YEARLY HIGHLIGHTS
[CAIRNGORMS UP-CLOSE] [DEEPGREEN.EARTH]
Year: 2026
♀♂ Timberman (Acanthocinus aedili)
Category: LONGHORN BEETLES
Where and when encountered: Grantown-on-Spey on 28 April 2026
Comment: It was fascinating to watch the male guarding the female, by clutching her wing-cases, as she moved around a fallen Scots pine trunk, chewing holes and laying eggs under the bark.
Green hairstreak (Callophrys rubi)
Category: BUTTERFLIES
Where and when encountered: Anagach Woods on 29 April 2026
Comment: The sunlight fell beautifully on the wings of this resting butterfly.
Common lizard (Zootoca vivipara)
Category: REPTILES
Where and when encountered: Speybridge on 29 April 2026
Comment: This young lizard sat patiently and motionlessly on the stonework as I crossed Old Speybridge.
Berytinus minor
Category: STILT BUGS
Where and when encountered: Dalnahaitnach on 30 April 2026
Comment: It was a most delightful surprise to encounter a stilt bug in the Cairngorms.