YEARLY HIGHLIGHTS
Year: 2022
Common malachite beetle (Malachius bipustulatus)
Category: FLOWER BEETLES
Where and when encountered: Dulnain Bridge on 3 June 2022
Comment: This commonly observed species in England and Wales is much less abundant in Scotland.
Dwarf cornel (Cornus suecica)
Category: FORBS
Where and when encountered: Cairn Gorm lower slopes on 17 June 2022
Comment: This is one of several Arctic alpine plants found on and just below the Cairngorm plateau.
Bordered white (Bupalus piniaria)
Category: MOTHS
Where and when encountered: Abernethy Forest on 18 June 2022
Comment: This member of the species had the remarkable feathered antennae of an adult male.
Two-banded spearhorn (Chrysotoxum bicinctum)
Category: TRUE FLIES
Where and when encountered: Craigellachie NNR on 27 June 2022
Comment: 'Dapper' is the word for this smartly patterned species of hoverfly.
Three-banded longhorn beetle (Judolia sexmaculata)
Category: LONGHORN BEETLES
Where and when encountered: Abernethy Forest on 29 June 2022
Comment: Old Caledonian pine forest is crucial for the survival of this rare species in Great Britain.
Marsh cinquefoil (Potentilla palustris)
Category: FORBS
Where and when encountered: Nethy Bridge on 29 June 2022
Comment: This is a gorgeous wildflower found in stunning places.
Slender St John's-wort (Hypericum pulchrum)
Category: FORBS
Where and when encountered: Invereshie and Inshriach NNR on 2 July 2022
Comment: This plant boasts such simple beauty, both in the flowers and in the foliage.
♂ Blood-red longhorn beetle (Anastrangalia sanguinolenta)
Category: LONGHORN BEETLES
Where and when encountered: Abernethy Forest on 7 July 2022
Comment: This member of the species had the tan-coloured elytra of an adult male.
♀ Golden-ringed dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii)
Category: DRAGONFLIES
Where and when encountered: Sluggan (Carrbridge) on 8 July 2022
Comment: These dragonflies are typically encountered in the vicinity of streams and small rivers with acidic water (a tributary of the River Dulnain, in this case).
Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)
Category: BUTTERFLIES
Where and when encountered: Sluggan (Carrbridge) on 8 July 2022
Comment: This butterfly was rather kind in permitting my close approach for this photograph.
Bog asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum)
Category: FORBS
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 9 July 2022
Comment: Bog asphodel has such exquisite flowers.
♂ Common hawker (Aeshna juncea)
Category: DRAGONFLIES
Where and when encountered: Rothiemurchus Estate on 13 September 2022
Comment: This male was sufficiently obliging to stay unmoved while I approached close enough for a decent photograph.