my local patch and wildlife - Ian McDonald

[ian mcdonald]

Mallards often loose some young. This one had ten in tow.



Moths were keeping out of the wind and rain. This is a Beautiful Carpet.



This Sparrow-hawk was waiting for Sand Martins to return to the nest site.



Greater Bellflower, C. latifolia, is in flower.



A tall Hypericum is by the river. A garden throw-out? I think it is H. forrestii.



Thanks Fred if it works now.

[ian mcdonald]

During a plant survey of part of the local area I came across some unusual records. One was Purple Toadflax growing on the local Moorland.



A fairly common species of Northern pinewoods is Creeping Lady,s Tresses, Goodyera repens.



Stags-horn Clubmoss is an occasional find. On one track there were many plants.



A tiny Eyebright, E. micrantha was difficult to photo. as the camera would not focus on the small flower.



A Hare was keeping a low profile on the golf course.

[Robert]

Hi Ian,

Are high temperatures or a lack of precipitation impacting the plants or wildlife at any of the sites you visit this season?

My wife, Jasmin, and I follow your blog/diary on a regular basis. Your wildlife photography is exceptional.

[ian mcdonald]

Hello Robert, the temperatures in this area are not excessive. It has been generally dull and cool this Summer. There has not been much rain, except on a few days and the local river, which is fed from the Mountains about forty miles and more in the South and West, is still low. When the Sun shines and there is no breeze it can become quite hot but no-where near the temperatures in Southern England. My impression is that this year is much the same as 2021. A few mild days in February when it was comfortable to sit on the river bank, then the Spring seemed to be a non-event. The soil surface in the garden soon dries out and new plants need to be kept watered. Where I live is higher than the nearest city, which is more like a town in size. Although only ten miles away the climates are different. My uncle, who lived in the city, used to say he had not seen snow in Winter although this area was affected by snow and ice. As for my wildlife photos. I was just thinking the other day that I see wildlife as it is disappearing and am not able to get the photo. I would like. The number of times I see a bird or animals backside instead of full image. At least with digital cameras I can delete the photo. straight away instead of waiting two weeks for the slides to come back. I,m still trying to get a photo. of the Jay that visits the bird feeders up in the wood. They are very wary of people. The Pine Martens have moved closer to the village, due to the conifer woodland being removed for timber. I hope to get an image of them some time. They have started to come to the bird feeders but they also prey on the red squirrels that use the feeders. As my main interest is wild flowers any other wildlife seen is a bonus.

[ian mcdonald]

I think today has been the hottest so far this year. The temperature in the shade of the house and measured about 5 ft. from the ground is 30C. In direct sun it is 34C.

[ian mcdonald]

Here are some photos. of wildlife seen lately.



Alsike Clover, Trifolium hybridum.



Common White Wave.



Female Roe Deer in a pine wood.



Male Roe Deer in a field.



New Zealand Willowherb, Epilobium brunnescens. An introduction widespread in the UK.

[ian mcdonald]

I think these are Reed Beetles, possibly Pondweed?



Large Red Damselfly.



Blue Tailed Damselfly.



Common Blue Damselfly.



Emerald Damselfly.

[ian mcdonald]

Common Green Grasshopper.



Toad.



Close-up of Toad Rush flower.



Star Sedge, Carex echinata (lower) and Common Sedge, C. nigra (upper).



Greater Tussock Sedge, C. paniculata.

[Maggi Young]

some super wildlife photo captures, there, Ian!

[ian mcdonald]

Vipers Bugloss.



Green Flowered Helleborine.



Red Berried Elder.



Desiccated Parasol Mushroom.



Red Squirrel.

[ian mcdonald]

Small Copper.



Devils-bit Scabious.



Broad-leaved Ragwort.



Trout.



Field Gentian, Gentianella campestris.

[ian mcdonald]

A crime scene? with Sexton Beetle.



Basil Thyme, thought to be the last remaining site in Scotland for this species.



The Moon has been at its closest for some time. This photo, taken last night also shows Venus to the left.

[ian mcdonald]

The Moon showing large craters near the rim.



A close-up of Heather, Calluna vulgaris.



Bell Heather, Erica cinerea, has a long flowering season.



I found a patch of white heather along a track.



A Southern Beech, Nothofagus sp. planted by the forestry.

[ian mcdonald]

A Red Squirrel showing its claws, four on the front feet and five on the hind feet.



Scotch Argus, a bit faded.



Wood Horsetail growing by the track.



An acrobatic Great Spotted Woodpecker.



There were two on the feeders. Two Jays kept coming to the feeders but were too nervous to stay for a photo. A Raven was heard calling across the small valley. Chaffinchs are common on the feeders as are Coal Tits, Blue Tits and Great Tits. Less common are Crested Tits. Winter visitors to the food include Brambling. Goldcrest pick up fallen food from the ground. Tree Creepers are sometimes seen working their way up from the bottom of the pines then fly to another tree, probing the bark for insects.

[ian mcdonald]

A short walk down by the river recently and it seemed that the wildlife is at a quiet period just now. Sand Martins and Swifts were not seen. Warblers have either left or stopped singing. A small beetle I saw may be a Cerial Leaf Beetle. There are several similar species.



A Hoverfly on Bramble may have been a Blotch-winged Hoverfly.



A small patch of Amphibious Bistort was seen in the river.



Growing among rocks by the river are several native Goldenrod, Solidago virgaurea. Not to be confused with the taller garden escapes, Canadian Goldenrod.