29 de agosto de 2021

Outing to Glendalough, 29/08/2021

This was such a scenic trip to a famous Irish tourist spot, and a great way to end the summer.

I was pretty pumped to go ever since yesterday when it was announced that we will be going to Glendalough. I had been there when I was younger, however I was less aware of the insects and other smaller bits of nature lying around. I also had seen the observations of previous people who had went and seen Meadowhawks (Sympetrum), a type of dragonfly, so I was definitely hyped up to go, in hope of seeing some more to add to my life list, as well as just seeing these awesome insects in action again.

So, that was my goal for this trip.

We went off after arriving and just a minute or two upon getting out of the car, was some mallards in a stream leading to the Upper Lake. A pleasant little sight to see so early on on the trek.

As we were walking in the forest that bordered the said lake, there was a bunch of Woodland Dor Beetles (Anoplotrupes stercorosus), however almost all bar a couple were dead and crushed, presumably by the waves of tourists and hikers going through. Poor things... But a couple were in pristine shape for pinning, so I took them, preserving their beauty.

After the woodland path, we come upon a gorgeous view of the valley. It really made me feel small.


Above: The views in the valley.

Upon walking further and into the Mining village ruins, I came across evidence of what looked like feral goats (Capra hircus). And a little later on, sure enough, there they were! A group of six or so individuals and one of them with particularity impressive horns and beard.

These were also one of my first big observations of mammals (along with some previous rabbits), so that's a plus!


Above: The goat with the horns and beard.

We then took a small break to get back our breathe, and then it was time to be on the road again.

After some Dor Beetles and a Pill Millipede (Glomeris marginata), we were back at the car park. But, that didn't satisfy me. I still haven't completed my wishlist of the trip: to see those Meadowhawks. And so, after saying so, we head off to the Green Road Walk.

On the first half, the woodland bit, there wasn't must bar the pretty landmarks and scenes. But, there was a bench that overlooked reeds in the Lower Lake. To take a breather after the trek from the ruins, I sat down and what do I see by those reeds? Meadowhawks! This had raised my hopes up as I could see them more up close later on.

And I did!

The first was a gorgeous female Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum), who checked us out and sat down on the path, allowing me to snap a couple of shots.

Then as soon as we got to a corner point, darters started appearing left right and center! I was genuinely surprised that most of them allowed me to get up rather close to get the photos!

A particular one which I remember was two males near each other, and once I had finished taking picture and the one flew into the air, the other one went for the attack! It was rather intense seeing them wrestle. They were like balls bouncing off of each other after every attempt to grab the other. And it all happened right in front of me!

A little later on I then saw a glimpse of a mating pair fly in tandem. It really was a awesome act of teamwork.


Above: Common Darters (in order from left: Male, Male, Female)

However, all good things come to an end and we eventually arrived back to the car park.

This really was a magnificent day. I saw some breathtaking views and got to see some of my favourite insects again.

I should really come back here with a camera...

Publicado el agosto 29, 2021 09:54 TARDE por bitsnbirds bitsnbirds | 25 observaciones | 0 comentarios | Deja un comentario

24 de agosto de 2021

Outing to Crone Woods, 23/08/2021

Another lovely, yet this time, hard on the feet, trip to another woods!

Just a couple minutes into the trek and already I had seen a dragonfly. It whizzed passed us down to where we had came from, only allowing me to get a glance of its light stripes down its body. By my guess going by that vague description, it would have been in the genus Aeshna. I had also seen another two similarly shaped ones patrolling treetops not too long after that first one. Unfortunately, all of them were much too fast to get a proper picture of.

After we, came across some Woodland Dor Beetles (Anoplotrupes stercorosus) (1, 2) in quick succession. We figure we were going to run into more. We weren't wrong.

During this hike, I paid particular attention to the fungi as I haven't gotten many on my life list. They were a rather big turn-off for me before as they were hard to identify, even to a class. However, I have gained some experience with them and know some particular important identification features now, such as the gills, which I've taken particular care to photograph.

A while later, my brother pointed out some Common Green Grasshoppers (Omocestus viridulus) on a dead branch. It appeared as the male, which is the smaller one, was stridulating to a female. It was nice, little, romantic interaction, until one of us scared them and they both hopped away.


Above: The two common green grasshoppers.

Then, after a little more walking, came the hardest part of the trek. A weaving path going up the mountain. I don't often do hikes up mountains so this was tricky and sore to my feet. But, I managed. Even got a couple observations of mushrooms and moss. To make matters worse, there was a constant annoying drone of flies right next to my ear too.

However, after that hard hike, the view was truly stunning.


Above: The view from the top.

Eventually we had to get going.

After a ladybeetle, fox moth caterpillar, bumblebees, grasshoppers and a lot of heather, we reached the view of Powerscourt waterfall. It was also very magnificant.


Above: Some shots of Powerscourt Waterfall.

Near the end, after a short deciduous forest and a field of gorse, we bumped into what looked like a murder scene of Woodland Dor Beetles. It had to be at least about five of them visible in the same place, however there seemed to only be two survivors. (1, 2) Probably got stepped on by other hikers. Poor things.

Throughout the trip, I also met up with a bunch of butterflies, particularly Peacocks (Aglais io). They were all gorgeous, however my personal favorite was a rather photogenic Comma (Polygonia c-album).


Above left: One of the Peacocks, Above left: The Comma.

Next time I come back, I would really love to try a new route, as there were a ton of roads to choose from. But, overall, it was a very nice outing. Very scenic too.

Publicado el agosto 24, 2021 12:53 MAÑANA por bitsnbirds bitsnbirds | 49 observaciones | 0 comentarios | Deja un comentario

03 de julio de 2021

Outing to Avondale Forest, 02/07/2021

Upon hearing that me and my family were going to the woods for a walk, I was thrilled!

Before iNat, I didn't think much on the smaller organisms I've passed on previous walks and hikes over the years. But now? I stop every minute to get pictures of a cool plant or kneel down in the dirt road to get one of a never-seen-before-by-my-eyes beetle.

This was my first family outing with the intention of recording the organisms along the way.

As I heard the fact that we were going to the forest for a walk, I packed the essentials: my phone for the photos, a portable charging port for on-the-road charge for my phone in case it got low on battery, water, a small jar to store any dead insects I find along the way for future pinning, and of course a pair of binoculars. When you're on a budget for equipment, you've got to make do!

On a lot of the walks I go on, I set a wishlist that I would like to happen on that outing. On this one, I hoped to come across a Woodland Dor Beetle (Anoplotrupes stercorosus) or something related to it.

Upon arriving, instantaneously a tree caught my interest. However, I didn't take a photo of it as it would have been rather awkward for me to take photos of something from every angle with people looking and I figured it was a cultivated and man-planted plant. I could've but I didn't. But, upon uploading my observations in the end and being curious if anyone else using iNat has been there, I found an observation that could be a hint as to what it was. A Japanese Pagota Tree (Styphnolobium japonicum).

After getting things sorted and ready, we were off.

It was going great: seen some nice woodland sights and got some observations of plants and bird calls. But it got better when I heard the tell-tale sound of a running river. It came back to me that there was a river there, and that ment Odonates.

After I have gotten into iNaturalist, I haven't seen a single dragon or damselfly. To add to it, I have been IDing and even did a personal project about them. All of these have added to my knowledge and enthusiasm about these insects, and now that I was about to potentially see them for myself since before becoming obsessed with iNat, I was excited. That was another wish I added to my list.

I wanted to get to the river banks, but my sister and me had taken the wrong path, but, eventually, we were back on track with a phone call from the rest who had taken the right one.

However, before getting down close to the water, my brother pointed out a dead bug to me. He shouted to me from a bit away: "It's a weird beetle!" I figured I knew what he was talking about and I ran to inspect. Sure enough it was a Woodland Dor! I picked the insect up and put it in the collection jar to take home and store it until it was ready to be pinned and got going again. That was one want off of the list.

I got some more observations of plants and bugs before getting close to the river, as well as more sights to take in. By the time we were walking alongside the river, I was getting even more pumped. Eventually we settled for a short break by a river bank where the water was rather slow flowing. (Hopes were getting high!) I looked to my left to inspect the area and admire it and low and behold, a damsel!


Above: Area in which the odes were.

More specifically, I am pretty sure he was a male Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) considering he had dark wings and a shiny metallic blue body. And beautiful he was! Fluttering like a butterfly in his little corner of hogweed, boulders and some sort of freshwater algae or plant, picking off small insects flying on the surface of the water. Every so often, he would flutter on down the river, probably patrolling his territory (if damsels like him do patrol territories...) and I would have to wait for him to come back.

In the meanwhile that he was gone, I also noticed a bunch of Jewelwings (Calopteryx) (probably Beautiful Demoiselles too) on an opposite bank fluttering about in a group of about 5 or 4.

There was also a majestic and rather large-looking Darner (Family Aeshnidae) above head a couple times too. That one was another gorgeous one. His wings were mesmerizing as he turned on the spot, darted around and glided down along the river as well. It was a shame I couldn't get decent photos of these Odes. However, just being in the precence of them for the first time with enthusiasm for these creatures was an experience in itself.

While there by the bank, I also saw some freshwater fish, possibly in their young stage, water striders (Family Gerridae) and a horse fly (Subfamily Tabaninae) who tried to take a bite out of us.

Eventually, it was time to get going back to the car park. I had my 2 wants in the bag and I was happy with the outcome of this trip. We got left behind a tad bit but eventually got back, still taking photos of plants, bugs and the scenery.


Above: Some shots from the outing.

Overall, this was such a nice outing as I got to admire nature, got a beetle to pin and best of all, got to see Odonates in action. Definitely looking forward to visiting again, as well as going to other forests and nature parks.

Publicado el julio 3, 2021 04:02 TARDE por bitsnbirds bitsnbirds | 35 observaciones | 0 comentarios | Deja un comentario

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