Lily's birthday and sandcastle competition

What a great day for a birthday party and what a great location and activity! Thank you Lily for letting us share your 6th birthday (belated birthday :)) There were 6 sandcastles (one ended up as a 'work in progress' sandcastle kingdom) and lots of children and adults - all eager to participate. We had very creative artists at work; most sculptures had functional moats and the obligatory drawbridge and optional extras included beautiful 'gardens' and cannons and a blacksmith's 'gazebo', complete with anvil.

A wonderful morning which was rounded off with sandwiches and muffins on the sand, courtesy of Lily's parents, Andrew and Alison of Bowmore House. Many thanks to all for coming.

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!

Islay Welly Walks - Upper Killeyan to Lower Killeyan

On our walk yesterday we saw lots of Marsh Fritillary caterpillars, but no adults. They are a long way behind their counterparts down south, where butterflies have been on the wing for a couple of weeks. Still, we were encouraged by the presence of many caterpillars - some quite large, indicating that still more have already pupated and will emerge as beautiful butterflies within the next couple of weeks.

We also saw at least four big, hairy Garden Tiger Moth caterpillars on our cliff top walk and, upon our descent to the beach, were rewarded by a glorious vista of the blue ocean and a carpet of multi-coloured flora, incuding bright, sunny Marsh Marigolds and some beautiful deep purple Early Purple Orchids.

See you on the next welly walk! But, if you can't wait till Monday - give me a ring or email and I'll get the wellies out . . .

Early Purple Orchid - Orchis mascula

Garden Tiger Moth larva

Marsh Fritillary larva

Weekly Welly Walk

Tomorrow's weekly welly walk will be from Upper Killeyan to Lower Killeyan, meeting at the RSPB car park at 10.30 am. We'll be looking for Marsh Fritillary butterflies so hopefully the good forecast will materialise! We may go a bit further to Dun Mor Ghil if time and people allow! The walk should last around 4 hours and cost £15 per person. Don't forget your lunch and suitable footwear : )

Islay Welly Walks Weekly Walks!

Our weekly Monday walks begin on Monday 19th May with a 3 - 4 hour circular walk at Ardnave, similar to that advertised on our website.
Meet at 10.30 am at Ardnave Loch. Please bring your wellies, suitable waterproofs if necessary and your packed lunch!

Walk to Traigh Bhan

 On Monday we took Heather to Sanaigmore and Traigh Bhan, a beautiful location for a grave to mark a very sad event in shipping history.

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Paul and Heather at Cnoc an Tighe

Gully near Cnoc Uamh nam Fear

Grave at Traigh Bhan

BIRDS

Ringed Plover, Wheatear, Chough, Stonechat, Reed Bunting, Swallow, Sand Martin, Meadow Pipit, Raven, Hooded Crow, Pheasant, Eider, Skylark, Wren

FLORA

Milkwort, Lousewort, Heather, Cross-leaved Heath, Butterwort, Lesser Celandine, Marsh Marigold, Water Mint, Thrift, Round-leaved Sundew

INSECTS AND INVERTEBRAE

Green Hairstreak, Emperor Moth (female), Marsh Fritillary Caterpillars, Shield Bug sp., spider sp