Christine's walking & birds blog

Yesterday: The weather forecast was good so Greger suggested a walk in the Inverlael forest. At the highest point we had good views up to the bealach between Meall nan Ceapraichean (to the left) and Beinn Dearg with its "dry stane dyke".


My target birds were spotted flycatcher and tree pipit, both of which we've seen here on hill-walks. But there was no sign of either; and in fact it was so quiet bird-wise that this nice summery day belonged to flowers and insects. There were several spectacular golden-ringed dragonflies around, but a four-spotted chaser was a first for me.


Two small pearl-bordered fritillaries restlessly patrolled the sunny open area where we had lunch, one landing on what I think is a northern marsh orchid.


A rambling shrub was attracting many bees and hoverflies, but I remarked that I would have to look it up at home as I had no idea what it was. Greger suggested wild raspberry. Sometimes, I'm completely dense! It even had small green raspberries on it.

As we packed up and walked on, a large tawny moth was seen flying upwards among spruces. It flew down and past us, looking very furry. Possibly an oak eggar. On the higher path was a patch of pretty little flowers which I've identified as heath speedwell; just before I took the picture a green hairstreak butterfly had been nectaring there.


Before climbing the stile back into the car park, I snapped the phone box. You never know when it might disappear.


We walked in shorts and T-shirts. Greger still has not quite shaken off his cold so he was tired. Back home, I got him to drop me off at the quarry road and I walked further up, hoping for more fritillaries. The upper quarry is more active this year, and the grass and flowers along the roadside are grey with dust. However, a patch of wild thyme had attracted two small pearl-bordered fritillaries, both of them wary, and one of which I managed to snap from a distance.


As for the pearl-bordered fritillaries, they emerge earlier in the year, so what's become of them? I didn't expect anything else of interest as I trudged down the dusty road, but right at the bottom there was a nice surprise. Deep among the trees on the bank of the river, at least one adult spotted flycatcher was feeding at least one fledgling.

And today? Well, there were strong winds overnight and it has been raining for most of the day. Normal service.