UKC

I've spent over three weeks outdoors in the Highlands and the Hebrides this Summer and with the exception of one place I've hardly had a bite.

I'm thinking it's probably down to the weather, both last winter's cold snap at New Year which probably killed off a lot of insect eggs and the generally windy weather we've had this Summer.

Anyone else noticed a difference this year?

In reply to Removed User: Not been out west much this year, been unpleasant once or twice, but not unbearable. I think that developing a bit savvy with knowing where they will be, when they will be out and how to avoid them helps.

In reply to Chris F:

Alright. Only got desiccated a couple of times. But then I haven't exactly been rushing to the crags on windless days.

I reckon the wet and warmth means it could be a prime season for cleggs, though.

Who won that anti-midge hat in the pome competition? Can't remember the article.

In reply to Martin76:

Have you noticed rather attractive green deer flies that are sucking the Highlands and islands dry this Summer? Never seen them before and the locals in Kinlochbervie told me that they've only turned up in the last couple of years.

In reply to Removed User:

Never had the pleasure. Spent a walk the other weekend swatting off standard horse flies. That was enough for me.

In reply to Martin76:

I was wondering the same thing - it's not been mentioned since. I recall your poem being particularly good.

In reply to Removed User:

I've had a few experiences this summer when they were off the midge richter scale.

Sunart July 11/10
Devils Staircase Calley Challenge June 11/10
Braveheart carpark Nevis Early June 8/10

However Dundonnel Early august after some rain 0/10 what's that all about


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In reply to Removed User:
Yeah, midges 7/10 on my normal experience, though when it's been still, my garden has been a no-go area, even for my hardy kids.

I agree, the clegs have been bad though. Same abroad btw - got bit good and proper in Austria by Der Cleggen (!), and still have the weals to prove it 10 days later.

In reply to Removed User:

Much fewer midges and lots more clegs seems to be the pattern on Arran and in Galloway as well.

In reply to Alyson:

You're too kind. I thought yours was good.

The silence from the judging panel may suggest an alternative view...

In reply to Removed User: Polldubh in late June....nightmare
Front yard in Callander last week, nightmare
Folding a paraglider on the runrigs at the head of Loch Earn in late May, nightmare
Agreed though, the clegs this year do seem a bit excessive too, you can feel them chewing on you.

In reply to Removed User:
Not a bad year at all. It has been windy quite a lot, and it was a pretty cold and dry Spring, I think.

In reply to Removed User: Clegs have been more of a problem than midges for me this summer - found them or rather they found me up in the coires in Skye.
I reacted badly to the bites this year too. Previously the bites only bothered me at the time.

In reply to Removed User: We've not had any bad days so far this year (touch wood) in Invergarry. Definitely less than Last year. Saying that, I did get swarmed up at Abriachan bike trails when my chain broke. they know when you're vulnerable.

In reply to Removed User:

what has surprised me is how they're moving south... either that or ive just never paid too much attention to them?

But we get them in our back garden :, dont get me wrong, its nothing compared to what ive experianced on Skye, but still, not fun

In reply to Removed User:

We got forced indoors by the midges on monday. I wouldnt have been bothered but this was in Edinburgh.

Far worse though was the plague of mosquitos at derry lodge at the end of may.

In reply to Removed User:

I think they have been not too bad. The hot spots of Loch Eil weren't too bad but Torridon at the weekend wasn't good although I have seen a lot worse.

In reply to Angie Lester: Not moving south it would appear..
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7518005.stm

I lived in edinburgh for 14 years and have never had a midge bite here....or even seen that many.
I think the highland midge is a different species...much more nasty!

In reply to Removed User:
In Glencoe this year the midges were pretty bad in May and early June. After that they tailed right off, and currently midges seem to be almost non-existent. However, clegs are still proving to be a problem in certain areas.

I still had to slap on plenty of Skin so Soft when i was up in Glencoe and SKye this July

In reply to lgyamjr: this is helpfull

http://www.midgeforecast.co.uk/2008/

(says 2008 but it's updated daily)

In reply to Removed User: last night at widdop was a midge fest in the boulders

In reply to Removed User: One of the camps I was staying at (I forgot the name) for Duke of Edinburgh was swarming with the buggers. Worst part was a lot got into my tent

In reply to AG:

we definatley ahve them at the roaches and in my back garden 35 miles away! Unless, like you said, its another species altogether?!

Why? Why!!! theres NO purpose to them!

In reply to Removed User: Bitten to death in the peak last night. It's a wonder I'm not requiring a blood transfusion today quite frankly - my right arm in particular looks like something out of The World's Wildest Medical Nightmares 4.

In reply to Removed User:

Not Midges, but was bitten by mosquitos repeatedly at Shorncliffe last weekend. Will be wearing trousers and long sleeves next time!