salmotrutta – Page 6

An alternative use of the Cormorant deterrent …

**… this young Heron decides it is a good observation post!**

Off to Africa …

**… a young Osprey circles the Loch heading south on its long migration to Spain or North Africa for the winter. (The image is a clip from a dashcam video hence the watercolour effect!)**

The ‘cruelty’ of nature – and then there were two! …

…. sadly one Cygnet was missing last Friday and three more missing Monday. With no bodies found death by Avian flu, which is prevalent in the area, seems unlikely and with the Cygnets coming on land it is more probable that a predator has killed them! The remaining two with the adults have returned to the far side of the Loch…

**… and today (Thursday) they are out in the middle**!

The Butterflies larder …

**The Buddleia** **(Butterfly) bushes** **provide …..**

**…. a meal table** **for the butterflies and attracts the Small Tortoiseshells and**

A ‘new’ Heron.

**After the winter casualties another heron is now regularly visiting the Loch …**

Nobody can see me! …..

…..this young hare (known at this age as a Leveret) was reacting naturally by freezing on being disturbed. Unfortunately it was out in the open on the edge of the track. It quickly disappeared into the undergrowth.

The explorers …

….. the Swan family finally decided to visit the accessible shore but on seeing somebody coming down the track quickly headed back! With plenty of feed in the Loch the original six cygnets are growing fast.

Next years Damsels?

The unique heart-shaped mating ritual of the Damselfly. Unfortunately year by year the numbers of these and Dragon flies around the Loch are slowly reducing.