There is a definite change of pace here at St. Abb’s Head lately as the busy summer breeding season comes to an end.  If you’ve visited the reserve recently you’ll have noticed that our cliffs are nearly empty now, with the majority of our seabirds back out at sea.

Other birds are on the move here too;  swallows and martins are gathering,and preparing for their long journey back to Africa for the winter.



Swallows and House Martins

Earlier this week I counted 126 sat on the wires outside our office, and that’s not including the ones swooping above the grass catching insects.

Sycamore seeds

The leaves of the trees haven’t quite started to turn yet, but these colourful sycamore seeds are a sign of things to come with their beautiful autumnal colours.  This year’s rowan berries are looking quite spectacular on the walk around the Mire loch, and should provide plenty of food for migrating birds such as redwing and fieldfare when they arrive later in the year.

Rowan berries

Summer isn’t over yet though!  On a walk around the Mire Loch on a warm sunny day you can find yourself surrounded by butterflies and flowers, many of which are at their best at this time of year.

Small Copper on Scabious

This small copper butterfly is feeding on a scabious flower.  Butterflies also on the wing here include, large, small and green-veined white, small tortoiseshell, peacock, red admiral, painted lady, wall brown, common blue, meadow brown and ringlet.  Keep a lookout for them on the spectacular clumps of black knapweed and thistles dotted around the reserve.

Black Knapweed