Ballachurry Reserve, 3rd June 2021.

a tranquil summer scene

  After a dull start to the day the sun came out as promised at lunch time  on Thursday and I made my way down to the Reserve for just before 2.30. It was very windy and I was glad of my coat for most of the afternoon - the hot weather of the last few days had deserted us for the time being it would seem. Perhaps the wind explained the lack of butterflies - apart from a few whites which were not settling for ID, I saw none.  Not much bird song either compared to my last visit. Nevertheless I had a lovely afternoon with a few highlights. Here is my report: 

Birds:

SC210694 Chaffinch heard but not seen

SC209694 Magpie flying over; Moorhen on the pond preening;  Mallard duck with 6 ducklings; Willow Warbler  and Sedge Warbler heard but not seen. Chaffinch and Wren heard but not seen.

SC208694 Willow Warbler and Blackcap heard but not seen; 2 x Reed Warblers in the reed bed; 2 x Blue Tits carrying food to nest box.

SC208695 Blackbird heard but not seen. 2 x Blue Tits carrying food to nest box

SC209693 Wren

SC209695 Robin; Great Tit;

Ladybirds:

SC210694 3 x 7-spot ( 1 parasitised by Dinocampus Coccinellae wasp)

SC208694 7-spot Ladybird

Other:

SC209694 2 x Hairy Shieldbug ( aka Sloe Bug)

SC209694 Oulema melanopa beetle

SC209694 unidentified White Butterfly flying

SC208694 unidentified White Butterfly flying 

SC208695 unidentified White Butterfly flying

SC210694 Crane fly  - Tipula species

SC209694 unidentified moths disturbed twice

SC209693 Yellow dung flies on Hemlock Water Dropwort

SC209693 Honey bee on Hemlock Water Dropwort

SC209694 2 x Gorse Shieldbug  + gorse shieldbug eggs

SC209694 Spider in gorse Metellina species, probably mengei

SC209694 first Cuckoo Flower in Noticeboard meadow

SC209693 webs of Ermine Moth? caterpillars in Bird Cherry

SC209694 Flesh fly in gorse - Sarcophaga species

SC209694 Gorse Shieldbug and Shieldbug eggs 

SC210694 nettle leaves sewn together - possibly butterflies pupating?

the Moorhen  was preening among the lily pads

later I saw a Mallard with 6 ducklings (1 out of shot)

showing some signs of independence already

 

spot the Reed Warbler

there were 2

one obligingly posed for me

busy Blue Tit feeding young

Hemlock Water Dropwort now in full flower

attracting  insects such as this Dung Fly

and Honey Bees

notice the red pollen sacks

solitary Cuckoo Flower in grass near Noticeboard*

*We have been mowing and raking off the grass near the Noticeboard for years hoping to reduce the fertility thereby making the area suitable for wild flowers. Finally one tiny Cuckoo Flower has appeared!

Ox-eye daisies near the path junction

Flag Iris in the meadow

cultivated and wild Iris together amongst the Hemlock Water Dropwort

the Hawthorn tree on the boundary has now turned completely pink

unfortunately this 7-spot has been parasitised by a Dinocampus coccinellae wasp

others nearby are still appear active and healthy

the nettles by the gate are a good place to look for ladybirds

this one had just flown in onto the Dropwort near the boardwalk

bird cherry with caterpillar webs - Ermine Moth?

 Flesh fly - Sarcophaga species

very camouflaged spider - Metellina species (mengei?)

previously photographed shieldbug eggs - no change

Gorse Shieldbug

 Hairy Shieldbug ( aka Sloe Bug)

Oulema melanopa beetle

something is pupating in the nettles

spider or butterfly?

Shepherd's Purse on the hide roof

something pink also flowering - Herb Robert?

looking across the reserve towards the Surby hills

last view of the pond before closing the shutters

hide from the damp meadow

Incidental Report:

5th June 2021

Birds:

SC209694 Chiffchaff , Willow Warbler and Sedge Warbler heard but not seen. Male Reed Bunting.

SC208694 2 x Reed Warbler

SC209694 small Wasp Nest attached to first aid box in Hide. 

I got a shock when I turned over the first aid box!

With thanks to Steve Crellin and Kate Hawkins for help with identifications.

Please click on photos to enlarge them