Moth Survey on Dundreggan, 2006
When our formal offer for the purchase of Dundreggan was accepted in early May, we began planning for surveys in the summer to identify the biological diversity present on the estate. As a first step in this, we arranged for David Barbour, who carried out a moth and butterfly survey for us in Glen Affric in 2003, to do a similar project on Dundreggan. Despite the delay in taking title to the estate, the survey went ahead anyway, and we were very pleased to receive approval of a grant towards it from PRIN (the Partnership for Rural Inverness and Nairn) an initiative which provides funding from the European Union and government agencies for environmental projects.
 David Barbour looking at the nights catch of moths in his light trap, with volunteer helpers (from left to right) Jane Bowman, Silvia Mauleon and Clare Cummings. |
Between the beginning of June and mid-September, David made four two-day trips to Dundreggan, setting up light traps on the first evening, and then the next morning identifying and releasing the moths caught in them. On each visit he was joined by Jane Bowman, a local Glen Moriston resident who lives not far from Dundreggan, and who is a keen amateur moth enthusiast. In fact, Jane continued to look for moths by herself in between Davids visits, and made a very important contribution to the overall effectiveness of the survey, recording a number of species which werent found in the light traps.
In terms of overall diversity, 14 species of butterflies were observed on the estate, and about 170 species of moths - at the time of writing, definitive identifications are still awaited for some micro-moths. Important finds included two Priority Species under the UKs Biodiversity Action Plan - the argent and sable moth (Rheumaptera hastata) and, as reported in our last newsletter, the narrow-bordered bee hawk moth (Hemaris tityus).
Four other species classified as Nationally Notable were found, including one - the slender-striped rufous moth (Coenocalpe lapidata) that is a Red Data Book species. According to David, it is possible there are some other Nationally Notable moth species present as well, including at least one which would have been on the wing before his survey began this year, so well be keeping a look out for those in future.
 Peacock butterfly emerging from its chrysalis, suspended from a nettle plant. |
Of the 14 butterflies, one the small pearl-bordered fritillary (Boloria selene) is listed as a Species of Conservation Concern. Its close relative, the pearl-bordered fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne) is a Priority Species, with its own Species Action Plan, and although it wasnt spotted this year, David sees no reason why it shouldnt occur in the woodland fringes, as there is suitable habitat and the right food plant for the caterpillars, so again well be looking out for it next year.
Throughout the summer, peacock butterflies (Inachis io), which have almost become the symbol for the estate, were seen regularly, and Jane was able to photograph their entire life cycle, including the caterpillars feeding on stinging nettles (Urtica dioica), and the emergence of adults from their chrysalises, suspended below nettle leaves.
In the near future, well be posting the entire list of species found on the estate on our web site, where weve already established a new section all about Dundreggan. Meanwhile were very grateful to David and Jane for all the work theyve carried out, and were currently planning for surveys of other groups of organisms (eg beetles, lichens, mosses, fungi etc) next year.
Alan Watson Featherstone
Return to Biological Diversity on Dundreggan
Moths - related pages
- Moths occurring on Dundreggan
- Moths occurring in Glen Affric
- Dundreggan Moth Survey, 2006
- Glen Affric Moth Survey, 2003 (from Caledonia Wild! Winter 2003)
- The Rannoch brindled beauty moth
- The importance of Aspen for Lepidoptera
- The management of Invertromie Wood, Scotland's fourth largest stand of Aspen, with reference to Epione vespertaria, the Dark-bordered beauty moth
