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| showing signs of drought - the pond at Ballachurry Reserve |
Although I generally prefer to visit the Reserve in the morning, this week I ran out of opportunities and went instead straight after lunch on Friday, arriving about 1.30ish. I parked behind a Wildlife Trust van and was curious to know which member of staff was on site. It wasn't long before I heard voices, turned a corner and met Rachel, the Trust's new Education Officer, who was being given an initial tour of the Reserve by Karen from the Southern Group Committee. Later I received this photo of a Maybug ( Cockchafer beetle) from them, which they had spotted on their way out.
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| with thanks to Karen for this photo of the Maybug |
This is a new record for the Reserve! Imagine discovering a new species on your very first visit - how cool is that! Here is my own report:
Birds:
SC209694 Goldfinch x 2; Chaffinch x 2 ( male & female); Sedge Warbler heard not seen; Willow Warbler heard not seen; Chiffchaff; Robin.
SC209694 ( hide) Robin; Great Tit; Blackbird; Willow Warbler; Pheasant heard not seen.
SC209693 Chiffchaff heard not seen; Willow Warbler heard not seen; Long-tailed Tit; Great Tit; Song Thrush.
SC208694 Blackbird flying over; male Chaffinch; Chiffchaff heard not seen; Blackcap heard not seen; Great Tit.
SC208695 Chiffchaff heard not seen; Great Tit.
SC210694 Blackbird flying across.
SC209695 Chiffchaff
Butterflies and Moths:
Orange Tip eggs on Ladysmock flowers at SC209694, SC208694 and SC209693
SC209693 larval webs of Bird Cherry Moth on Bird Cherry.
SC209694 Speckled Wood; Green Veined White x 3.
SC208695 Speckled Wood.
SC208694 male Orange Tip x 2; Speckled Wood x 3.
SC210694 Orange Tip male.
Other:
SC208694 Hoverfly species near boardwalk.
SC208695 Hoverfly species .
SC208695 Lucozona lucorum Hoverfly.
SC209694 "Footballer" Hoverfly.
SC208694 Rhingia Campestris Hoverfly.
SC209695 2 x Gorse Shieldbug.
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can you spot the Chiffchaff? It took me ages to find it!
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| it was moving about between bursts of song |
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| this one was easier to spot but was in silhouette unfortunately |
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| Robin in the Holly as last week |
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| a good vantage point to spot insects on the ground |
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| another Robin foraging amongst the now dry reed bed |
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| Speckled Wood enjoying Hawthorn nectar |
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| Speckled wood quite camouflaged on wood chip path |
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| this one was under the willows |
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| as was this one |
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| Orange-tip butterfly egg on Cuckoo Flower |
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| Male Orange Tip on Cuckoo Flower |
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| each time I passed by the Orange Tip was on the flowers |
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| Green Veined White |
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| Rhingia campestris Hoverfly ( bottom left) + unknown fly |
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| "Footballer" Hoverfly |
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| unidentified Hoverfly |
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| and yet another |
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| Leucozona lucorum Hoverfly |
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| all these smudges are flies above the dragonfly pond |
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| Greater Water Boatmen ( aka Backswimmers) |
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| Pond Skater |
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| Gorse Shieldbug |
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Cuckoo Flowers (aka Ladysmock)
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This Hemlock Water Dropwort plant is taller than I am!
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| seeding Pussy Willow |
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| fresh Sycamore leaves against the blue sky |
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| Sycamore flowers |
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| the Ash Walk |
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the Meadow ( not very damp at present!)
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heading towards the Boardwalk
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| usual view towards the Boardwalk |
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| view from the Boardwalk |
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| the dragonfly pond |
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| still no dragonflies or damselflies seen |
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| view through the hide shutters |
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| and looking the other way |
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| usual view from the Hide ramp |
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| there is a green sea of Dropwort in front of the hide |
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| looking back across the meadow towards the hide |
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| usual view of the hide |
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| along the gorse boundary |
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| a very green reserve despite the current drought |
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| hard to see the stream for the vegetation now |
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| reserve seen from the private entrance |
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| reed bed greening up now |
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| usual view of the "reedy bend" |
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| very little water coming into the reserve |
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| under the willows |
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| a cool place for a warm day |
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| fallen trees in the wood are letting in more light now |
A very pleasant afternoon's visit. I didn't manage to photograph many birds on this occasion but perhaps the Butterflies made up for that.
please click on photos to enlarge them
