Butterflies & Bulldozers
John tells us a conservation tale from the Ardersier shoreline
When we think of bulldozers and conservation, the two hardly seem like natural companions, we usually need to tread lightly - being careful not to upset the gentle balance of nature.
However, at Ardersier shoreline in recent weeks, heavy machinery and delicate ecosystems have joined forces to create a hopeful future for local butterfly populations. Through a carefully orchestrated effort by Butterfly Conservation Trust’s Species on the Edge Team and High Life Highland Countryside Rangers, a bulldozer- digger has been recruited—not to destroy, but to help create habitat for some of Scotland’s rarest butterflies.
This conservation project, funded by our partner Species on the Edge , aims to give endangered butterflies like the Small Blue and Dingy Skipper a better chance at survival by building what is known as a ‘butterfly bank’, thus creating the ideal environment for wildflowers and the butterflies that need them to thrive. For the Ardersier butterflies, the right wildflowers are essential, as the Small Blue caterpillars exclusively feed on kidney vetch, while the Dingy Skipper require birdsfoot trefoil. By connecting the tiny colony of Small Blue at Ardersier with the more robust colony at Fort George, the aim is to strengthen the local population and protect the future of this rare butterfly.
To prepare the land, the large yellow digger was deployed along the shoreline. Its task? To scrape back the turf, add a layer of pebbles and sand and clear a fresh stretch of ground primed for wildflower growth. In this way we created two new butterfly banks.
But before the digger arrived, the local community was already getting involved with the project’s aims.
Children from Ardersier Primary School produced colourful posters to help inform the passing public, explaining why these machines were there and the importance of this work. These young advocates helped bring awareness to the project, generating some pride, curiousity and excitement within the community.
After the groundwork was completed, the next phase began, seeding the area with essential plants.
A wonderful team of 25 volunteers, nicknamed the “Seeding Squad,” gathered to sow kidney vetch seeds on the butterfly banks and spread a coastal wildflower seed mix along the scraped ground. This mixture will provide an essential food source not only for butterfly caterpillars but also for the adult butterflies, who will rely on the blossoms for nectar.
In the coming months, as spring returns, this area of Ardersier shoreline will be transformed into a vibrant stretch of wildflowers. If all goes well, this habitat will support a robust population of butterflies and caterpillars, helping preserve these important species, at one of their remaining outposts in the UK.
This project is a really wonderful example of how conservation often requires agencies and communities to come together. By combining the power of the machine and the delicate touch of volunteers, a habitat has been carved out that should benefit butterflies for years to come. This is our ‘niche’ in the Countryside Ranger Service, as we strive to create more harmony with nature - connecting people with their local community natural spaces and unltimately becoming advocates for the species that share these spaces with us.
A big thank you goes out to all the volunteers on the day, but also to all our supporters in these endevours who help to make this vision a reality.
Why not make your own butterfly bank in your local space?
Stay tuned for a spring update on how these seedlings are growing—and whether butterflies are continuing to migrate along the shore from Fort George and beyond.
John Orr is the High Life Highland Countryside Ranger for Inverness. Throughout his career spanning 30 years, John has demonstrated a deep commitment to environmental stewardship and education. His work has not only contributed to the preservation of Scotland's natural heritage but has also inspired many individuals to engage with and appreciate the natural world around them. His work includes developing and implementing management plans for local habitats, leading educational programmes, and working collaboratively with local communities to raise awareness of our natural world.
Awesome! These practical conservation stories are so interesting.