Glen Astle to Kintra

Was it the hottest day of the year yesterday on Islay? Phew! It certainly felt like it as we struggled through long grass, bog, trees and midge and cleg infested landscape - and returned sunburnt, scratching, grazed and dirty - but smiling! It was a magnificent walk with Hen Harrier, Harebells and Heather - and lots more! The highlights were the Marsh Thistle (possibly tallest on Islay), the 4 spot Orb Weaver spider and the White Cross-leaved Heath.
Becky

BIRDS
Raven, Hen Harrier (f), Buzzard, Eider, Shag, Wheatear, Willow Warbler, Robin, Blackbird, Wren, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Hooded Crow, Grey Heron, Starling, Stonechat, Lesser Redpoll, Rock Dove, Herring Gull, Oystercatcher, Reed Bunting, Pied Wagtail, Chaffinch

BUTTERFLIES AND INVERTEBRATES
Dor Beetle, 4-spot Orb Weaver, Ringlet, Small Heath, Green-veined White (about 40 in one spot), Common Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Dark Green Fritillary, Grasshoppers

MAMMALS
Feral Goat, Rabbit

FLORA
Self-heal, Hawkbit, Cross-leaved Heath, Bell Heather, Heather, Milkwort, Round-leaved Sundew, Harebell, Thrift, Marsh Thistle, Creeping Thistle, Spear Thistle, Heath-spotted Orchid, Meadowsweet, Wild Thyme, Bog Pimpernel, Grass of Parnassus, Marsh Willowherb, Bog Myrtle, Goat Willow, Ragged Robin, Bracken, Hard Fern, Devil's-bit Scabious, Tormentil, Butterwort (leaves), Marsh Lousewort, Eyebright, Daisy, White Clover, Red Clover, Bog Asphodel

Feral Goats near Kintra

Harebell

Hawkbits

Allan and the tallest Marsh Thistle on Islay? (Allan is 6' 1")

Mud and Wood near Kintra

Soldier's Rock

Araneus quadratus 4 Spot Orb Weaver

White Cross-leaved Heath

Cross-leaved Heath

Yesterday, Carl posted a photograph of Bell Heather. The other heather species out just now, ahead of the blooming of the Common Heather, or Ling, late in the summer, is Cross-leaved Heath. Superficially similar, the key difference is that the stem leaves of the Cross-leaved species are in distinct and separated whorls of four, while the leaves of Bell Heather are much denser and, if you look closely, in threes. Bell Heather is also usually a much darker purple as Carl's photo shows. The two species can be found growing side by side.
Malcolm