Last Saturday the Highland Biological Recording Group held its spring meeting in its silver anniversary year. We gathered in Strathpeffer as members came in from far and wide. Some naturalists came from the north near Lochinver, Sutherland, and others west from the Isle of Skye. From the east came those from the Tain area while others came up from the south near Aviemore. The agenda included the ever popular "sightings", where anyone can comment on wildlife they have seen recently. This time the frostbiting of early frog spawn was raised and the fact that, unusually, both adult frogs and toads were on the move at the same time. Despite the snow and ice, early bumblebees had been seen although butterflies were yet to emerge. I reported on brown hares feeding on whole wheat on the ground in the garden which seems to have rarely been recorded before.
One of the main items on the agenda was the Atlas of Highland Mammals due out this year. This is the first such atlas to be published and it was interesting to see some of the draft entries. I have covered nine species including the deer, goats and hares/rabbits so I know just how difficult and time-consuming they can be. This is not the only atlas from the group as there is one on butterflies and another on bumblebees, and the ants' atlas is in its final year of recording.
How sad that once again no youngsters were present. In 1985 five like-minded naturalists had a light lunch in a pub, The Penny Post‚ in Perth, and we discussed forming a wildlife recording group in the Highlands, now an influential organisation advising on wildlife matters from its extensive data base. The group holds field meetings and recording sessions to which anyone can contribute as well as publications including newsletters.