East Lothian Outdoor Guide

5 Comma butterfly The Comma butterfly is a common British butterfly and one of the most easily identified species when seen settled. Recent arrival for East Lothian, first recorded in 2012-13. It has a wingspan of up to 50mm with jagged edges to both fore and hindwings. Spot Them: Along River Tyne Path and around Pencaitland and Gosford. Late March – September. 6 Viper’s bugloss (plant) A striking plant of the sandy grasslands around the coast and is East Lothian’s signature flower. Provides a food source for the Burnet Moth. In flower June-July. Its name derives from the ancient belief that plants held remedies in relation to their appearance - the stem and flower supposedly looking snake-like. Spot Them: John Muir Country Park. 7 Bloody Cranesbill (plant) A wonderful little deciduous to semi- evergreen herbaceous perennial with a deep pink flower. Spot Them: Ferny Ness, East Lothian. 8 Pink Footed Geese It is pinkish grey with a dark head and neck, a pink bill and pink feet and legs. This species does not breed in the UK, but large numbers of birds spend the winter here, arriving from their breeding grounds in Spitsbergen, Iceland and Greenland. Spot Them: Aberlady Bay in October. 9 Shore crab The shore crab has five points on each side of the carapace, with stalked eyes in between. Green/black in appearance they have a set of pincers to be aware of make sure you pick them up with two fingers carefully on the top of their carapace at the front on each corner. Spot Them: Abundant along the coastline between high and low water. 10 Grey seal With their big brown eyes and appealing dog-like faces, seals are attractive creatures. Around 40% of the world’s population of grey seals live around the UK and most of those in Scottish waters. Over 3,000 gather around the Isle of May, making it Britain’s largest east coast breeding colony. Spot Them: Grey seals can be seen all year round, but there are many more in October and November, when they give birth to their pups. The seals haul up in large numbers at low tide at both ends of the Isle of May, and can also be seen swimming at the base of the West Cliffs, as well as Craigleith and the Bass Rock. Never approach a pup if you find one on the beach, its mum will be nearby, aside from being bitten, they will likely be abandoned by their mother. 11 East Lothian Outdoor Guide