I am late posting this account of my visit to the reserve on 7th September because I have been away on holiday and did not have time to add photos before I left. In the interim the weather has changed rather dramatically and is now wet, windy and decidedly autumnal!
I wrote.............
early September, Ballachurry Reserve.
An unusually hot week for September! There was not a cloud in the sky on Thursday morning when I arrived at the reserve. There was the hint of a breeze to keep me cool but there seemed to be little about especially in the way of birds and even the insects seemed to be keeping cool somewhere rather than buzzing about. Here is what I recorded:
Birds:
SC208694 Robin; Goldfinch x 3 flying over; Woodpigeon; Chaffinch; Blackbird; Swallow flying over.
SC209694 ( dragonfly pool) Robin x 2.
SC209694 ( hide) Robin in berries; female Mallard; unidentified Warbler in Hawthorn berries
Butterflies & Moths:
SC209694 Green Veined White; Speckled Wood x 5; Unidentified White; Red Admiral x 2
SC208694 Speckled Wood; Common Blue; Unidentified White.
SC208695 Speckled Wood x 2; Red Admiral.
SC209695 Red Admiral.
SC209694 Silver Y moth.
Dragonflies:
SC208694 Common Darter flying over.
SC209694 ( hide) 2 x Blue Hawkers ( probably Migrant Hawkers).
SC208695 Blue Hawker flying over (probably Migrant Hawker).
SC209694 Common Darter x 2 at new pool (having dispute); Migrant Hawker.
Other:
SC208694 7-spot Ladybird on boardwalk & another in Sneezewort
SC208694 Carder bee.
SC209695 Hoverfly on Cushag ( Ragwort) - probably Eristalis species
SC 209695 Hoverfly on Hawkbit - probably Eristalis species
SC208694 Hoverfly on Sneezewort - probably Eristalis species
SC209694 some Hawkbit and even Ragged Robyn in flower near new pond
SC208695 Oak Spangle Galls ( larvae of gall wasp, Neuroterus quercusbaccarum)
SC209694 and elsewhere acorns forming on oaks
SC209694 unidentified orange fungus
SC209694 unidentified Inkcap fungus
SC208694 several Wolf Spiders on boardwalk
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| Robin in Rowan berries |
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| Willow Warbler or Chiffchaff in Hawthorn berries |
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| one of many Speckled Woods on the Reserve |
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| they have done well generally this year, I think |
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| as have Red Admirals |
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| Green Veined White |
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| 7-spot Ladybird on the boardwalk |
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| this one was in the meadow in the Sneezewort |
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| probably an Eristalis species Hoverfly |
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| and another elsewhere |
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| this one was on the Hawkbit |
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| two usual views of the new Dragonfly pond |
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| I didn't spot any Pond Skaters this time |
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| Common Darter perched on its favourite rock |
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| this was a rival - they were sparring from time to time |
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| Hawkbit round the pond edge |
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| and a late flower on the Ragged Robin |
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| Oak Spangle Galls contain the larvae of a Gall Wasp |
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| Acorns doing well this year |
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| Unidentified fungus |
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| unidentified Inkcap |
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| looking along the Ash Walk |
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| usual view of the Boardwalk |
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| Wolf Spiders enjoying the warmth of the wood |
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| and a Speckled Wood sunbathing likewise |
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| usual view from the boardwalk |
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| and of the meadow - less floriferous now |
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| and a final picture from the ramp - some clouds now |
There was a work party while I was away on holiday so I am looking forward to seeing what the Volunteers did when I visit the Reserve next time.
please click on photos to enlarge them
