Mountain Ringlet Surveys 2014: Beinn na Imrean, Beinn
Cheathaich, Sgiath Chui and Meall na Samhna
(OS Map Sheet 51)
Andrew Masterman
Two new 1km squares with Mountain Ringlet were found on Meall na Samhna in
2009 by the author and seven new squares on Sgiath Chuil in 2011 (Figure 1). Good
quality Mountain Ringlet habitat was widespread on both mountains (Figure 2) and
there are undoubtedly many more new 1km squares to be found on these and
neighbouring mountains.
Suggested walks for bagging new 1km squares for Mountain Ringlet in late June/July
2014:
1) To access the north slopes of Meall na Samhna/Beinn Bhreac, park in Glen
Lochay (NN528362) and take the footpath south. In addition to visiting some
historical 1km squares for Mountain Ringlet, some new squares may also be
discovered.
2) To access the north slopes of Sgiath Chuil, park at the car park at the western
end of Glen Lochay and head south. It is likely that there are many new 1km
squares with Mountain Ringlet to be discovered here.
3) Beinn na Imrean and Beinn Cheathaich are both remote and neither mountain
has any historical Mountain Ringlet records. Nevertheless, it is very likely that
both have abundant suitable habitat and Mountain Ringlet colonies.
4) Squares NN4831 and NN4832 on the west slopes of Meall na Samhna had
high habitat scores when the author visited in 2011 but the weather had
deteriorated and no Mountain Ringlet were found. So visits to these two
squares in sunny weather will likely give rise to two further new squares for
Mountain Ringlet.
1
Figure 1 Number of mountain ringlet (MR) recorded in 1 km squares in the Meall na Samhna area during 2009 and 2011 and the status of these squares in relation to
historical MR records.
2
Figure 2 Mountain ringlet habitat scores (maximum is 20) and extent of mat-grass grassland for the 16 1 km squares surveyed in the Meall na Samhna area
during 2009 and 2011.
3
4