Hi,

A week of generally sunny weather provided great conditions for winged insects with meadow brown and green-veined white butterflies observed as well as a mass emergence of bird cherry ermine moths. The ermine moths were particularly fond of hemp-agrimony flowers in the Tree Nursery allowing close views during the day.

Hemp-Agrimony is currently flowering in the Tree Nursery providing nectar for the ‘dalmatian patterned’ Bird Cherry Ermine moths (C) Adam Jones.

Other flowering plants on the reserve included, devil’s bit scabious (Wayleave), field scabious (Tree Nursery) and ling heather (Wayleave).

A Family Badger Watch on 22^nd produced great views of five badgers emerging from the sett as well as a roe deer.

Interesting bird sightings included, common buzzard (Bonnington Pavilion, daily), 5x stock dove (Walled Garden, regular), grey wagtail (Bonnington Linn, daily), 4x dipper ( 2 Visitor Centre and 2 Bonnington Linn, regular), jay (Dundaff Linn, occasional) and raven (Walled Garden, regular).

Weather Watch

As predicted the east coast did fairly well with migrant birds last week for example, a staggering 230 pied flycatchers were recorded at Spurn in East Yorkshire on the 24th. Here on the reserve I failed to locate any common redstart and to be honest any sign of migrant birds making landfall. The week ahead should be fairly quiet in turns of bird arrival from mainland Europe as westerly winds dominate, however northerly winds on Monday may assist migratory ospreys and it is this species that visitors should look out for flying over the reserve.

Adam Jones – Scottish Wildlife Trust, Falls of Clyde Seasonal Ranger

Help support our vital work and join us today!