2021 County Report for Cardiganshire

Steve Chambers 2020 VC Report

Even as Atlas 2020 receded in the botanical rearview mirror, tetrad-scale recording continued apace for ‘project next’. Records have yet to be added to MapMate and the DDb, a task saved for January, but returns should be comparable numerically with those of recent years. Aberystwyth Botanical Society (ABS) cautiously resumed its outdoor meetings programme with visits to Coed Nant Llolwyn SSSI, Cwmtydu and Cors Fochno/Borth Bog. Other field events bolstered the acquisition of records, including a ‘bioblitz’ at Denmark Farm and the West Wales Biodiversity Information Centre recorders' day at Blaengors. Spearheaded by Tim Rayner, work began on strategizing options for updating the Rare Plant Register. One option under consideration is to make future editions web-based to enable the continuous refreshing of entries on a yearly basis.

The year was notable for the good number of 1st and 2nd Vice-County Records, the best of which are summarised below -

Lagurus ovatus (Hare’s-tail)

Found by Andy Jones on a pavement in Aberystwyth, new for Cards.

Polypogon viridis (Water-bent)

Found by Steve Chambers in Aberystwyth and Penparcau, and by Andy Jones and Karen Heppingstall in New Quay. New for Cards.

Photo: Polypogon viridis on Elm Tree Avenue in Aberystwyth, May 2021

Arctium lappa (syn. A.lappa ssp. lappa) (Greater Burdock)

Found by Helen Clow and Steve Chambers at Llanbadarn Fawr. Great Burdock is strangely rare in W. Wales and had not been seen in Cards. since 1993. Photo: Arctium lappa, Llanbadarn Fawr, July 2021 (with HFC and Brassica nigra)

Cotula coronopifolia (Buttonweed)

Found by Dave Anning and Tom Kistruk in abundance in a field used by overwintering Geese at RSPB Ynys-hir. New to Cards.

Photo: Cotula coronopifolia in a floodle at RSPB Ynys-hir, October 2021

Arenaria montana (Large-flowered Sandwort)

A plant of this native of S.W. Europe was found by Arthur Chater growing on a roadside bank in Llanbadarn Fawr. The 1st Welsh record.
Photo: Arenaria montana, Llanbadarn Fawr, May 2021