As well as the field trips listed below there will probably be a number of moth trapping events organised through the summer and autumn. They will be announced nearer the time and will be listed on this website and sent out by e-mail to those on the branch e-mail list, as details become available.
| Sat 2nd April |
Moth trapping trip to target the Rannoch Sprawler near Sluggan, Carrbridge
For a report of this field trip, please click here. |
| Sat 28th May |
Pearl-bordered Fritillary survey, in conjunction with Forestry Commission Scotland in the Garve and Loch Achility area.
The aim of the day is to help establish the current location and size of the local PBF population. This will be useful to prioritise future management in order to enhance a sustainable meta-population.
Details of other Pearl-bordered Fritillary sites requiring surveying in Highland Branch area can be found on the Glasgow and South West Scotland Branch website at:
http://www.southwestscotland-butterflies.org.uk/surveys/pbf_sites_in_scotland.shtml |
| Wed 1st June |
Polmaily to check for Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Dingy Skipper.
A trip to see how last year’s habitat management exercise has fared and to search for the two species it was designed to help.
For a report of the field trip, please click here. |
| Sat 4th June |
Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth survey at Bogbuie Wood, Black Isle, in conjunction with Forestry Commission Scotland
14 Bee Hawks were seen in the wood last year and Dingy Skipper is also present. If suitable breeding habitat is found during the survey then a return trip in July will be organised to look for larvae, please check web site or contact Margaret Currie and Andy Scott for details, Tel 01349 877223.
Target species Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth was found during the field trip, and thanks to Tony Mainwood for contributing this photo. |
| Sat 4th June |
Ariundle National Nature Reserve in a hunt for Chequered Skipper among other species
 Thanks to Janette Borwick who contributed this photo of target species Chequered Skipper, taken during the field trip. They had a very successful day. Pete Moore had set a moth trap on Friday evening and after walking in the reserve in the morning, the group spent the afternoon identifying an abundance of moths and finding over fifty different kinds. On Saturday evening Pete put the traps in the Glenborrodale RSPB Reserve and on Sunday morning they checked them, but there weren't so many moths there.
For a report of the field trip and a list of moths captured, please click here. |
| Sat 11th June |
Craigellachie NNR, Aviemore for Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Green Hairstreak etc.
Details of the reserve can be seen at:
http://www.nnr-scotland.org.uk/craigellachie
For a report of the field trip, please click here. |
| Thur 23rd June |
Flowerdale, Gairloch for moths and butterflies as part of Gairloch Wildlife Week
For a report of the field trip, please click here. |
| Fri 24th and Sat 25th June |
Pine-tree Lappet survey Kiltarlity/Black Isle
Further work to determine the current status of Pine-tree Lappet in pine plantations in the area. Again the focus will be on looking for new sites rather than confirming its presence at currently known sites.
Meet at 8.30pm at the Brockies Lodge Hotel, Kiltarlity (Grid Ref NH514418 OS Sheet 26). Depending on the number of people/traps/generators etc, we will split into groups and set traps in the locality. Please bring along any traps you have.
To help us coordinate the survey effectively please can you let us know if you plan to come along. If you are unable to attend but keen to help look for this moth during its flight period (latter half of June into early July) then please also get in touch to arrange access permissions etc to trapping sites.
Leader Tom Prescott: Tel: 01540 661469, Mobile: 07979 785665,
Email: tprescott@butterfly-conservation.org |
| Sun 3rd July |
Creag Meagaidh for Mountain Ringlet
A trip to find this highly specialised butterfly at one of the prime sites.
For a report of the field trip, please click here. |
| Sat 9th July |
Dundreggan Estate, Invermoriston
A trip to a very special place of ancient birch and juniper woodland with the local enthusiast. A range of butterflies and moths with the possibility of Welsh Clearwing and Goat Moth along with some insects including the rare Strawberry Spider.
For a report of the field trip, please click here. |
| Tue 12th July |
Insh Marshes RSPB Reserve for Moths, Northern Brown Argus etc.
A mid-week walk to look for Northern Brown Argus and other butterflies. We’ll start off by looking through a moth trap run the previous night.
For a report of the field trip, please click here. |
| Sat 16th July |
Micro Moth Workshop at Aigas Field Centre with Mark Young and Roy Leverton
For a report of the field trip, please click here. |
| Sat 23rd July |
Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth larval survey at Bogbuie Wood, Black Isle, in conjunction with Forestry Commission Scotland.
Meet at 10.30am at the Forestry Commission carpark at the east end of Culbokie, Grid Ref NH611597, OS Sheet 26.
We will then share cars up to the wood as there is limited parking.
Duration 4 hours plus.
14 Bee Hawks were seen in the wood last year and around 6 on the field trip earlier this year. We will be looking for larvae along the tracksides to locate the breeding colonies and therefore ensure that these areas are suitably managed by Forestry Commission Scotland. We will also check moth traps run the previous night.
For more information please contact Margaret Currie and Andy Scott for details, Tel 01349 877223.
Email moths.vc106@btinternet.com |
| Sun 24th July |
Your chance to see.....the rare and beautiful Dark Bordered Beauty moth!
RSPB Butterfly Conservation ran moth traps at RSPB Insh Marshes NNR to monitor the extent of the newly discovered colony of Dark Bordered Beauty moths, found here for the first time in 2010. This species is currently found on just three sites in Scotland (where the larvae feed on aspen suckers) and one site in England.
For a report of the field trip, please click here. |
| Sat 6th Aug |
 Loch Fleet NNR Open Day
Moths and butterflies with Grayling one of the specialities.
For a report of the field trip, please click here. |
| Fri 19th Aug |
Moth trapping Night at Nigg Bay
8.00pm till late. Come and enjoy a free family event at the RSPB hide at their Nigg Bay reserve. See the beauty of moths and find out more about these amazing creatures with local expert Tom Prescott of Butterfly Conservation Scotland.
Meet at 8.00pm at the Nigg Bay Hide – car park at Grid Ref NH806730, OS Sheet 21. For further information contact Brigid Primrose - Tel 01463 725251. |
| Sat 27th Aug |
Gearrchoille Wood, Ardgay for moths.
Part of a public, family event “Secret Life of Gearchoille Wood” under the auspices of Gearchoille Community Wood.
Meet at 10.00am at the Ardgay Hall Grid Ref NH599904, OS Sheet 21. We will then walk to the wood to examine the moths caught in the traps overnight. Duration 1 to 2 hours and there will also be the opportunity to join in with pond dipping with David MacAllister later in the morning. Leaders for the moth session Tony Mainwood, Margaret Currie and Andy Scott. Further information from Tony Mainwood:- Tel 01408 633247, email tony.mainwood@btinternet.com |
| Sat 10th September |
Moth and Butterfly Morning at Strathmashie Forest, near Laggan
We will be checking moth traps set the night before and walking around the forest tracks looking for butterflies and day-flying moths.
We will meet at Wolftrax Mountain Bike car park just off the A86 Laggan to Spean Bridge road (NN593922) at 10.30am.
Why not bring your mountain bike for a ride afterwards as Wolftrax boasts 35km of track ranging from the 3.2 km. Blue grade Fun Park to the extremely difficult Black grade trail containing the "2 Ton Drop" and the "Back, Sack and Crack Attack" features as well as cycle hire, a spares and repair shop, a fantastic café, showers, toilets and bike wash!
This event is being hosted in partnership with the Laggan Forest Trust. For more info contact Tom Prescott 01540 661469, Mobile: 07979 785665, Email: tprescott@butterfly-conservation.org or the LFT 01528 544366. |
| Sat 17th Sep |
Polmaily, near Drumnadrochit: Butterfly work party with free cake!
Another session of clearing scrub along the track side to benefit Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Dingy Skipper. Please wear old clothes and bring work gloves, secateurs, loppers and bowsaws if you have them. Further handtools will be available.
We will meet at 10.30 at the end of the forest track into Polmaily c2 miles west of Drumnadrochit on the A831 towards Cannich grid ref NH484304 OS Sheet 26. The plan is to stay till about 16.00 but you can join in or leave whenever you want. Every little helps so if you only want to come for an hour that will still be very welcome.
Free tea, coffee, biscuits and cake will be available throughout the day so come early to avoid disappointment!
This event is being hosted in partnership with Forestry Commission Scotland. For more info please contact Tom Prescott: Tel: 01540 661469, Mobile: 07979 785665, Email: tprescott@butterfly-conservation.org ,
Email: tprescott@butterfly-conservation.org |
