Balochroy and More

A new section of the Kintyre Way between Clachan and Tayinloan is to open, taking a section off the main road and through a nice woodland of hazel, alder and some cherry. even though the path runs adjacent to the road, it feels really secluded. the atmosphere is totally different within the woodland than out in the open. it feels as if the woodland is embracing you inviting you in to explore what it has to offer.

 

Its that time of year when things start to slow down change, the green trees turning into fantastic clouds of colour and soon they will slowly raining down upon us. The birds change, some heading south to avoid the cold such as the terns and swallows, other are just arriving like the many species of geese. The terns travel the furthest during their migration from the round the Arctic circle all the way down to the Antarctic. For such small birds they sure have some stamina.  

 

When we were out at Largiebaan this week a Golden Eagle was sighted, an impressive looking bird of prey, it huge wingspan almost and long as our work van.    

All Things Water

Water is probably the most powerful force on earth, the basis on which all life exists, from the vast ocean to the smallest of burns. It takes on many different characters; majestic, inviting to sudden out bursts of violence and anger without any warning.

As Kintyre is surrounded by water, I find it fitting that this entry should be about the sea. There are very few places on the Kintyre Way where you can't see the ocean whether that's the Kilbranan Sound on the east or the never ending Atlantic on the west.

Most of us will only ever get to see the surface of the sea, but the breaching of dolphins, seal or basking sharks remains us that there is a whole other world below: The unseen world of the ocean.

 

You can walk along any beach on Kintyre and come across clues of what lies beneath the water. fragments of shells, sometimes if you are lucky shells as big as your hand. I would recommend, if you ever get the chance to walk along a rocky beach with lots of pools, that you stop and just have a closer look in, see what's moving about, admire the sea anemone, feel the freshness of the water, the different textures of the seaweed.

 

Machrihanish to Southend

 

Section 6 of the Kintyre Way (Machrihanish to Southend) has probably the wildest feel to it. Walking on a grass track over the hills of Largiebaan and Ballygroggan, across the open moor of Amod hill. Due to the extreme weather conditions and lack of shelter not all plants and animals will be able to survive, only the hardy and tolerable ones will make it. These types of plants tend to be slow growing and low to the ground, only the brave will reach out to try and touch the sky. Because of these harsh conditions the plants has less competition will nettles and thistles meaning there is a greater diversity to be found. From a distance it can seem like an empty wilderness, lifeless, look a bit closer and you shall find a whole different world.

 

On my travels round Largiebaan and Ballygroggan I came across some beautiful looking flowers. The Heath Spotted Orchid, a plant that is easily seen among the grasses and heathers, with its full head of small flowers looks like cotton candy. The ‘Spotted’ part is to do with the leaves, they have distinctive purple spots on the upper side. Its flowers are quite delicate, and look as if they come from the amazon rainforest, ready to engulf anything that dares take its nectar.

 

Bog Asphodel, its name giving away the habitat in which it lives, with its yellow star like flower heads clumped together at the top of a tall thin stem it is one of my favourite plants.   

 

 

As well as these two plants a whole list was found including 3 species of Heather, round-leaf sundew, blaeberry (with ripe berries), cotton grass and tormentil.

Day out with the School

Myself and Sharon took pupils from Carradale and Drumlemble Primary along part of the Kintyre Way as part of one of their projects. Full of enthusiasm we all set out from Carradale with our eyes and ears open to see and hear the magic of nature. We came across loads of different plants, deer tracks and fantastic views of Carradale and Arran. The biggest plant we came across was the predominant rhododendron with their pink/purple flowers and waxy leaves. Originally from the Himalayas, it was brought to this country as an ornamental plant for gardens. They were mainly planted on the road in to Estate Houses; it told all the visitors how much money the laird had, this is the same with exotic trees such as Grand Firs and Monkey Puzzle trees.

One of the most impressive plants that we came across, not for its size or looks, but a reason not so common to British flora: Butterwort. Without a flower it looks like a bright green star that has fallen from the sky. Its delicate purple flowers rising from the centre of the star has a fascinating shape. It looks like it is sticking its tongue out. This plant is one of the few that has become carnivorous, its leaves covered in sugary liquid that is irresistible to small flies. These flies, lured into a false sense of sugary goodness, are soon trapped and digested for the nutrients.

One flower that has just come out in the past week is the Foxglove, a beautiful looking deep purple, bell shaped flower head making a bold statement amongst the green grass.

 

Its All Go On Kintyre

Kintyre is a unique place for wildlife, surrounded by the sea it provides the perfect place for coastal plant communities as well as a wide range of animals. At the same time it has fantastic woodlands which provide shelter for different wildlife and the exposed moor where the more hardy plants and animals inhabit.

Over the past few weeks the warm weather has certainly done the wildlife good, as well as everyone else. Flowers have come and gone, Daffodils, Coltsfoot and Primrose have been replaced by an invasion of Bluebells or Wild Hyacinths, Cuckooflower and Common Horsetail.

Cuckooflower

Wild Hyacinth (Bluebell)

I have been talking quite a bit about plants. I think it’s time to mention the animals that have been spotted recently. Quite often Black Grouse are observed above Tarbert on the open moor. On more than one occasion they have given us a fright as they jump out of the heather on high alert and fly off into the distance.

One of the more exciting finds was at Ballacroy. We came across 2 Adders. I quote the moment we saw them ‘It’s a snake! A real snake!’ As if I was expecting it not to be real.

Adder 

The hot weather has brought out the butterflies with the Peacock with its beautifully designed wings, colourful eye shapes staring at the sky and the Small Tortoise-Shell being the most commonly sighted.

The Swallows have arrived in town, performing the most amazing acrobatics just a few metres off the ground. This is a sure sign that the season of spring is in full swing.

Mysteries of Nature

Nature works in mysterious ways, you might even say its magic; how a leaf the size of your hand can come from a bud so small. The freshness of the buds, the coating of morning dew of new leaves, the burst of life. The trees have awakened.

Willow can be found all along the route, it grows anywhere it can get a decent hold, from the sides of forest tracks to the open moor of Ballygroggan. It is one of the more common species on the Way, and can be used for many different things like basket weaving and fencing. It is one of many tree species that produce catkins alongside birch and alder which are also a common site on Kintyre. The willow looks like it is covered in little hairy caterpillars.

Wildlife can seem loud and uncontrolled, but listen closely enough and you will hear the symphonies of nature, the trickling of water as it hits the rocks, the songs of birds hiding high in the trees, the buzzing of insects. All these combined create the best sound in the world, the sound of the wild, all things natural.

Just a side note: Last week while I was walking in Campbeltown in the evening, I was pleasantly surprised with the display of a single Pipistrelle bat above my head. On a couple of occasions it came so close I could have just reached out and touched it. Bats are such wonderful creatures with their silent flight; they always seem to be in a rush to gather as much food as possible before sunrise. They are definitely one of the best species for keeping the midge numbers down and just for that they should be admired.    

Spring Has Arrived

Welcome to the first instalment of the Kintyre Way Wildlife Blog. This blog will follow the ever changing wildlife that can be seen while walking the way. 

The sounds, the smells, the feeling of spring have certainly come to Kintyre. Upbeat and bouncy, full of joy, a canvas covered with the most stunning colours, from a distance looks as if someone has used a massive paint brush, but if you look closer, the fine detail of many different shades of green, yellow and orange become apparent.  Full of life, that is what spring is all about, the beginning of new life, new stories, new moments that are worth remembering. 

Spring has definitely arrived with the new lambs, which can be spotted up and down the Kintyre Way, the burst of colour from the wild flowers and trees. The Daffodils have been in flower now for a few weeks, brightening up everyone’s day, showing off their wonderful yellows, whites and oranges. Primroses are now out in force along the coastal section between Clachan and Tayinloan, as well as the understated Coltsfoot, with its single flowering head, it is a miniature sun amongst the grass. 

All along the Kintyre Way, plants and animals that lie quite over the winter months are beginning to sing and dance to the music of spring.