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| the dragonfly pool, in shade at 9.30 a.m. |
On Tuesday the best of the weather was forecast for the morning with an increased risk of showers in the afternoon. So I was at the Reserve shortly after 9 a.m. but the sun soon went in and wasn't seen again for the rest of my visit. On the other hand, the afternoon was brilliant sunshine, if rather windy. Rather frustrating, as some sunshine would have brought out the butterflies and other insects, which in turn bring out the birds. So not a lot to report this week :
Birds:
SC209694 Robin just outside hide; Chiffchaff near pond; Heron flying over; Goldfinch.
SC208694 Chiffchaff heard but not seen; Swallow flying over; Robin heard not seen; Woodpigeon flying over; Chaffinch heard not seen; 5 x Goldfinch flew over and landed in tree together.
SC208695 (feeders) Blue Tit; Great Tit; male & female Chaffinch; Robin.
Butterflies:
SC209693 2 x Speckled Wood
SC209694 9 x Speckled Wood
SC209695 3 x Speckled Wood
SC208695 1 x Speckled Wood
SC208694 5 x Speckled Wood
Other:
SC209694 small Nursery Web Spider
SC209694 2 x Green Shieldbug + 1 nymph on Aspen leaves; 1 further adult on Buttercup leaf and 1 further nymph on plantain leaf; 2 further nymphs on bramble and nettles.
SC209694 Crane Fly.
SC209694 5 x Pond Skaters.
SC209694 2 x Hawker species of Dragonfly over main pond.
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| the only bird photo of the morning - a Blue Tit |
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| Speckled Wood near the dragonfly pool |
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| followers of this Blog will have no difficulty recognising Speckled Woods! |
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| they were again on the old bench, though not in such great numbers |
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| Green Shieldbug |
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| Green Shieldbug nymph |
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| Pond Skater |
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| iNaturalist suggested Deceivers for these fungi |
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| looking frilly from this angle |
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| the Wrinkled Fieldcaps are now going over |
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| the Aspen sapling has been further defoliated |
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| this was the only evidence I could find of what might be causing it |
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| the walk to the hide, still blue sky at this point |
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| I was surprised to spot the ladders |
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| but then noticed that work is now underway on the roof |
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| through the shutters, weather still looking promising |
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| but no wildfowl on the water |
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| view from the ramp - clouds building up |
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| the meadow now less colourful as autumn approaches |
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| looking back across the meadow to the hide |
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| heading for the boardwalk |
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| view from the boardwalk towards the hills |
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| looking back the way I'd come |
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| autumn colours starting to appear on the Birches |
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| the bright splash of red Rowan berries |
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| the gorse boundary |
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| and looking the other way |
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| all quiet today at the dragonfly pool |
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| no sunshine to bring out the dragonflies |
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| earlier sunshine in one of the glades |
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| path through the willows |
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| the grass had been smartly cut |
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| view from the old bench |
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and finally back to the path junction and homeward bound
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please click on photos to enlarge them
So, not the most interesting of mornings from a wildlife point of view but it was good to see that work has commenced on renovating the hide. While I was there I received an email announcing that Work Parties are to begin again on 19th and 26th September when we shall be clearing the ditches of all that fallen vegetation and excess silt. If you would like to join the Ballachurry Bashers to lend a hand just drop an email to ballachurrybashers22@gmail.com to learn more.
And finally, for the year of Manx Language, Blein ny Gaelgey, 2026, here are some of the species seen this morning:
Birds: Ushagyn
Robin Spittag ; Chiffchaff Beealerey; Heron Coar ny Hastan; Goldfinch Lossey ny Keylley;
Swallow Gollan Geayee; Woodpigeon Calmane Keylley; Chaffinch Ushag y Chloau;
Blue Tit Drean Gorrym; Great Tit Drean Mooar;
Butterflies:
Speckled Wood Breck ny Keylley
