Lochranza to Glen Catacol, Isle of Arran

I thought that Richard and Kath might like to see some Adders and Red Deer so we took a bus to Lochranza (which pretty much satisfies every Scottish stereotype, scenery-wise). Sitting down at the bay near the castle, we shared our sandwiches with some Mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos). Further out a female Merganser (Mergus serrator) was busily diving in the sparkling water.

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) female

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) female

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) female

We didn't have to look far for Red Deer - this hind was so unbothered by our presence that she continued to graze as we stood a metre away: in fact we were unable to get a picture of her head! So, despite feeling like a pervert - a hind (in both senses of the word!):

Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) hind

We took a gentle walk up Glen Catacol (to compensate for the previous day's death march), keeping our eyes peeled for Adders. Despite our best efforts we were unsuccessful in that respect. We did, however, closely approach a basking Slowworm (Anguis fragilis). For me this was better than an Adder as it is only the second time I have seen one! These legless lizards have very boxy heads and are almost cuboid in cross section.

According to the Herpetological Conservation Trust this species is 'widespread throughout the British Isles' and 'probably the most frequently encountered British reptile'. Personally, I have not found this to be the case but it may just be scarce in the Central Scotland area, or maybe I'm unlucky.... Years ago, I found a Slowworm between the Test and the Greenside Reservoir in the Kilpatrick Hills. Despite much searching I have never seen one in this area since.

Amongst the boggy patches were Great Sundews (Drosera longifolia) and plenty of Gold-ringed Dragonflies (Cordulegaster boltonii) - one was happily chewing on a wasp!

waxcap (Hygrocybe persistens)

Lochranza to Laggan, Isle of Arran

The sky was overcast and cloudy with a hint of rain and I saw very few Green Hairstreaks at Laggan. No adders on the Narachan either. On the path up I found a Garden Tiger Moth (Arctia caja) caterpillar (also known as a 'woolly bear').

Large Red Damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula)

Oil Beetle (Meloe violaceus?) female

I was pleased to find some mating Oil Beetles (Meloe violaceus?) on the Narachan as I haven't seen any for awhile. The female in the photo above is about 3cm in length and exuded a smelly defence chemical (Cantharidin) when handled.

These beetles have an unusual lifestyle: they are parasitic on various species of ground nesting solitary bees. The female lays her eggs in a burrow close to a solitary bee colony and the emerging larvae (called tringulins) climb onto flowerheads and wait until a bee arrives. They attach themselves to the bee and are carried back to the colony where they moult into a more maggot like form. Inside the bee colony they feed upon the bee's pollen store and eggs. The larvae pupate inside the bee colony and emerge the following year as adult oil beetles.

Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) yearling fawn

Lochranza, Isle of Arran

Early May is the peak flight period for the Green Hairstreak butterfly (Callophrys rubi) and a good time to see male Adders (Vipera berus) 'dancing' as they fight over females. This week I spent a few days in Arran in the hope of photographing both.

Located on the very Northern tip of Arran, the village of Lochranza lies in a deep valley clustered around a muddy seaweeded estuary. Overlooking the bay is Lochranza castle, an L-plan towerhouse built mostly in the 16th century. I stayed at Lochranza Youth Hostel (SYHA) which has a very nice atmosphere, there is a small shop at the front desk from which you can buy some staple foods (pasta, rice, chocolate, tea etc) and the hostel is perfectly located for early morning walks along the coast to Catacol, Gleann Easan Biorach, Glen Chalmadale and Laggan.

Red deer (Cervus elaphus) roam freely around the village and are very accustomed to human presence. They often spend their evenings grazing amongst sheep on the golf course. It is possible to stand less than 2 metres away from some individuals although caution should be exercised when approaching the deer as they are completely wild (though they may not look it!) and are fairly large animals. This is especially important during the rutting season (mid September to mid October) when stags can get quite aggressive!

This stag has just shed his antlers:

Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) stag

Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) stag

Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) stag

Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) stag

Everywhere brilliant yellow, glossy petalled Lesser Celandines (Ranunculus ficaria) sparkle in the sunshine. The whole plant is mildly toxic when fresh (contains protoanemonin), although it was once traditionally used as a treatment for haemorrhoids and scurvy (it is high in vitamin C).

Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria)