Kentish Glory is one of the UK’s most spectacular and threatened moths. Despite its name, it is restricted to just four populations in Scotland, centred around the Cairngorms.
Jenna and I set off on a pre-dawn journey to Perthshire for a Butterfly Conservation event to observe this rare species. Rising at 4:00 AM, we made our way north, reaching Killiecrankie by around 9:30 AM. Killiecrankie is an excellent spot for Wood Warblers, and with half an hour to spare, we parked at the visitor centre and stepped out. Almost immediately, the distinctive rapid ‘zip’ note of a male Wood Warbler filled the air, accelerating into a beautiful trill. After a short search, I located the singing male, which displayed beautifully. Always a joy to witness the Wood Warbler’s return for the summer.
Always nice to see the Wood warbler returning for the summer
From there, we joined the Butterfly Conservation group and listened to the leader explain their efforts to protect the Kentish Glory:
Formerly widespread across the UK, the Kentish Glory is now restricted to the Cairngorms National Park and surrounding areas. This large and striking moth is on the Scottish Biodiversity List and is of principal importance to biodiversity conservation in Scotland.
The moth is visually impressive, with bright colours and bold markings. Females are about 25% larger than males, while males possess feathery antennae to detect the pheromones released by females. Adults emerge in mid-April and are on the wing until mid-May. Females lay 10–20 eggs on the tips of regenerating silver birch trees under 3 metres in height. Eggs start yellow and turn purple-brown, hatching in May.
Kentish Glory, egg batches
Caterpillars begin life feeding gregariously on birch leaves, leaving distinctive feeding signs before becoming solitary. In late summer, the large green caterpillar pupates underground, remaining there for 1–3 years.
Surveying this species has always been challenging due to its short flight season and fast flight. However, a partnership between Butterfly Conservation Scotland and Canterbury University led to the development of an artificial pheromone that mimics a female Kentish Glory, attracting males to chosen areas. This has proved highly successful, with the moth being found in 90 new 1km squares over the last two years, including several new sites on Rothiemurchus. Strathspey remains a stronghold for the species. This technique has greatly improved understanding of the moth’s distribution and habitat requirements, allowing targeted conservation work with landowners to ensure the survival of young birch habitat for caterpillars.
After the talk, we opened moth traps set the previous evening. I added 22 new species to my moth list, including the rare Ringed Carpet. The Ringed Carpet occurs as two races: the nominate race is centred in the New Forest, Hampshire (also occurring locally elsewhere in southern England and Ireland), while the Scottish subspecies bowesi is generally whiter and greyer and occurs in scattered locations across Scotland.
We then moved to the field to set up the pheromone lures, and it wasn’t long before a male Kentish Glory was drawn in.
It wasn't long before a male was attracted to the pheromone lures.
What a beauty!
We waited for more Kentish Glory, but time was pressing. On the journey home, I aimed to see two target birds for my Scottish list. Our first stop was Broomhill Castle grounds near Stirling, where I recorded my first target: the Green Woodpecker. Three birds were observed, one calling constantly. Though elusive, I managed a distant photograph.
Always elusive, this was the only distant photograph I could get
Continuing toward the England-Scotland border in search of the Marsh Tit, we visited two sites with no success. As dusk approached, I heard a male Marsh Tit calling. To my surprise, it flew in and landed nearby, singing beautifully. Marsh Tits are in decline in Scotland and considered rare, making this encounter particularly special.
Marsh Tit, on the list!
With the day winding down, the distant call of a Cuckoo accompanied our journey south, marking the end of an unforgettable day. Encountering one of Scotland’s rarest moths and several target birds made it a truly remarkable experience.
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