn't rule out a shower but most of the time it should be dry.

Further North, there are Fireworks on the Beach at Y Felinheli near Bangor from 7pm plus a BBQ as well. It's going to be breezy here with a greater chance of showers.

Have fun and be careful with those sparklers!

Derek

Ö÷²¥´óÐã History - The gun powder plot

I'm looking up and I can see blue skies and a yellow orb...could it be the sun?!

At this rate we might even be in for a dry, clear evening but I'm sure Derek will have something to say about that!



As far as the animals are concerned - bonfire night is not on their social calendar. For alot of people it's an issue too, especially those .

Pet owners are advised to keep cats and dogs inside tonight and if you're planning on lighting a big bonfire, remember to make sure it's not near any trees or fences which might catch alight if the wind changes direction.

Also, do a quick check before lighting it, just to make sure there aren't any hibernating animals like hedgehogs underneath - as they love to snuggle up under piles of old wood on cold winter nights.

if you're unsure of what do with your pets tonight.

Last year I went to a display at the Penarth athletics ground and was 'blown away' by the impressive display (excuse the pun).

It seemed to go forever...I kept walking away thinking it was over and then having to go back as they kept launching mortars!

When I was a kid I was happy with a 'catherine wheel' a couple of rockets "ooooh, aaahhh" and a sparkler to write my name with.

These days it seems to be the the norm to have a 30-40 minute pyrotechnic display costing the earth - Don't won't, I won't go into the environmental impact...

This year I'll be in the Porthcawl/ Bridgend area, so if anyone knows of any good displays - drop me a note in the comments area below.

Some

Firework photos from Mid Wales

Be safe and have a great night!

Gull

Katie-jo Luxton has been appointed Director for Wales at RSPB Cymru - the first female country Director in over 20 years to be appointed at such a senior level in the RSPB.

She said: "I'm delighted to have been appointed Director and to be leading RSPB Cymru at such an exciting and important time for nature conservation".



"The next few years are really make or break time to save some of our characteristic wildlife in Wales".

"We are campaigning for more investment in protecting and enhancing wildlife and its habitats".

"Getting more land managed for nature can have many benefits, such as improving people's quality of life, and providing opportunities to enjoy wildlife close up, as well protecting our natural assets such as water and soils that are so important in the context of climate change".

Katie-jo has been with RSPB Cymru for more than 10 years and her previous roles have included developing conservation policy, public affairs and advocating on a variety of environmental issues to decision makers in Wales and the UK.
Ìý
She plays a vocal part of the environmental lobby at the Senedd, both within her role at the RSPB and within the Wales Environment Link network - of which she has been a trustee for many years.
Ìý

We've had plenty of rain recently which is not unusual at this time of year. In fact November is the third wettest month of the year in Wales with an average of 156.8mm.

But on 3 Nov 1931 it was very wet in Trecastle in the Brecon Beacons. Over 180mm (7 inches) of rain fell in 24 hours with flooding.

The highest 24-hour rainfall total recorded in Wales is 211 mm (over 8 inches) at Lluest Wen Reservoir (Glamorgan) on 11th November 1929.

Sgwd yr Eira by Gary Victor, featured on last night's Wales Today weather bulletin:


Now don't worry - we're not expecting that much rain but heavy showers are expected in some areas.

The reason for this latest batch of showers is low pressure near Scotland.

The air over us has come from Greenland and as it moves over the warmer seas it becomes very unstable which means large towering clouds, heavy downpours, a risk of hail and thunder and even the odd waterspout!

Don't forget to keep sending in those weather photos.

Derek

Here's a walk I did at Pontneddfechan waterfall in 2008

They may look like something out of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory but these stunning and rare waxcap fungi are a fairly regular sight at the .

Image courtesy of the National Botanic Garden of Wales:

On Saturday 7 November, staff have organised a guided walk through the Waun Las National Nature Reserve, where the waxcaps flourish.

This time of year, you'll find colourful waxcap fungi and colourful foliage across a network of small copses.

The National Botanic Garden's 440-acre organic working farm was designated a National Nature Reserve by the Countryside Council of Wales in 2008.

The walk starts at 2pm and is being led by Bruce Langridge.

If the rain continues, it may be muddy in places...

• Tel: 01558 668768

• Email: info@gardenofwales.org.uk

Brush up on your fungi facts before you go:

Fungi video and article on Ö÷²¥´óÐã Wales Nature

It's been a long time coming but it looks as if fieldfare are finally starting to arrive in Wales as winter kicks in.

The recent spate of cold weather and N winds has probably helped with their migration from Scandanavia.

Large numbers of these birds do however remain in Scandanavia for winter and migration to the UK is generally over by December.

Any birds arriving later will generally only appear if there's been particularly bad weather or a lack of food back in their home countries.

from our Flickr group reports large flocks arriving in the Elan Valleyin Mid Wales so keep your binoculars handy:

Hawthorn hedges are a favourite haunt for these berry loving birds but approach with caution as new arrivals can be a bit jumpy!

We've had a bumper crop of berries in Wales this year so I'm sure we'll be seeing plenty of migratory birds once word gets around...

I'd love to see more photos of fieldfares and redwings in Wales so or email them to me at wales.nature@bbc.co.uk

A lot of people hate winter but I love it - the weather is wild and there are generally less people about! The nature is still there though, you've just got to look a bit harder...

Gull

A change in the month has certainly brought a change in the weather, with heavy rain and gales sweeping across Wales yesterday.

25 to 50 mm of rain fell in a number of places with flooding in parts of South and West Wales. Mumbles near Swansea was one of the windiest spots with a gust of wind of 76 mph recorded.

Here are some photos from Sunday's flooding that Mike Davies from Neath sent in.

Flooding at Cadoxton road in Neath on Sunday:


A manhole cover overflowing in Aberdulais:


It's also turned noticeably cooler. This time last week, it was warm enough to be in a t-shirt with temperatures hitting 17 Celsius but today there's a distinct chill in the air with 10 Celsius being nearer the mark.

Over the next few days, its going to stay very much on the cool side with further showers or longer spells of rain at times.

So it was nice while it lasted but I'm afraid our taste of an Indian Summer has been blown away and it's now time to dig out the warm clothes and umbrella.

Email me with your extreme weather photos and I'll feature the best ones either here in the blog or on telly during my weather bulletins.

Derek

It's not everyday you get to see a pumpkin carved out to look like Lionel Ritchie now, is it?

I know Hallowe'en has come and gone for another year but this was too good not to feature and perhaps it's something we can do more of next year?

Famous faces in a pumpkin format!

These were e-mailed to Ö÷²¥´óÐã Wales Nature from Jack Penketh, aged 18 from Cardiff.

In the music video it was clay...


Lionel comes to life in the illuminated version:


Gull