Species of the Month – February: Twenty Plume Moth
Latest
Twenty Plume Moth Alucita hexadactyla The Twenty Plume Moth Alucita hexadactyla is one of our most unique looking moths. It measures around 15mm across in its fanned resting position, and despite its name it does in fact have 24 ‘plumes’. The caterpillars feed …
Species of the Month – January: Springy Turf-moss
Latest
Springy Turf-moss Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus December is a challenging time of year to record certain wildlife, but it is a great time for recording bryophytes – mosses and liverworts. This is a fairly challenging group since many species cannot be identified or …
Species of the Month – January: Wigeon
Latest
Wigeon Mareca penelope The Wigeon Mareca penelope is a familiar duck that winters in the UK in important numbers. Most of these birds travel from Iceland, Scandinavia and Russia, and numbers usually peak in December and January. A small breeding population does exist …
Species of the Month – July: Humming-bird Hawk-moth
Latest
Humming-bird Hawk-moth Macroglossum stellatarum 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 …
Species of the Month – July: Southern Hawker
Latest
Southern Hawker Aeshna cyanea This large and colourful hawker dragonfly is a recent colonist to SW Scotland. It is superficially similar to other hawker dragonflies, but can be readily distinguished with a good view. Males are brightly coloured, the black …
Species of the Month – June: Lily Beetle
Latest
Lily Beetle Lilioceris lilii 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. …
Species of the Month – June: Spotted Flycatcher
Latest
Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata A streaky greyish-brown bird of woodland edge, parks and mature gardens. Spotted Flycatchers Muscicapa striata are migrants, spending the winter months in Africa. They are typically one of the latest summer migrants to return to their breeding grounds, …
Species of the Month – March: Common Frog
Latest
Common Frog Rana temporaria 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 …
Species of the Month – May: Green Tiger Beetle
Latest
Green Tiger Beetle Cicindela campestris The Green Tiger Beetle Cicindela campestris is a distinctive species of ground beetle, the commonest and most widespread of five species of tiger beetle found in the UK. They are approximately 10-15mm in length and are …
Species of the Month – May: Moschatel
Latest
Moschatel Adoxa moschatellina 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 …
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