Author Archives: patrickantonakis

Moth spectacles at Forvie

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There is a species of moth named spectacle which occasionally graces our moth traps (and on this occasion did), hence the title. Needless to say I am not very good at word play.

Although they can be easy to overlook, moths and butterflies play an important role as indicators of a healthy environment and healthy ecosystems among other aspects. Here at Forvie NNR we have been getting the moth trap out to catalogue the species diversity that the reserve attracts and I have got to say, it’s a great way to start a day.

Garden tiger moth looking fresh

Unlike a lot of brown, faded moths that can induce a headache trying to identify them, garden tiger moths at this time of year are in huge numbers here and are looking extremely fresh with distinct markings, i.e. easy to identify!

  • Antler moth
  • Burnished Brass
  • lesser swallow prominent

There are over 2500 species of moth which have been identified in the UK. The variations are amazing to see from the metallic pattern on the wing of a burnished brass to the striking lesser swallow prominent. They play a pivotal role in the ecosystem as pollinators and a food source for insectivorous animals like passerines and bats.

  • Snout moth – easily identified with its distinct….snout

Having wildflowers and common plants in your garden can help attract moths to your garden which in turn attracts other species as well. For instance, snout moth caterpillars feed of common nettles! Needless to say they are quite widespread as a result.

Aforementioned faded and unidentifiable moth – anyone want to take a guess?

The weather slowly strips away the outer scales that make up the colours and patterns on a moths wings as with the moth above that I was hesitant to try identify. The fact that this faded moth is alive and well is a testament to the good weather recently. The sunshine will quickly fade away the pattern on its wings.

The variety in moths is stunning, it really is amazing the beauty that quietly comes out at night. All you need is a light source to attract them! Hopefully will be organising a moth morning event at Forvie NNR to sort through and identify some reserve species so keep an eye out on our facebook page.

Goliath’s of the sea – whale and dolphin watch event time!

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The waters around Scotland are some of the best in Europe for marine mammal sightings. These marine mammals include whales, dolphins and porpoises, collectively known as cetaceans. As is we aren’t spoiled already with the geomorphology of Scotland’s dramatic coastline, we are very lucky to get a good variety of marine mammals off our coasts as well.

Forvie NNR dramatic coastline

In relation to our marine relatives, the staff here at Forvie National Nature reserve will be hosting a National Seawatch event next weekend on the 28th July from 14:00 to 17:00 from the Cransdale Vantage Point in Collieston. More information about the event is available on our Facebook page “Forvie National Nature Reserve”.

More than 20 species of cetacean have been seen in Scottish waters but some species are more common close to our shores here on the North East, many of which have been spotted by the staff here over the years.

So, what are we likely (and hopeful) to see on our watch of the coast?

Harbour porpoises – The first most likely candidate to pass through our sights. They are a regular sight along the coast with the peak sighting numbers from July to September. They usually are seen travelling solo or in two’s (unlike some dolphin species you might see in large pods).

Bottlenose dolphins – common in the Moray Firth further North of here as there is a resident population there but they regularly commute up and down the coast to Aberdeen and past our sister reserve St Cyrus NNR for feeding. As such bottlenoses have been regularly recorded in the area as a result – potential for them to pass as we set up our watch on the coast! As with the harbour porpoises they are present all year round but sightings are at their highest from July to October.

Minke whales – The most common baleen whale in Scottish waters and although it is not a regular sight, this time of year between June and August is the best time of the year to get out and potentially be one of the lucky ones to see them off our shores. This seasonal pattern in minke whale sightings is likely the migration of animals into British waters to feed during the summer months before moving further south to breed during the winter.

There are other frequent and infrequent swimmers along our coast so pop along to the event if you can on the 28th July to learn and hopefully see more. We will have binoculars and long range scopes at the ready so no worries if you don’t have your own. Not only is it pretty enjoyable spotting marine mammals but these surveys contributes towards the Seawatch citizen science program so it is an excellent way to help contribute data towards the conservation and research of these incredible animals.