Field Notes: SSSSSpring comes to Quinag

Our Quinag Conservation Officer Romany Garnett spots an adder emerging early from its winter hibernation and shares details of an exciting photo project.

Weather was clear and sunny and perfect for climbing up a mountain. On the way back from Spidean Coinnich on Quinag I came across a very thick zig-zag shoelace, at least that’s what I thought it was initially.

I stared blankly for a moment while my brain caught up with my eyes. The shoelace slowly uncoiled and flicked its tiny tongue at me. I sat mesmerised. Then it slid quietly away.

It was an adder and so close I could’ve touched it. The markings of the back suggest it was female. Females are generally fawn and brown whereas the males are greyer and dark brown.

Adders usually emerge from hibernation in March, but this one was early as it was 26 February. The mild weather must have brought her out, but she was torpid still as if only just awakening from her deep winter sleep.  

In other news about Quinag and the Quinag Wildlife Project - a colaboration between the Trust and Assynt Field Club - local photographer Chris Puddephatt has completed his mission to take pictures of all 53 features named on the Ordnance Survey map that covers the land the Trust looks after at Quinag.

Chris said: "It’s taken quite a lot of walking to get this collection together. I now have at least one photo of each location. Most of the names are in Gaelic, and will often have a meaning which relates to a description of the topography or something else which was once significant to the location."

• Read more about Chris' project and enjoy his beautiful photographs of Quinag in all weathers on his blog.
• Find out more about the land we look after at Quinag.
• Find out more about the Quinag Wildlife Project.