Sornasairidh from Ballachlaven

Lorna and I enjoyed a long walk in the spring sunshine across bog and tussocks and heather from Ballachlaven farm to the lovely ruin of Sornasairidh. It was 8 miles altogether and we saw 15 lizards, 4 ruins, 5 Golden Eagles, 1 Buzzard, 1 dun and 0 clouds!
Becky

Carabus glabratus

Clach an Tiompan

Cladonia sp

Drinker Moth caterpillar

Golden Eagles

Emperor Moth - female

Common Lizard

Red Deer hinds

Sornasairidh ruin

Caterpillar Extravaganza

David and Jane Griffiths and I went to the Rinns last Sunday to check on Marsh Fritillary progress. Everything has been delayed this year so it was no surprise to see that it was no different with this special species. We saw loads of caterpillars crawling around. Most looked very active (for caterpillars!), but we saw no evidence of pupation. This means a delay of at least two weeks before we can expect to see them on the wing.

However, we were delighted to find more species of caterpillars in the space of ten minutes than I can remember ever having seen before - four species no less! We saw more than one of each species with the exception of the Six-spot Burnet moth, of which we only found one specimen. A delightful morning!
Becky

Drinker Moth (Euthrix potatoria)

Garden Tiger Moth (Arctia caja)

Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia)

Six spot Burnet moth (Zygaena filipendulae)