THE transformation down by the River Devon has been stunning in recent weeks as a myriad of different wildflowers suddenly burst into bloom along its banks.

This is such a special time of year, with a blaze of floral colour and a succession of different types of plants now appearing.

Red campion is one of the most eye-catching, but there are so many others too, including stitchwort, comfrey and leopard’s bane.

On shadier patches I have stumbled upon the delicate and subtly-coloured pink purslane, whilst in sunny, open areas limey-yellow crosswort flowers abound.

By watery ditches I have discovered the fragile white blooms of watercress – their leaves have a distinctive peppery taste. There is just so much to see.

Up in the Ochils too, many wildflowers are suddenly emerging, bringing vibrancy to the hillsides.

On a walk last week from Blairlogie to Lossburn Reservoir, the trackside was adorned with yellow-flowering tormentil and bird’s foot trefoil; the latter being one of the favourite flowers of blaeberry bumblebees.

Talking of insects, my garden moth trap has been busy over the last week or so and has made some exciting captures.

The most stunning was a poplar hawk-moth – a rather large moth with distinctive angular wings.

As I check the light-trap each morning, I’m continually amazed at the diversity of moth species and their wide variation in colour and form.

Their names are wonderful too – scalloped hazel, nut-tussock, flame carpet and early thorn – just some of the species that have turned up.

Once I have identified them, I release their fluttering forms back into the garden where they seem to miraculously vanish into the surrounding greenery as if performing a magical disappearing trick.

@BroomfieldKeith