202402-Cairn-Issue-4-06-ONLINE - Flipbook - Page 11
Nature news
Cat tracks
Points
of view
Following the release of
wildcats into the Cairngorms
Connect landscape in June, the
Saving Wildcats team have
been tracking their movements
using GPS radio collars.
Of the 19 wildcats released, 17 have
stayed within the wider project area
in Badenoch and Strathspey. While
some individuals have begun to settle
in speci昀椀c locations, most are still
moving about regularly, scoping out
different areas of habitat. One has even
travelled over the Cairngorm plateau to
Mar Lodge estate in Deeside, crossing
several Munros and covering 30
kilometres in three days.
The cats are typically using a mixture of
rough grassland, mixed woodland and
river or stream edges, which provide
Do you have a favourite view in
the Cairngorms National Park?
We’re mapping the special landscape
qualities of the Cairngorms to help us
better understand how communities
perceive, experience and value the
landscapes here in the National Park.
Whether it’s rugged mountain views or a
sense of peace, we’d love to know what
you think and what makes it special.
prey such as mice and voles, as well
as cover to hide from potential threats,
including people and dogs. For more
information contact the Saving Wildcats
team on wildcats@rzss.org.uk
Share your ‘best view’
using our interactive
mapping tool and
you’ll be entered into
a prize draw to win
a £100 voucher.
Rare insects spotted
Rare dragon昀氀ies have been
discovered in Deeside as part
of a survey at the National
Trust for Scotland’s Mar
Lodge Estate.
The iridescent northern emerald
dragon昀氀y was recorded for the 昀椀rst
time in Deeside, whilst the brightly
coloured azure hawker dragon昀氀y
(pictured right) was recorded in the
area for only the second time.
Just a few weeks earlier, the shining
guest ant was spotted further down
the glen for the 昀椀rst time in a decade.
The species is so called because it
makes its home in wood ant nests,
despite being about a third of their size!
You don’t have to be an expert to spot
rare species. Anyone can get involved
by downloading Look Wild, a free
nature ID app that identi昀椀es plants
and animals for you
and contributes to a
nationwide citizen
science project,
led by UK national
parks.
spring 2024 cairn 11