 |
Spring is sprung at Ballachurry Reserve
|
It certainly sounded like spring when I arrived at the reserve on Tuesday morning -there was a Chiffchaff welcoming me through the gate with its song. The daffodils between the gate and the Noticeboard were in full flower as were the garden escape Grape Hyacinths. With Hawthorns in full leaf everywhere and the frothy white Blackthorn blossom mixed in with them, the Reserve certainly looked very pretty. Apart from a couple of parents briefly "exercising " their children, I had the reserve to myself and walked round twice at a slow stroll taking in the sights, sounds and spring smells. Here is what I noted:
Birds:
SC210694 Male Pheasant flew into the Reserve from across the road but not seen again. Chiffchaff heard but not seen.
SC208694 Wren; Chaffinch; Chiffchaff. Mixed flock of Corvids overhead
SC209694 Drake Mallard on pond. Joined later by female. Chiffchaff heard but not seen along the Gorse Boundary; 2 x Robin; Chaffinch heard but not seen; male Blackbird; Great Tit;
SC209695 Blackbird; 2 x Long Tailed Tit; Goldfinch;; Buzzard briefly overhead.
SC208695 fight over bird box between 2 x Blue Tit and 1 x Great Tit ( Great Tit eventually retreated); Dunnock.
Other:
SC209694 7-spot Ladybird
SC209695 7-spot Ladybird
SC208694 Honey bees on pussy willow catkins
SC209695 Honey Bees on gorse
SC209694 Pollenia species Blowfly; male Eristalis pertinax Hoverfly
SC210694 Dung flies ( Scathophaga stercoraria) x 2 on early Hogweed flower
SC208694 Marsh Marigolds in bud
SC209694 Red Campion in flower
 |
a familiar view, but it's never the same twice!
|
 |
SC209694 Male Blackbird
|
 |
The Chiffchaff resolutely turned its back on me!
|
 |
a lot of mixed Corvid activity overhead
|
 |
Mallard Drake
|
 |
SC209695 Goldfinch
|
 |
The Long-Tailed Tit took flight as I pressed the shutter
|
 |
and again!
|
 |
vanquished Great Tit near the nest box
|
 |
and victorious Blue Tit
|
 |
Blackthorn blossom invites you across the bridge
|
 |
Marsh Marigolds in bud
|
 |
Red Campion coming into flower
|
 |
flies seem to love the colour yellow - Pollenia species Blowfly
|
 |
Eristalis pertinax Hoverfly
|
 |
Nettles & Dandelions, disliked by gardeners but excellent for wildlife
|
 |
fallen willow brings the catkins to eye level
|
 |
beautiful Pussy Willow catkins full of pollen
|
 |
and appreciated by bees
|
 |
Dung Fly ( Scathophaga stercoraria) on early Hogweed flower
|
 |
Scathophaga stercoraria
|
 |
The Hogweed plant in question
|
 |
Oak Galls from last year - probably caused by gall wasp Biorhiza pallida
|
 |
singing Wren among the reeds
|
 |
a more wintry aspect in contrast to nearby Hawthorns etc.
|
 |
stream fast vanishing under vegetation
|
 |
hopefully the site a of future small pond
|
 |
7-spot Ladybird
|
 |
and another 7-spot Ladybird
|
 |
hide from near the path junction
|
 |
Celandine ( wild) and Grape Hyacinth ( garden escape)
|
 |
Grape Hyacinth
|
 |
glancing back as I left the Reserve
|
Please click on photos to enlarge them
