 |
One of the clear blue-sky days to which
we are becoming accustomed lately |
As I crossed the little bridge at Ballachurry today I had a sudden surprise - it no longer felt firm beneath my feet but sloped downwards as I walked across it. A quick investigation showed that one of the supports had broken. Later, as I crossed the boardwalk, there was a broken plank. Was this just a coincidence caused by increased footfall through the reserve or was it deliberate vandalism? I'm not sure we'll ever know. These thoughts and how to deal with the situation during these social distancing times preoccupied me rather as I walked round. However, I did make notes of the following:
Birds:
SC210694 Willow Warbler heard but not seen.
SC209693 Chaffinch; Grey Heron flying off
SC209694 ( hide) 2 x Mallard; Magpie; Moorhen
SC208694 Goldfinch
SC209694 Chaffinch heard but not seen
SC209694 ( gorse boundary) Chiffchaff heard but not seen
Other:
SC209694 Cuckoo flowers in bloom ( food plant for Orange Tip butterflies)
SC208694 Gorse Shieldbug
SC209694 7 x Gorse Shieldbug; tiny unidentified spider in gorse;
SC208694 Male Orange tip butterfly. Peacock butterfly.
SC210694 Sow thistle against wall
SC209694 Unidentified flies and Bumble bee
 |
Male Orange Tip butterfly on its caterpillar
food plant, Cuckoo Flower |
 |
Gorse Shieldbug
(note characteristic red antennae) |
 |
| Very small unidentified fly on gorse not possible to identify from photo |
 |
| unidentified fly on Dandelion |
 |
| Unidentified bumblebee on Dandelion |
 |
everything loves dandelions- honeybee
( except some gardeners?) |
 |
the willow fencing uprights are sprouting;
this may just be from the bark as I wrapped
each one round with parcel tape before
inserting in the ground |
 |
| water levels continue to drop in the pond |
 |
Marsh Marigolds are now going over
seedheads appearing |
 |
| Meadowsweet in the damp meadow |
 |
| fresh green leaves on the Oaks |
 |
Flowering currant bushes in flower
( planted originally for benefit of resident hive bees) |
 |
| Rushes now growing fast in the damp meadow |
 |
| a sow thistle has appeared near the gate |
 |
| Blue and white Spanish Bluebells near the gate |
 |
| spot the spider |
 |
| Hide from the direction of the road |
 |
| Looking back towards the hide from near the bridge |
 |
| Stitchwort beneath the willows |
 |
| Memorial cherry tree in bloom |
 |
| the wonky bridge |
 |
| the broken plank on the boardwalk |
 |
| till next time........ |
please click on photos to enlarge them
