The Search for the Spring Squill

With a bunch of helpers and sunshine and enthusiasm and a spring in our step, I thought we were on a winning streak when we set out early this morning on my annual search for the diminutive Spring Squill. I had everyone almost on their hands and knees at various points, dangling over cliffs, poised with hand lenses and all but hanging on the end of a rope into a gully - and almost all totally in vain. The paltry specimen we saw was barely worth the effort (I say it in a whisper!) Another nearby specimen had been grazed and therein lay the answer for our futile search!

Still, no-one but I was bothered! We saw Fulmars glide within inches of us, Razorbills, Guillemots, Black Guillemots, Gannets and a host of flora and had the most glorious sunshiney day on one of Islay's most colourful corners. I could wax lyrical about this walk, but will restrict myself. The Sea Pinks adorning the rocks were resplendent, as were the smiley-faced Marsh Marigolds and the cerise Early Marsh Orchids. Everything was peaceful and even the Oystercatchers did not seem to mind our presence too much. There, I did not overly wax lyrical!

Becky

Black Guillemot

Common Frog

Daisies Galore!

Early Marsh Orchid

Garden Tiger Moth caterpillar - rescued from the tide!

Green-veined White

Watching the Fulmars

Marsh Cinquefoil

Gannet, Fulmar, Rock Pipit, Linnet, Skylark, Black Guillemot, Guillemot, Razorbill, Rock Dove, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Meadow Pipit, Arctic Tern, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover (10), Redshank, Corncrake, Shelduck (and 8 young), Eider, Wheatear, Rock Dove, Sand Martin, Pied Wagtail, Raven, Hooded Crow, Chough, Starling

Early Marsh Orchid, Marsh Cinquefoil, Marsh Marigold, Bogbean, Thrift, Daisy, Meadow Buttercup, Heath-spotted Orchid, White Clover, Eyebright, Wild Thyme, Water Mint, Common Scurvy Grass, Lousewort, Milkwort, Spring Squill, Bluebells, Roseroot, Flag Iris, Wild Pansy, Dog Violet, Cuckoo Flower, Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Tormentil, Bog Cotton, Dove’s-foot Crane’s-bill, Sea Campion, Marsh Pennywort, Silverweed,  Speedwell sp, Forget-me-not sp, Marsh Thistle, Mouse-ear Chickweed, English Stonecrop

Common Frog, Grey Seal, Hare, Rabbit

Green-veined White, Green Tiger Beetle, Garden Tiger Moth caterpillar

Green-veined White butterflies

There have been a number of these flying around in the last couple of weeks and here's a pair making sure there will be some in the future.
Malcolm

Ramble at Ardnave, 16th July 2012

It's about time I was out on another ramble and Lorna joined me this time, making 7 of us rambling even more slowly than usual at Ardnave this afternoon. Lorna was keen to explore under stones by the shore so our species list was extended to include shore creatures (but no lichens noted today!) Gregor also had great fun chasing butterflies. Many thanks to everyone for a most enjoyable ramble. Here's our list. If I've left anything out (excluding all those skeletons!), please let me know.
Becky

BIRDS
Linnet, Stonechat, Oystercatcher, Chough, Hooded Crow, Whimbrel, Ringed Plover, Eider, Red-breasted Merganser, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Sand Martin, Mallard, Mute Swan, Lapwing, Pied Wagtail, Sedge Warbler, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Starling, Grey Heron, Raven, Rock Pipit, Pheasant

FLORA
Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Meadow Buttercup, Dove’s-foot Cranesbill, Water Cress, Water Mint, Brooklime
Forget-me-not sp., Lady’s Bedstraw, Marsh Marigold, Silverweed, Germander Speedwell, White Clover
Lesser Trefoil, Daisy, Mouse-ear sp., Eyebright, Marsh Thistle, Spear Thistle, Creeping Thistle, Marsh Lousewort, Thrift, Lesser Spearwort, Ragged Robin, Sweet Vernal Grass, Common Nettle, Yellow Iris
Common Storksbill, Ribwort Plantain, Bracken, Cat’s-ear sp., Chalk Milkwort, Marsh Horsetail, Curled Dock, Cotton Grass Multiflora, Hare’s-tail Cottongrass, Wall Speedwell, Red Clover, Harebell, Grass of Parnassus, Bog Pimpernel, Pineapple Mayweed, Self-heal, Wild Thyme, Tormentil, Marsh Bedstraw, Marsh Willowherb, Yorkshire Fog, Purple Loosestrife, Square Stalked St. John's Wort, Sweet Vernal Grass, Lesser Water Plantain, Star Sedge, Tufted Vetch, Blue Water Speedwell, Knotted Pearlwort

INSECTS
(Butterflies) Ringlet, Common Blue, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Green-veined White
(Other) Cranefly, Beautiful China Mark, Dung Fly (and larvae), Dung Beetle, Blue-tailed Damselfly

SHORE CREATURES
Shore Crab, Acorn Barnacles, Common Whelk shell, Common Cockle, Carpet Shell, Crab sp.,

MAMMALS
Rabbit, Grey Seal

Acorn Barnacles




Crab sp.

 

Green-veined White



Beautiful China Mark



Ramblers at Ardnave

Green veined white and Orange Tip butterflies

Bridgend Woods.  We also saw a male Orange tip butterfly.

A selection from Mark and Sally Johnson

I didn't want to give all these goodies away at once, so here's a few more . . .

Marsh Fritillary

Pond Skaters

Green-veined White

Water Scorpion

Green veined White (Pieris napi thomsoni)

On a Dog violet near Kintra.  I think this is probably a female.  Again I am assuming this is the Scottish subspecies P. n. thomsoni.