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Ballachurry Reserve at the end of March
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Sunny intervals were forecast for Thursday, so I had penciled it in for a visit to the Reserve. After two days of fog and rain I was looking forward to the sunshine. When I arrived at 9.45 it was still rather gloomy, although I'm pleased to say that the sun did eventually break through. When it did, out came the ladybirds and even a butterfly. Here is what I recorded:Birds:
SC209693 Chiffchaff; Chaffinch
SC209694 ( hide area)Water Rail and Moorhen heard but not seen; 4 x Mallard observed flying away from pond. Jackdaw; Wren; Great Tit and Chaffinch heard but not seen; Magpie; Pheasant heard but not seen. Robin; 2 x Woodpigeon; 2 x Blue Tit; male Blackbird.
SC209694 ( elsewhere) male Blackbird; 8 x Goldfinch flying over and perched in trees; 2 x Greenfinch. 2 x Chiffchaff heard at the same time; 5 x Mallard flying over; Chaffinch; Robin; Song Thrush; 2 x Blue Tit; Robin; Dunnock.
SC208694 2 x Robin together; Buzzard being mobbed by 2 Corvids; Woodpigeon flying over; 2 x Blue tits together; Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler heard but not seen; Long Tailed Tit; Goldfinch.
SC208695 Kestrel hovering overhead; Chaffinch.
SC209695 Chiffchaff; Magpie; Blue Tit.
SC210694 Blue Tit; Great Tit; male Blackbird; Magpie flying over.
Other:
SC209695 ( all in the same gorse bush) 5 x 7-spot Ladybird; 3 x Gorse Shieldbug; Hairy Shieldbug.
SC210694 6 x 7-spot Ladybird in nettles.
SC209694 4 x 7-spot Ladybird.
SC209694 Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly.
SC209693 first Cuckoo Flower (Ladysmock) blooming.
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| Blackbird |
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Blue Tit
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One of many Chaffinches on the Reserve
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| Chaffinch |
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Chiffchaff chiffchaffing
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then pausing for breath
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| Goldfinch |
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| Jackdaw |
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Long-tailed Tit
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Closer view - it's ringed.
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| Magpie |
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| Robin |
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Wren singing its heart out
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Hoverfly - Eristalis pertinax?
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Gorse Shieldbug
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and two more nearby
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A Hairy Shieldbug also known as aSloe Bug
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the sunshine brought out the 7-spot Ladybirds
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I counted 15 in all.
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Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly
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Dandelions provide early nectar for many insects
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Pussy Willows in full flower
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Meadowsweet emerging through the puddles
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Streamside Marsh Marigolds - also known as Kingcups
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Lichen on the willows
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Unidentified Fungi near the gate
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usual view of the hide
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pond from the bird hide
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Blackthorn in full flower
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no sign of the Moorhen today
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Gorse and Blackthorn along the boundary
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Stream fast disappearing under the Hemlock Water Dropwort
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usual view of the new pond
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daffodils under the trees
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usual view from boardwalk
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and the boardwalk itself
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sky brightening up
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meadow under blue skies
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view from the ramp - note the hill fog
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Looking back as I left
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My last visit of the month - I'm now looking forward to my April visits.
please click on photos to enlarge them
