Midge report

[Sjiep]

Hello,

with Summer(-y) weather already hitting super early here in mainland Western Europe, and the flying bugs following hot on its trail, I was wondering if the same weather has been happening in Scotland and its Highlands the past weeks/month. And if so, have the little critters called midges come out in force already as well?

[jmarkb]

Not encountered any yet. Spring here has been warm but also quite dry, which does not necessarily favour an early midge season. They'll be around in a couple of weeks time, most likely, though.

[prog99]

The ticks ate all the midgies

[Mal Grey]

The ticks ate all the midgies

If only they did! The number of ticks this Easter was somewhat sobering!!!

Keep an eye on the forecasts, if nights stay mild and not too dry, and the wind is still when you arrive, they'll probably be out early...

[TheRealLurlock]

I've just been out in the Highlands for five days and I didn't notice any.

[mproudfoot]

There were a few (non-biting) male midges out during this past weekend camping in Koydart. No big clouds - just a few flying around my tent, but I find that the biting females are usually only a week or two behind, and last year during a previous Knoydart trip at the end of May, they made life hell during that weekend. I wouldn’t expect many more midge-free weekends really - one or two at the most, especially with how wet this week is so far.

[kaye.cantlay]

I had 2 ticks on my hand before 9am on Saturday (Arran)....
And my walk was noticeably 'insecty' with buzzy bees and flying 'things' but no midges at all yet.

But it's clearly on an increase

[SecondRow]

They were biting in Argyll for sure at the weekend. It was an especially sheltered damps spot though.

[Sjiep]

Hrm, sounds they'll be out to bug the hell out of us then when I'm in the Highlands between May-28 and Jun-5. Will stock up on Smidge.

[Tringa]

I was in the NW(around Gairloch) for two weeks until 10th May and there were no midges or clegs. However, ticks were around. Mrs T had eight in the two weeks and that was just from the garden.

The weather is warming and the last few days have had some good rainfall so they will be present soon.

Dave

[al78]

They are all waiting for me to arrive on the 10th June.

[tweedledog]

They are out and about in my damp North Argyll garden and have been for some time. Difficult for me to judge if the females are biting yet since they don't much like to eat me. Good taste on their part.