Rambling Russells

We had set out moth traps with the Grey Daggers mothing group the previous evening and met up again at Craigieburn Wood to see what we'd caught and identify them. Despite the sunny conditions, it had been cold overnight and we did not expect a big catch as we gathered to open the traps from all the locations.   A few moths were found in the traps near the car park and a small number were found in the traps from higher up the track.   A list of moths recorded will be posted here once verified.  From here we headed to the Moffat Community Reserves and had a wander around both reserves to see what else was taking advantage of the sunshine. Here are a few photos of the things we found as we walked around   These are some of the birds we saw Blackbird Blue tit Canada Goose Chaffinch Great tit House Martin Little Grebe Mallard Mute Swan Moorhen Osprey (flying over in the distance) Oystercatcher Pheasant Pied Wagtail Pied Flycatcher Robin Sand Martin Starling Swal...

Butterfly Conservation planned a walk to Mabie Forest to look for the Pearl-bordered fritillary. One of the UK's most threatened species, it has seen a big increase in Mabie Forest. There are now more than 6 times as many as there were 10 years ago. More than 200 sightings last year alone! The weather was kind to us and there was a much bigger turn out than expected at Mabie Forest car park. Owen Figgis who does regular transect walks to record butterflies for Butterfly Conservation, took the lead to show us the route he takes and how he records what he sees. As we set off we were told that Pearl Bordered Fritillaries had been spotted and we were not disappointed. Within a few seconds of reaching the start of the walk a PBF was spotted! The strong sunshine began to bring out many more butterflies and moths and within a very short time had all seen a PBF and we were clicking away with our cameras.     We also saw...   Pea...

The weather was kind to us and there was a much bigger turn out than usual at Mabie Forest car park. Owen Figgis who does regular transect walks to record butterflies for Butterfly Conservation, took the lead to show us the route he takes and how he records what he sees. We had been told in advance of the event that Pearl Bordered Fritillaries had been spotted and we were not disappointed. As we were ferried to our start point, the strong sunshine began to bring out many butterflies and moths. Before long we had all seen and photographed many examples. Species we noted on the route: Pearl Bordered Fritillary Peacock Small Heath Greenveined White Orange Tip Latticed Heath Some in the group made more note of the daytime flying moths Speckled Yellow Brown Silver-line Common Carpet and a few micro moths. A Gorse Shield-bug and a lizard were spotted briefly! Thanks to Alison for these details. There will soon be more photos of this ramble on the Rambling Russells blog.   The follow...

After leaving Carstramon,  (see our separate blog - Bluebells at Carstramon Wood)  we moved on to Cairnsmore of Fleet National Nature Reserve. We went to see the viaduct, now disused but built to serve the Portpatrick and Wigtownshire Joint Railway. The railway opened in 1861 and just here travelled through quite remote countryside. The viaduct, 300 yards long, spanned the Big Water of Fleet. It has 20 arches and is made of brick and stone. In 1940 the piers were strengthened and the two sides of the structure were tied together under the arches. Close to, the whole structure is very impressive and looks huge when you stand next to it! Notices tell you not to stand under the arches as there is a danger of falling bricks. The evidence is there for all to see! During the Second World War millions of tonnes of ordnance came into the UK via Cairnryan and travelled across the viaduct. The railway also...

Wildlife sightings and stories from members this month included: Dunnock nest has been raided twice of it's eggs - the culprits have now been identified as Crows seen returning to the scene of the crime hoping for more. A camera nest box was showing great progress as House Sparrows built a nest. However, one night/morning the camera showed that ALL the nesting material had been removed with no evidence of spillage anywhere. Culprits are still unknown! Barn owls have been seen swooping on fly past. Bats have been spotted during evenings as street lights come on - are they searching for moths? But no moths have been spotted. General reports of lots of bees about. Reported from Annan were sightings of Great tits feeding young in nest box. House Sparrows taking nesting material into garage roof. Swifts, Swallows and House Martins are swooping everywhere now. Moth trapping has resulted in a big fat zero so far! A report of the monthly meeting will follow shortly.

The weatherman assured us it was going to be a lovely day so we decided to go and see the bluebells. We go every year at this time of year as the sight and smell of them is just overpowering. Even the verges as we got close were full of bluebells and we began to get excited. There is only a small lay-by for 3 cars but there was already one car parked there and others on the verges too.       Many of the trees are looking green and fresh but others are still to reach their best.       The bluebells are everywhere - just like a sea of blue. The smell is fantastic but I think they still need a few more days to be at their best.          After an initial focus on the bluebells, we began to notice other flora and fauna too. The Dor beetle is an amazing colour on the underside. Unfortunately this was a dead specimen       We did see a couple...