Flora and Fauna at Sanaigmore, 2nd September 2011

Yesterday's ramble broke another record - the wettest yet, but all six of our ramblers refused to turn back, despite pressing from the leader! That's what I like to see! Botanising was more of a challenge as a lot of flowers were resolutely closed against the bad weather. Thanks eveyone for making it such an enjoyable ramble.
Becky

BIRDS
Chough, Swallow, Stonechat (family of 7), Ringed Plover, Curlew, Gannet, Rock Dove, Herring Gull

LICHENS AND FUNGI
Xanthoria parietina (foliose; bright yellow on rocks and wall), Parmelia saxatilis (foliose; grey), Anaptychia runcinata (foliose; brown/bronzey patches on wall), Porpidia sp., (crustose; black dots on wall); Ramalina sp., (fruitose; grey/green bushy patches on wall), Physcia adscendens (foliose; 'eyelash lichen'), plus other unknown species, waxcap sp., (also lots of unknown fungi spp). I intend to return and do a thorough lichen inventory of this wall. Any closet lichen experts/enthusiasts please get in touch!

FLORA
Forget-me-not sp., Chickweed sp., Hawkweed  sp., Monkey Flower, Yellow Rattle, Creeping Thistle, Spear Thistle, Meadow Buttercup, Red Bartsia, Daisy, Harebell, Self-heal, Redshank, Shepherd's Purse, Hogweed, Butterbur, Eyebright, Autumn Gentian, Field Gentian, Common Centaury, Bird's-foot Trefoil, Common Storksbill, Silverweed, White Cover, Red Clover, Groundsel, Pineapple Mayweed, Common Nettle, Lady's Bedstraw, Common Ragwort, Black Knapweed, Jointed Rush, Prickly Sow Thistle, Cleavers, Marsh Willowherb, Yorkshire Fog, Yarrow, Thrift, Marram Grass, Scarlet Pimpernel, Ribwort Plantain

OTHER
Common Toadlet, Fox Moth caterpillars, White-tailed Bumble Bee, Common Carder Bee

Rather wet Fox Moth Caterpillar