Nature Notes from Argyll
(and occasionally other places)

Thu 3 Mar 2011

Decide it's warmed up enough to open the bedroom window a little, and what do you get?

Common Plume Moth on the wall and Dotted Border on the ceiling.  Also had two Mottled Greys at the front of the building.

Mon 7 Mar 2011 Oban

Alder buds and catkins

Mon 14 Mar 2011 Taynuilt

Widgeon grazing beside Loch Etive, near the mouth of the River Awe.  They have been here all winter but will soon be leaving for their summer quarters.
 

Out on the water both sexes did a lot of wing-waving and foot-splashing which I presume is some kind of courtship display.
 

There are Mute Swans here all winter too, and recently they have been joined by a Whooper Swan but keep trying to drive it away.  The more they chase it, the more determined it is to stay with them.
 

We don't want your kind around here...

But I just want to be friends!

Thu 17 Mar 2011

Latest visitor to the house - Oak Beauty.  Posed on cardboard for photo, then released.

Saw a live hedgehog crossing the main road at Taynuilt.  Hope it survived, they have been very scarce around here since the hard winter of 2009-10.
 

Sat 19 Mar 2011

Red Deer stag lazing in the sun at Inverawe, with head ornamentation almost rivalling that of the above moth.  However, if you look closely, another stag behind him is contributing to his impressive tally of points.
 

Sun 20 Mar 2011

This tiny moth, Agonopterix ocellana, came through the window and landed on the curtain.
 

All photos and other content copyright © Carl Farmer