House of Dun has been a long-standing haven for wildlife. From the twisting, almost gorge-like Den of Dun to the expanses of Montrose Basin, House of Dun is home to many habitat requirements, both cultivated and natural – it’s a dynamic and biodiverse place.
Here are our top five wildlife species to try and spot when you’re out and about on our trails. Each has a ‘how easy to see?’ rating, a fun fact and a top tip for when and where to look.
Pink-footed goose
Often seen (and heard) flying overhead, these elegant birds can also be viewed from the Scottish Wildlife Trust hides south of Dun Farm.
These geese make a 5,000-mile migration and are a signal of the season’s change, arriving in mid-September and departing in early April.
Fact: The Scottish Wildlife Trust have made a handy map to show you how to get to their hides.
How easy is it to spot?
MEDIUM
Pink-footed geese are seen at Montrose Basin in autumn and winter.
Monterey pine
In an area where plants have been introduced from around the world, you might expect to see some odd species here and there. The Monterey pine near to the entrance to Den of Dun is an unusual pine with extravagantly huge cones.
Fact: Monterey pines are native to the coast of California and Mexico.
How easy is it to spot?
EASY
The Monterey pine can be seen all year round – look for the pine cones on the ground nearby.
Common pipistrelle bat
The common pipistrelle bat is a small mammal, but makes up for its size by its spectacular acrobatic flying ability. These animals are frequent flyers at night, and it is a breathtaking spectacle to see them take to the sky at dusk.
They enjoy the woodland environment and use the edges of buildings and trees to collect insects on the wing.
Fact: Common pipistrelle bats can eat up to 3,000 midges in one night!
How easy is it to spot?
EASY
Common pipistrelle bats can be seen between May and September.
Dipper
The dipper is a fascinating bird that feeds on insects below the water’s surface. It is splendid-looking in its chestnut coat with white bib. It has the ability, with the aid of its specially adapted feet, to walk underwater along the river bed.
Fact: Dippers can stay submerged, walking against the current, for more than a minute before coming up for air.
How easy is it to spot?
EASY
Dippers can be seen all year round in the burn that runs through the Den of Dun.
Wood wasp
The giant horntail, or wood wasp, is a large member of the wasp family. It looks quite ferocious but is, in fact, harmless. The female has an ‘ovipositor’, a tube which looks like a stinger but is actually used to ‘saw’ in order to lay eggs in dead or dying pine wood.
Fact: Horntails get their name from the spike at the end of their body.
How easy is it to spot?
MEDIUM
Wood wasps can be seen in the summer in the woodlands at House of Dun.
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Join the team at House of Dun for a look behind the scenes at what they love most about this special place.
What we’re doing at House of Dun
Enjoy a sneak peek behind the scenes at the House of Dun project in Angus.
Doors open on re-Dun attraction in North East
Discover how we’re telling the stories of Angus, its people and landscape in a fresh and innovative way at House of Dun in Montrose.
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Join Trust ranger Roddy for a look at his favourite trees from across the North East of Scotland, as he explores our deep connection with them.