Scotch Argus in mid/late august (1 Viewer)

[Owene]

Hi, my Collins British insects says that Scotch Argus should be flying in july/august and gives a distribution for most of Scotland.

Can anyone help me on just how easy to see they would be in the third week of august without too much serious hillwalking. (Will have a car) Any good reserves or sites?


I'm based at Glenloy and then Nethy Bridge.

Similarly for Large Heath I guess but Scotch Argus would be more of a priority.

 

[Farnboro John]

I've seen Scotch Argus in Speyside (not sure of date) around the Steam railways stations, so at low levels: also on Ardnamurchan down to sea level, so hillwalking shouldn't be necessary. Sites and prevalence in general in relation to your locations I'm not so sure about but I suspect if they are in season you won't have too much difficulty.

John

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

They were the commonest butterfly in Strathspey and on the Aberdeenshire coast last week.

 

[Owene]

That’s great to know. Hopefully a new butterfly whatever happens with birds and mammals.

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

Any particular Mammal or Bird targets?

 

[earthdragon64]

Insh Marshes RSPB reserve is good to see Scotch Argus, often right next to the car park. Anywhere grassy really, and there should be plenty about in the 3rd week of August. Large Heath will be near the end of the flight season and are never the easiest to see at the best of times. There have been a couple of sightings on the outskirts of Anagach Woods in Grantown-on-Spey, but the area around Lochindorb is probably easier. There are a couple of places you can park and have a look around and might get lucky. The Scotica form of Large Heath is much plainer than the forms you'll see in England, and more easily confused with Small Heath. There are some good photos on the Butterfly Conservation website. Large Heath

 

[Owene]

Any particular Mammal or Bird targets?

Ptarmigan. Pine marten. velvet scoter Mountain hare Would be lifers. (As would caper but not holding my breath)

golden eagle and crested tit would be U.K. ticks.

think I have a decent itinerary but hopefully weather and wildlife cooperates

 

[Owene]

Insh Marshes RSPB reserve is good to see Scotch Argus, often right next to the car park. Anywhere grassy really, and there should be plenty about in the 3rd week of August. Large Heath will be near the end of the flight season and are never the easiest to see at the best of times. There have been a couple of sightings on the outskirts of Anagach Woods in Grantown-on-Spey, but the area around Lochindorb is probably easier. There are a couple of places you can park and have a look around and might get lucky. The Scotica form of Large Heath is much plainer than the forms you'll see in England, and more easily confused with Small Heath. There are some good photos on the Butterfly Conservation website. Large Heath

Thank you I’ll have a look at the map and itinerary

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

Glenshee Ski Lift produced plenty of mountain hares, and should produce ptarmigan. Pine Marten should be possible at a hide near Blairgowrie around 10 pm. Crested tit were in Garten Woods with other tits. Apparently not a good year for Caper, weather was poor for Eagle finding and scoter were scarce in the bays visited.

 

[Owene]

Thanks. Yes definitely doing the ski lift. My bnb advertises pine marten so hopefully that’ll be good. I think it should be a good trip but all info is appreciated

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

Saw Beaver just outside Blairgowrie.

 

[Owene]

Saw Beaver just outside Blairgowrie.

That’s cool. Got a night booked in otterton next week but if we don’t score there a Scottish site would be great

 

[Farnboro John]

That’s cool. Got a night booked in otterton next week but if we don’t score there a Scottish site would be great

The River Ericht around Blairgowrie is great for Beaver but evenings at the Loch of the Lowes are also a good bet: scan the bay between the hides and the Osprey tree and you should see something eventually (we dipped last autumn because although the hides are normally open 24/7, for the purposes of the pandemic they were shut: I don't know what the current practise is).

John

 

[Welsh Peregrine]

My sighting was on the Ericht.