BY KIRSTY WATT
The National Trust for Scotland have revealed rare species were sighted at their Torridon and Canna sites for the first time in many years thanks to conservation efforts.
Last summer, a Scotch annulet moth was recorded on Canna for the first time since 1979; and in Torridon, nine endangered lesser butterfly orchids were seen for the first time in six years.
The upland moth found in Canna is listed as nationally scarce, being found only patchily distributed across Scotland and Ireland in mountain and moorland areas, especially where there is exposed rock such as gullies.
The lesser butterfly orchids found in Torridon, classified as endangered, are found in a variety of habitats including grasslands, meadows, bogs and woodlands. Due to an increased use of agricultural chemicals, which kill the soil fungi necessary for them to survive, they have disappeared from much of the UK.
These orchids, listed on the Scottish Biodiversity List of species of principal importance for biodiversity conservation, were found in Torridon on grassland where nature-friendly cattle grazing has been reintroduced.
Blue Kirkhope, communications executive for the NTS, told the Free Press: “By reintroducing grazing by cattle on to the species-rich grassland area it has allowed the habitat to improve and provide the right conditions for the orchids to return. Grazing has to be at the right time of year to reduce the grass sward and then the cattle are moved to another area during the flowering season.”
The sightings in Torridon and Canna were among seven “rare and remarkable” recordings of species made last year throughout Scotland on NTS land.
At Killiecrankie, a rare fungus was discovered; in Glencoe, a rare lichen and the small cow-wheat flower were found; in the Treshnish Isles, corncrake chicks were seen; and a rare rove beetle was spotted on Ben Lawers.
Jeff Waddell, head of nature conservation for the National Trust for Scotland, said: “These discoveries are more than scientific records; they are reminders of what makes Scotland’s landscapes so extraordinary. From a rare fungus sprouting in ancient woodland to orchids thriving in restored grasslands, each find tells a story about the resilience of nature and the value of long-term conservation.
“These discoveries also remind us of the importance of safeguarding nature. Many of these species exist on the edge of their range or survive only in isolated pockets, and their presence in Scotland is a powerful signal that our conservation efforts are making a real difference.
“But it is also a reminder of the pressures facing these delicate ecosystems from climate change to habitat loss and the need for continued vigilance and support. By restoring uplands, woodlands and grasslands and by monitoring these landscapes carefully, we’re helping ensure that these remarkable species and their habitats endure for generations to come.”