Ballachurry Reserve, 26th October, 2022.

the new pond is nearly brimful

 Other commitments at the moment mean I am visiting the Reserve fortnightly rather than weekly, so on Wednesday I was keen to see how the wildlife was faring since my last recording visit on 10th October. I had waited for early morning rain to clear before heading down to Ballachurry, arriving at about 9.45 a.m. There was plenty of blue sky and sunshine but it was also very windy and I had the impression that most of the wildlife was sheltering down in the heart of the vegetation. Here is what I recorded:

Birds:

SC209694 Robin heard not seen near the new dragonfly pond;  Robin seen along the direct path to the hide; Magpie heard not seen;  

 SC209694 ( from hide) Blackbird ( with only one or an injured leg); 5 x Goldfinch; Wren; Robin; Water Rail heard three times.

SC209695 Robin heard not seen

SC208694 3 x Great Tit

Butterflies:

SC209694 Red Admiral flying

SC209693 Red Admiral flying

Other:

SC208694 Common Darter Dragonfly resting on wooden planks

SC209694 Common Darter over pond, seen from hide.

SC208694 "Footballer" Hoverfly

SC209693 Unidentified Hoverfly

SC208694 Noon flies on boardwalk timber

SC209694 Inkcaps and other fungi along paths

SC208694  Various Fungi along paths, and under willows

SC209695  2 different species of fungi under trees either side of path

SC209693 Various Fungi along path

SC208694 Woody Nightshade berries now glistening red

one of several Robins on the Reserve

this Blackbird is standing on one leg in every photo taken

it was preening

Common Darter

Unidentified Hoverfly 01

"Footballer" Hoverfly 02

fungi under the willows

Inkcaps looking inky

left of path

right of path

one of many species of fungus on the Reserve at present

they are often growing in the underlying wood chip

these were recorded earlier as Toughshanks

something had been nibbling these

there are many emerging under the willows

Woody Nightshade berries with this morning's raindrops

water gushing into the Reserve

a good flow into the main pond

highest water level for some time

autumn colours

and blue sky

low sun puts many areas into the shade ( from boardwalk)

again, a shady view from the hide ramp

autumn view of the bridge

and the meadow

final view before heading home for lunch

A very enjoyable couple of hours at the Reserve.

please click on photos to enlarge them