Eureka!

Formica exsecta -The narrow-headed ant
Chudleigh Knighton, & Bovey heaths are the only places in England with colonies of this specific ant. A great concern to conservationalists who have been over the course of the year been monitoring their movements, capturing males in flight, hoping to release them back into the centre of the reserve & maintain their presence. I've met one of the team on many occasions recently as the search has been on to find new nests & mark them. Approximately 150 the last time we spoke. This nest & one other are on a piece of heath previously unidentified as having colonies so I was really surprised when I came across the markers on this mornings walk with Indie. Scotland is the only other place in the British Isles where the Formica exsecta thrives. I've tried to snap the ant but it's feisty and fast moving..... but I will keep trying, just as the conservationalists are doing their bit.