Wildlife

Little Assynt Estate is a like a little piece of paradise. Dominated by the impressive mountain of Quinag, the views on a sunny day can be breathtaking. But do not forget to look down as well. Below your feet all manner of wildlife is thriving.

The deep peat may not, at first glance, seem very productive but during the summer it can hold a great variety of wildflowers. The yellow flowers of the Tormentil and white flowers of Heath Bedstraw form the backdrop with which to look for the delicate Heath Spotted Orchids that flower in abundance. Because the nutrients are very scarce in the peat some plants have to resort to getting their protein from insects. Oblong and Round-leaved Sundews can be found in the wet areas with their leaves covered in honey and dew-covered hairs that trap unsuspecting midges. The blue flowers and star-like leaves of the insect-eating Common Butterwort is also very common.

Over the wet heath you will notice large winged moths flying. The black and white one is almost certainly the Magpie Moth – whose caterpillars devour heather. The Northern Eggar is perhaps the commonest large brown moth but look out for the colourful Emperor Moth with large eye spots to deter bird predators. Listen out for Cuckoos from April onwards. The female Cuckoo is nearly always followed by small Meadow Pipits who seem to recognise that these birds are responsible for hi-jacking their nesting effort for the year by placing their own eggs in the Pipits’ nest. Cuckoos specialise in eating moths.