Plan A Visit
Educational Visits
Group Visits
Food & Drink
The Scottish Borders
Bowhill House & Gardens
The Buccleuch Collection
History
Bowhill House Gardens
House Tours
The Adventure Playground
Soft Play
Love & Respect Victorian Age Exhibition
The Victorian Kitchen
Our Sister Estates
Walking and Hiking
Wildlife & Biodiversity
Fishing
Ranger Service
Stay
Contact
Water Stick Insect Found by School Children
Pond Dipping and Bug Hunting have both been extremely popular this year and yielded some amazing discoveries. Along with the usual suspects of larvae, diving beetles and the always favourite froglets, we had a Water Stick Insect. This little critter was not something I new even existed! Water Stick Insect (Ranatra linearis) are predatory, acting very much like a Praying Mantis, using its forelegs to catch prey such as tadpoles or small fish. Similar to the Water Scorpion, it is equipped with a breathing tube that resembles a stinger, allowing it to stay submerged whilst on the hunt.
Most interestingly, and after checking with The Wildlife Information Centre (TWIC), this is the first recorded instance in the Scottish Borders. There have been several recorded in Dumfriesshire (NBN Atlas), however they are most commonly found in more Southern parts of England and Wales.
Spot the Lizards
Another very cool find was a Common Lizard (Zootoca vivipara), spotted just days before by Charlie from the Gardening Team. As lizards are cold blooded, they can be found basking in the sun along woodland edges before seeking shelter under leaf piles, rocks and deadwood. Unlike other reptiles, lizards do not lay eggs and will have up to 10 live young during the summer months. So, if you visit over the summer months, keep your eyes peeled and you may be lucky enough to spot a tiny lizard!
Fun in the Victorian Kitchen
It isn’t an educational visit to Bowhill, without joining Sarah in the House or Victorian Kitchen! Alongside House Tours and learning what a “Day in Service” looked like, Children tried their hands at the arduous task of Butter Making this year and there were many a sore arm afterwards. Churning the cream is a tough task, but is always rewarded with the tasty treat of fresh butter on oatcakes!
