2022 County Report for North Aberdeenshire

David Welch and David Elston

North Aberdeenshire VC93 Annual report 2022

David Welch and David Elston

We spent less time than usual recording in VC93 this year since we were concentrating on producing a RPR for VC91, but have benefitted from more records submitted by other people.  Adrian Breeman, Peterhead, sent upwards of 500 pictures of insects, mostly on flowers of common plants, and accuracy was needed as he then got some printed in a regional newspaper giving both insect and plant names.  The Aberdeen-based Urban Flora recording weekend included Ellon and Inverurie in its itinerary, and additional urban monitoring was undertaken in Fraserburgh.  Also, Richard Lansdown did Site Condition Monitoring for NatureScot.

A start was made on adding unnamed Rubus (Bramble) species to the DDb using Section names

Interesting finds in 2022

Rubus ulmifolius, R. elegantispinosus, R. nemoralis, R. scissus (Brambles)

600 m of Rubus ulmifolius were found established along a new hedge in the Clashindarroch upland hectad, this being almost devoid of brambles previously.  And three Rubus species scarce in the NE, elegantispinosus, nemoralis and scissus, had notable extensions of range into new hectads.

Silene vulgaris (Bladder Campion), Trifolium micranthum (Slender Trefoil)

At Fraserburgh. Silene vulgaris (Bladder Campion) was growing in abundance by a footpath (photo), only the third post-2000 site in vc 93 and the strongest.  Also Trifolium micranthum (Slender Trefoil) was recorded in a housing estate.

Juncus balticus (Baltic Rush), Dactylorhiza incarnata (Early Marsh-orchid), Gentianella amarella (Autumn Gentian)

At Rattray Head a big colony of Juncus balticus (Baltic Rush) was observed (photo), together with Dactylorhiza incarnata (Early Marsh-orchid) (photo) and Gentianella amarella (Autumn Gentian) in the dunes.

Cerastium arvense (Field Mouse-ear)

Good colonies of Cerastium arvense (Field Mouse-ear) were seen on roadside banks NW of Insch.

Datura stramineum (Thorn-apple)

Datura stramineum (Thorn-apple) appeared in a garden in Slains, and is a NVCR.

Hedera colchica (Persian Ivy)

Hedera colchica (Persian Ivy) had crept on to a road verge at King Edward, another NVCR.

Ranunculus reptans (Creeping Spearwort), Potamogeton gramineus (Various-leaved Pondweed), P. pusillus (Lesser Pondweed)

Two colonies of Ranunculus reptans (Creeping Spearwort) were found on the shore of the Loch of Strathbeg by Richard Lansdown, and he saw Potamogeton gramineus (Various-leaved Pondweed) and P. pusillus (Lesser Pondweed) in the water.

Thlaspi arvense (Field Penny-cress), Dipsacus fullonum (Wild Teasel)

Thlaspi arvense (Field Penny-cress) at Esslemont, and Dipsacus fullonum (Wild Teasel) still grows in Inverurie railway sidings.