Trainee Ecologist Helen Dickinson reminds us to appreciate the small things.
The little things at Lochwinnoch
On a recent visit to Lochwinnoch nature reserve I came across far more than the ground beetles I had been looking for. The damp weather has been a real treat for the amphibian world and whilst lifting logs in search of beetles I came across several juvenile Palmate newts (Lissotriton helveticus).
The day was a mix of sunshine and showers and with the sunshine came the Common Red Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva) out in abundance congregating on umbellifer flowers.
The Common Blue damselfly (Enallagma cyathigerum) was also in its element in the sunshine around the marshy edges of the loch.
Most people come to reserves for birds but if you keep your eyes peeled and have a go at looking for the smaller things, you never know what interesting creatures you may come across.
Find out more about life at Lochwinnoch on the blog.