Gorse in winter

The bright yellow flowers of gorse make one of the few splashes of colour here at the moment, and raises the question of why bloom in winter when there can't be many, if any, insects around to fertilise the flowers. The answer seems to be that, when there are no insects, the gorse is capable of self-fertilisation, which is a pretty good strategy for having a prolonged flowering season. I've also seen it suggested that this is a good time to gather the flowers to make gorse wine or cordial, as you won't have to spend time trying to remove the tiny flies and beetles seeking the nectar inside the flowers!
Malcolm

Springtime

The heady scent of gorse flowers pervades the air, while the delicate buds of hawthorn presage the flowers and berries to come.
Malcolm

Gorse

It may be regarded as a weed by landowners and farmers, but it is also a magnificent spectacle on this scale, coupled with the heady scent.
Malcolm

What a difference a week makes...

I have been away a week and at this time of year that means you notice big changes when you return.  Over on the mainland there were singing Chiffchaffs and Willow warblers everywhere, and I had heard neither on Islay before I left - although others had picked up the odd one or two.  I saw my first Sand martin at Lochwinnoch RSPB reserve where I stopped to drip dry for a few minutes on my way down to Prestwick.
Back on Islay now and there are Willow warblers all over the place, and I heard a Blackcap singing as I pedalled past Bridgend woods yesterday.  A big skein of around 120 grey geese, probably Pinkfeet, flew very high over Bruichladdich Distillery the day before yesterday, all neatly arranged in an almost perfect V formation and heading purposefully north.

The bullocks were pictured yesterday crossing a section of marshy ground in the centre of the Shorefield.

One of the Shorefield bullocks has been a bit naughty recently - jumping the fence on a number of occasions.  This is always a bit of a worry as bullocks and roads are not an ideal combination. Even though there are lots of unfenced roads on Islay and meeting cattle while driving is quite a regular event, we still want to keep them in if at all possible.  Cattle will challenge fences though, for all sorts of reasons, most of which are quite unfathomable - particularly in this instance as there is no shortage of really good grazing in the Shorefield.  The grass is fairly flying up at the moment.

The whin too is coming into full bloom - although it is not quite at its dazzling best yet.

There are lots of primroses out now too - this clump was snapped in the roadside ditch opposite the Shorefield yesterday.

Roe Deer and Gorse

The white rump of the Roe Deer, more or less unbroken by the tail, is an easy distinguishing feature from a small Red Deer whose white rump is clearly divided in two by the tail.
Malcolm