There were birds, bugs and butterflies a-plenty as a southern nature reserve held one of its popular family open days.

Ballachurry wetland and wildflower reserve in Rushen is managed by Manx Wildlife Trust and is the most recent of its 24 sites to open.

After overnight rain had gone, the sun came out with perfect timing for families to enjoy butterfly and bug hunts.

Wildlife experts were on hand to tell children all about the bees, bats, birds, moths and wildflowers than are such a feature of Ballachurry.

There were displays about funghi, butterflies, spiders and the work of the Manx Bat Group.

Winners of a children’s photography competition were also announced.

The Ballachurry reserve, which is located next to Rushen parish church, is owned by Stan and Pam Clucas and leased to MWT who took over management of it in 2016.

Originally arable land, it became a nature reserve in 2007, and has two large ponds, areas of reedbeds, a hide and path weaving between areas planted with oak, ash, rowan and birch. This site in particular contains a great variety of invertebrates.

At the moment, the reserve has a purple haze as the purple loosestrife is in full flower, its nectar a valuable food source for long-tongued insects like bees, moths and butterflies.

Visitors to the family open day on Saturday saw a number of butterfly species including red admirals and painted ladies.