Seal of approval

Autumn aspen on Loch Hourn

On Clunie Loch

Beaver chewed willows

This willow regrowth on the river Earn has arisen after trees had been felled by beavers. It is one year of growth. You can see the evidence of beaver chewing on the stumps to the right.

Autumn Gold

Why not invest some time in the coming weeks to get out and see the autumn golds?

The sunny late summer weather in the North East with the brilliant blue sky, provides a fantastic backdrop for the start of this striking autumn display.

These birch trees near Braemar are the first few trees to change. However it will not be long before the neighbouring woodlands join the colour festival. So don't leave it too long......

Autumn aspen leaves

Different angle.........

Different colour.........

Searching for fungi

Out and about in the woods at Creagan Hill, part of the Glen Creran Special Area of Conservation. We're revisiting the management of this area, looking to get an acceptable balance between grazing and woodland regeneration. I also took the chance to look for glove fungi in the hazel that forms a part of these woods. There was plenty of fungi, but no sign of the elusive glove.





The fungus in this shot is a bit obscure: the oak leaf is probably held in place by a glue fungus.
Glue fungus are often associated with hazel glove fungus.



..and finally, one that was not on a hazel tree: the birch polypore

Small is beautiful

Who knows how old this rowan tree is nestled within the heather.

At around 30cm in height and its multi stemmed form indicates this tree has survived years of browsing by red and roe deer as well as mountain hares.

Despite its size, the rowan rewarded me this week with a vibrant display of autumn colours.

Along the Tay

Here are a few photos from yesterday, out looking for invasive species along the Tay.

The Tay below Aberfeldy

The Tay above Logierait

Harvest time the noo

The rewards of wet feet

Out and about surveying trees in the eastern Cairngorms yesterday, involved fording a number of large hill burns.

By plotting where the existing tree cover is along these mountain burns, we can also highlighted where the gaps are. Scottish Native Woods NE manager is working with the landowner to draft proposals to protect & expand native woods within these hill gullies. Woods occurring along rivers, lochs and burns is referred to as riparian woodland.

Birch, willow, Scots pine and rowan trees were the most common species recorded. With the striking autumn colours just starting to appear on the rowan trees.

At the end of a days surveying, you can quickly forget wet feet with views like this!

Scotch Argus Butterfly

There are still some butterflies on the wing in Argyll. Here's a Scotch Argus at rest....

..and here's one playing hard to find. The reverse of the wings are far more muted in colour, allowing the butterfly to merge in with the leaf litter.

A Walk along the Tay