The Species on the Edge team across Argyll and the Inner Hebrides has been hard at work this winter: recruiting and training volunteers; engaging landowners, crofters, and local partners; collecting data; and supporting important habitat works. With Species on the Edge drawing to a close at the end of 2026, our team have been working hard to ensure that people across the area are equipped and empowered to continue protecting their ‘species on the edge’ for many years to come. Here’s a closer look at what they’ve been up to 👇
Supporting community bat conservation + a new team member!🦇
While bats have been in hibernation over the winter period, our focus has shifted towards strengthening relationships with local landowners and businesses to support future conservation efforts. We have also been busy recruiting and training new volunteers, helping to build skills and enthusiasm ahead of the upcoming bat survey season. During this time, we were also pleased to welcome a new Project Officer, Kelly, who will be continuing the excellent work carried out by outgoing Project Officer Cathryn. We’re looking forward to another active season of monitoring and protecting bats across the region!
Wildlife-friendly farming + boosting biological recording 📈
We are continuing our work with land managers to promote practices beneficial to species most in need of our support. Project Officers Mhairi and Sally led a workshop with the Scottish Crofting Federation to discuss managing for the Marsh Fritillary butterfly and other pollinators. This involved a site visit to a farm near Oban where crofters were able to see these management practices in action. They were even lucky enough to see some Marsh Fritillary caterpillars!
Mhairi teamed up with Oban Nature Networks Officer Rosy to lead a guided walk to a colony of Transparent Burnet moth. With a goal of increasing biological recording in the Oban area, they had a chat with attendees about how to record sightings and the benefit this data can have for conservation efforts. They saw many Transparent Burnet caterpillars and were even lucky enough to spot a caterpillar of another priority species– the Marsh Fritillary!
A winter of working for waders
Throughout the winter our Islay-based Project Officer, Nick, has been busy working on creating more safe havens for our wading species. We are delighted to show off one of our new muddy wader paradises at Cornabus:
Our first round of breeding bird surveys on the new areas yielded some really positive results. Lapwing, Snipe, Oystercatcher have been confirmed as breeding on and around our new scrapes. Moorhen, Curlew and Redshank have also been observed.
‘’The work we’ve done with SotE has allowed us to better control water levels, benefitting our farming operations and biodiversity. It’s been a joy to see breeding Lapwing, Snipe and Oystercatchers at the scrapes this spring.’’ – Ed Burrel, Cornabus
Away from Cornabus, other new areas of wetland creation on Islay have attracted breeding Curlew and Lapwing, with Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwit recorded using new areas.
Great to see some of our iconic species being attracted to new habitats for breeding so quickly after their creation!
Researching our Greenland White-fronted Geese
Nick was also involved in some field research on Greenland White-fronted Geese (GWF) this winter. Working with a visiting group of GWF experts, Nick had the opportunity to assist in recording various measurements which are part of a long-term data set used to understand the condition of the species before they head off on their long and arduous journey back to their breeding grounds in Greenland. After a pit-stop in Iceland to refuel of course!
Ringing and recording data from individual birds allows us to deepen our knowledge and understanding of the species. Hopefully the rings will allow us to identify a few returning birds this autumn and winter on Islay.
Nick said: ‘The Greenland White-fronted Geese were remarkably placid to handle and it was a really incredible experience to have the opportunity to be so close to such an incredible species.’
Talk series with Islay Natural History Trust
Since January, we’ve been running a talk series in collaboration with Islay Natural History Trust. We’ve had talks on Marsh Fritillary, Chough, Terns, Corncrake, Greenland White-fronted Goose and even the Medicinal Leech. We would like to express our sincere thanks to all our guest speakers and attendees for their participation and support. The talks have generated a lot of interest on Islay and hopefully introduced a new audience to some of our species. There is one talk left in the series – we hope you can join us! Monday 22nd June – Photographing Islay’s Wildlife, David Dinsley, RSPB
Hunting for beetles 🪲
Species on the Edge and Buglife are once again interested in records of oil beetles across Scotland! Find out more about the Scottish Beetle Hunt and how you can get involved here: Scottish Oil Beetle Hunt | Buglife. There’s been an exciting start to the survey season for the Short-necked Oil Beetle with our latest new site for the species – Berneray! Currently the sand-dune loving beetle is found at sites in Coll, Tiree, Islay, Uist and Barra – who knows where the beetle might turn up next.
Mhairi and Sally carried out an early survey in search of new sites for the rare Plantain Leaf Beetle along the banks of Loch Etive. Whilst they didn’t find any this time, there are future surveys planned for later in the summer. The beetle is only found in Orkney, Shetland and at the very top of Loch Etive, but we’re following historical anecdotes of seeing red and black beetles on holidays back in the 1960-1980s and hoping to find more sites further south down the loch!
