Nature Ramble at Killinallan 17th June 2013

What a fantastic ramble! There were seven ramblers out enjoying the sunshine with the Grey Seals at Killinallan today and we were rewarded with the most obliging Common Lizard ever, which ended its 5 minute long display by starting to run up Riona's leg, much to our amusement! She said she wouldn't have been as calm if it had been an adder! Malcolm also showed us Adder's Tongue Fern, a diminutive member of the fern family and a new species for me and we saw the first ever nature ramble Marsh Fritillary. Birds, there were few, but there was enough to look at besides - oh, and the beautiful Burnet Rose was in bloom too. Thanks for coming everyone! I have a hopeful feeling I've left something out of the lists and that someone will notice!
Becky

Adder's Tongue Fern (Ophioglossum vulgatum) named after a belief that its similarity to a snake’s tongue meant it could be used as an antidote to snakebite.

Burnet Rose (Rosa pimpinellifolia)

Common Lizard

Ramblers at Killinallan

Sea Spurrey sp.

BIRDS

Oystercatcher, Pied Wagtail, Eider, Herring Gull, Redshank, Wheatear, Skylark, Raven

FLORA

Meadow Buttercup, Burnet Rose, Early Marsh Orchid (subspecies pulchella and coccinea), Heath-spotted Orchid, Sea Spurrey, Sea Plantain, Sea Milkwort, Common Milkwort, Common Butterwort, Adder's Tongue Fern, Pyramidal Orchid, Germander Speedwell, Heath Speedwell, Tormentil, Marsh Marigold, Thrift, Daisy, Bog Myrtle, Cat's Ear, Marsh Thistle, Heath Bedstraw, White Clover, Bracken, Common Twayblade, Cuckoo Flower, Bogbean, Ragged Robin, Iris, Meadowsweet (leaves), Yorkshire Fog, Carnation Sedge, Soft Rush, Fairy Flax, Water Mint, Common Scurvy Grass, Black Bog-rush (Schoenus nigricans), Marsh Lousewort, Common Sedge, Star Sedge, Common Cottongrass, Common Spike-rush, Water Horsetail

INSECTS

Small Heath, Marsh Fritillary, unknown beetle (awaiting id), Bombus lucorum (White-tailed Bumble Bee), Six-spot Burnet Moth, Dung Flies, Green-veined White, Large Red Damselfly

MAMMALS, REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS

Grey Seal, Common Lizard, Common Frog