Field trip to Craigellachie NNR, nr Aviemore,
Saturday 11th June 2011

There were nine of us who braved the poor weather forecast and met in Aviemore for the field trip to Craigellachie NNR.

The reserve is to the west of Aviemore and the A9 and is reached by a tunnel under the road.

The weather started off very dull and overcast with the sun occasionally teasing us into thinking it would make an appearance, but not quite breaking through. Our target species were Pearl-bordered Fritillary and Green Hairstreak, but unfortunately we saw neither of them, nor any other species of Butterfly for that matter. However we did see 10 different species of Moths, including 5 species of Micro-moth, many thanks to Mike Taylor for identifying them and the Pugs.

Even though there weren’t many insects on the wing, Craigellachie is known for a wide range of flora and fauna. For example, some of the group saw a Common Frog, a Common Toad and a Slow Worm; basking Lizards are common in warmer weather. There are normally a lot of different bird species to see including Peregrines, although we didn’t spot them. There was a wide variety of wild flowers, including a few Northern Marsh Orchids and a large number of Heath Spotted Orchids, as well as a nice group of Globeflower.

As we were on our way back downhill, it unfortunately started to rain, although it stayed quite light until we were nearly back at the entrance tunnel under the A9. Even though we didn’t manage to see anything like the number of species of Butterfly and other insects I’ve seen on previous visits, it was a pleasant walk in good company, and I’d recommend it as a place to visit for anyone visiting Aviemore with a couple of hours, or longer, to spare.

List of Moths seen

Macros

Common Heath

Grey Pug

Peacock Moth

Satyr Pug

Micros

Chrysoteuchia culmella

Crambus Lathoniellus

Neofaculta ericetella

Syndemis musculana

Epinotia tetraquetrana