Late Summer in the Park

Yesterday we visited Figgate Park, which is well known for its wildflower meadows and views of Arthur's Seat

and it's pond, which used to be a great place to see unusual ducks - including shoveler and gadwall (see this post) and a mandarin (see this post). Yesterday the pond was almost empty apart from these mallards

and moorhens, including this youngster, which was making a lot of noise

Though we did for the first time ever in the park, see a dragonfly!

There were plenty of birds in the trees, including this pair of stock doves, which looked to be nest building - taking sticks into this hole in the tree (some species of pigeons and doves can nest at any time of year). Sorry the light isn't very good in the photo, but you can click on it for a better view

The pollinators were enjoying the late summer flowers and the sunshine, like this footballer hoverfly (Helophilus sp)

this Syrphus sp hoverfly

and this common carder bee

and this speckled wood butterfly (iy may be tricky to spot, but you can click on the photo for a closer view)

The wildflowers are at their best just now, so it's a great time to visit

and the rowan berries are ripening beautifully, promising a wonderful autumn for the birds that like to eat them