my local patch and wildlife - Ian McDonald

[ian mcdonald]

Common Sandpipers are back along the river.



Marsh Marigolds are in flower.



Siskins were seen on the bird feeders.



A Hare was on the road, as I approached it ran into a field.



Squirrels are regular visitors to the bird feeders.

[ian mcdonald]

My first sighting of an Osprey this year, I only noticed it because noisy gulls were mobbing it.

[ian mcdonald]

After months of cold and wet weather we have had a couple of sunny warm days. The last week has brought a good number of Spring flowers along the river, many of them are invasive, non-native species.



Leopards Bane.



Tuberous Comfrey.



Bird Cherry.



Sand Martins are back for the Summer, along with House Martins and Swallows. No sign of Swifts yet.

[ian mcdonald]

The last two days have been hot and dry after 6 months of rain. Lousewort is flowering on a local golf course.



Milkwort is also in flower.



Sea Campion.



Gorse is full of flower, perhaps due to the wet conditions.



This is what it looks like without the rain.

[ian mcdonald]

Last week I went with a group of Botanists to look for Knotted Clover. It,s thought that the local site is the most Northerly in the UK for the species. After a short search we found it.



Today I went for a walk past the golf course. The temperature was low, more like March. This must be the coldest June on record. Several plants of Chickweed Wintergreen were in flower.



A Jay visited the bird feeders in the wood but did not stay long.



Three Red Squirrels came to the feeders.



Someone has put a cartoon at the feeders which shows squirrels stealing a sack of food with the text....."it,s not personal-we just decided it was time to hit the supply chain.

I saw a Pebble Hook Tip moth resting on grass.

[ian mcdonald]

Back to Winter weather, with people wearing Winter cloths and the central heating turned on again. I found 14 Northern Marsh Orchids in a new site.



Hay Rattle is in flower along the river.



A couple of Wrens were churring at me, I think they must have a nest or young nearby.



Dog Daisies are just starting to flower.



A view of the river with impending rain.

[Yann]

Ian where your last photos were taken? I collected seeds on Gagea lutea 2 months ago which is late for us, yours are still blooming incredible.

[ian mcdonald]

Yann, the Gagea were flowering at the end of March/early April.

[ian mcdonald]

We went to Loch Ness last week. On the first morning the Loch was covered in mist.





In a small blanket bog were Fragrant Orchids.



A few Bogbean were still in flower in a Lochan.



A couple of Red Kite were seen.

[ian mcdonald]

Butterwort were in the Bog.



Four-spot Chasers were on the wing.



Urquhart Castle.



Boats and the wind etc. were making waves.