Butterflies, Moths and Dragonflies at Mingarry

The south-facing verges in front of the cabins are always good places to spot butterflies and moths. Of the 29 species of butterflies found in the Highlands, ten species have been recorded on site, including chequered skipper, pearl and small pearl-bordered fritillary, dark green fritillary, green-veined white, orange tip, small tortoiseshell, common blue, peacock, red admiral, speckled wood, meadow brown and Scotch Argus.

 

Notable day-flying moths seen on site include chimney sweep, speckled yellow,argent and sable and narrow-bordered bee hawk-moth. We have recently acquired a Skinner moth trap to record and monitor the nocturnal-flying moths.

Nocturnal moths recorded on site include clouded border, small phoenix moth, flame carpet, grey pug moth, common wave, coxcomb prominent, marbled minor, pale oak beauty clouded buff, silver hook, buff tip, poplar hawkmoth, white ermine, buff ermine, muslin moth, map-winged swift, common swift, green carpet, heart and dark, drinker, pebble prominent, light brown apple moth, scalloped hazel, rustic and oak eggar, to mention but a few.

 

The verges are also good place to spot dragonflies basking in the sun. Species seen on site include golden-ringed dragonfly, emerald damselfly, common hawker, black darter, Highland darter, keeled skimmer and four-spotted chaser. Damselflies include common blue, blue tailed and large red damselfly.

Moidart, Ardnamurchan and Beyond

Twenty-three resident species of butterfly have been recorded in the Lochaber, and three migrant species. Seven of these species are BAP priority species including chequered skipper, pearl bordered fritillary, small pearl-bordered fritillary, marsh fritillary, mountain ringlet, small heath and large heath. Other local or rare species include, purple hairstreak, grayling, small white, large white, small copper, ringlet and the migrant clouded yellow.

Whilst in the area, why not make time for some dragonfly stalking? There are eighteen species of dragonfly and damselfly in the Highlands and whilst not all of these are found in Lochaber, there are some good sites locally supporting nationally important assemblages. Notable species include Azure hawker dragonfly, White-faced darter, Northern emerald dragonfly and Golden-ringed Dragonfly.