Islay Welly Walks: 'A Constant Stream of Beauty' at Killinallan

It was a wonderful day for a walk at Killinallan. This is decidedly my favourite place in the summer and my enthusiasm, which is usually overflowing, was well and truly spilling over today as we walked over scented carpets of yellow, pink and purple, gasping as each new vision of orchid groups came into view. It was probably the best display I have seen here - or maybe I say that every year and forget just how amazing it is. Anyway, our visitor from Wisconsin was in awe of the botanical beauty and rivalled me with her enthusiasm. She described the walk across the dunes as being in 'a constant stream of beauty' and I could not disagree with her.

BIRDS
Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Pied Wagtail, Grey Heron, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Arctic Tern, Wheatear

FLORA
Lesser Meadow Rue, Meadow Buttercup, Marsh Lousewort, Ragged Robin, Grass of Parnassus, Fairy Flax, Wild Thyme, Self-heal, Tufted Vetch, Lady's Bedstraw, Marsh Helleborine, Northern Marsh Orchid, Fragrant Orchid, Common Twayblade, Pyramidal Orchid, Bird's-foot Trefoil, Harebell, Daisy, Meadow Black Bog Rush, Common Milkwort, Eyebright, Spear Thistle, Marsh Thistle, White Clover, Red Clover, Bracken, Field Gentian, Iris, Meadowsweet, Thrift (only just), Devil's-bit Scabious, Burnet Rose, Common Valerian, Sea Rocket

INSECTS AND OTHER INVERTEBRATES
Six-spot Burnet Moth, Small Heath, Small Tortoiseshell, Dark Green Fritillary, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Common Blue, Golden-ringed Dragonfly, moth sp, spider sp

OTHER
Grey Seal, Comb Jellyfish