my local patch and wildlife - Ian McDonald

[ian mcdonald]

I think this is a Red Legged Shieldbug on a Lime tree.



A Roe Deer was watching me as I walked past a grass field.



Dogs Vomit Slime Mould was noticed in a conifer woodland.



Down at the river I saw a Grey Wagtail, looking quite smart.



A Common Sandpiper was waiting for the next boat trip.

[ian mcdonald]

I had been hearing a Garden Warbler singing from bushes for some time. Sometimes  it was in a singing competition with a Blackcap. At last it came out into the open and I managed a few photos. It was also feeding young.



Monkey Flower, Mimulus, is thinly spread along the river side.



I saw a single Green Veined White on one of my walks by the river.



A Hawthorn? Shieldbug.



Herons are often seen in the river. Water is very low due to the lack of rain.

[ian mcdonald]

I saw several plants of Chickweed Wintergreen by the Golf Course.



A Small Copper was by the Clubhouse.



A Millipede was crossing the road.



Blackcaps are a good sign that Spring is here. I think they have started to stay over-winter in milder areas.



I think this might be one of the Click Beetles.

[Maggi Young]

You are noting some very interesting things, Ian - as ever!  We have had Blackcaps here from time to time over the winter and into the summer, so I believe  you are correct in thinking they are living locally year round.

[FrazerHenderson]

Ian - I think that your Click beetle photograph looks like the Common Brown Click Beetle, Athous haemorrhoidalis Really liked, also, the shield bug photographs. Enjoy perusing your patch when it's raining here!

[ian mcdonald]

Thanks Frazer.

[ian mcdonald]

Some of the sights and wildlife seen on a recent outing.



Northern Emerald Dragonfly.



Yellow Saxifrage.





Parsley Fern.

[ian mcdonald]

Lichens on a rock.



Red Deer Hind.



There were several squirrels, usually with a brown tail.



This one had a blonde tail.



It was determined to get at the nuts.

[ian mcdonald]

This is what it thought to me taking a photo.



A Buzzard had seen something.



A Sexton Beetle.



Large Red Damselfly.



Golden Chanterelles are just on show.

[ian mcdonald]

I had a walk along a path yesterday to see what the state of upland plants are in. It may have been a bit late in the season but I again noticed that flowering plants are fewer than in the 1990s. Also the species are much less. The vegetation consists more of heather and Deer grass. On the other hand, Clubmosses were still doing well. The weather was dry and fairly warm with just a light breeze. The only wildlife I saw were a number of flies, Bees and a single Snow Bunting. Although this year has been one of early heat, which encouraged plants to flower early and go to seed in a short time, I don,t think this was the only reason for the lack of plants in flower. I expect the experts will have their own opinions on this. I,m just going on my own observations as an amateur.



Fir Clubmoss.



Interrupted Clubmoss.



Alpine Clubmoss.



Lesser Clubmoss.



Goldenrod.

[ian mcdonald]

Roseroot.



Alpine Saw-wort.



Dwarf Azalea in fruit.



Cloudberry in fruit.



Dwarf Cornel in fruit.

[ian mcdonald]

Snow Bunting.

[ashley]

That's a nice selection of clubmosses Ian
Here fir clubmoss is still fairly widespead in the hills but the others much less so.
Walking last weekend near the end of the Beara peninsula in SW Ireland I saw some fine goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea) down almost to sea-level. 
By contrast, alpine saw-wort (Saussurea alpina) is rare here & in retreat with climate change. 

[ian mcdonald]

Seen recently was a Kingfisher on a rock at the far side of the river.



Four Red Squirrels were seen at the feeders. Two had brown tails, one had hardly any hair on its tail and one had a black and white tail.







Also seen was a Wren.

[ian mcdonald]

Some of the wildlife seen on todays walk were an Emperor Moth caterpillar.



The Squirrel with the partly bald tail.



A species of Puffball.



Devils Bit Scabious.



And Sneezewort.



Trees are still being felled up the hill and I,m keeping a photo diary of progress, when work is stopped.