Flower Power at Killinallan

It seems that every time I turn up at Killinallan it starts raining, and yesterday was no exception for our flower power session in which we learned all about pollination. We counted 15 species of flower in a metre square including Frog Orchid and Autumn Gentian and discussed how important scent and colour is to bees and other pollinating insects.
Becky

Maisie takes a diversion from butterflies and holds a tiny Shore Crab

Goldspot moth - note its curled proboscis - on Devil's-bit Scabious

Dark Green Fritillary - this butterfly was very obliging and stayed for ages on this Scabious, displaying the green sheen on the underside of its hind wings which give this species its name.

Nature Ramble at Killinallan - Friday 21st September 2012

I was pleased to have a ramble on the first day of autumn, and that the weather was so favourable. For once the seals weren't singing, but there was still a wealth of floral bounty to enjoy. Thanks to Rosie, Marion and Laurie for coming and for being so enthusiastic.
Becky

BIRDS
Curlew, Oystercatcher, Grey Heron, Rock Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Bar-tailed Godwit, Rock Dove, Starling

FLORA
Autumn Gentian, Daisy, Ragged Robin, Flag Iris (leaves), Frog Orchid, Tormentil, Marsh Pennywort, Tufted Vetch (leaves), Marsh Lousewort, Grass of Parnassus, Devil's-bit Scabious, Black Bog Rush, Self-heal, Marsh Thistle, Red Clover, Bracken, Wild Thyme, Burnet Rose (leaves), Yarrow, Meadowsweet, Thrift, Harebell, Water Mint

LICHEN
Fruitose sp (Ramalina), Crustose sp (Lecanora), Foliose sp (Xanthoria parietina)

INSECTS AND SPIDERS
Bombus lucorum (White-tailed Bumble Bee), Orb Weaver Spider

SHORE CREATURES
Shore Crab

Autumn Gentian

Bombus lucorum (White-tailed Bumble Bee) on Devil's-bit Scabious

Unknown insects on Grass of Parnassus

Compare this to last Friday's seascape!

Rosie watches a compliant bumble bee (closer photo above)

Walk from Kintour to Tighnaspeur and back to Tallant

As far as the weather's concerned, all I can say is I'm glad we didn't attempt it yesterday! This was a circular walk from Kintour across relentless bog and ancient dùns to Tighnaspeur (Sky House) and back to the phone masts at Tallant. Not a long walk in terms of miles, but over very difficult terrain. It was thoroughly enjoyable and we saw lots of creepy crawlies! I'll miss Lorna's company on these walks - not many folk can say at the end of the walk, when discussing the ups and downs of the day, "but I liked the bog!"
Becky

BIRDS
Raven, Meadow Pipit, Robin, Wren, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch (all at Tallant), Skylark

MAMMALS
Red Deer (roaring)

INVERTEBRATES
4-spot Orb Weaver Spiders (lots), other spider spp, Violet Ground Beetle, Satyr Pug caterpillars, Marsh Fritillary web, Bombus pascourum (Common Carder Bee), Brown Leafhopper, Hoverfly spp,

FUNGI AND LICHEN
Cladonia sp., fungi to be identified

FLORA
Bog Pimpernel, Cross-leaved Heath, Bell Heather, Heather, Devil's-bit Scabious, Round-leaved Sundew, Water Mint, Goat Willow, Bog Myrtle, Lesser Spearwort, Tormentil, Milkwort

Female 4-spot Orb Weaver Spider on its web

Wall remains of Dùn Beag

Bombus Pascourum (Common Carder Bee)

Raven calling

Satyr Pug larva on Devil's-bit Scabious

Violet Ground Beetle

Ramble down Glen Astle yesterday

Yesterday my parents and I sauntered down Glen Astle in true naturalist mode, even slower than usual. Our main purpose was to find Marsh Fritillary webs as this is the time of year to look for them around Devil's-bit Scabious plants. There is plenty of Devil's-bit Scabious in Glen Astle and we managed to find two webs. The caterpillars were just emerging from their safe haven in order to soak up some of the welcome sunshine. Apart from the webs, it was a very successful ramble for anything other than birds. Here are some of our highlights. Once identification has been confirmed for our other sightings, I will post them to the blog. Becky

Devil's-bit Scabious - the food-plant of the Marsh Fritillary

Marsh Fritillary caterpillars and web

Small Copper

Trailing St. John's Wort (Hypericum humifusum)

Flora and Fauna at Killinallan, 29th August 2011

Only two people for today's windy ramble. Think we'll need to improve the advertising for next year. It's been interesting going back to Killinallan over the past few months and seeing the annual floral cycle take place. The orchids are now all gone and instead of being awash with pinks and purples, the dunes are a carpet of blues with Harebells and Devil's-bit-Scabious in profusion. Fungi is sprouting up all over the place as well - and so we welcome autumn!

BIRDS
Curlew, Raven, Oystercatcher, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Gull, Eider, Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting, Pied (White) Wagtail

MAMMALS
Grey Seals (singing)

LICHEN
Xanthoria parietina, Anaptychia runsinata, Lecanora Gangloides, Ramalina sp.

FUNGI
Lots of species - to be identified we hope!

INSECTS AND SPIDERS
Dark Green Fritillary, Bombus pascuorum (Common Carder Bee - the 'orange' one), Bombus Lucorum (White-tailed Bumble Bee), Orb-weaver Spider Web

AMPHIBIANS
Baby Common Frog

FLORA
Autumn Gentian, Yellow Flag, Self-heal, Wild Thyme, Yarrow, Harebell, Devil's-bit Scabious, Thrift, Sea Milkwort, Silverweed, Marsh Marigold, Water Mint, Forget-me-not sp., Marram Grass, Yorkshire Fog, Sweet Vernal Grass, Grass of Parnassus, Black Bog Rush, Jointed Rush, Tormentil, Bird's-foot Trefoil, Lesser Spearwort, Eyebright, Spear Thistle, Creeping Thistle, Lady's Bedstraw, Red Clover, Bracken, Marsh Pennywort, Marsh Lousewort, Lesser Meadow Rue, Ragged Robin, Meadowsweet, Angelica, Pignut, Hawkweed, Knotted Pearlwort, Marsh Willowherb

A profusion of Devil's-bit Scabious