Things are finally starting to quieten down workwise and normality, such as it is up here on Skye, has been largely resumed. The weather however, has proven itself to be the complete opposite of quietening down and resuming its normal self. Storm Ciara hit hard, though no harder than the unnamed front that battered us a few weeks back. Or the one before that. Hail, sleet, rain, thunder and strong winds are the daily norm now, as they have been all week. My adventures into the worlds of coleoptera and diptera have seen me record NO species whatsoever!
The laundry shed has been completely useless, the strong winds and sideways rain doubtless put paid to any flying insects that may have been attracted to the bright lights. Indoors, I've stupidly sealed, filled, caulked or masticked every nook, crack and cranny in the kitchen and dry store areas, repainted and plastic clad throughout - the result being that I have seemingly eradicated anything that may have wandered into a sticky trap and hence onto my list.
My one venture into the outside world was to perform my monthly WeBS high tide count. Sadly the roost spots were either completely submerged or battered by waves and my total count comprised twenty birds of four species, by far my lowest count ever!
However, the day after tomorrow is rumoured to be better. I've booked that day off work, my final day off before I head south next week. I'm meeting up with BSBI Recorder Stephen Bungard to check out some weird Snowdrops that I found last month. I have hopes of finding flies in sheltered spots, real flies as opposed to tiny gnats and midges. It won't be long now before the first Gymnocheta viridis is perched on a sunlit trunk, the first Calliphora vomitoria on an ivy leaf and the first Otiorhynchus sulcatus is found sitting halfway up a wall. I can't bloody wait!
But before that, I have three weeks in England. Expect near-daily updates because I anticipate great things (though even a single 7-spot Ladybird would be a vast improvement on this last week!)
Should I find myself with a free hour or two before that, these are the spots I probably ought to be targeting, all in or around Uig Wood itself.
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| Substantial rot hole in mature Sycamore fork for aquatic larvae |
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| This freshly milled fencing should make for a fantastic dipteran/coleopteran sunbathing spot |
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| A sunlit wall for the flies and a grass heap for the beetles - marvellous! |
Saw a daffodil flower in between snow showers last weekend. It's just gearing up to kick off. Trying my hardest to clear the decks!
ReplyDeleteToday I finally found a few things to throw onto the decks, never mind clearing them! :D
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