Rare species recorded in Highlands forest

A rare mining bee has been among the finds made during surveys

Surveys of a Highlands estate and its forests have recorded 56 priority species for conservation, its charity owners have said.

Forres-based Trees for Life runs Dundreggan Estate in Glen Moriston in Inverness-shire.

It has become a partner in the United Nations' International Year of Biodiversity.

The charity said surveys had found the rare mining bee Andrena marginata, as well as water voles and pine martens.

Trees for Life has been using wild boar in an effort to restore woodland.

Executive director Alan Watson Featherstone said: "The discoveries being made at Dundreggan are confirming the estate's importance as a habitat rich in biodiversity and as a perfect site for forest restoration."