What's under this weed?

The request today was to go to the bird reserve so off we went to RSPB Loch Leven (aka Vane Farm). He decided it was lunchtime as soon as we arrived and had to be persuaded otherwise as it wasn't even 10.30!
Walked along to the furthest hide where there were plenty of places to look through the screens as hides are still shut and saw lots of ducks, a dozen or so curlew and a heron. we also took in the bumblebee meadow where there were quite a few to be seen and some butterflies, including small copper.
 Then back to inspect the ponds again (pond skaters, tiny fish, snails and water beetles) before going up the hill. There were complaints about this but then he just kept going and we did the circuit with lots of steps - the knee held up okay.
It was then lunchtime so we had our picnic, talked to one of the staff, watched an osprey and bought a rubber snake in the shop. Oh, and  dragonfly by our picnic bench - see extra.
Short stop on the way back round the loch at the beach and to see why the hill we'd been on is called the sleeping giant.
Time for a play at home before returning him to his dad and big brother. first time he's been by himself and he seemed quite happy.