What a fantastic weekend we had exploring the incredible biodiversity of Ardross! Our community wildlife weekend event exceeded all expectations, with participants recording an astounding variety of species across our beautiful Highland landscape. Here’s what we discovered together:
The Numbers Speak for Themselves
Our dedicated wildlife watchers documented an impressive total of 151 different species across four main categories:
- 85 bird species with 538 individual sightings – from tiny wrens to a majestic golden eagle
- 8 butterfly species – bringing splashes of color to our Highland countryside
- 42 insect and reptile species – showcasing the incredible diversity of our smaller wildlife
- 16 mammal species – from common hedgehogs to elusive pine martens
Bird Watching Highlights
The bird watching results were truly spectacular! We recorded 538 individual bird sightings across 85 different species, showcasing the rich avian diversity of the Scottish Highlands. Some remarkable discoveries included:
Conservation Success Stories:
- 16 Red Kites soaring overhead – a wonderful testament to conservation efforts
- 6 Ospreys spotted – these magnificent fish-eating raptors continue to thrive
- A Golden Eagle sighting – always a special moment for any wildlife watcher!
Species of Conservation Concern: Our weekend also highlighted the importance of conservation, with sightings of several species on the UK conservation watch lists:
- Red Listed species (18 species recorded): Including Black Grouse, Curlew, Hen Harrier, and the delightful Yellowhammer
- Amber Listed species (28 species recorded): From Crossbills to a Tawny Owl, showing our area supports many species needing conservation attention
Garden Favorites: The most commonly spotted birds included Blackbirds, Chaffinches, and Robins (23 sightings each), while Blue Tits and Great Tits were also frequently seen.
Butterfly Bonanza
Our butterfly watchers had a wonderful time, with Peacock butterflies leading the count at 8 sightings – their stunning eye-spots were clearly crowd favorites! Orange Tips and Red Admirals were also popular sightings, with 5 sightings each. A special mention goes to the single Narrow Bordered Bee Hawk Moth – a day-flying moth that closely resembles a bumblebee!
Incredible Insect and Reptile Discoveries
The diversity of smaller wildlife was remarkable, with 42 different species recorded. Highlights included:
- Bumblebees buzzing everywhere (21 sightings) – crucial pollinators for our ecosystem
- Honey Bees (13 sightings) working hard in our gardens and wild spaces
- Ground Beetles (10 sightings) – important pest controllers in our gardens
- Common Frogs and Toads (8 sightings each) – signs of healthy wetland habitats
- 6 Lizards basking in sunny spots throughout the area
- 9 Newts discovered in local ponds – including 3 Palmate Newts
- 2 Adders – our only venomous snake, an important part of our ecosystem
Magnificent Mammals
Our mammal watching revealed the rich variety of larger wildlife sharing our space:
- Deer topped the mammal list with 11 sightings – truly majestic creatures
- Pipistrelle Bats (9 sightings) emerging at dusk for their nightly hunts
- Hares (9 sightings) bounding across our fields
- Hedgehogs (8 sightings) – wonderful to see these spiky friends are thriving
- Pine Martens (5 sightings) – these elusive predators are making a comeback
- Red Squirrels (2 sightings) – always special to spot our native squirrel species
- Badgers (4 sightings) leaving their characteristic signs around the area
What This Means for Ardross and the Scottish Highlands
These results demonstrate that the Ardross area is a true Highland biodiversity hotspot! The variety of species recorded shows we have:
- Healthy ecosystems supporting everything from apex predators to tiny invertebrates
- Important habitats for species of conservation concern
- Connected landscapes allowing wildlife to thrive and move freely
- Active conservation efforts paying off, particularly for species like Red Kites
Looking Forward
The success of this wildlife watch weekend shows just how much incredible wildlife we have in Ardross. Every sighting contributes to our understanding of local biodiversity and helps inform conservation efforts in the Scottish Highlands.
Thank you to everyone who participated – whether you spotted a single robin or recorded dozens of species, every contribution matters! Your observations help us build a picture of our local wildlife community and its conservation needs.
Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife in your daily walks, and remember – you don’t need to travel far to experience the wonders of the natural world. It’s right here on our doorstep!
View the complete wildlife0 weekend data here – See the full breakdown of all species recorded during our Ardross Wildlife Weekend, including detailed sighting numbers for birds, butterflies, insects, reptiles, and mammals.