bitsnbirds's Journal

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.

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...