Holiday Part 7 - Exploring Mabie Forest
Holiday 2023 - Dalbeattie, near Dumfries, Scotland
Each year we choose a different place in the UK to stay while on vacation. In the past we have visited various places such as the Lake District, the Peaks, New Forest, Norfolk Broads, Isle of Mull, South Wales etc. We even visited the Scottish Highlands and the Cairngorms last year, and enjoyed it so much that this year we chose to return to Scotland, this time to the Lowlands, in Dumfries and Galloway.
Part 7 - Exploring Mabie Forest - 14th June
And I suppose all good things must come to an end eventually.
After a brilliant week on holiday in the Scottish Lowlands, its time for the last day (which is always a slightly sad moment lol). For our last day we chose to explore the nearby Mabie Forest. On all of our previous days we had target species to search for at each location, like the Redstart and the Red Kites.
Todays plan was to be more relaxed. We would pick a trail to explore, and take our time and enjoy the last day here.
After checking the above map, we decided on the Lochaber Trail. It was the longest route at 5 miles, and would go through a variety of habitats, and also offer some decent views of the surrounding area. The map suggested strenuous, so I knew it would take awhile...but we had plenty of water and snacks so we would be going at a relaxed pace to see what we could see.
The first part of the walk started through the forest itself... it was relatively cool under the trees to begin with... my partner picked up a broken branch and decided to use it as a walking stick to tackle the big hills later...
Whereas I immediately got distracted looking for bugs!
Black and Yellow Longhorn Beetle - Rutpela maculata
A type of sawfly - one of the Tenthredo species
After a short while, the woodland opened up into this pretty little meadow. It was already starting to warm up in the bright morning sunshine, and there was plenty of insect activity:
A Meadow Brown Butterfly - Maniola jurtina
A Common White Wave Moth - Cabera pusaria
And then there was our first (of many) Dragonflies. This isn't a very good picture, but has enough detail to identify it as a female Black Darter - Sympetrum danae
One of smallest Dragonfly species, the male is mostly black with a hint of yellow, whereas the female is this two-tone orange and black (source).
After a short rest, we carried on along the path
A tiny little moth: a Nettle Tap - Anthophila fabriciana
The path changed to go onto this constructed wooden walkway
Presumably it has been built to go over muddy, boggy, WET ground... and soo enough I could tell I was right as the walkway took us to viewing platform over looking quite a large pond
There were loads of Dragonflies flying around here, super active in the midday sunshine, and really difficult to get any pictures apart from the one below:
a Four-spotted Chaser - Libellula quadrimaculata
There were also loads of the smaller cousins, the Damselflies.
Below is a male Azure Damselfly - Coenagrion puella
And then I spotted a mating pair.
The male is the bright blue, the female is green. The male is using the end of its abdomen to hold the female, while she is reaching forward with the tip of her abdomen to collect sperm to fertilize the eggs she will lay soon
And then a pair of Large Red Damselflies - Pyrrhosoma nymphula, who also looked 'busy'!
We left them in peace, and carried on walking around the trail. It was starting to get hilly by this point, and with the loss of tree cover we were starting to get hot.
Ringlet Butterfly - Aphantopus hyperantus
There were a surprising amount of butterflies around here, all whizzing past so quickly that I couldn't get a flippin' photograph!
As well has this Ringlet, there were Skippers, a Comma, at least 2 Meadow Browns, and several large Fritillary Butterflies. I couldn't see what they were, but considering the size of them I would hazard at Dark Green Fritillaries (but no pictures so you'll just have to take my word on it!)
Anyway, the path ventured ever higher and higher...
There was a bench here so my partner paused to have lunch. I decided to make the most of being here to carry on all the way up to the top of the hill
it seemed daft to walk 4/5 of the way to the top of the hill, and not see the actual view at the top!
Ah, well, the view wasn't quite as exciting as I thought it would be... but anyway, I saw it and thats the main thing!
I did see another butterfly though, and this one was patiently waiting for his picture to be taken
A Small Heath Butterfly - Coenonympha pamphilus
And then I trapsed back down to where I had left the other half. We finished lunch... it was a warm cheese sandwich which wasn't particularly appetizing to be honest!
Energy levels boosted, we carried on...
Brown Silver-line Moth - Petrophora chlorosata
Mercifully, as we headed round the path, we headed back underneath the trees. It was still warm here, but at least we were out of view of the blazing sun for a little while
And then I found a little moth, and immediately got excited. I though it looked like a type of Mocha, which was pretty cool, as I haven't seen any of theses species before. I quickly took this rubbish record shot before it vanished in amongst the undergrowth
Since I've arrived home I can now say this is a Birch Mocha - Cyclophora albipunctata
With both traps completed here (One and Two), this Birch Mocha takes my tally for new species to a very respectable 10! A very productive week in that respect!
We paused to admire the view for a little while, and then we drank the rest of the water we had. This was ok though as I had already seen by checking th map, that we were less than 30 minutes away from finishing the walk, and we knew there was more water waiting back at the car.
One last little surprise was a small butterfly that I managed to walk past.
Fortunately @dawnsart was paying attention and spotted it!
It is a Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary - Boloria selene
A few pictures later, it was a short walk back to the car. We chose to ignore the warm water waiting for us, and instead drove straight to the accommodation (just 15 minutes away) where we had cool refreshing drinks waiting in the Fridge.
After we had started to cool down, it was time to start thinking about packing everything up. It was the end of our Scottish adventure and a a return to to normal life next week.
And that means it is time to start planning where we will be going next year!
Hmmm, where shall we go... Yorkshire Dales? North Wales? Maybe even slightly further afield to the Channel Islands.... watch this space!
All names confirmed and checked via Wikispieces
Further Research from UK Moths and NatureSpot
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Fab pics mate. Question, How much photography kit do you take on your walks, you must carry a variety of lenses looking at these shots? And you have so much more patience than me, I once spent some time near a pond and although there were dragon/damselflies (I'm not sure I know the difference), I didn't get one shot, so I left, very disgruntled). Obviously, unlike you.
The trick is accepting that there is no control, so all you can do is see what you can see. Sometimes its rewarding, and other times it's disappointing... that's the nature of it. If you keep looking, you'll find something interesting eventually!
Equipment wise, each day usually has an aim. Bird watching (and deer etc) requires the big zoom, other days I might be aiming for macro or landscapes. I can't carry it all, so I choose one 'specialist lens' and then a generic walk around lens (the 24-105mmL).
On this day all I had was the walk around lens... as the aim was just to walk and capture what I saw. It does help that the 24-105 does a decent job at macro (with just some re-cropping required sometimes), so it is now my go to lens for any days out.
Cheers Dan. I always end up lugging so much kit around, most of which I don't use. I need to plan a bit more, Be more Dan 😁 And probably be a bit more patient!
This place looks very beautiful
It looks like one place called Lekki convention centre in my area
They really look alike...
Ah ok... I had a quick google, that looks to be a wonderful place to visit. I think yours might be a little more tropical than mine, but nothing beats the sensation of walking amongst the trees!
Wow, I wouldn't get tired walking in this kind of trail. There's so much peacefulness and the nature is very alive. The only thing I worry about walking in this kind of path is that what if I would get lost. The insect photography are cool!
Yes indeed, being able to spend time outside enjoying the surrounds is good for the soul
It can be a worry at times, fortunately this place had signposts to follow so I could relax and enjoy the walk (and not panic about the chance of losing my way!)
That's good! There's really something beautiful in the nature that makes you feel connected 'coz we are only dust maybe why nature is healing.
It was a very nice tour, Very good photos.
It is a place where it is worth spending a good time walking calmly.
I'm glad you enjoyed it as much as I did... was a beautiful place to relax and explore!