Seashell Workshop - Sunday 4th September

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

Let's submerge...

Something a bit different today. Andy Ferrier does lots of diving for scallops and other shellfish in the waters around Port Askaig and has started taking his camera down on dives, with some great results. We've not had much (if any?!) underwater photography sent to us before, so it's doubly nice to see. If you can't get to the Natural History Centre in Port Charlotte to see our fabulous marine tanks, make do with these...

Here's a Cushion star

And a Dogfish, posing for the camera. Andy commented on how tame these were 

And neither myself or Andy know what these tube-like things are, but it's a great picture. Any ideas?

Lots more to come over the next few days, including a pretty cool swimming scallop. Thanks Andy!

Mark

Mesolithic excavation at Storakaig

Professor Steve Mithen of Reading University, whose presentation to the INHT was attended by around 100 people last night, is leading a second year of excavations on a site near Storakaig.  Last year, radiocarbon dates were obtained from the site placing it at the end of the Mesolithic, at around 5,800BP.  Steve says that this makes the site particularly interesting because it may provide clues as to the nature of the transition between the Mesolithic and Neolithic economic and cultural systems.

Of particular interest is the amount of organic material on the site, unusual on Islay because acid soils usually dissolve organic materials.  At Storakaig, however, the site sits on a limestone outcrop and preservation is enhanced.  This has enabled preservation of plant materials such as hazel shells, and also animal bones.  Mammals identified so far include Roe and Red deer, Badger, and Wild boar.  These latter two species are not now found on Islay of course, and Steve points out that finding their bones does not necessarily indicate that they were present even during the Mesolithic - they could have been imported by this highly mobile seafaring community for use as food or, more likely, tools. Alternatively, they could have been found dead on the shore - a badger was washed up on the Big Strand about 15 years ago.

Simon, Karen and Matt drive a core sampler into the peat to determine the extent of the Mesolithic living surface.

Once the core is removed it is examined for the dark staining that indicates the presence of the degraded organic material that comprises the living surface.

The living surface can be detected in this core between around 52-58cms;  the white flecks are bone fragments.

Steve Mithen (right) shows Mark Reynier of Bruichladdich fragments of worked stone on the areas of living surface being excavated in detail under a polytunnel.

Steve shows a stone that has obviously been used as an anvil - with a pronounced depression in its centre where it has been repeatedly struck.

Inside a second polytunnel, students work on sorting the finds.

The work is very painstaking.

Steve explains the significance of some of the more dramatic finds.

Barrow Boys.



A tiny arrowhead fashioned from quartz



This tiny flint microlith shows the delicate reworking of its edges



A flint core from which blades have been struck



Mesolithic tool kit.



Butterfly Bonanza

A visitor to the island made it his quest to photograph as many butterflies as he could whilst on holiday here. He promised to send his photos to us upon his return. True to his word, here they are. Thanks, Tim!
Becky

Common Blue - Polyommatus icarus

Dark Green Fritillary - Argynnis aglaja

Speckled Wood - Pararge aegeria

Meadow Brown - Maniola jurtina

Small Copper - Lycaena phlaeas

Grayling - Hipparchia semele

Jaws Galore (the friendly version!)

We have recently had two reports of over 20 Basking Sharks in Loch Indaal off the Rhinns, Nerabus southwards. This is exciting news so keep your eyes peeled!
Becky

Basking Shark

Seashell Workshop

Do you enjoy a walk on the beach? Do you find you can’t resist collecting seashells? Do you wonder what they all are?

I have been inspired since working on the display of shells at the Islay Natural History Trust (INHT) visitor centre many years ago to build up a collection of shells, most gathered from Islay.  So far I have recorded just over 110 species from Islay’s beaches and 129 in total from across the UK.  These range from the big Iceland Cyprina (up to 12 cm) which can live up to 100 years, the small but beautifully ornate Pheasant Shell to the tiny yet common Turtonia minuta (barely 2mm) which you probably unknowingly are walking all over, mixed up in the sand under your feet. 

I will be running a workshop and short talk at the Islay Natural History Trust centre on Sunday 4^th September from 2-4pm (donations welcome). If you have an interest and would like to learn about some of the shells you have found anywhere in Britain, bring them along and get some tips on identification techniques. There’ll also be an opportunity to use microscopes and the chance to get your hands stuck in shell-sand. We’ll be looking at other beachcombing finds too – so bring along your other strandline treasures as well.

Why not go beachcombing at your leisure sometime before and bring along your specimens?

If you have a collection of your own from Islay or further a field then please do get in touch (seashells@green-bug-productions.co.uk).  I would very much like to compare specimens and see if you have species missing from my list.  I am looking at photographing as many species as possible of all qualities, as a representation of all conditions likely to be found which will help aid identification. 

Fiona MacGillivray

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

Stone Age man on Islay

Red Admiral

There have been very few of these around this summer compared with past years - just two in my garden in the last two weeks. We'd love to hear of more records, and of Painted Lady, so please send us details via our Biological Records website (link at the top of the page).
Malcolm

Fungal Foray

We're breaking the record for the number of posts per day,but I don't want to leave anyone out and it's great having so many folk send in their records. Please keep them coming!

This latest batch is from Alistair Hutchison, a local man, and is more evidence I'm afraid of the onset of autumn - a veritable fungal foray. I'm afraid I don't know what the fungi are, but will seek help from the experts! NOW DONE AND IDENTIFIED. Thanks, Alistair!
Becky

Hygrocybe conica  - Blackening Waxcap

Volvariella gloiocephala

Polyporus squarmosus - Dryads Saddle (sorry-looking specimen)

Hygrocybe conica  - Blackening Waxcap

Carabus clatratus - Golden-dimpled Ground Beetle

I've been waiting for definitive identification of this previously misidentified (by me!) beetle. I'd thought it was Carabus arvensis, but it is in fact the superb Carabus clatratus, which for once has an English name - and a rather lovely and fitting one at that - Golden-dimpled Ground Beetle.
Becky

Carabus clatratus - Golden-dimpled Ground Beetle

Moths from the Lawson family

The Lawson family are regular visitors to Islay and keen naturalists. They have borrowed the moth trap this week and sent us these photos. Thanks everyone!
Becky

Ear Moth sp.

Chevron - Eulithis testata

Burnished Brass - Diachrysia chrysitis

Autumnal Rustic - Eugnorisma glareosa

Rosy Rustic - Hydraecia micacea

Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk Moth

A representative of Butterfly Conservation Scotland was over last week surveying Marsh Fritillary caterpillars. He really liked our butterfly display! He's going to send more records, but for now sent in this great photo of a Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk Moth larva. Thanks Paul!
Becky

Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk Moth caterpillar

Walk to Stremnishmore

Whilst Fiona was exploring moorland at Upper Killeyan yesterday, I was not too far away, walking to Stremnishmore, a deserted farmstead on the Oa. There was a lot to be enthused about (despite lack of good lighting for photography), but I was particulary excited about these Marsh Fritillary caterpillars. These butterflies seem to have had a poor year, not helped no doubt by THE storm of 23rd May, so it was encouraging to see these critters swarming about. I only saw one web though.

Also saw this common ground beetle, Pterostichus niger.
Becky

Marsh Fritillary caterpillars, pre-hibernation

Pterostichus niger

Moorland Magic at Kintra

Fiona sent in this piece about yesterday's magic moorland session:

Moorland magic this Tuesday was attended by 10 very enthusiastic participants on a small area of moorland just 100m from the RSPB Upper Killeyan car park on the Mull of Oa. We investigated the hidden range of colour to be found if you get down low and really look, moorland is definitely not dull and boring. The Ling Heather is just beginning to bloom, but despite many flowering plants having set seed there was still a rich range of greens, yellows, pinks and autumnal browns but a distinct lack of blues.
A search for animal life revealed a great variety of invertebrates, spiders, leafhoppers, centipedes, beetles and some impressive grasshoppers including both common green and meadow grasshoppers. Unfortunately the weather was a bit cool and densely overcast so no butterflies although a moth was captured. We also found round-leaved sundews an insectivorous plant.
I am looking forward to next week, (unfortunately), the last activity of the summer when it will be beachcombing on Uiskentuie Strand.

Bug Box with Leaf hopper, Jumping Spider and Meadow Grasshopper

Flora and Fauna at Kintra, 22nd August 2011

What a great ramble! There were 9 of us today and we were able to cross the mighty ravine this time. I like it when folk stop and ask me questions - lets me know they're still interested, so thanks to all for their questions and patience and enthusiasm. Here's the list. Look out for the GREAT, BIG FLY (yet another Bumble Bee mimic) and see Carl's previous post. Thanks also to Catriona (I think) for demonstrating how to use a rush for a wick and to Ann and Bill for the geology lesson!
Becky

BIRDS: Cormorant, Shag, Black Guillemot, Eider, Common Gull, Wheatear, Rook, Chough, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Swallow, Twite, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Starling, Raven, Pied Wagtail

FUNGI AND LICHEN: Panaeolus semiovatus (in cow dung), Red Waxcap, Puffball, Xanthoria parietina (yellow on rocks), Anaptychia runsinata (brown seaweed foliose species), Ramalina sp. (on stone), Cladonia portentosa - Reindeer moss (grows in grass), Ochrolechia parella - Fish-eye lichen (white on stone), Parmelia saxatilis (foliose on stone/fence posts), Rhizocarpon geographicum - 'map' lichen (bright green on stone)

FLORA: Red Bartsia, Harebell, Tormentil, Bird's-foot Trefoil, Devil's-bit Scabious, Black Knapweed, Marsh Thistle, Spear Thistle, Creeping Thistle, Dove's-foot Crane's-bill, Marsh Pennywort, Marsh Lousewort, Lady's Bedstraw, Daisy, Meadow Buttercup, Lesser Spearwort, Ivy-leaved Crowfoot, English Stonecrop, Yellow Rattle, Mouse-ear sp., Hawkweed sp., Heather, Cross-leaved Heath, Bell Heather, Common Nettle, Germander Speedwell, Wild Thyme, Bog Myrtle, Common Spiked Rush, Perennial Rye Grass, Yorkshire Fog, Common Cottongrass, Silverweed, White Clover, Red Clover, Curled Dock, Carnation Sedge, Reed, Knotted Pearlwort

INSECTS: Peacock Butterfly, Meadow Brown, Green-veined White, Tacchina grossa, Bombus lucorum (White-tailed Bumble Bee), Bombus pascuorum (Common Carder Bee), Carabus sp., (Ground beetle), Eristalis arbustorum male (hoverfly)

Catriona demonstrates how to use the white inside a Common Spiked Rush as a wick - a lesson learned from Loch Tay crannog.

Tachina grossa

Eristalis arbustorum

Happy ramblers at Kintra.