The recent warm spell of weather here at Montrose Basin has awakened the insect life of spring. Outside the front of the Visitor Centre we have had the warming glimpses of Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies and Peacock Butterflies.

 

The Primroses, Vipers Bugloss and Pink Campion are all in flower attracting lovely variations of bees and wasps. The Hawthorn out the front of the viewing area is starting to bloom, which is helping to attract our population of garden birds. We have had the first views of summer migrants on the Reserve, awing sites of Ospreys, Sand Martins and Swallows. We are also hearing the calls of migratory birds such as the Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler.

 

Recently we have had frequent visits from Paul, our local Moth expert. The warm weather has increased the activity of Moths and he has been busy putting out moth traps next to the Visitor Centre. He has had some interesting findings such as 3 new species of Moth that has not been previously recorded here; Shoulder Stripe, Early Grey and Pale Pinion. We have also had the usual suspects of Moth species such as Clouded Drab, Chestnut, Common Quaker and Hebrew Character.

We have had fleeting glimpses of Sand Martins on the reserve, we are desperately waiting for them to take residence in our newly renovated Sand Martin wall out the front of the Visitor Centre. The Swallows have also been exploring around the eaves of the Visitor Centre, so hopefully they will soon make them their home.

Spring is in full swing, and all of us here at Montrose Basin are looking forward to what it will bring us.

Simon Ritchie

Seasonal Visitor Centre Assistant