clumps of snowdrops
, the few bulbs of a decade ago have multiplied and spread so that we even have the odd flower appearing out of the lawn! Although just past their best, they still make a bonny sight. Big and dwarf crocuses in many colours are also adding to the spectacle, scattered through the rockery, in the tubs and under the apple tree, opening and closing as the sun comes and goes. We just need the first bumblebee of the season to visit and do a bit of pollinating.The planned visit to see the unusual mosses on the ancient aspens all went well and I spent an hour or so taking a few close-up photographs. It was a bit windy, and you would b
e amazed just how much a tree moves about when you are trying to photograph a tiny moss from a distance of a few inches. The mosses in question were almost un-heard of in Britain until a few years ago until a work colleague, involved in a moss survey, couldn't quite believe what he thought he was seeing. A single plant from a "cushion" was taken and checked under a microscope and, to be doubly sure, was then sent to the Scottish expert who confirmed that a species new to Britain had indeed been found. So started a major survey of the local aspen stands and to everyones amazement, quite a few "cushions" of the moss were found. The moss doesn't have an English name so goes by the wonderful title of Orthotrichum gymnostomum (pictured), a bristle moss. Its close relative O. obtusifolium, also very rare in Britain, was also found at several of the sites adding yet another layer of importance to the ancient stands of aspen trees locally. More about aspens later in the summer when we go in search of a very unusual hoverfly!
e amazed just how much a tree moves about when you are trying to photograph a tiny moss from a distance of a few inches. The mosses in question were almost un-heard of in Britain until a few years ago until a work colleague, involved in a moss survey, couldn't quite believe what he thought he was seeing. A single plant from a "cushion" was taken and checked under a microscope and, to be doubly sure, was then sent to the Scottish expert who confirmed that a species new to Britain had indeed been found. So started a major survey of the local aspen stands and to everyones amazement, quite a few "cushions" of the moss were found. The moss doesn't have an English name so goes by the wonderful title of Orthotrichum gymnostomum (pictured), a bristle moss. Its close relative O. obtusifolium, also very rare in Britain, was also found at several of the sites adding yet another layer of importance to the ancient stands of aspen trees locally. More about aspens later in the summer when we go in search of a very unusual hoverfly!The birds in the garden have continued in good numbers - perhaps a few more over the last few days (see first blog). Allen in the chalet has had a bit of luck this week with his camera and is waiting until he gets his film back to see if the crested tit picture has come up to scratch. A male blackbird this morning has to be the luckiest of the birds in the garden today. Whilst filling up one of the feeders I was aware of an almighty racket from close to the rowan tree and immediately thought "cat". However, the cat turned out to be a female sparrowhawk 
and my movement to see what was happening disturbed her and she released the blackbird which disappeared with great haste into nearby bushes! One cat, familiar to many of our past visitors -Wossie, said cheerio to Firwood last Friday, departing with daughter Laura who was taking up a new job in Aberdeenshire. One last picture of the mischievous cat.
and my movement to see what was happening disturbed her and she released the blackbird which disappeared with great haste into nearby bushes! One cat, familiar to many of our past visitors -Wossie, said cheerio to Firwood last Friday, departing with daughter Laura who was taking up a new job in Aberdeenshire. One last picture of the mischievous cat. A few other bird records, our first woodcock roding near to the house, hen harrier hunting the moor by Loch Mallachie, pied wagtail (a summer visitor here) on the house roof and lots of song from curlews, lapwings, all the woodland birds, and a few more crossbills appearing in the forest. Red kite locally was quite unusual.
The signs went up this week along the road by Loch Garten to warn car drivers to beware of 
"toads on the road". Both toads and frogs have been on the march this week as they head to their breeding sites. As they gather in the lochs and pools the water becomes alive with mating pairs and immediately lots of spawn appears - clumps of spawn for frogs and strings of spawn for toads. At this time it is not unusual for females to be killed by fren
zied males attempting to mate with a single female - all at the same time. Today, a pine marten scat on a tree stump and a mass of frog spawn scattered all around, showed that predators can have easy pickings if they can find a particularly good breeding pool. Frogs also seem to have the habit of laying spawn in pools that may dry out in the coming weeks, leaving spawn or tadpoles high and dry. I tend to have a wee plastic cup in my rucksac to help out at this time, moving the spawn or tadpoles to the nearest permanent pool. These pictures show what you might see if you happen upon a good breeding pool.
"toads on the road". Both toads and frogs have been on the march this week as they head to their breeding sites. As they gather in the lochs and pools the water becomes alive with mating pairs and immediately lots of spawn appears - clumps of spawn for frogs and strings of spawn for toads. At this time it is not unusual for females to be killed by fren
zied males attempting to mate with a single female - all at the same time. Today, a pine marten scat on a tree stump and a mass of frog spawn scattered all around, showed that predators can have easy pickings if they can find a particularly good breeding pool. Frogs also seem to have the habit of laying spawn in pools that may dry out in the coming weeks, leaving spawn or tadpoles high and dry. I tend to have a wee plastic cup in my rucksac to help out at this time, moving the spawn or tadpoles to the nearest permanent pool. These pictures show what you might see if you happen upon a good breeding pool.And the snow - watch this space!
Happy reading.
Stewart & Janet
All photos © Stewart Taylor
