We were not the only ones to be enjoying the sunshine! A tiny 2-spot Ladybird had been tempted out of hibernation, and just as we were clearing up to go a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly settled on the celandines nearby. This is my first butterfly sighting of the year so how nice that it was at Ballachurry!
A quick walk round before we left also produced the following records:
SC209694 & SC210694 Hoverfly (possibly Eristalis pertinax?) on gorse and on the hand rail of the concrete bridge.
SC208694 tiny red mite, possibly a Harvest Mite ( very small and impossible to identify in the field, says my book!) It was on one of the pieces of wood near the dam.
SC208694 Pupa, looks like a Ladybird pupa, also on the wood near the red mite. Will try to get it identified.NOW IDENTIFIED as larva of Chrysomelid beetle, possibly parasitized. My thanks to Professor Roy at CEH for help with this.
SC208694 Hooded Crow in the fir trees
SC209694 the inevitable Gorse Shieldbugs along the gorse boundary, enjoying the sunshine.
SC210694 Robin near the entrance.
SC209694 Bluetit near the Hide.
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| 2-Spot Ladybird |
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| Small Tortoiseshell |
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| A bee mimic Hoverfly |
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| Possibly an adult Harvest Mite |
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| Larva of Chrysomelid beetle |
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| Hooded Crow |
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| Gorse Shieldbug |
