The Nature of Scotland

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Watch out for redstarts and tree pipits here in summer.
These summer visitors are typical species in this kind of
open woodland. Redstarts are mainly found in the north
and west of the UK, and are immediately identifiable by
their bright orange-red tails, which they often quiver. They
‘bob’ in a very robin-like manner, but they spend very little
time at ground level. You might also see a range of other
small woodland species such as tits and warblers, as well
as sparrowhawks and buzzards, which might be spotted
hunting overhead.
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We’ve identified over 500 types of plant on the site, with
150 on Invertromie Meadow alone. The reserve is well
known for a wide variety of orchids. A careful search of the
meadow areas in early summer should reward you with the
beautiful purple flowers of the heath-spotted orchid or the
sweet scent of the fragrant orchid. Just like the birds, the
plants here rely on damp conditions to provide the essential
conditions for them to survive.
In summer, you may see many varieties of butterfly,
including Scotch argus and dark green fritillary. The former
is found mainly in Scotland where it flies in tall, damp
grassland, whereas the dark green fritillary occurs in a range
of flower-rich grasslands, often with patches of scrub. You
can often see dragonflies as well, including the black darter,
close to the trail.
Insh Marshes is one of over 50 national nature reserves in
Scotland. Find out more at www.nnr-scotland.org.uk
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Redstarts are summer
visitors to Britain,
arriving in April and
leaving in early
September.
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The heath-spotted
orchid flourishes
particularly in the west
and northwest of
Britain. It likes
moorland, acidic soil or
damp pasture, and
flowers in late May to
early August.
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Visitors enjoying the
view over Insh Marshes
from the new
information viewpoint,
part-funded by SNH.
The Nature of Scotland