Flora and fauna at Sanaigmore, 29th July 2011

We had a record total of 15 people on today's ramble and it was fantastic. Thanks everyone for coming and for your enthusiasm, questions and observations. I think the highlight today was the gentian spp. We saw both Field Gentian and Autumn Gentian, growing in separate areas but restricted to a couple of patches, both on tiny hillocks. Interesting. The scent emanating from the throng of Creeping Thistles was amazing - like honey, someone commented.  Any omissions or corrections, please let me know. The lists are getting longer so it's getting more difficult to remember everything!
Becky

BIRDS
Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Twite, Chough, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Gannet, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Wheatear, Linnet, Pied Wagtail, Swallow, Sand Martin

INSECTS
Aphodius fimetarius - Dung Beetle, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Meadow Grasshopper, Common Blue

LICHENS, FUNGI AND SEAWEED
Dung Round Cap, Xanthoria parietina (bright yellow), Ramalina sp. (tufty green), Anaptychia runsinata (foliose bronzey brown like seaweed), Parmelia saxatalis (grey foliose species), Enteromorpha intestinalis

MAMMALS
Rabbit

FLORA
Thrift, Water Forget-me-not, Carnation Sedge, Birds-foot Trefoil, Yellow Flag, Monkey Flower, Silverweed, Marsh Marigold, Meadow Buttercup, Daisy, Watercress, Sea Rocket, Ragwort, Butterbur, Marram Grass, Lady's Bedstraw, Bell Heather, Deer Grass, White Clover, Red Clover, Common Sorrel, Common Storksbill, Dog Violet, Germander Speedwell, Eyebright, Ragged Robin, Cuckoo Flower, Water Mint, Marsh Pennywort, Wild Thyme, Tormentil, Marsh Bedstraw, Sea Sandwort, Sea Purslane, English Stonecrop, Dove's-foot Cranesbill, Common Hawksbit, Heather, Spear Thistle, Creeping Thistle, Lesser Spearwort, Common Nettle, Curled Dock, Autumn Gentian, Field Gentian, Common Centaury, Lesser Burdock, Cleavers, Jointed Rush, Common Rush, Self-heal, Common Milkwort, Bog Pimpernel, Cat's-ear, Red Bartsia, Yellow Rattle, Marsh Pennywort, Redshank, Marsh Willowherb, Common Cottongrass, Cow Parsley, Mouse-ear Chickweed, Gorse, Yorkshire Fog, Thyme-leaved Sandwort, Fairy Flax, Harebell, Yarrow, Devil's-bit Scabious, Pineapple Mayweed, Black Knapweed, Prickly Sow Thistle

Abbi shows how tall Spear Thistle can grow

To show the beautiful location

Absorbed ramblers

Someone managed to catch a grasshopper

Aphodius fimetarius - a type of Dung Beetle