Nature Notes 15 September 2020

Nature Notes 15 September 2020

Observations from staff and members on our Nature Reserves this week.

Nature reserves may look completely wild, but our 19 reserves across Northern Ireland are actually carefully managed by a dedicated team. We protect, restore and create a mix of habitats where wildlife can thrive.

Glenarm Nature Reserve

Our woodlands are transforming; green leaves taking on fiery shades; bursts of red and purple berries and shiny brown acorns and nuts tempting thrushes and squirrels. For many plants, insects and some mammals, autumn is a time of slowing down, of shutting down. It’s all about changing where and how you live in preparation for the great annual emergency: winter.

If you are out and about, there is still plenty of wildlife to see - spotted this week at Glenarm - Dor beetle, peacock, silver-washed fritillary, white-tailed bumblebee and eristalis nemorum hoverfly

Dor beetle, Glenarm Sept 2020

Dor beetle, Glenarm Sept 2020

Peacock, Glenarm Sept2020

Peacock, Glenarm Sept2020

Silver-washed fritillary, Glenarm Sept 2020

Silver-washed fritillary, Glenarm Sept 2020

White-tailed bumblebee, Glenarm Sept 2020

White-tailed bumblebee, Glenarm Sept 2020

Estalis nemorum hoverfly, Glenarm Sept 2020

Estalis nemorum hoverfly, Glenarm Sept 2020