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| a bright but breezy day at Ballachurry Reserve |
My plan was to visit the Reserve on Tuesday morning but then the night before I had to cancel because of other circumstances. But then those circumstances changed once more and after a few more hiccups I arrived at Ballachurry around 10.30 a.m. A bright and very breezy day with not many birds yet again but plenty of other things to hold my interest. Here is what I recorded:
Birds:
SC209694 ( hide) juvenile Moorhen; Water Rail heard (at the same time I glimpsed a large bird with a red bill climbing about in the depth of the vegetation at the back of the pond and taking what looked like blackberries but as far as I know Water Rails don't climb trees!**) Chiffchaff in Willow adjacent to hide seen at close quarters through shutter; 5 x Goldfinch flew into vegetation at back of pond; Robin heard not seen.
SC209694 ( elsewhere) Blue Tit; male Blackbird near path junction.
SC208694 7 x Goldfinch flying round together, alighting from time to time; Robin heard not seen; Jackdaw heard not seen; Chiffchaff singing "Chiffchaff" in the willows.
SC209695 Blackbird alarm call heard.
SC210694 Robin heard not seen.
** Subsequent research shows that Water Rails do indeed "climb trees" occasionally to eat berries! I feel privileged to have seen it happen!
Butterflies:
SC210694 Red Admiral
SC208694 Red Admiral
SC209695 Red Admiral
SC209694 Red Admiral
SC208694 Painted Lady
SC208694 Speckled Wood x 3
SC209695 Speckled Wood x 3
SC209694 Speckled Wood x 4
SC209693 Speckled Wood x 4
Other:
SC209694 ( main pond) unidentified Hawkers x 5; 2 pairs mating Common Darters ovipositing; 2 singleton Common Darters.
SC208694 unidentified blue Hawker species patrolling the meadow; Common Darter resting on and close to the boardwalk on the path.
SC209694 3 x Greater Water Boatmen in pond.
SC209694 Common Darter resting on dead bracken.
SC208694 Green Shieldbug.
SC210694 2 x 7-spot Ladybirds on thistles.
SC208694 Lactarius uvidus ( Shiner Milkcap) under willows; other unidentified fungi nearby
SC209693 unidentified fungi along path
SC209694 unidentified fungi along path
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| Juvenile Moorhen |
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| Greater Water Boatman |
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| 7-Spot Ladybird |
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| Green Shieldbug |
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| there were lots of different fungi along the paths |
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| mostly I don't know what they are |
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| but this is the Shiner Milkcap |
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| they are relatively uncommon on the Island |
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| Pleated Inkcap |
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| another unknown, although it looked like an extra large Waxcap |
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| these were growing under the willows |
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| Red Rowan Berries against a blue sky |
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| Red Rosehips with white-flowered Bindweed |
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| these may be the eggs of whatever is eating the Aspen leaves |
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| always a sense of anticipation when arriving at Ballachurry |
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| through the rustling reeds |
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| past the path junction glade |
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| to the bird hide - today boasting a brand new roof! |
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| gone the old green roof, this one is conventional roofing felt |
There have been at least 3 green roofs on the hide since it was constructed but eventually all have sprung a leak and needed replacing. I looked back through the Blog and found the last one was constructed by volunteers in 2020. Here are a few photos from that time:
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| sowing with plug plants |
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| teamwork |
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| the butyl liner and a fine view |
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| removing what went before |
I remember it was a great deal of hard work and those involved, notably Ian Costain, deserved a round of applause for effort! It has lasted 6 years, through drought and deluge, but the new roofing felt will hopefully also do a good job keeping the birders dry for years to come.
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| view from the ramp |
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| and through the shutters |
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| the Chiffchaff was in the willow just outside |
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| looking back across the meadow |
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| most the flower colour has now gone |
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| the Loosestrife is most definitely over |
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| heading for the boardwalk (another project led by Ian Costain) |
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| view from the boardwalk - blue sky! |
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| usual stroll through the Ashes |
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| the dragonfly pond |
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| but all the dragonflies were at the main pond today |
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| the Speckled Woods like this area among the willows |
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| looking back the way I came |
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| a different feel under the birches |
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| the gorse boundary near the apple trees |
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| I paused on the old bench to enjoy the sunshine before heading for home |
Without the Moorhen there would have been no bird pictures today on the Blog! I am running out of excuses for the birds! Hopefully as all the bountiful berries are taken this will change! My thanks to Liz Charter for confirming the Milkcap identification.
please click on photos to enlarge them
And finally, for the Year of Manx Language, Blein ny Gaelgey 2026, here are some of the species seen today:
Birds Ushagyn:
Moorhen Kiark Ushtey; Water Rail Drean Ushtey; Chiffchaff Beealerey; Jackdaw Caaig
Goldfinch Lossey ny Keylley; Robin Spittag; Blue Tit Drean Gorrym; Blackbird Lhon Doo.
Butterflies Foillycanyn:
Red Admiral Ard-marragh Jiarg; Painted Lady Foillycan yn Onnane; Speckled Wood Breck ny Keylley.
