Tuesday 25 September 2012

Nature Ramble at Ardnave - 24th September 2012

I was more surprised than ever when four intrepid ramblers walked boldly through the door yesterday morning and announced they wanted to book for the ramble that afternoon. Undeterred by our doom and gloom about the weather forecast they said they'd call back at 1.30 pm to see what the verdict was. Meanwhile two more men turned up and asked if there was any way they could get a lift for the ramble! I think I was the only reluctant one, but we all togged up with gaiters and waterproofs and set off, preparing ourselves by discussing Shackleton and Antarctica on the way.

It was actually OK. Lesson learned - do not always trust the forecast! Or maybe it was a case of expecting the worst so anything slightly better would seem a bonus. Anyway, thanks folks for encouraging me to get out. It was a great ramble (no photos though!) - I'm glad it wasn't today!
Becky

BIRDS
Curlew (heard), Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Chough, Pied Wagtail, Mute Swan, Rock Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Snipe, Grey Heron

FLORA
Common Storksbill, Ragged Robin, Grass of Parnassus, Marsh Marigold (leaves), Flag Iris (leaves), Water Mint, Devil's-bit Scabious, Sheep's-bit, Bell Heather, Tormentil, Meadowsweet, Yarrow, Common Centaury (new one for this ramble), Lady's Bedstraw, Marsh Lousewort, Square-stalked St John's Wort, Water Cress, Brooklime, Speedwell sp., Forget-me-not sp., Common Nettle, Creeping Thistle, Marsh Thistle, Self-heal, Lesser Spearwort, Silverweed (leaves), Red Clover, White Clover, Harebell, Milkwort, Red Bartsia, Meadow Buttercup, Wild Thyme, Daisy, Bracken, Tufted Vetch (leaves)

LICHEN AND FUNGI
Xanthoria parietina (yellow foliose), Anaptychia runsinata (Brown foliose turning green when wet), Ramalina sp. (grey/green fruitose), Lecanora sp (crustose with black 'jam tarts'), Red Waxcap


MAMMALS AND INVERTEBRATES
Hare, Wolf Spider, Fox Moth caterpillar

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