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Have they started yet?
Let us know your experience if you've been in the highlands over the last few days - no guesswork please.
Let us know your experience if you've been in the highlands over the last few days - no guesswork please.
In reply to Slioch:
I've nothing to offer from first hand experience, but this isn't guesswork:
http://www.midgeforecast.co.uk
> - no guesswork please.
I've nothing to offer from first hand experience, but this isn't guesswork:
http://www.midgeforecast.co.uk
In reply to Slioch:
Nothing in Glen Coe/ Etive on Saturday
Nothing in Glen Coe/ Etive on Saturday
In reply to newhey: nowt on the great glen way, sat and sun. still a bit early tho
In reply to Slioch:
Possibly one or two in Sutherland last week, after dusk. Nothing to worry about however.
I did find a tick crawling up my arm however.
Possibly one or two in Sutherland last week, after dusk. Nothing to worry about however.
I did find a tick crawling up my arm however.
In reply to Slioch: Nothing in Lairg last week and nothing in Aberdeenshire (Stonehaven area) today.
In reply to Slioch:
Not the Highlands, but bites like the same midge. Not noticed any on Skye or the Uists this week.
Not the Highlands, but bites like the same midge. Not noticed any on Skye or the Uists this week.
In reply to KevinJ:
Can't be long until they come out but temps have been low and winds are easterly this weekend.
A local boatman on Skye once told me the midges can't abide an easterly - impossible to mate in an east wind apparently so they lie low.
I'll have to give that a try, although the missus does like to keep her vest on when the cold wind blows
Can't be long until they come out but temps have been low and winds are easterly this weekend.
A local boatman on Skye once told me the midges can't abide an easterly - impossible to mate in an east wind apparently so they lie low.
I'll have to give that a try, although the missus does like to keep her vest on when the cold wind blows
In reply to Slioch:
But they have made an appearance in England.
Ref at the Newcastle v Arsenal match was getting eaten alive on Sunday.
His solution was interesting ;
He changed his yellow shirt for a green shirt.
will have to try that.
Or.....
Don't wear yellow in Scotland
But they have made an appearance in England.
Ref at the Newcastle v Arsenal match was getting eaten alive on Sunday.
His solution was interesting ;
He changed his yellow shirt for a green shirt.
will have to try that.
Or.....
Don't wear yellow in Scotland
In reply to andymac: Is that some really subtle joke that I don't get? Shame about the result.
The midges were out a couple of weeks ago in the swamps of Yorkshire.
The midges were out a couple of weeks ago in the swamps of Yorkshire.
In reply to Slioch: I have been on Skye for the last 3 weeks, out every day all over the island and haven't seen a single one yet.
In reply to Slioch:
Strangely true..
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2327447/Howard-Webb-swaps...
> (In reply to andymac) Is that some really subtle joke that I don't get? Shame about the result.
>
> The midges were out a couple of weeks ago in the swamps of Yorkshire.
>
> The midges were out a couple of weeks ago in the swamps of Yorkshire.
Strangely true..
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2327447/Howard-Webb-swaps...
In reply to Slioch:
None on Loch Lomond on sunday. I did get swarmed by about three dozen tick larvae - little bastards.
None on Loch Lomond on sunday. I did get swarmed by about three dozen tick larvae - little bastards.
In reply to Slioch: None in the windless woods walking up to Ben Oss and Ben Dubhcraig.
In reply to Slioch:
No midges at all in Ardgour last Friday. I did find a mosquito in my kitchen when I got home, though.
No midges at all in Ardgour last Friday. I did find a mosquito in my kitchen when I got home, though.
In reply to Slioch:
I got midged (by the biting kind) last night in sussex!
I got midged (by the biting kind) last night in sussex!
In reply to Slioch: None in Glen Dessary on Monday. If it stays cold then you might be safe, a few days warm weather and they'll rise like demons.
In reply to Slioch: Been out every day for 3 weeks and haven't seen one yet. Weather got warm the last few days, and still haven't seen them. Who knows when they'll come. I'm sure when they so it will be with a vengance as ever ¬_¬
In reply to Slioch: Surprisingly few in Glen Shiel... but then again it was snowing a couple of days ago.
In reply to Slioch:
A couple about close to Camusary late afternoon on Skye last week. Too cold for anything much on Glen Brittle campsite all week.
D
A couple about close to Camusary late afternoon on Skye last week. Too cold for anything much on Glen Brittle campsite all week.
D
In reply to Slioch: None on Skye at the moment.
In reply to Slioch: Not yet in Lochcarron
In reply to Slioch: Was in Lairg on Friday and there were a few about when the wind dropped.
In reply to andymac:
"But they have made an appearance in England."
"Out in the Central Belt for sure."
"I have been on Skye for the last 3 weeks, out every day all over the island and haven't seen a single one yet."
Repeating the pattern of the past few years- East & south whinging like hell while Skye hasn't been a patch on what it was 20 years ago. Along with jet stream sinking south (where is it now?) I feel my house price rising and luxury beach holidays at Glen Brittle becoming all the rage. All part of the preparation for independance
There, said it now, been whispering under my breath for 5 years. Apologies to all Sgianachs if midgies can read & this induces the return of the super midge.......
"But they have made an appearance in England."
"Out in the Central Belt for sure."
"I have been on Skye for the last 3 weeks, out every day all over the island and haven't seen a single one yet."
Repeating the pattern of the past few years- East & south whinging like hell while Skye hasn't been a patch on what it was 20 years ago. Along with jet stream sinking south (where is it now?) I feel my house price rising and luxury beach holidays at Glen Brittle becoming all the rage. All part of the preparation for independance
There, said it now, been whispering under my breath for 5 years. Apologies to all Sgianachs if midgies can read & this induces the return of the super midge.......
In reply to Slioch:
None on the Outer Hebrides as yet either. There are a few flying things starting to appear, but none of the biting sort yet. A few ticks though.
None on the Outer Hebrides as yet either. There are a few flying things starting to appear, but none of the biting sort yet. A few ticks though.
In reply to Slioch: none in Glencoe today and I haven't been bitten by them anywhere around Fort William at all so far this year!!
In reply to Slioch:
Well, the wee b@stards just love me and as I'll be on Skye tomorrow for the week, I can assure you, they will surface!!
P.s. Reports from home, none to be found in Invergeldie as yet.
Well, the wee b@stards just love me and as I'll be on Skye tomorrow for the week, I can assure you, they will surface!!
P.s. Reports from home, none to be found in Invergeldie as yet.
In reply to Mike Lates:
Not sure what part of Skye you live on but where I live it's only been above 16 degrees once or maybe twice in the last 8 months. Hardly beach weather. Dry though, but still can't see many moving from Sandbanks to 'gustybanks'.
One saving grace is that I only spend half of my time in Skye!
Not sure what part of Skye you live on but where I live it's only been above 16 degrees once or maybe twice in the last 8 months. Hardly beach weather. Dry though, but still can't see many moving from Sandbanks to 'gustybanks'.
One saving grace is that I only spend half of my time in Skye!
In reply to Slioch:
I got savaged by something whilst wearing shorts in Kelso yesterday! Very unusual for there. Have had a few bites on my legs whilst out cycling around the Trossachs, but nothing substantial as yet.
I got savaged by something whilst wearing shorts in Kelso yesterday! Very unusual for there. Have had a few bites on my legs whilst out cycling around the Trossachs, but nothing substantial as yet.
In reply to Slioch:
I camped loch side in Glen affric last night. It was breezy and chilly but calm this morning. No midge at all. How long this will last I don't know.
I camped loch side in Glen affric last night. It was breezy and chilly but calm this morning. No midge at all. How long this will last I don't know.
In reply to Slioch:
I got bitten in Glen Etive yesterday. Only once though.
I expect the hordes aren't far away...
I got bitten in Glen Etive yesterday. Only once though.
I expect the hordes aren't far away...
In reply to Slioch: none in sutherland Friday to today as of yet
In reply to Slioch: Camped in Ullapool at the weekend, no midges. Did however have a scary encounter with a spider big enough to prey on small rodents when it dropped down from my rear view mirror as I drove to Dundonnell!!
In reply to Slioch:
might sound mad ,but I don't actually think their are as many of them about these days.
last 2 summers have been no where near as bad as years gone by.
And with a lot of luck ,the icy blast from the East of a few months back will have freeze dried the little bastards.
might sound mad ,but I don't actually think their are as many of them about these days.
last 2 summers have been no where near as bad as years gone by.
And with a lot of luck ,the icy blast from the East of a few months back will have freeze dried the little bastards.
In reply to andymac:
Och, rubbish. Last year on Harris they were as bad as anything I've known in over 20 years of going to the hills.
> last 2 summers have been no where near as bad as years gone by.
Och, rubbish. Last year on Harris they were as bad as anything I've known in over 20 years of going to the hills.
In reply to Douglas Griffin:
no ,seriously.
I earn my crust working mostly outdoors on Mull ,and they are nowhere near as bad as they used to be.
no ,seriously.
I earn my crust working mostly outdoors on Mull ,and they are nowhere near as bad as they used to be.
In reply to andymac:
>> And with a lot of luck ,the icy blast from the East of a few months back will have freeze dried the little bastards.
I doubt very much a nuclear blast would have any impact on the breeding and feeding cycles of the little bar stewards.
>> And with a lot of luck ,the icy blast from the East of a few months back will have freeze dried the little bastards.
I doubt very much a nuclear blast would have any impact on the breeding and feeding cycles of the little bar stewards.
In reply to andymac: that is tempting fate!
They were as bad in the lakes last year as a good year in Scotland, i.e pretty bad!
I guess how bad they seem to one person depends on how lucky you are with wind sun and being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I got caught out on climbs last year where I was getting eaten alive!
Am off for a wee cycle camp round moidart this week so fingers crossed
They were as bad in the lakes last year as a good year in Scotland, i.e pretty bad!
I guess how bad they seem to one person depends on how lucky you are with wind sun and being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I got caught out on climbs last year where I was getting eaten alive!
Am off for a wee cycle camp round moidart this week so fingers crossed
In reply to Joak:
Its been drier than average for nearly two years on the west coast of scotland (especially nw), this does impact midge numbers. I remember the dry summer around 7 years ago when the midgies didnt really get going even on skye! That event also effected the numbers for a yr or two after until they recovered from it.
> (In reply to andymac)
>
>
> >> And with a lot of luck ,the icy blast from the East of a few months back will have freeze dried the little bastards.
>
> I doubt very much a nuclear blast would have any impact on the breeding and feeding cycles of the little bar stewards.
>
>
> >> And with a lot of luck ,the icy blast from the East of a few months back will have freeze dried the little bastards.
>
> I doubt very much a nuclear blast would have any impact on the breeding and feeding cycles of the little bar stewards.
Its been drier than average for nearly two years on the west coast of scotland (especially nw), this does impact midge numbers. I remember the dry summer around 7 years ago when the midgies didnt really get going even on skye! That event also effected the numbers for a yr or two after until they recovered from it.
In reply to CurlyStevo: No shortage in mid june last year- http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-asCm_z4ppx0/T-Dwnx8PgiI/AAAAAAAAIds/XgO9K2jqrxQ/s... and http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uM2mlGgai_4/T-DwrkO6_VI/AAAAAAAAId8/Z5VQ0OLYDZk/s...
In reply to Slioch:
The best thing to do would be to wait a little bit because when Scotland is independent they won't bite anymore apparently - they work for Westminster it seems.
The best thing to do would be to wait a little bit because when Scotland is independent they won't bite anymore apparently - they work for Westminster it seems.
In reply to AlH:
HaHa, aye over the last couple of summers my midge net has thankfully remained largely under wraps, however on a cloudy windless muggy day you won't really notice if their numbers have been decimated from the zillions down to the mere millions, the misery inflicted by the minority will be pretty much the same.
> (In reply to CurlyStevo) No shortage in mid june last year- http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-asCm_z4ppx0/T-Dwnx8PgiI/AAAAAAAAIds/XgO9K2jqrxQ/s... and http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uM2mlGgai_4/T-DwrkO6_VI/AAAAAAAAId8/Z5VQ0OLYDZk/s...
HaHa, aye over the last couple of summers my midge net has thankfully remained largely under wraps, however on a cloudy windless muggy day you won't really notice if their numbers have been decimated from the zillions down to the mere millions, the misery inflicted by the minority will be pretty much the same.
In reply to Joak: At Glenrbittle on Friday morning there was no sign until briefly, sitting in the lee of a tent, the wind dropped and there was suddenly a cloud of them, and I could feel them on my skin. Curiously they didn't bite: maybe I was quick enough moving my chair back into the breeze.
I predict this to be the calm before a terrifying storm of biblical proportions when children will be stripped to the bone by clouds of midges the size of toy helicopters. Thge Highlands will have to be evacuated and left to the plague ...
I predict this to be the calm before a terrifying storm of biblical proportions when children will be stripped to the bone by clouds of midges the size of toy helicopters. Thge Highlands will have to be evacuated and left to the plague ...
In reply to Richard Baynes:
You prob know its only the female that bites. I understand that she is able to lay her first batch of eggs without feeding, but to lay a second batch she needs a blood meal- which is why when they first come out they don't bite.
Only a few here on Arran at the moment, but I've been got a coupe of times already.
I'd say last 2 summers have not been as bad as previous years, but on a still cloudy day, they were still pretty bad.
You prob know its only the female that bites. I understand that she is able to lay her first batch of eggs without feeding, but to lay a second batch she needs a blood meal- which is why when they first come out they don't bite.
Only a few here on Arran at the moment, but I've been got a coupe of times already.
I'd say last 2 summers have not been as bad as previous years, but on a still cloudy day, they were still pretty bad.
In reply to Richard Baynes:
There were midge sized flies around the other day, lots of them, but not actually midges.
There were midge sized flies around the other day, lots of them, but not actually midges.
In reply to Richard Baynes:
there was suddenly a cloud of them, and I could feel them on my skin. Curiously they didn't bite
They must have been the male of the species.
Mother nature has a habit of balancing things out. Hopefully the big scarey spider I encountered has evovled into a midge munching monster.
there was suddenly a cloud of them, and I could feel them on my skin. Curiously they didn't bite
They must have been the male of the species.
> I predict this to be the calm before a terrifying storm of biblical proportions when children will be stripped to the bone by clouds of midges the size of toy helicopters. Thge Highlands will have to be evacuated and
left to the plague ...Mother nature has a habit of balancing things out. Hopefully the big scarey spider I encountered has evovled into a midge munching monster.
In reply to Slioch: Spent last week around Tongue and saw none, but the relentless gales and ridiculous cold may have had something to do with it. Same in Durness at the weekend, and on Cranstackie/Spionnaidh - but again a fair breeze was blowing. Not a trace on Stac Pollaidh yesterday, even down at the car park in no wind.
In reply to Slioch:
Just spent a fortnight in and around Fort Williams and only saw them for one day; still too cold and windy I think.
Just spent a fortnight in and around Fort Williams and only saw them for one day; still too cold and windy I think.
In reply to Slioch:
Not seen any yet this year- none in skye last weekend and none in coigach/assynt this weekend. Think the late winter has slowed them down- You might be in luck!
Not seen any yet this year- none in skye last weekend and none in coigach/assynt this weekend. Think the late winter has slowed them down- You might be in luck!
In reply to Nic DW: Camping upstream of Linn of Dee at the weekend. Not one.
There will be a reckoning!
There will be a reckoning!
In reply to Dan Bailey - UKHillwalking.com:
We were in Knoydart a week ago, and even on the one warm windless day there was no sign of any midges.
Got covered in ticks though
We were in Knoydart a week ago, and even on the one warm windless day there was no sign of any midges.
Got covered in ticks though
In reply to Slioch: Garbh Choire over weekend, didn't see a one !
In reply to Slioch:
Migdes biting in Clydesdale 25/26 May - the earliest I can remember.
Migdes biting in Clydesdale 25/26 May - the earliest I can remember.
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