It's not surprising that with all this sunshine we've been having lately, wildflowers and the insects that feed upon them have been adding to the beauty of Scotland's most southern nature reserve at the Mull of Galloway Experience.
Flowers such as spring squill, thrift, sea campion, wild thyme, northern marsh orchid, heath bedstraw, buckshorn plantain, bloody cranesbill and purple milk vetch, to name just a few, are adding to the delight of many visitors who come to the Mull of Galloway, whether they are here to climb the lighthouse, treat themselves to the delectations of the Gallie Craig Coffee House or take in the marvellous sea views from the cliff tops as guillemot, shag, gannet, kittiwake, razorbill and fulmar swirl, swoop, glide and otherwise perform in front of your very eyes. Whilst all about you rose chafer beetle, common carder bumblebee, small copper butterfly and a myriad of other invaluable insects go about their day, visiting the pollen rich plants.
Images: Top to bottom - spring squill - thrift - small copper - rose chafer beetle (Photo credit - Robert Conn)
As you wander around the RSPB Scotland Nature Reserve you will be further entertained by linnet, whitethroat, stonechat, meadow pipit, wheatear and other small birds, signing, displaying, gathering nesting material or food for their chicks.
Images: Top to bottom - whitethroat - wheatear - fledgling stonechat - meadow pipit (Photo credit - Robert Conn)
And don't forget the mammals! You may even find some of them watching you!
Images Top to bottom: brown hare - grey seal - roe deer (Photo credit - Robert Conn)
But you don't have to be able to identify any of these plants, insects, mammals or birds to enjoy their beauty, or that of the landscape that makes up and surrounds the Mull of Galloway. All you have to do is simply pay us a visit and let nature enthral you. RSPB staff and volunteers are always on hand during working hours, seven days a week, and more than happy to try to put a name to that wee yellow flower you seen or the bird with the long orange beak you heard making a racket on the shore recently.
Image: One of our volunteers enjoying the sunshine between spells of informing and enthralling visitors (Photo credit - Robert Conn)
We will also be hosting a Wildflower Walk on Thursday 16 June at 1pm where we will be joined by a local wildflower expert and will be looking at the diverse range of flowers on the Mull. For more information on prices, booking etc, please click here http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/events/details.aspx?id=tcm:9-410627/events/details.aspx?id=tcm:9-410627 .