Chuffed - the latest in chough news and shenanigans:
So shortly after last week's blog, Dave was out doing some monitoring on another pair of chough which have nested on the reserve. After an anxious couple of hours wait with no sign of them, he spied movement further down the coast and on investigation found the pair with two fledged young.
Dave then saw a group of 10 chough on Tuesday afternoon, which we think is our two pairs with their fledged young. If so, it looks like they are willing to forage and feed together, so great news if you are visiting The Oa, as a group of 10 will be fairly difficult to miss if they cross your path.
We have one more pair, who as of Friday last week, were bringing food back to the nest site, so fingers crossed for them and we will update you as soon as we know more.
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The PhotOa - pictures from The Oa reserve on Islay:
This week's pictures are courtesy of Donald. He came across this impressive adder while taking the tractor and topper out to cut thistles in some of our fields.
Unfortunately the encounter didn't end there, as when he came back a short while later.....
Well, you've heard of Snakes on a Plane; this is Islay style Snakes on a Tractor:
Much as I love all wildlife (with the exception of midges and ticks obviously), I'm still rather pleased that this close encounter was Donald's and not mine.
Moth Friday - roundup of the weekly catch:
Dave was testing The Lynx Effect this week with pheromone lures for Five-spot and Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet moths as part of a national survey.
Pictures courtesy of David Wood
It is amazing how effective these lures appear to be, with sex crazed male moths arriving within minutes of the lure being deployed. The Five-spot Burnet lure proved very successful at attracting the Six-spot Burnet, which is very useful information within the context of the survey, but unsurprisingly neither of the target species were found.
Our light trap went out on a cloudy misty Wednesday night, but gave us our most diverse catch of year so far.
True Lover's Knot (great name for a striking common moorland moth) 21/06
Drinker (male top and female below who is almost twice the size of the male) 21/06
Ghost Moth (possibly my new favourite moth, apparently the males perform a 'lekking' display flight that I will be on the look out for) 21/06
If you have a picture or sighting from The Oa that you would like to share, please get in contact.
Had scan of recent blogs before time as Res.Volunteer... so, be anticipating diverse wildlife & full variety of weather! : Dennis