Species of the Month: Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum (July 2025)
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The southerly airflows hitting the UK in June brought an influx of migrant species, and some are easy to look out for in gardens. The Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum gets its name from both its behaviour and appearance, which resemble that of a …
Species of the Month: Lily Beetle Lilioceris lilii (June 2025)
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For June, our species of the month is one for gardeners, and one that may not always be a particularly welcome find. The Lily Beetle Lilioceris lilii is a leaf beetle (family Chrysomelidae), a large group of often colourful beetles. The adult is 6-8mm …
Species of the Month: Common Frog Rana temporaria (March 2025)
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The Common Frog Rana temporaria has been emerging from brumation and as many will have noticed begun to spawn. Our only resident for species of frog, the Common Frog, is easy to identify as having slippery smooth skin and very long back …
Species of the Month: Emperor Dragonfly
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Emperor Dragonfly Anax imperator This large and distinctive species, Emperor Dragonfly Anax imperator was formerly a very scarce and infrequent visitor to SW Scotland. The males are probably our most colourful large dragonfly, with a bright green thorax and extensive …
Species of the Month: Moschatel Adoxa moschatellina (May 2025)
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Moschatel Adoxa moschatellina, also known as Townhall Clock, is a typical flower of mature and often ancient deciduous woodland, but may also be found in riparian woodland and along hedges. In many regions it is amongst a suite of species used as …
Species of the Month: Rook Corvus frugilegus (April 2025)
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Rooks Corvus frugilegus belong to the Corvidae family and are the most gregarious of our resident crow species in the breeding season. They can be most easily distinguished from other black corvids by the grey-white skin at the base of their …
Species of the Month: Silk Button Gall
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Silk Button Gall Neuroterus numismalis Early autumn is a great time to look for galls. Galls take many different forms, forming on leaves, stalks and seeds and can be caused by mites, wasps or fungi. Oak trees are a good …
Sunny butterfly ID training in South Ayrshire
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Finally the sun made an appearance for the last of the three butterfly ID training workshops at Auchalton Meadow. This flower rich meadow certainly did not disappoint, giving us a range of butterfly species, as well as bumblebees, hoverflies and …
SW Scotland webcams
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Given the current lockdown on movements during the Covid-19 outbreak, it seemed like a good idea to seek out what aspects of the region’s wildlife was on show via the internet. In particular I was looking for live webcam feeds …
SWSEIC – coronavirus update 25 March 2020
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This update is to inform everyone on how SWSEIC activities are affected during the current coronavirus outbreak. In line with government recommendations, SWSEIC staff are currently working from home but are still contactable by email and telephone. The general email …
SUP is registered in Scotland as a company limited by guarantee with charitable status. Registered address: The Southern Uplands Partnership, Studio 2, Lindean Mill, Galashiels, TD1 3PE. Company No. SC200827 / Charity No. SCO29475