Autumn walk at Eskrigg 25/10/16

Fine weather was forecast so we headed to Eskrigg Reserve to find some fungi and Autumnal colours to photograph.

 

We noticed that there was a pond-dipping event on so avoided the main hide and kept to the perimeter paths around the reserve.

 

There were lots of opportunities for seeing the dappled sun shining through the colourful leaves.

 

Remember, if you click on a photo below you can view the pictures bigger and as a slide show.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floral Favourites Sept 2016

The first half of the month consisted of many muggy days and nights. There wasn't always necessarily a lot of sunshine - in fact there were plenty of showers - but it was very warm! 

The clearing up in the garden and the greenhouse continued around the still - flowering specimens. The Kaffir lilies are beginning to flower nicely. They are such a nice sight towards the end of the season. We have red and pink ones, in their delicate shades of colour.

 

 

The red leaves of the photinia are looking really vibrant this year too.

I have trimmed back many of the perennial plants, including the buddleias. Plants in the wild area have also been cut back.The sweet peas got blown over in some strong winds, but they were setting seeds as I couldn't keep up with cutting off the dead flowers. Some of the plants trimmed back last month have regrown and some are looking to flower again! Centurea, oriental poppies and astrantia are all blooming again and the roses have never stopped!

 

 

Seedlings found along the way have been potted up for future use and cuttings taken of lavender and sage have been potted on. There are so many bees and flies etc still around the garden at the end of September. Lovely to see. We have seen many Silver Y moths around the garden too on the still warm days, and also a few nettle tap moths.

 

 

In the middle of the month we had some unexpectedly hot weather for September, although the nights are beginning to draw in. The evenings are becoming cooler - we have even had condensation on the outside of the conservatory windows in the morning! However some plants look really good with water droplets on them.

 

 

But we have had some spectacular sunsets this month!

 

 

 

The weather is keeping many flowers blooming - the fuschias are spectacular this year - or is that just because they are one of my favourite flowers??

 

September

Days are shortening, leaves are falling, drifting in the air,

Colours changing, flowers fading, trees will soon be bare,

Weather’s changing, nights are cooling, clocks go back anon,

Blooming borders, crowded pots, not long before they’re gone,

Refill the pots, plant bulbs galore, look forward to the spring,

Plan next year’s garden, order the seeds and wait for the postman’s ring!

 

Autumn Ride 19th Oct 2016

On a sunny October day we set off to look for Autumn colour. We went past  the Devil's Beeftub looking at the beautiful double rainbow that suddenly appeared over the hills and watching the skeins of geese crossing the sky in front of us.

 

 

 

We headed for Talla Reservoir, just outside Tweedsmuir, in the Borders.

 

 

A lovely stretch of water with some very autumnal- looking hills.

 

 

 

As we moved on past Megget Water the weather deteriorated and it got very misty.

 

 

A quick stop at St Mary's Loch and we then headed off towards Ettrick. The autumnal trees and the hills on the way were looking superb ...

 

 

 

 

The road to Ettrick is just a single road with passing places and very few houses - but spectacular scenery.

 

 

 

 

 

Returning via Eskdalemuir, the sun re-appeared and the clouds and the sky looked fantastic.

 

 

 

A wonderful drive in a season that is giving us some lovely colour this year.

 

September Wildlife Sightings from a garden in Annan

Many more birds in the garden again this month, with both great tits back - and looking in the nest box! It has been lovely to hear the robin singing every day and watching us weeding and disturbing the soil.  It is nice to see several young birds still flying about with adults. The sight of 4 buzzards hovering over the garden was great.

 

photo from Wikepedia

They were riding the thermals and circling round and round for ages.

On the last day of the month we also heard - and then saw - a great flock of geese, presumably returning from their summer homes. The sound was here well before the birds and a sign that autumn is truly upon us. Local wildlife sights have also been reporting influxes of geese and whooper swans.

Our monthly max for birds in the garden is as follows:

Blackbird  - 2 male, 4 young

Blue tit - 3

Buzzard - 4

Chaffinch - 1 female

Coal tit - 1 adult, 2 young

Collared dove - 2

Dunnock - 2

Goose - 75+

Goldfinch - 4 adult, 3 young

Great tit - 2

House sparrow - 30

Robin - 2

Rook - 1

Starling - 15

Swallow - 6

Woodpigeon - 2

Wren - 1

There has been quite a lot of bees around the garden this month - we are seeing some of the big queen bees again, presumably looking for somewhere to spend the winter. Our ivy has also been covered in creatures at the end of the month - even though the flowers are not completely open yet. Bees, wasps, hoverflies and true flies are all over it. It really hums when you stand close.

Butterflies have been in short supply again though, although a lovely painted lady appeared on the last day of the month. Monthly max as follows:

Large white butterfly - 1

Painted lady butterfly - 1

Peacock butterfly -1

Red admiral butterfly - 1

Small tortoiseshell butterfly - 1

Small white butterfly -1

 

Painted lady

DGERC species to look out for next month are the Amethyst Deceiver and the Black Darter.

 

Laccaria amethystina

 

The Amethyst Deceiver is a beautiful purple colour and is found in many woods, especially beech woods. The cap can range from 2-7cm in diameter and become flat topped, rather than convex, as they reach maturity. It has broad, deep gills that are interspersed with shorter gills.

 

Sympetrum danae

 

The Black Darter is the only predominantly black species of dragonfly in the UK. Females are similar  to other darters but they have black markings on the side of the body and a black triangle at the top of the thorax. They can be seen flying in October on moorlands, heathlands and near bogs.

Report sightings to DGERC.

Photos from DGERC.