In other parts of the world, June is the coldest or hottest time of the year. Here in Wales, on the Atlantic edge of Europe, June is a gentle blend of the luxuriance of spring and the warmth of summer. Wild flowers are in abundance, trout feed in the river alongside the cottages, rabbits hop around in the fields, butterflies flutter through the meadows and birds are busy rearing their young.
Meadow Brown Butterfly Maniola jurtina
The Brown butterflies of Wales all have false eyes on the upper and lower surface of their wings to confuse predatory birds or lizards about the position of the body. The Meadow Brown is Wales's commonest butterfly and may be seen on the wing in the meadows of Plas Farm on sunny days in June.Meadow Brown Butterfly Maniola jurtina
Welsh Poppy Meconopsis cambrica
Native to Wales, the Welsh Poppy is western Europe’s only species of poppy. It grows in abundance around the holiday cottages at Plas Farm, producing dazzling shows of yellow and orange in the summer months.Welsh Poppy Meconopsis cambrica
Brown Trout Salmo trutta
The native trout of Wales may be seen from outside your holiday cottage, jumping for insects that fly low over the mountain stream. The trout have returned to the clean river gravels in which they were born to spawn once more and complete the circle of life. Spawning tends to take place in September and October as water temperatures begin to fall for the winter. The female digs a shallow redd into which the eggs are deposited. The eggs take approximately 150 days to hatch, the longest time of any Welsh freshwater fish. The young fish spend at least a year in the natal stream before moving downstream to the sea. The growth of trout is very dependant upon the environment and the trout at Plas Farm rarely grow bigger than eight inches in length and weigh less than a pound. Staying small helps them to avoid predators like the dreaded heron which occasionally makes an appearance in the stream outside the holiday cottages.Brown Trout Salmo trutta
Welsh Mountain Lamb Ovis aries
There are more sheep per square kilometer in Wales than any other country in the world. Plas Farm is mainly grazed by the hardy Welsh Mountain breed - world famous for its succulent taste and texture. A study published in National Geographic (December 8) showed a sheep can remember the faces of fifty other sheep for over two years. We are not sure if they can remember our holiday makers though.Welsh Mountain Lamb Ovis aries
Juvenile Wren Troglodytes troglodytes
The wren is Wales's second smallest bird. I took this picture in the woods, next to the river bank. It was with its parents and siblings and was learning to fly which is why it looks so vulnerable.Juvenile Wren Troglodytes troglodytes
Rabbit Oryctolagus coniculus
So much part of the landscape at Plas Farm but rabbits have only been in Wales for less than 1000 years, having been introduced by the Normans. You will see many active burrows in the woods. June is a great month to see families of rabbits munching buttercup stalks in the countryside around your holiday cottages.Rabbit Oryctolagus coniculus
The Welsh Oak (aka Sessile Oak) Quercus petraea
Welsh Mountain sheep shelter from the June sunshine in the shade cast by a large, solitary Welsh Oak tree in the River Field outside the holiday cottages. Significant botanical differences with the English oak include the stalked leaves, and the stalkless (sessile) acorns.The Welsh Oak (aka Sessile Oak) Quercus petraea
Pied Wagtail Montacilla alba yarrellii
Birds don't sweat so they pant like dogs to cool themselves down. This pied wagtail was trying to cool off on the cowshed roof on a particularly hot June day. The roof nail gives some idea of scale. Pied wagtails have been known to nest in the wall of Ty Cerbyd holiday cottage.Pied Wagtail Montacilla alba yarrellii
Idwal's Paddock at Plas Farm
This is a June landscape at Plas Farm - the view across a marshy field from under the boughs of a Welsh Oak tree.Idwal's Paddock at Plas Farm
