Photos from Bob and Pat Davison

Thanks to Bob and Pat Davison who emailed us with the exciting news that a Four-spotted Chaser was their first dragonfly on the pond at Glenmor. Well done, Bob!
Becky

Courting Roe Deer

Four-spotted Chaser at Glenmor

Bolsa Trek

Yesterday, Lorna, Mark and I had a fantastic trek to Bolsa from Bunnahabhain, via one of the glens. It wasn't fantastic photography weather for landscapes but we saw soooooooo much wildlife - a lot of insect copulation too! I've still to identify a few spiders and insects, and I'll post those photos in due course, along with our complete list for the day (I think we beat the jubilee list!)  Meanwhile, here's a few favourites of the day.
Becky

Dung Beetle
(Photo: Mark Nelson)

Common Frog
 (Photo: MN)

Herd of Red Deer
(Photo: MN)

Marsh Thistle
 (Photo: MN)

Chimney Sweep Moth
(Photo: MN)

Yellowhammer
(Photo: Lorna Williamson)

Water Avens
(Photo: LW)

Four-spotted Chaser
(Photo: LW)

More photos from Mark and Sally Johnson

Dark Green Fritillary

Gruinart gate post

Four-spotted Chaser

Garden Tiger Moth Caterpillar

Gleann Osamail

Well, I have discovered a new part of Islay and have the ticks, scratches and bruises to prove it! I parked at Rockside Farm and headed for Gleann Osamail which in fact is beautiful, just very overgrown and almost impenetrable. Lots of Willow and Rowan and sadly Rhododendron, probably other species too. I was looking for Oak for the Purple Hairstreak, but didn't see any. This was a not altogether pleasant walk on account of the bog and very uneven ground. I had to double back on myself several times but did make it to the end of the glen eventually at which point I sighed heavily and returned the way I'd come.

Its remote location and bogginess did mean it was good for wildlife, however, and here are the highlights of my day, the meadows were just amazing and the music of birdsong accompanied me all the way.
adder (one female)
Small Heath (more than 40)
Marsh Fritillary (at last, but only one)
beautiful meadows
Poplar Hawk Moth (one)
Bumble Bees (lots) Bombus pascourum
Grasshopper Warbler
Willow Warbler
Whitethroat
Sedge Warbler
Reed Bunting
Buzzard
Raven
Cuckoo (all the time, including 'enigma' variations on what is after all a rather boring song)
Four-spotted Chaser
Golden-ringed Dragonfly (hurray for the bog!)
Large Red Damselfly

My most unusual sighting, however, was a herd of about 8 pigs. I'd been wondering what had been turning the soil when I suddenly happened upon the pigs. I don't know what species or provenance but I'd be interested to find out. Also, a wee wooden shelter on the west side of the glen. I wonder what or who used to inhabit that?
Becky