Sanaigmore nature ramble 3rd June 2013

What a great start to our season of rambles! I was delighted when 13 people turned up at Sanaigmore for our ramble today - each of them equipped with a pair of binoculars and oozing with enthusiasm. With the exception of Danny, none had been to Islay before. We stayed out in the warm sunshine for longer than usual, such was our reluctance to return to the cars. The highlight has got to be the ever present summer plumaged Great Norther Diver - and the Chough which flew over on cue just when we had resigned ourselves to a Choughless afternoon! Thanks everyone!
Becky

BIRDS
Dunnock, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Swallow, Chough, Arctic Tern, Wheatear, Meadow Pipit, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Common Gull, Ringed Plover, Twite, Pied Wagtail, Jackdaw, Starling, Black Guillemot, Great Northern Diver, Shelduck, Reed Bunting, Skylark

FLORA
Germander Speedwell, Brooklime, Marsh Marigold, Lesser Celandine, Common Milkwort, Bulbous Buttercup, Meadow Buttercup, Daisy, Heath Speedwell, Wall Speedwell, Common Scurvy Grass, Thrift, Silverweed (leaves only), Dove's-foot Cranesbill, Common Storksbill, Lesser Burdock, Common Nettle, Spear Thistle, Bird's-foot Trefoil, Biting Stonecrop (leaves only), English Stonecrop (leaves only), Mouse-ear Chickweed, Cuckoo Flower, Common Cottongrass, Dog Violet, Gorse, Willow sp, Bluebell

LICHEN
Anaptychia runcinata (brown foliose sp on wall), Ramalina siliquosa (grey-green fruitose species on wall)

INSECTS
Bumble bee sp, Green-veined White Butterflies (lots), Small Tortoiseshell

MAMMALS
Red Deer

Common Gull Chicks

Watching the Great Northern Diver

Bulbous Buttercup - Ranunculus bulbosus

Bulbous Buttercup - Ranunculus bulbosus - differentiated from Meadow Buttercup by its downturned sepals.

Bulbous Buttercup - Ranunculus bulbosus.  I was asked why it was called bulbous buttercup and I found this photo of its bulbous root on wikipedia