My record butterfly count at Solam

What a glorious day for a welly walk! I was very nearly tempted to eschew the wellies in favour of, well, flip-flops. I discussed the pros and cons of such flimsy footwear with my India-residing walkers, Julie and Dan, who, perhaps by the end of the walk had the upper edge on me with their sturdy walking boots. But such dry conditions are rare on Islay and I'd still rate it a welly factor 2, maybe 3!

I'm not sure if I've ever seen as many species of butterfly in one day before; I don't think so. They were everywhere - heralding the arrival, perhaps of a scorching summer. When I asked Julie if she'd taken enough photographs of a butterfly dance between Marsh Fritillaries, Small Heaths and Dark Green Fritillaries,she said 'Well, I could probably sit here and photograph the butterflies all day!' It was a lovely response.It was a joy to be able to take this couple (who are missing Scotland just ever so slightly) on such a nature-filled to overflowing walk on what must be the hottest day of the year so far!

BIRDS
Raven, Willow Warbler, Wren, Robin, Blue Tit, Buzzard, Sedge Warbler, Blackbird

FLORA
Round-leaved Sundew, Butterwort, Tormentil, Yellow Pimpernel, Heath Speedwell, Heath Bedstraw, Lousewort, Marsh Lousewort, Oak, Willow, Cross-leaved Heath, Bell Heather, Cow Wheat, Burnet Rose, Bog Myrtle, Milkwort, Spear Thistle, Marsh Thistle, Creeping Thistle, Daisy, Lesser Spearwort, Eyebright, Meadow Buttercup, Flag Iris, Heath-spotted Orchid, Ragged Robin, Bracken, White Clover, Common Cottongrass, Hare's-tail, Cuckoo Flower

BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS
Small Heath, Large Heath, Ringlet, Small Copper, Marsh Fritillary, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Dark Green Fritillary, Common Blue, Chimney Sweeper

DRAGONFLIES
Large Red Damselfly, Keeled Skimmer, Four-spotted Chaser, Golden-ringed Dragonfly

Burnet Rose

The carved face at Solam

Cow Wheat

Dark Green and Marsh Fritillaries share a Marsh Thistle

Keeled Skimmer

Ringlet

Jane's story of a wee' sma' hours' encounter with nature

Thanks to Jane for sending us this story of an early morning stroll:

I'm not sure whether we are able to use the phrase "simmer dim" so far south here on Islay (!) but that's certainly what it felt like when I finally managed to make myself get up and go for a short walk, ostensibly to hear the dawn chorus at about 3.30 am last Saturday! Catching a glimpse of a shooting star in a cloudless sky,  I set off for a wander down the road in that slightly eerie but very special light. Several bats were flitting around the trees, the first strains of birdsong were beginning and the cuckoo was already in full flight. Given how constantly we have been hearing it recently I was wondering whether it had actually stopped calling that night at all. As the light increased it was possible to make out the  pale globes of the burnet rose flowering in the hedges but I startled a few roe deer at  the roadside.  Round the corner the Paps were a silvery outline  against the dawn sky as the colours deepened. Various rustlings and squeakings in the ditches accompanied my return journey and the birdsong began to swell, although the cuckoo was still taking the lead.
It was all over within an hour, but a memorable way to start the day!