As today was dry ( well, sometimes) I decided to visit the Reserve for the first time this year. I did wonder if I had made a mistake and had headed for the Wildlife Park instead, as I was greeted by the sight of the Peacock and Peahen from next door pecking around under the Noticeboard. It's the first time I have seen the Peahen, so I suppose this starts the year off with a new record! SC210694
Despite the intermittent sunshine there was very little about, but here is the full list:
Birds:
Wren, first seen near the fir trees then flew to the hedgerow behind the reed bed SC208694
Wood Pigeons x 3 seen on church boundary from hide SC209695
Male Blackbird seen from hide SC209695
Male Blackbird seen near where stream comes in SC209695
Flying over: 2 x Chough, calling.
Robin heard but not seen SC208694
Plants:
Lawn daisies on paths including near the path junction SC209694
Gorse in flower near reed bed SC208694
Dandelion in flower near Ginny's Bench SC209694
Celandine in flower Ginny's Bench area SC209694
Stinking Iris seedpods making bright splash of colour near entrance SC210694
Berries ripening on ivy SC210694
Rosehips SC209694
Rosehips SC209694
Other:
Jelly Ear fungus on branch of tree overhanging from Orchard SC208695
2 Honey bees seen on gorse flowers SC208695 and SC209694
Very tiny rust coloured spider on exterior of hide SC209694
Notes:
Hide door needs urgent attention at next work party - impossible to close, have wedged almost shut with bench to prevent it swinging back in bad weather.
Bolt also needs some oil
Spotted the new bench near the orchard and a new tree to replace the Prunus.
Grass and creeping buttercup are starting to grow through the chippings path.
Incoming stream has burst banks near willows and is flooding adjacent ground to some extent.
Dam just about coping with water level but water can be seen bubbling up to the side of it too.
(Apologies for the upside down photos - they are posted the right way up but any "portrait" photo seems to get turned round into "landscape" on this Blog. I am trying to find out why)
(Apologies for the upside down photos - they are posted the right way up but any "portrait" photo seems to get turned round into "landscape" on this Blog. I am trying to find out why)
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| Not Ballachurry's usual wildlife! |
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| View over new bridge from seasonal path |
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| Celandines |
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| Chippings ready for next Work Party |
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| Area raked off at last Work Party |
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| View towards "Orchard" boundary from stream |
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| Very small spider on hide |
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| Incoming stream level |
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| Ivy Berries |
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| Close-up of Jelly Ear fungus |
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| Jelly ear fungus on overhanging branch |
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| Close-up of lichen on bridge handrail |
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| I used to measure the lichen each January but it's now racing away! |
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| The new bench |
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| New tree |
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| Next door's pet |
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| Reed bed against stormy sky |
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| Rosehips |
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| Stinking iris |
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| A sudden shower |
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| View from hide during shower |
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| Willows where stream has burst its banks |
