Mammals: Castle Loch is visited by at least twenty species of mammal, many of which live and breed here. Most are nocturnal but if you are lucky you may get a glimpse of a young red squirrel skittering through the trees or an otter playing with its young. Insects: Thirteen species of dragonfly have been recorded at Castle Loch and breeding has been recorded for more than half of these. Areas around the reedbeds are always active during the summer but the best place is the Valison Burn, where the number and variety of the species breeding make this a site of national importance. Although Castle Loch does not contain particularly good habitat for butterflies twelve species have been recorded and it is always worth looking in the less wooded areas around the castle and on the meadow area between the Valison Burn and the A709 road during the season. All six common species of bumblebee have been recorded and so far surveying has produced thirty seven species of hoverfly with many more yet to come. Finally please consider helping to protect the wildlife at Castle Loch by submitting records of what you see. This can be done by sending records to slioch69@aol.com; by texting your sightings to 07792142446; or by downloading, completing and then returning the record form (see Nature Reports & Recording page). If you are new to identifying wildlife then why not come on one of the free ID days that take place at Castle Loch from time to time (check the Events page).

Andy Riches (County Mammal Recorder), January 2014

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