Species Reintroduction—CAOLAS, Ardtornish Estate and Drimnin Estate

Species reintroduction across the peninsula was noted as an action point in Live Life Morvern and CAOLAS, Ardtornish Estate and Drimnin Estate have all made significant progress in this area. As mentioned above CAOLAS has been involved in a successful native oyster re-introduction project. Both Ardtornish and Drimnin Estates successful reintroduced red squirrels and there are now healthy populations in both Drimnin and Ardtornish. Henry Dobson of Ardtornish Estate also gave the following update about other recently reintroduced species: 

“In April, we successfully relocated eight nests of Formica lugubris—commonly known as hairy wood ants—from the Ardnamurchan Peninsula to Ardtornish. These ants are one of only two ‘true’ wood ant species native to Scotland. While historical records and insight from local ecologists suggest they may once have been found in various locations around the Morvern Peninsula, it's unclear when or where they were last present on Ardtornish. This loss of wood ants from most of Morvern, as with much of the Highlands, is likely due to centuries of changing forest cover and land use.

Hairy wood ants are considered ecosystem engineers and keystone species for the important roles they play in woodland environments. Their activities include dispersing seeds, enhancing nutrient cycling, and influencing tree growth through their complex and fascinating interactions with aphids.

The donor nests came from a Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) plantation scheduled for felling in the next few years. With valuable support from FLS, the Woodland Trust/Arkaig Community Forest (preparing for their own translocation effort), and the local RSPB team in Morvern, we undertook the hour-long journey with the ants carefully packed in hessian sacks—a far greater distance than typical for such translocations. Despite having to rely on some good weather in the west of Scotland, we successfully moved plenty of ants across 2 days (minus a few escapees from the hessian sacks in the backs of vehicles). Teamwork made all the difference in this endeavour working out.

Since their arrival, the ants have made the most of a dry, sunny spring—rebuilding their nests and even establishing new ones in more optimal locations than we had picked out for them. There have been two attempted raids by badgers or pine martens looking for an easy meal, but all nests remain active and resilient. Now, with the return of the rain, we’ll be closely monitoring how our new residents adapt to their new home.”