Glen Orrin Field Trip - Sunday 17th of May 2015

Glen Orrin car park on 17^th May, fresh snow on the hills, 7 degrees, chilly wind and poor forecast with threat of showers. Just the day to look for butterflies. Ewan was the only person with enough faith to turn up, so we set off on what was to be a surprisingly good day, although clad in waterproofs against the weather.

The track has of course been the subject of two scrub clearing days during the autumn and spring which has opened both the track and some areas on either side. During a visit two weeks earlier it was wonderful to note how the violets had spread, these being the food plant of the Pearl-bordered Fritillary, and the purpose behind the scrub bashing exercise.

So, despite the weather, and by waiting for the odd blink of sunshine, eight Pearl-bordered Fritillaries were recorded. Also of note were three Dark Green Fritillary caterpillars, Speckled Yellow and Small Purple-barred moths.

In the event we returned to the cars without getting wet at the end of a quite pleasant outing.

Margaret Currie & Andy Scott