Ballachurry Reserve, Open Afternoon, 22nd August 2021.

 I had been watching the weather forecast rather anxiously all week as "rain, heavy and persistent at times" didn't sound too good for our Open Afternoon on Sunday. Saturday was certainly an awful day but we were in luck and Sunday was dry and mostly sunny. 

Volunteers met up at 10 o'clock to put up the big purple tent which was on loan from the local Scouts, for which were were most grateful. Then there were tables and bunting to put up and a host of other jobs to get through before all going home for a quick lunch, then back on site for 2 p.m. when the Open Afternoon was due to begin.

Originally the Wildlife Trust Southern Group had invited no less than 12 other wildlife organisations  and individuals to take part in the afternoon but a few unfortunately had to drop out at fairly short notice. However, we were still lucky to have many experts on site to talk to people about all kinds of wildlife found on the Isle of Man and specifically at Ballachurry Reserve. We were also lucky that some of these experts wear many hats and so were able to cover for some of those who had been unable to join us.

Here are some photos to give you a flavour of the afternoon.

the tent is up and waiting for visitors

Southern Group Committee volunteers  at the Welcome Table

The Trust's Education Officer's Bug Hunt is always very popular

Aided by  Steve, the Island's Dipterist ( left)......

Dawn had plenty to show the visitors

this young fellow had brought his own beetle to be identified

found just outside the reserve, it was a Ground Beetle

close by the Bug Hunt Station there was plenty to see - immature Shieldbug 

some intriguing eggs on a leaf

did these caterpillars come from those eggs?

possibly young Buff-tip Moth caterpillars

confirmed as the nymph of a Sloe Shieldbug

still lots to see further along the path

Tim discusses birding with one of the Committee volunteers

despite the disturbance on the Reserve.......

Tim helped visitors to see several interesting species of bird

not just this resident Duck, but a Water Rail was also heard and seen.

meanwhile in the Meadow visitors were examining the flowers

Liz was a fount of knowledge

and the large patch of Sneezewort was a talking point

insects in the flowers also caught everyone's eye

and merited a closer look

Garry from Manx Butterfly Conservation was on hand...

to identify the butterflies in the Meadow

and show us what Orange Tip pupae looked like

 Common Blue in the meadow

and a Large White on the Loosestrife

and a little further round the path a Small Copper was enjoying the Cushag ( Ragwort)

unfortunately the grass was still rather wet for successful sweep netting

but Kate still managed to find spiders for everyone to see and learn about

 visitors strolled along the paths

and keen eyed children spotted bumble bees and butterflies

Emily takes a closer look....

 at a Common Blue Butterfly

next stop the Manx Bat Group -  why not join them on a Bat Walk  one evening?

in the tent Janet could tell you about Swifts,

and about Swift bricks and Swift boxes

as well as about birds in general

close by Cilla could tell you all about pollination

and the importance of bees

her live bees were a big attraction for adults

and children alike

honeycomb

and the bees - Queen bees are marked with a yellow spot

fascinating to see the bees at work

through a glass fronted exhibition hive

lots to talk about

quite by chance the Reserve was putting on a display of fungi- this is a Deceiver

 Wood Pinkgill fungi

but Liz took off her Flower hat to identify a Bonnet Fungus

 There are Fairies at Ballachurry! - part of a Fairy Ring

and more Deceivers

 an Inkcap in the path

these were on the signpost

and the Whitewash fungus was in the log pile

Sulphur Tuft by the hide is a new record for the Reserve

fungi and colourful leaves tell us autumn is just round the corner

Mobile phone picture of Reed Warblers - you'll have to take my word for it!

then suddenly it was all over - no one reading  the Ladybird display

 all the visitors gone

 Time for the volunteers to take down the tent, fold the tables and put away the bunting until another time.

The Southern Group committee would like to thank all the wildlife groups and individuals who so willingly gave their time and expertise today to make the Open Afternoon so enjoyable.   Thanks also  to everyone who loaned us equipment and helped us to set up the event and clear away afterwards.We also wish to thank all the adults and children who visited the Reserve with such enthusiasm - it was lovely to meet and talk to you all. We hope you'll return soon to  Ballachurry Reserve.

please click on the photos to enlarge them