A leisurely stroll through Haddo at the moment will reveal a stunning array of wild flowers, currently in bloom throughout the park. The wild flower meadow and wild flower strips are teeming with wildlife, including numerous species of, bees, damselflies, butterflies and moths. The diverse range of wildflowers at Haddo, provide a vital habitat and food source for much of our native wildlife.
Right: Red tailed bumble bee on knapweed
Butterflies & Moths ID Day
Thank you to NESBReC for running the Butterflies & Moths identification day at Haddo on Saturday, and thank you to Helen Rowe a local butterfly & moth expert who led the event. We had a really great turnout for the event and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting everyone and I hope everyone enjoyed the day as much as I did. We spent the morning in the peatyards looking at slides of some of the species we might encounter at Haddo and the wider environment.
Butterflies are likely to be much more active and visible on hot, sunny days, than on dull or rainy days. So thank goodness we had this event on Saturday when the weather was perfect, which is more than could be said for Sunday.
In the afternoon we had a walk around the park to look at a couple of moth traps that Helen had set up the night before, then armed with our butterfly nets we went off in search of the winged jewels.
A total of 31 species of butterflies and moths were identified, including a spectacular garden tiger moth and the beautiful common blue butterfly.
This beautiful Golden Y was discovered on a shrub at the corner of the stable block.
The Golden Y is a migratory moth of the family Noctuidae which is named for the Y shaped mark on each of its forewings.
This is one that most people will be familiar with, the Small Tortoiseshell. This is one of our most widespread butterflies, occurring throughout the British Isles.
The spectacular Garden Tiger Moth, unfortunately my poor focusing skills didn't do this beauty justice.
This is a stout, hairy moth. Its forewings are chocolatey-brown with cream patterns. Its hind wings are orangey-red with black spots. Its bright colours warn predators that it tastes unpleasant.
The garden tiger is a widespread species, which can be found throughout the UK
Thanks to Glenn Roberts from NESBReC for sending in this picture of a lovely little Antler Moth on ragwort. He clearly has a steadier hand than me.
This distinctively marked moth is common over much of the British Isles, occurring on moorland, grassy places and wildflower meadows. We saw lots of these moths during the day, they were particularly prevalent on ragwort. We saw five on one ragwort plant.
The Common Blue, living up to its name, this butterfly is the commonest blue found in the British Isles.
While the male has bright blue uppersides, the female is less conspicuous, with variable amounts of blue. This species is widespread in the British Isles and can be found almost anywhere, in a variety of grassy habitats.
The Big Butterfly Count
Don't forget the Big Butterfly Count, happening from 20th July to 11th August. Spend 15 min in your garden, park or woodland counting butterflies and moths. Details can be found at http://butterfly-conservation.org
A 'Year of Natural Scotland' Event.
Saturday 17th August 2013
Flower Power at Haddo
Have you ever wondered what a particular flower is called? Here's your chance to find out. This event will help you learn the names of some of the more common flowers you will see in the park and the medicinal powers of some.
All welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult.
Booking Essential
Cost: free
Meeting Time 13:30 - 15:00 at Haddo Country Park car park.
Further Information contact: Formartine ranger on
Tel: 01358 726417
Mobile: 07786 021780
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