Ardnave Ramble 8th July

A small but keen group of five enjoyed a ramble at Ardnave in warm (even hot) sunny conditions on a day when the temperature at the airport met station reached a massive 22 degrees C! Ardnave Loch held the family of Mute Swans (4 cygnets) and Tufted Duck (c.9 ducklings) and after finding a few plants growing round the edge we walked over the grassy ridge and down to the shore of Loch Gruinart, finding Becky's favourite plant (the Harebell) on the way, except that she wasn't there to enjoy it! Several Six-spot Burnet moths showed off their red spots and red underwing and gave rise to a discussion about the difference between moths and butterflies, the clubbed antennae of the latter being a main distinguishing feature, except for those species which don't have them, not forgetting that the burnet moths have clubbed antennae! And, of course, butterflies fly during the day, and moths at night, except for those, like the burnets, which fly during the day. Hmm, perhaps the burnets are really butterflies! Passing the rocky islet on the shore brought three or four Arctic Terns into the air which from their angry calls must have had young to protect. A Redshank similarly showed its displeasure at our (brief) proximity to where it, too, must have had its young. Bog Pimpernel was admired by all on the edge of the marshy ground, but despite quite extensive searching no orchids could be found.

Mammals
Hare, Grey Seal

Birds
Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Eider Duck, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Arctic Tern, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Wheatear, Swallow

Flowers
Lesser Spearwort, Marsh Marigold, Meadow Buttercup, Bulbous Buttercup, Lady's Smock, Water-cress, Common Milkwort, Ragged Robin, Common Mouse-ear, Sea Spurrey, Yellow Meadow Vetchling, Black Medick, White Clover, Red Clover, Bird's-foot Trefoil, Lady's Bedstraw, Spear Thistle, Marsh Thistle, Creeping Thistle, Thyme, Daisy, Thrift, Cat's-ear, Hawkbit, Harebell, Bog Pimpernel, Water Forget-me-not, Germander Speedwell, Eyebright, Water Mint, Sheep's Sorrel, Yellow Flag, Common Reed, Common Butterwort, Common Nettle, Bracken, Soft Rush, Black Bog-rush, Star Sedge, Common Cotton-grass, Common Spike-rush

Butterfly and moth
Small Heath, Six-spot Burnet

Malcolm

Bog Pimpernel

Six-spot Burnet

Ardnave Nature Ramble, 10th June 2013

It was the first day in a fortnight that we needed jackets, but there were 6 additional, enthusiastic ramblers for today's ramble. Undeterred by wind and mobbing birds, we plodded on, noting the profusion and vivacity of the flora in particular. Butterfly species were thin on the ground, not surprisingly with the wind, but birdlife abounded and we heard a story of a personal encounter with an adder. Welcome back, Lorna and thanks for the photos!
Becky

BIRDS
Common Gull (plus nests and chicks), Arctic Tern (nesting), Redshank (nesting), Oystercatcher (nesting), Ringed Plover (nesting), Curlew, Pied Wagtail, Wheatear (juv), Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Chough, Jackdaw, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Sand Martin, Lapwing, Pheasant, Lesser Black-backed Gull

FLORA
Germander Speedwell, Heath Speedwell, Meadow Buttercup, Wild Thyme, Thrift, Meadowsweet (leaves), Water Cress, Water Mint, Marsh Lousewort, Milkwort, Brooklime, Bird's-foot Trefoil, Dove's-foot Cranesbill, Common Storksbill, Marsh Marigold, Silverweed, White Clover, Lesser Trefoil, Daisy, Mouse-ear Chickweed, Marsh Thistle, Creeping Thistle, Spear Thistle, Sea Milkwort, Cuckoo Flower, Tormentil, Common Nettle, Ribwort Plantain, Sea Plantain, Carnation Sedge, Bracken, Horsetail, Butterwort

LICHEN
Xanthoria parietina (bright yellow/orange on rocks), Ramalina sp (grey/green fruitose on rocks)

INSECTS
Green-veined White butterfly, Small Copper butterfly

MAMMALS
Hare

Ramblers at Ardnave Loch

Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys) - a splendid display of this tiny flower this year.

Marsh Lousewort (Pedicularis palustris) - about a foot high - the tallest I can remember seeing.

Walk at Ardnave

The sun made a brief appearance today (so did the rain!) so five of us set off for the Ardnave peninsula walk. Thanks to Jim and Jane for carrying my wood so I could take photos!
Becky

Rainbow over Nave Island

Colourful shells in the dunes

Detail of a simply ginormous tree trunk washed up on the beach. The lichenologists would be in their element here!

Autumn Gentian

Pauline Yates has sent this lovely photo taken at Ardnave yesterday. This delightful late-flowering plant grows in short turf in several parts of the island, especially on the dunes, but also on some limestone sites.
Thanks Pauline.
Malcolm

Nature Ramble at Ardnave - 24th September 2012

I was more surprised than ever when four intrepid ramblers walked boldly through the door yesterday morning and announced they wanted to book for the ramble that afternoon. Undeterred by our doom and gloom about the weather forecast they said they'd call back at 1.30 pm to see what the verdict was. Meanwhile two more men turned up and asked if there was any way they could get a lift for the ramble! I think I was the only reluctant one, but we all togged up with gaiters and waterproofs and set off, preparing ourselves by discussing Shackleton and Antarctica on the way.

It was actually OK. Lesson learned - do not always trust the forecast! Or maybe it was a case of expecting the worst so anything slightly better would seem a bonus. Anyway, thanks folks for encouraging me to get out. It was a great ramble (no photos though!) - I'm glad it wasn't today!
Becky

BIRDS
Curlew (heard), Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Chough, Pied Wagtail, Mute Swan, Rock Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Snipe, Grey Heron

FLORA
Common Storksbill, Ragged Robin, Grass of Parnassus, Marsh Marigold (leaves), Flag Iris (leaves), Water Mint, Devil's-bit Scabious, Sheep's-bit, Bell Heather, Tormentil, Meadowsweet, Yarrow, Common Centaury (new one for this ramble), Lady's Bedstraw, Marsh Lousewort, Square-stalked St John's Wort, Water Cress, Brooklime, Speedwell sp., Forget-me-not sp., Common Nettle, Creeping Thistle, Marsh Thistle, Self-heal, Lesser Spearwort, Silverweed (leaves), Red Clover, White Clover, Harebell, Milkwort, Red Bartsia, Meadow Buttercup, Wild Thyme, Daisy, Bracken, Tufted Vetch (leaves)

LICHEN AND FUNGI
Xanthoria parietina (yellow foliose), Anaptychia runsinata (Brown foliose turning green when wet), Ramalina sp. (grey/green fruitose), Lecanora sp (crustose with black 'jam tarts'), Red Waxcap

MAMMALS AND INVERTEBRATES
Hare, Wolf Spider, Fox Moth caterpillar

Nature Ramble at Ardnave - 3rd September 2012

There were only three of us for this afternoon's ramble and it thankfully stayed dry throughout, albeit quite windy, which put paid to any insect life. Still, there was plenty of flora to see and we were rewarded for our patience by a flock of about 50 Chough playing and calling in the dunes at the end of the walk.
Becky

BIRDS
Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Curlew, Redshank, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Starling, Mute Swan (with four cygnets on Loch), Stonechat, Oystercatcher, Wigeon, Raven, Chough

FLORA
Marsh Marigold (leaves), Redshank, Sheep's-bit Scabious, Devil's-bit Scabious, Red Bartsia, Common Storksbill, Daisy, Harebell, Tormentil, Hawkbit, Watercress, Grass of Parnassus, Heather, Bell Heather, Milkwort, Eyebright, Wild Thyme, Meadowsweet, Marsh Thistle, Creeping Thistle, Spear Thistle, Red Clover, Common Nettle, Bracken, Water Mint, Marsh Lousewort, Marsh Willowherb, Water Forget-me-not, Lady's Bedstraw, Silverweed (leaves), Lesser Trefoil, Mouse-ear sp., Thrift, Sneezewort, Yarrow, Butterwort (leaves)

OTHER

Yellow Waxcap, Red Waxcap, Puffballs and lots of other fungi

One of the fungi we saw on today's ramble

Nature Ramble at Ardnave - 20th August 2012

Our first nature ramble in a fortnight!!! The sun shone all morning and then, as if on cue, as soon as I'd switched the engine off, the rain started. It was a heavy downpour, but all five of us were determined to carry on with the ramble. Then, just as I was considering a curtailed ramble as Olivia's feet were getting very wet, the sun returned - much to our delight. Sheepsbit Scabious was a new flower for us I think at this locality, so that was a highlight and the Chough performed well, calling for us as they flew overhead.
Becky

BIRDS
Herring Gull, Turnstone, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Curlew, Redshank, Common Gull, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Raven, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan, Chough, Starling, Rock Dove, Oystercatcher, Swallow, Wheatear, Greylag Goose 

FLORA
Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Meadow Buttercup, Water Cress, Water Mint, Forget-me-not sp., Silverweed, White Clover, Daisy, Mouse-ear sp., Eyebright, Marsh Thistle, Spear Thistle, Creeping Thistle, Thrift, Lesser Spearwort, Ragged Robin, Common Nettle, Yellow Iris (leaves), Common Storksbill, Ribwort Plantain, Bracken, Cat’s-ear sp., Chalk Milkwort, Red Clover, Harebell, Grass of Parnassus, Bog Pimpernel, Pineapple Mayweed, Self-heal, Wild Thyme, Tormentil, Marsh Willowherb, Purple Loosestrife, Slender Stalked St. John's Wort, Water Speedwell, Devil's-bit Scabious, Sheepsbit Scabious, Heather, Bell Heather, Common Nettle, Red Bartsia, Harebell, Common Burdock, Purple Loosestrife, Goosegrass

LICHEN
Lecanora sp. (white crustose lichen with black 'jam tarts'), Xanthoria parietina (yellow foliose lichen)

BUTTERFLIES AND DRAGONFLIES
Small Copper, Small Tortoiseshell, Green-veined White, Common Darter

SHORE CREATURES
Shore Crab, Cockle Shell, Common Whelk, Limpet

Goosegrass -  Galium aparine

Sheepsbit Scabious -  Jasione montana

Sheepsbit Scabious -  Jasione montana

Windy Ardnave Rockpooling!

I always find new rockpooling locations exciting, and Ardnave was no exception. Mum and I were treated to sponges galore, and hermit crab city! Mum also discovered a colony of Orange lights sea squirts, which is mainly restricted to SW England and Wales.

We begun by skimming the seaweed in the shallows with our net, being won over by the hundreds of Oppossum shrimps that gazed vertically at us behind every wave. As we progressed towards an exposed tidal pool, we happened upon shannies, father lashers, gobies and an overwhelming array of frantic hermit crabs and colourful sponges. At one point, while peering into the murky depths of our bucket, we realised a tiny worm pipefish had found its way into our little water world, un-noticed. A highlight for me was the Aplidium Punctum sea squirt, which resembles squidgy orange pom poms. We will definitely be paying a return visit to this haven of surprise.

Mystery sponge. The aplidium punctum sponge can be seen just under the water.

Another mystery sponge

One of the most impressive hermit crabs.

Orange lights sea squirts. They appeared in the net dislodged, and twisted and turned a bit in the bucket. We returned them to the rocky over hang where we found them.


Lorna

Ramble at Ardnave, 16th July 2012

It's about time I was out on another ramble and Lorna joined me this time, making 7 of us rambling even more slowly than usual at Ardnave this afternoon. Lorna was keen to explore under stones by the shore so our species list was extended to include shore creatures (but no lichens noted today!) Gregor also had great fun chasing butterflies. Many thanks to everyone for a most enjoyable ramble. Here's our list. If I've left anything out (excluding all those skeletons!), please let me know.
Becky

BIRDS
Linnet, Stonechat, Oystercatcher, Chough, Hooded Crow, Whimbrel, Ringed Plover, Eider, Red-breasted Merganser, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Sand Martin, Mallard, Mute Swan, Lapwing, Pied Wagtail, Sedge Warbler, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Starling, Grey Heron, Raven, Rock Pipit, Pheasant

FLORA
Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Meadow Buttercup, Dove’s-foot Cranesbill, Water Cress, Water Mint, Brooklime
Forget-me-not sp., Lady’s Bedstraw, Marsh Marigold, Silverweed, Germander Speedwell, White Clover
Lesser Trefoil, Daisy, Mouse-ear sp., Eyebright, Marsh Thistle, Spear Thistle, Creeping Thistle, Marsh Lousewort, Thrift, Lesser Spearwort, Ragged Robin, Sweet Vernal Grass, Common Nettle, Yellow Iris
Common Storksbill, Ribwort Plantain, Bracken, Cat’s-ear sp., Chalk Milkwort, Marsh Horsetail, Curled Dock, Cotton Grass Multiflora, Hare’s-tail Cottongrass, Wall Speedwell, Red Clover, Harebell, Grass of Parnassus, Bog Pimpernel, Pineapple Mayweed, Self-heal, Wild Thyme, Tormentil, Marsh Bedstraw, Marsh Willowherb, Yorkshire Fog, Purple Loosestrife, Square Stalked St. John's Wort, Sweet Vernal Grass, Lesser Water Plantain, Star Sedge, Tufted Vetch, Blue Water Speedwell, Knotted Pearlwort

INSECTS
(Butterflies) Ringlet, Common Blue, Meadow Brown, Small Heath, Green-veined White
(Other) Cranefly, Beautiful China Mark, Dung Fly (and larvae), Dung Beetle, Blue-tailed Damselfly

SHORE CREATURES
Shore Crab, Acorn Barnacles, Common Whelk shell, Common Cockle, Carpet Shell, Crab sp.,

MAMMALS
Rabbit, Grey Seal

Acorn Barnacles




Crab sp.

 

Green-veined White



Beautiful China Mark



Ramblers at Ardnave

Mystery larvae

Fiona McGillivray sent us this great photo of a larvae she found in the sand at Ardnave. This was her description:


The nearest I can pin it down to is a type of wireworm but it is not like any others I have come across, it is more snake like in behaviour than a worm, very mobile, particularly in warm conditions, seeks out the dark/cover of the sand or roots it is near.  It does appear to have a head (black and triangular), c.18 segments but it also seems to be just as sensitive and mobile from the other end too. It was living in the sand, not dung.  This one was about 30mm long, the other I saw before was smaller.


Thanks for the photo, Fiona. If anyone knows what it is, please let us know!
Becky

INHT Wildlife Centre is now open in Port Charlotte

Our Natural History Centre in Port Charlotte is now open from 10.30am-4.30pm Monday - Friday.  A warm welcome to Lorna Williamson who is joining our Centre manager Becky Williamson for the season.  They will be busy getting the displays and tanks up and running this week.

Our program of natural history rambles starts on June 1st.  These are short and very informal and easy going 'Rambles' (as opposed to 'Walks') led by Becky at a series of different locations around the island.  As the name suggests, they involve a great deal of stopping to peer at and identify all sorts of plants, birds, bugs, beetles, lichens and liverworts.  They are very easy going, a perfect day out for all ages, abilities and levels of natural history knowledge.  One of the fun things that Becky hopes that you will help her with is to create lists of all the different species that you find - which is actually great fun.

The rambles must be booked in advance, by phoning either the Centre (01496 850288) or mobile (07967 205229) at any time up to 1.00pm on the day.  Each ramble starts at 2.00pm and lasts for around two hours.  There is nothing strenuous involved, but please come prepared with waterproof footwear and clothing to suit the weather.

At Bunnahabhain: we meet beside the road before it turns down to the distillery.
At Kilchiaran: we meet by the chapel.  There is plenty of parking in the laybys.
At Sanaigmore: there's plenty of parking at the end of the road.
At Killinallan: meet where the road ends in a (usually) locked gate.
At Ardnave: beside the loch where the track turns left towards the farm.
At Kintra: in the signposted car park through the gate out of the farm yard.

Prices for the Rambles are the same as admission to the Centre - Adult £3, Concession £2, Child £1.50, Family £7.50

Snail Shells - Ardnave

There were lots of these small spiral snail shells among the sand dunes at Ardnave.  I have not been able to achieve a convincing identification - ideas anyone? - Carl 

"Dove's Foot" or "Soft" Cranesbill - Geranium molle Ardnave

Chough - Ardnave

Young otter tracks - Ardnave

Merlin - Ardnave

More pictures from Ardnave

Paps of Jura

Ragged Robin

Ardnave Loch

Chough flock

Choughs at Ardnave today

Chough pictures taken during a walk down to Ardnave Point earlier this afternoon - in perfect weather...
Carl

Flora and Fauna at Ardnave, 23rd September 2011

The rain held off for the six of us this afternoon at Ardnave. Most of the wild flowers have now finished, but fungi is springing up all over the place and the waders are passing through.The highlight today was the flock of Wigeon that landed on Loch Gruinart just as we left to walk back to the cars. We also saw a flock of about 20 Ravens flying low over the Loch. Thanks for everyone's contributions. Next Monday will be our last ramble for the season, so join us if you can at Kintra (booking required).
Becky

BIRDS
Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Raven, Meadow Pipit, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Common Gull, Black-headed Gull, Rock Dove, Starling

MAMMALS
Rabbit

LICHEN AND FUNGI
Xanthoria parietina (yellow foliose), Anaptychia runsinata (Brown foliose turning green when wet), Ramalina sp. (grey/green fruitose), Lecanora sp (crustose with black 'jam tarts'), Physcia adscendens (with 'eyelashes'), Caloplaca flavescens (orange with 'fingers'), Ochrolechia parella or Fish-eye Lichen (white crustose with 'dents' in apothecia (fruiting bodies))

INSECTS
Bombus lucorum (White-tailed Bumble Bee), Bombus pascuorum (Common Carder Bee), Unknown tiny black bug, Leafhopper, Froghopper

FLORA
Dove's-foot Cranesbill, Common Storksbill, Jointed Rush, Common Spiked Rush, Daisy, Dandelion, Hawkweed sp., Ragged Robin, Grass of Parnassus, Lady's Bedstraw, Devil's-bit Scabious, Marsh Lousewort, Water Mint, Water Cress, Mouse-ear sp., Chickweed, Forget-me-not, Brooklime (Veronica beccabunga), Common Nettle, Spear Thistle, Marsh Thistle, Self-heal, Lesser Spearwort, Silverweed, Red Clover, White Clover, Prickly Sow Thistle, Red Bartsia

Prickly Sow Thistle - Sonchus asper

Watching the poor White-tailed Bumble Bee cling to a Scabious

Red Bartsia - Odontites vernus

Flora and Fauna at Ardnave, 5th September 2011

Low on numbers today (only 4 of us), but still an enjoyable ramble, enhanced by the sunshine which came out the minute we'd all donned waterproofs for the brief shower! We took a left, instead of a right, turn once at the coast, just for a change and here's our list:

BIRDS
Chough, Hooded Crow, Raven, Mute Swan, Curlew, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Cormorant, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Linnet, Pied Wagtail (and White), Common Gull, Sand Martin, Starling

LICHEN
Physcia adscendens, Xanthoria parietina, Ramalina sp., Verrucaria maura and lots of other species; Red Waxcap, Yellow Waxcap and several other species.

MAMMALS
Grey Seal, Rabbit

SPIDERS AND INSECTS
Orb Weaver Spider (in its silken home), Daddy-long-legs

SHELLS
Flat Periwinkle, Dog Whelk, Common Periwinkle, Common Cockle, Common Mussel, Purple Topshell, Turban Shell, Pfeiffer's Amber Snail (Oxyloma elegans)

FLORA
Lesser Water Plantain, Harebell, Daisy, Dandelion, Hawkweed sp., Mouse-ear sp., Forget-me-not sp., Water Cress, Water Mint, Grass of Parnassus, Bird's-foot Trefoil, Dove's-foot Cranesbill, Common Storksbill, Lesser Spearwort, Eyebright, Wild Thyme, Yarrow, Brooklime, Marsh Lousewort, Marsh Willowherb, Groundsel, Knotted Pearlwort, Square-stalked St John's Wort, Marram Grass, Self-heal, Creeping Thistle, Spear Thistle, Silverweed, Perennial Rye Grass, Yorkshire Fog, White Clover, Red Clover, Ragged Robin, Common Spiked Rush, Jointed Rush, Lady's Bedstraw, Lesser Meadow Rue, Common Nettle, Bracken, Marsh Pennywort, Flag Iris, Curled Dock

Although on coastal rock, this is a land, rather than a marine snail, not sure of species though.
Pfeiffer's Amber Snail (Oxyloma elegans)