Lazing on a sunny afternoon
It was really too warm to go far on 18th June 2023. A local wander was therefore decided upon!
Anyway, it’s always good to see what’s happening close to your own doorstep so to speak. These images were all taken in Culkein Drumbeg early that afternoon. Obtaining them involved a walk of no more than a few hundred metres from home.
First spot was a juvenile Wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe, quickly followed by an adult Robin, Erithacus rubecula. The Robin was carrying a larva of some description so was clearly feeding young. These youngsters were probably not fledged yet. We couldn’t hear them calling anyway, unlike the Wheatear!
Next up was a decent patch of Creeping Thistle, Cirsium arvense. It was very busy with nectaring Red Admiral butterflies, Vanessa atalanta. We did manage to count at least 14, but they were really active so it was difficult to get an exact number. The same patch of thistles also had a Common Blue butterfly, Polyommatus icarus enjoying the nectar.
If you would like to know more about Assynt’s butterflies here’s a link to a free to download leaflet on our website.
It seems to be a good year for Ragged Robin, Lychnis flos-cuculi, possibly due to the extended spell of warm, weather. Although it’s typically a plant of damper ground.
Final photo before heading home, for some more lazing on a sunny afternoon, had to be the purple and white Foxgloves, Digitalis purpurea. This was another plant that was everywhere and very vigorous during a long warm, dry spell. Bumblebees love them and if you look closely you can see one in the foxglove photo!
David Haines