2024 County Report for North Aberdeenshire

David Elston

The North East Scotland Botanical Recording Network (NESBRN) counted 454 inflorescences of Saxifraga hirculus (Marsh Saxifrage) at one of its three sites near the Buck of Cabrach (main photo). Separately, Tristan Norton made visited a second site, counting 114 flowering plants plus about 50 that had flowered this year but gone over.

NESBRN unsuccessfully attempted to refind Pyrola rotundifolia (Round-leaved Wintergreen) on adjacent hillside. The habitat seemed unsuitable: perhaps this species is no longer present in North Aberdeenshire.

Andrew Jones and Mike Smedley have both been active at Forvie NNR: Andrew recorded locations of Myosotis ramosissima (Early Forget-me-not) and associates, whilst Mike rediscovered Aristavena setacea (Bog Hair-grass) last recorded there over 100 years ago.

Two owners of small parcels of land invited visits, during which I demonstrated species present, collected records and discussed management options. Both kindly let me leave my car there to facilitate further recording nearby.

From midsummer onwards, my main effort has been to fill spatial gaps in North Aberdeenshire at tetrad level. Reasonable length lists for about 50 previously under-recorded tetrads were obtained, leaving about 270 for future years.

Angus Hannah and Michael Philip included Kincardineshire in their tour to collect photos for Angus’s forthcoming book on Scottish brambles, helpfully updating some records along the way.

With help from David Welch’s widow, Muriel, I have been making arrangements for some of his pressed specimens to be transferred to the University of Aberdeen’s herbarium.

Aristavena setacea (Bog Hair-grass)

Aristavena setacea (Bog Hair-grass) was found by Mike Smedley at Forvie NNR in an area with seasonally fluctuating water levels. The species has only ever been recorded from two sites in North Aberdeenshire, the most recent record being by Trail from Slains (and Forvie) Parish in1904.

Omalotheca supina (Dwarf Cudweed)

Omalotheca supina (Dwarf Cudweed) was found growing on hill tracks on Creag on Sgor, new to North Aberdeenshire.

Ulex gallii (Western Gorse)

Ulex gallii (Western Gorse) was found on species-rich heathland at The Tore, Cabrach, new to North Aberdeenshire.

Hieracium saxorum (Rock Hawkweed)

With help from Hawkweed referee Brian Burrow, two new species were added to the list for North Aberdeenshire: Hieracium saxorum (Rock Hawkweed, pictured) from Hill of Towanreef and Hieracium dipteroides (Aberfeldy Hawkweed) from by the Allt Deveron in Cabrach Parish.

Chaenorhinum minus (Small Toadflax)

Chaenorhinum minus (Small Toadflax) was found in quantity at the base of a wind turbine on Gordonstown Hill, Kirkton of Auchterless. There are only three previous records of this species in North Aberdeenshire, the most recent of these being in 1998.

Scleranthus annuus (Annual Knawel)

Scleranthus annuus (Annual Knawel) was found along a track through forestry at Hill of Ardgrain, Ellon, used also by vehicles for access to a wind turbine and nearby agricultural land. This is only the 2nd record for North Aberdeenshire since 1991.