Round-leaved Sundew

This afternoon we went to Flanders Moss National Nature Reserve in search of lizards. We weren't too hopeful when we arrived as the weather was very dull and cool, but when we came upon two of the rangers, they said that they had seen loads today whilst doing their regular survey, along with black darters and common hawkers. They also showed us this carnivorous plant that is quite common up in Scotland apparently and can be found sitting amongst the soggy Sphagnum moss on the shores of bog pools and peaty heaths. Flanders Moss is exactly that and one of Britain's largest raised bogs.
It is a tiny little plant but when you get up close to it, you can see the sticky drops at the end of the hairs on its leaves. It is these that attract and capture insects that it then digests to supplement its diet. Fascinating stuff. 
Back to the lizards....during the first half of our visit we were overtaken by a family with three very noisy and excitable young children so slowed to a stop to allow any lizards to come back out, but then just as it quietened down, we saw the local alpaca trekking company bringing their animals, all 22 of them, for a walk around the boardwalk in the opposite direction!  We gave up after that and never did find any lizards. A lovely little reserve with plenty of information boards to read. I'm sure it is more productive on a warm summers day with more dragonflies, lizards, adders and birds to see. Today we saw one common hawker, a kestrel, some stonechats and pipits and a lot of alpacas!