Pitmedden Garden has the best of both worlds: a formal garden that is floristically diverse and attracts a wealth of pollinators; and wider policies with woodlands and ponds sheltering larger mammals and aquatic life.
These are our top wildlife species to look for when you’re out exploring our trails. Each has a ‘how easy to see?’ rating, a fun fact and a top tip for when and where to look.
Tawny owl
It’s not all about the garden at Pitmedden! On a summer’s evening you might hear the call of a tawny owl from the woodland nearby. Tawny owls are most easily identified when they are vocal in autumn and early winter during their mating period, but they can also be seen swooping into open areas at dusk to feed on voles.
Fact: It is widely believed that this owl calls twit twoo, but in fact it is a call and reply. The male twits and then the female twoos in response.
How easy is it to spot?
MEDIUM
Tawny owls are present at Pitmedden all year round and are most commonly seen at dusk.
Marmalade hoverfly
This is one of the easiest and most delightful hoverflies to recognise because of its orange and black bands, in particular a distinctive moustache-shaped band. The marmalade hoverfly, like many others, mimics bees and wasps with this banding. It is a useful addition to the garden and it’s worth planting nectar-rich plants for it, as the larvae of the marmalade hoverfly eat aphids.
Fact: It has the uncanny ability to hover and even fly backwards!
How easy is it to spot?
EASY
Marmalade hoverflies can be seen on flat-topped flowers, from May to September.
Honey bee
In summer, look out for the honey bee doing its rounds. With a bee identification book, why not have a go at finding the Scottish honey bee? Although it is difficult to tell it apart from domesticated or imported bees, the Scottish honey bee has a darker brown appearance. Look for it on mahonia on the cooler days of early spring, and on catmint and heather in summer.
Fact: The Scottish honey bee is becoming a rare species.
How easy is it to spot?
DIFFICULT
Scottish honey bees are present between January-October.
Spotted flycatcher
What this charming bird loses in its rather dull and ordinary appearance, it makes up for with its startling agility on the wing. As its name suggests, it is adept at snatching flying insects from the air, including dragonflies and butterflies. Look out for it perching on a branch on a woodland edge, and then darting and swooping to catch its prey.
Fact: Spotted flycatchers spend the winter in tropical countries in Africa.
How easy is it to spot?
MEDIUM
Spotted flycatchers are present at Pitmedden in summer.
Fox
The Fantastic Five would not be complete without the fantastic fox. With their red coats, bushy white-tipped tail and vigilant ears, there is a knowingness in the eyes of these intelligent creatures. They are predators of wildfowl, voles and hens, making them unpopular with farmers. Look for twisted poo on paths, often containing fur and bones, to see where they’ve been!
Fact: Foxes are early morning or evening prowlers, following a regular patrol route.
How easy is it to spot?
MEDIUM
Foxes are most commonly seen in the early morning, all year round.
The real hibernators
Join Trust ranger Roddy for a look at which animals hibernate at our properties across the North East of Scotland.
Why we love Pitmedden Garden
A garden that’s good for the soul and good for the planet! Members of our team and visitors at Pitmedden Garden share why they love this special place.
Hidden secrets in our gardens
Ancient time-telling devices and bespoke sculptures lie nestled among the fantastic flora of the National Trust for Scotland’s gardens, which are also places of learning for new generations of gardeners.
The Fantastic Five
Our North East ranger introduces his new series of wildlife guides at our Aberdeenshire and Angus countryside places.