Chequered Skipper

This morning we made the journey from Grantown on Spey to Glasdrum Wood, a National Nature Reserve on the slopes of Beinn Churalain and overlooking Loch Creran. Chequered Skippers had been reported here in the previous week, remarkably late in the season. This butterfly has been at the top of my list for some time having dipped it for the last two years. We just had to give it a go and of course, other butterflies are available.

We stopped off at the Corran ferry to scan for Black Guillemots and Martin's research was proven right as we soon sighted at least half a dozen. One landed on the pier and would have provided an excellent photo opportunity, unfortunately all this activity was on the Ardgour side, the distant shore, so we resolved to make a visit on our way back.

Arriving at Glasdrum we found we were the only people present. The sun was out and the temperatures were rising rapidly so we decided to start on the wayleave, the clearing cut for the power lines that transect the lower part of the reserve. Thirty yards in we found our first and only Chequered Skipper. The photos show that it is well worn and obviously at the end of its shelf life, having had a hard time fending off other skippers and searching for mates. No matter, another life tick and I actually gave a loud cheer.

 

 I was surprised at how boggy the slopes of the reserve were, an ideal site for dragonflies and other creatures that like the wet. Plenty of Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries were on the wing, looking just as worn as our prized specimen. Golden-ringed Dragonflies were numerous and perched obligingly, far more so than our local specimens that vanish at any approach.

 

The sun was gaining in strength so we returned to the car park for a brew and a change of plan, rather than a 1000 ft. climb we decided that a recce for Black Guillemots in Oban harbour might pay dividends.