Tayside Biodiversity
Partnership
ANNUAL REPORTApril
2004 to March 2005
Download Full Version with Pictures: Click Here |
 |
WHAT
IS BIODIVERSITY?
Biodiversity means the variety of life on earth.
It includes all species of plants and animals and the habitats
where they
live. It also includes us.
Tayside has a very rich biodiversity
resource that is vital to its economy: tourism relies
on our beautiful landscape, insects pollinate our crops, and
the land provides raw materials
for our clothing, food, drink, buildings and roads.
The Broad Aims of the Tayside Local Biodiversity Action Plan
• To co-ordinate existing actions, as well as initiating
and co-ordinating new actions;
•
To conserve and enhance the region’s biodiversity, taking
into account both local and national priorities.
TAYSIDE BIODIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP MEMBERS
|
CHAIRMAN’S
FOREWORD
As the new chair of the Tayside Biodiversity Partnership, I would
like to thank Merrill Smith for her commitment to the Partnership
over the past two years.
Tayside is one of the most biologically
rich areas of Scotland (and the UK) and very many people and
organisations are committed
to working together to conserve and foster our biodiversity.
Such partnerships are essential and, since 2004, even more
vital following the passage of the Nature Conservation (Scotland)
Act. All government bodies now have a duty to further the conservation
of biodiversity; and we have to find the best ways to do this
- and also to contribute to other policies and initiatives,
such as Community Planning.
Equally, we need to look outside
our own boundaries, and consider how activities within Tayside
can contribute also to Scottish,
UK and even international targets. All of this requires efficient
coordination, and makes it clear how fortunate we are to have
such a dedicated biodiversity coordinator, Catherine Lloyd.
I look forward to working with her and all of you over the
next two years.
Dr. Martin Price
Chairman
Tayside Biodiversity Partnership |
THE BACKGROUND
TO THE BIODIVERSITY PROCESS– FROM RIO TO TAYSIDE
In 1992 the
UK Government signed the United Nations Convention on Biological
Diversity at the Rio Earth Summit. There are
now UK Biodiversity Action Plans in place for the conservation
and promotion of 391 of the rarest species and 45 of the
most threatened habitats in Britain.
The Scottish Biodiversity
Forum oversees those habitats and species that occur in Scotland.
The Tayside Biodiversity
Partnership was established in 1998. Covering the local authority
areas of Angus, Dundee City, and Perth & Kinross, it
co-ordinated the publication of the Tayside Local Biodiversity
Action Plan in 2002 and is now implementing over 400 actions,
together with the preparation of further Habitat and Species
Action Plans.
Conservation and protection of biodiversity
is not just the task of government, nor wholly the task of
the public
sector – it concerns everyone. We are all responsible
for our actions and the impacts we have on our local surroundings.
Equally we can all contribute something – as this Report
shows.
As the local biodiversity process matures, the Partnership’s
membership is naturally changing to accommodate it. There
is still much ‘behind the scenes work’ to prepare
the next tranche of Habitat and Species Action Plans and
to put funding in place to take projects forward – but
real action by a very wide variety of organisations, volunteer
groups and individuals is now very much underway. |
Partnership Progress
To review progress during 2004, however, a Steering Group
Workshop was held in October so that all members could assess
what the Partnership is doing well and to discuss improvements.
It was agreed the plus points include:
•
Good networking
opportunities and a good understanding of the broad aims;
• Successful involvement of a wider partnership;
• Identification of projects and delivery where the project brief
is clear;
• Proactive awareness-raising (external/public; internal, particularly
local authorities; good quality seminars)
• TBP recognition through publications/events;
• Linking new sectors and identification of key movers;
• Accessing funding;
• Reacting to pressures and solving problems (but not everywhere).
Areas
in which improvements could be made include:
• A need to address why some partners are no longer fully engaged
(particularly, to discover the reason behind the falling off
of some Non-Government Organisations [NGOs]);
• Identification of where local/national priorities and processes
cause dysfunction;
• Data sharing and the improvement of baseline information;
• Recognition of new opportunities, such as Community Planning;
• A proactive demonstration and promotion of Partnership successes;
• Additional awareness-raising and further engagement of communities
and partners, including NGOs and the Ranger Services;
• Common strategic issues at Tayside Level (geographic and partner);
• The
potential role of TBP in SSSI management (statutory function
could assist liaison/co-operation).
Improvements will be made
over the coming year and links made with reviewing the 1st
Tranche actions to the proposed UK BAP
Review. |
Biodiversity in
a Scottish Context
The year 2004 proved an important
one for the Scottish biodiversity process. The passing of
the Nature Conservation (Scotland)
Act 2004 now places a duty on all public bodies to further
the conservation of biodiversity in the course of their work,
to consider the impact their activities have on biodiversity
and, if possible, to act to benefit wildlife. The Act is the
first concerted basis for an integrated approach to the long-term
conservation and management of Scotland’s biodiversity.
It will provide a more robust system for safeguarding Sites
of Special Scientific Interest and addresses the need for improved
protection of vulnerable wildlife.
In May 2004 the Scottish
Biodiversity Strategy: “It’s
in your Hands” was introduced at a prestigious launch
in Edinburgh. The Tayside Biodiversity Partnership’s
Barn Owl Project was featured as part of the Local Biodiversity
Partnerships’ display. The Strategy’s vision and
objectives will support Scotland’s biodiversity over
the next 25 years. With the enactment of the Nature Conservation
(Scotland) Act 2004, the Strategy has full formal effect and
will support implementation of the new duty.
Funding has always
been a major restraint in encouraging implement of actions.
However, the Scottish
Executive made the first
step in 2004 with the new Biodiversity Action Grant Scheme.
For the next three years, an annual sum of approximately £200,000
is being made available to support both local and national
biodiversity projects. The Broughty Ferry Environmental Project
was one of the first beneficiaries to receive funding for its
innovative Hourglass Project – a community-led project
working towards specific targets in Tayside’s Sand Dune
Habitat Action Plan.
|
MONITORING AND
REPORTING
In the Spring, letters were sent to all 38 Lead Partners,
but only 12 updates were returned. Angus Council was the only
local authority to report back in this instance. It therefore
proved impossible to prepare a statistical report resulting
from the replies. However, with the imminent Biodiversity Action
Recording Scheme (BARS) being introduced by the UK BAP Group,
an autumn monitoring round was not held and future monitoring
will take place via BARS.
|
List
of Lead Partners Undertaking Actions in the 1st Tranche
Biodiversity Action Plan of the Tayside Local Biodiversity
Action Plan
Angling Groups (via SEPA)
Angus Council (inc Ranger Service)
Angus Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG)
Angus and Dundee Tourist Board
Barn Owl Interest Group
Breadalbane Deer Management Group (DMG) – formerly the
West Rannoch DMG and East Glen Lyon DMG
Broughty Ferry Environment Project (BFEP)
Cairngorms National Park (Biodiversity Partnership)
Deer Commission for Scotland
District Salmon Fisheries Board
Dry Stone Walling Association
Dundee City Council (inc Ranger Service)
East Grampian DMG
Farm Business Development Scheme (via SEERAD)
Forestry Commission (inc Forestry Industry Cluster Group)
Ministry of Defence
NFU Scotland
National Trust for Scotland (NTS)
Perth and Kinross Council (inc Ranger Service)
Perthshire FWAG
Perthshire Tourist Board
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
Scottish Agricultural College (SAC)
Scottish and Southern Energy
Scottish Enterprise Tayside
Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA)
Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD)
Scottish Golf Environment Group
Scottish Native Woods
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)
Scottish Rural Property and Business Association
Scottish Water
Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT)
Tay Estuary Forum
Tayside Biodiversity Partnership
West Grampian DMG
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
|
TAKING
ACTION FOR BIODIVERSITY – HABITAT
REVIEW
Since 2002 the Partnership has been working towards achieving
targets in the 18 published Habitat Action Plans (HAPs), as
well as linking in to UKBAP targets where appropriate.
Six Habitat
sub-groups are still overseeing the actions and discussing projects.
They are meeting less often and, in some
cases, smaller working groups are set up to take a particular
subject forward. The Education sub-group meets regularly and
has proved to be a useful networking group. The Barn Owl Interest
Group continues to put its pilot projects into place, and the
Swift Interest Group now includes a diverse membership of local
authority staff, individual naturalists and professionals such
as architects and planners.
Progress during 2004-05 is highlighted
below under each of the habitat sections, together with a
brief forward look to
projects being proposed in 2005/06. Further updates are given
under the individual Partners’ reports.
|
Coasts and Estuaries
•
Estuaries
•
Maritime Cliffs and Slopes
•
Sand Dunes
Several key members of the sub-group departed during
the year, so no meetings were held. However, two conservation
projects
are under way at Barry Buddon, one of Tayside's most important
coastal sites. On Barry Links a small herd or "fold" of
highland cattle is helping maintain and enhance the site's
botanical interest by breaking up coarse grass and scrub.
The
Barry Buddon Conservation Group, together with the Ministry
of Defence, SNH, RSPB and the Angus Ranger Service, are promoting
responsible public access to the site as well as environmental
management planning.
Efforts are continuing to attract breeding
terns back to Barry. Few if any terns now breed in Tayside and
success at Barry
would a real conservation coup. Other tern colonies that may
be re-established are at Montrose Basin and Dun’s Dish.
The
Dundee Conservation Volunteers have continued their positive
management work on the greater yellow rattle colony at Easthaven.
The
Angus Ranger Service produced a number of site-specific leaflets
and raised awareness of biodiversity and access issues
at sites such as Seaton Cliffs, the Elliot Trail and St. Vigeans
Nature Trail, Arbroath.
Action for 2005
The Firth of Tay holds the largest reedbed in
Britain and this supports some rare and distinctive bird species
such as
marsh harrier and the UK’s largest colony of bearded
tit. The RSPB has recently acquired control over part of the
reedbeds and is preparing plans for their positive conservation
management.
|
Farmland
•
Calcareous and Base-Rich Grassland
•
Farm Buildings
•
Hedgerows and Treelines
•
Stone Dykes
•
Wet Grassland
The Angus Ranger Service continued searching for
the Small Blue Butterfly on the Friockheim disused railway line.
This
survey will ascertain if the species is still present at inland
sites; survey work with Butterfly Conservation will continue
into 2005.
In the meantime, both Crombie and Monikie Country
Parks run their own butterfly surveys, reporting their findings
back
to Butterfly Conservation. At Monikie, moth recording to study
habitat decline and climate change also takes place in association
with the Plant and Invertebrate Ecology Division of the Rothampsted
Research Centre.
Farmland Bird Lifeline - FWAG and the SAC have
worked with the RSPB in Angus to involve three farmers in the
project.
This will continue into 2005.
The Biodiversity Co-ordinator
attended a workshop on “Local
Action for Grasslands in the UK” held by the UK Lowland
Grassland Habitat Action Plan Group. The main aim of the workshop
was to promote links between local and national groups. Innovative
methods of knowledge transfer and project implementation were
discussed, as well as studying how best to integrate local
and UK action in order to achieve grassland HAP targets at
the landscape scale. Excellent contacts were made and Tayside
will begin awareness-raising with a number of “Field
Days” events in 2005.
A well-attended hedge course was
held in December by Perthshire FWAG which offered training
to farmers and landowners about
the best methods for planting and managing hedgerows.
Tayside Barn Owl Project
Until recently,
Angus had not been thought of as a particular stronghold for Barn
Owls. However, findings from the Tayside
Barn Owl Survey are challenging this assumption – there
have been thirteen reports passed to FWAG from the Brechin/Airlie
area, eight in the Montrose/ Lunan Bay area and a number of
scattered records from the middle of the county, several from
the Forfar area (including a second winter male killed on the
A90 at the top end of Forfar Loch). As is the case elsewhere,
several of the birds were discovered dead by the side of the
road, but there are reports of them living in barns up into
the Angus Glens, as well as in the more lowland areas. Sightings
in Perthshire still seem to centre around the Tay corridor,
supporting the decision to concentrate the Perthshire part
on the Barn Owl project in that area.
Funding for a Tayside-wide project from Scottish Natural Heritage
has enabled advice to be given in pilot areas such as north of
the River Tay and in Angus. The project is helping deliver actions
in Tayside’s “Farm Buildings” Action Plan.
In
Perthshire, SAC carried out ten visits along the River Tay corridor
and provided the farmers/landowners with Barn
Owl Management reports and also gave Barn owl boxes, purchased
through the project, to the farms to erect. As well as the
SNH support for this part of the project, there was a donation
from C R Smith towards the manufacture of boxes.
In Angus, the
Cairngorms National Park Authority also granted funds to the
Angus Glens Barn Owl Project which SNH and Angus
Council are supporting. The funding allowed Angus FWAG to undertake
ten farm visits, each followed by a Barn Owl Management Report,
and followed by the provision of a nestbox, some of which are
still being made. Farmers and landowners involved in the project
are helping site the nest boxes. The bird is legally protected
so if a box comes into use, licensed ringers from the Tay Ringing
Group will inspect the boxes and ring any chicks.
Kinnordy Sawmill
donated timber for nestboxes, and volunteers have come forward
to help make them. Rossie Secure Accommodation,
the Crombie Country Park NATS and WATCH Groups, RSPB volunteers
at Kinnordy Loch, 2nd Montrose Scouts and Kirriemuir Boys Brigade
have all offered their help in making boxes, whilst the Dundee
Bird Group offered help in siting them. Mr and Mrs Finlay of
Kirriemuir, who have previously been involved with the Forfar
Eco Team, have collected some of the wood and have undertaken
to make a number of boxes. Delivery to the rest of the volunteers
will be arranged in April. Nestboxes have gone up at Glamis
and Glen Lethnot so far. The Angus FWAG Adviser also got many
of the 27 farmers she helped to complete Rural Stewardship
Scheme (RSS) applications to put up at least one Barn Owl box
through the RSS, as did the Fife & Kinross FWAG Adviser
in her part of Tayside.
Posters about the project were on display
at the high-profile launch of the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy
in Edinburgh.
Additional publicity was achieved with an article in UK Biodiversity
News. A display about the project was included on the FWAG
stands at the Angus and Kirriemuir Agricultural Shows, as well
as at the Scottish Countryside Festival. Barn Owls were also
the subject of an interview of the Angus FWAG Adviser for the
BBC’s “Castle in the Country Series” shown
on BBC in the Spring.
Action for 2005
New Sub-Group members are revitalising projects
and ensuring completion of further action Plans. During 2005,
work will
progress on the Arable Weeds Species Action Plan, the Cropped
Areas Habitat Action Plan and the Cereal Field Margins Habitat
Action Plan, all of which have been drafted. Several projects
are being discussed as part of the Action Schedules.
As part
of the summer ‘Tayside Field Days’ events,
a Wildflower Meadow Creation event at Scotia Seeds, Brechin,
is planned by Angus FWAG, and there will be a Perthshire Field
Discussion Day, with a tour being undertaken of a number of
species-rich grasslands.
Angus FWAG has drafted a Farmland Priority
Species Advice Note which gives brief details about the 15 species
included
in the RSS “List of 30” used to gain points for
LBAP species and habitats. The list is specific to each LBAP
region so that both UKBAP and LBAP species will benefit from
the proposed management being undertaken through RSS applications.
The Advice Note will be available for Partners to use from
mid-2005.
|
Upland
•
Montane
•
Upland Heath
In September, Upland sub-group members met with Cairngorms
National Park and Biodiversity Partners. A morning meeting
was followed by a tour of the demonstration moorland site at
Glen Prosen which included discussion on recreational access
and the control of grazing for increased biodiversity.
During
the autumn the Upland sub-group leader, Dr Martin Price, became
Chair of the Tayside Biodiversity Partnership.
Although the Director of Kindrogan Field Centre indicated
an interest in taking on the Upland sub-group leader’s
role, he moved on from the Field Centre and the post has
remained vacant for part of the year.
Operation Country Watch – the RSPB’s
project in Perthshire is encouraging a partnership between
gamekeepers,
schools and the RSPB to study moorland ecology within the curriculum
(both the Upland sub-group and Education sub-group members
are likely to get involved in 2005).
The Forest of Clunie is
now in a Natural Care scheme, the first in Scotland. Nine agreements
are in place and a further
11 are being developed. Ultimately these twenty agreements
would cover 85% of the area. Actions underway include muirburn,
stock reduction, bracken control, deer management, and vermin
control.
In the Angus Glens at Caenlochan, the Angus Ranger
Service continued to ring birds and survey raptors, ravens and
dippers.
As reported in last year’s Annual Report, many of the
issues listed within the Tayside Biodiversity Action Plan are
Scotland-wide ones, so national links are being made with the
Scottish Biodiversity Forum’s Rural Land Use Working
Group and Scotland’s Moorland Forum.
Action for 2005
A Cairngorms Water Vole Project is proposed for
2005 which will take in the Angus Glens. Currently being developed
by Aberdeen
University and the Game Conservancy Trust with many other interested
parties, the project would involve the removal of non-native
American Mink from the uplands, which in turn may help secure
the future of water vole populations (the UK’s fastest
declining mammal).
Grampian FWAG is proposing a Black Grouse Project
which will include Highland Perthshire and Angus.
A violet oil beetle (which parasitizes solitary bees) was
found in upland Angus. Nationally, Bug Life is considering
a project
on oil beetles in which Tayside now may be able to have some
input.
An Awareness Day for upland managers, perhaps led by the
Scottish Montane Scrub Action Group, is being discussed jointly
between
the Tayside and Cairngorms Biodiversity Partnership.
|
Urban and Built
Environment
•
Built and Developed Environment
•
Businesses with Land
•
Golf Courses
The Dundee Red Squirrel Project – the consultation stage
of the draft strategy was completed and approved in November.
Sustain Dundee agreed to source £56,000 funds for project.
A CD Rom for school use was prepared and surveys continued.
The
Dundee Red Squirrel Group is working with the Council’s
Planning and Transportation Department and the developer of
Liff Hospital Grounds (through a Section 75 Agreement) to ensure
that the wooded nature of the development is retained and the
Red Squirrel population protected and enhanced. A number of
other local partners (including Downfield Golf Course and Ninewells
Hospital) are now controlling grey squirrels to protect the
population of Red Squirrels in the west of the city. The Project
is also working with Dundee University and the Botanic Gardens
to further the understanding of the squirrel populations.
The
Angus FWAG Adviser had an opportunity to be involved in a feature
on Red Squirrels for BBC2’s Castle in the Country
series - although much of the relevant information on disease
and control of grey squirrels was omitted in the final cut.
Swift
Survey – The Dundee Ranger Service involved twenty
local people in swift surveys. Further details are on page
25. The Angus Ranger Service’s Swift Nesting Project
is aiming to locate all current swift nesting buildings so
that the Council’s Planning, Property and Housing Departments
know of the birds’ presence with regard to future structural
works.
During the year, the Angus Ranger Service worked with
SNH, the Bat Conservation Trust and the local Dundee and Angus
Bat
Group to map feeding areas of Daubentons and Pipistrelles at
key sites throughout the area. Events were also held to raise
awareness about bats and habitat loss.
Invasive Species Project
- during the summer a survey along the Dighty Burn was carried
out by the Angus Ranger Service
and a volunteer from Broughty Ferry Environmental Project.
The comprehensive survey – the first of its kind to be
done for over a decade – included maps and photographs.
The information was incorporated into the BFEP’s ZOOM
display see page 16. A literature search is still ongoing.
Meetings with the relevant partner organisations are planned
to gauge costs and a Management Strategy will now be drafted.
Sheltered
Housing Biodiversity Project
Angus Council’s pilot project – the three-year
project was started when the “Hospitals, Sheltered Housing & Residential
Complexes” Action Plan was still in draft form for the
Tayside Biodiversity Action Plan. Over the past two years,
the Angus Ranger Service has been
instrumental in siting bird tables and bird feeders in eleven sheltered
housing complexes in Arbroath, Montrose, Brechin, Forfar, Letham,
Monifieth and Kirriemuir. This action was supported by introductory
talks, advice on plants to attract wildlife, and the provision
of bird identification charts, bird tables, birdseed and three
pairs of binoculars per site, all of which was generously funded
by
Scottish Natural Heritage.
The project has been very positively received and has
featured in one of the residents’ internal newsletters. As
well as having benefits to wildlife, the project encouraged a partnership
approach that included involvement from
the Scouts and Guides. It has enhanced the quality of service to a specific
age group, stimulating the residents of these sheltered housing and residential
complexes.
During 2004 the venture was featured in the Scottish Executive’s publication: “Best
Value and Biodiversity in Scotland – a Handbook of Good Practice for
Public Bodies”. It will also be included as a case study in Tayside’s ‘Hospitals,
Sheltered Housing & Residential Complexes Action Plan’. In the coming
year, another five sheltered housing complexes will receive a similar package.
It is hoped more nursing homes and sheltered housing complexes throughout Tayside
will be encouraged to get involved in similar projects.
Action for 2005
Dighty Invasive Species Project – it
is proposed that a joint Management Plan is drawn up between Angus Council
and Dundee City Council in partnership
with a number of local groups, SEPA and Scottish Natural Heritage.
Osprey
Platform – subject to funding, it is planned to erect an osprey
platform at Forfar Loch.
Orchar Park – plans are afoot to create a wildlife/community orchard
in Orchar Park. The John Muir Award’s ‘Young Explorers’ group
have already surveyed the local area for local varieties of fruit tree, drawn
up plans for the design of an entrance to the park on Panmure Street and spoken
about the project to local people. The Nature Nutters session in October coincided
with Apple Day so apple bobbing, apple prints and longest peel competitions
were held. The children also studied a map of star constellations to see if
it would be possible to plant the trees in the shape of the constellation Hercules
(the carrier of the golden apples).
There is also a possibility of working with
local artists. It is hoped that, in addition to working with young people who
have learning difficulties, this
project will appeal to a wider range of young people attending the school.
Biodiver-city – the
Dundee Partnership for the Environment is currently implementing a project
which will interpret the rich biodiversity of the Tay
to city residents and visitors. Several locations have been chosen where wildlife
is easily seen, for example, Seals at the Rail Bridge. Innovative interpretation
installations will be commissioned along the Tay to Broughty Ferry; a number
of funding bids have already been successful.
Green Graveyard Initiative - A
project which builds on survey work carried out by Angus Countryside Rangers
will be implemented across Tayside. |
Water and Wetlands
•
Mesotrophic Lochs
•
Rivers and Burns
•
Standing Open Water
Salmon in the Classroom - from a successful
initiative set up in Dumfries and Galloway during the 1990s -
the ‘Salmon
in the Classroom Project’ - a pilot project was launched
in Angus during 2004. The Angus Ranger Service visited three
primary schools: Stracathro, Glenisla and South Esk. The original
project centred on the salmon, concentrating on its life cycle
and economic importance and involving three visits to each
participating school. With the Angus project, the remit was
broadened to encompass the river as a whole - topics included
geology, river forms, water cycle, pollution and predation.
The social and economic benefits to the local communities were
also stressed. This increased the number of visits to each
school to six.
Each of the schools involved was given a tank
containing salmon eggs which they monitored until they hatched
and were ready
to return to a river system. The eggs were kindly supplied
by the Esk District Salmon Fisheries Board. Trips were also
arranged for the children involved to return the eggs to a
river and to watch electro-fishing take place. Undoubtedly
the highlight of the project was the schools’ visits
to the Tay Salmon Fisheries and the Fisheries Research Facilities
at Almondbank.
The Lunan Lochs Project
The five lochs of Craiglush, Lowes, Butterstone, Clunie and
Marlee in north east Perthshire are collectively known as The
Lunan Lochs. This important area is home to habitats of international
importance: shallow clearwater lochs and quaking bog, plus
UKBAP species such as Otter and the aquatic plant Slender naiad.
The lochs are Sites of Special Scientific Interest and have
been identified as being of European importance, forming one
of 239 sites in Scotland put forward as a candidate Special
Area of Conservation (cSAC). The species and habitats of the
lochs are, however, under threat from nutrient enrichment in
the form of phosphate (from soil erosion, animal and human
waste); the alkalinity of the water changes when algal blooms
block out sunlight.
Following farm pollution audits within the
catchment by Scottish Natural Heritage in 2003, a range of
opportunities was highlighted
to reduce soil erosion and nutrient enrichment through changes
to stock management, fertiliser application and cropping patterns.
A partnership was formed consisting of SNH, the Scottish Environment
Protection Agency, Macaulay Institute and Scottish Agricultural
College. During 2004 the partners collected and reviewed data
on phosphorus inputs to the Lunan Lochs, and computer models
were used to assess the diffuse phosphorus inputs from the
surrounding catchment.
Several sources of phosphorus were identified
- land-use/diffuse inputs, domestic septic tanks, fish cages,
hotels and caravan
sites. The largest source was found to be diffuse inputs resulting
from the surrounding land-use, so SNH put into place a Natural
Care Scheme to help improve the water quality of the Lunan
Lochs. The scheme is now working with local land managers to
promote ‘best management practices’ and provide
money and advice for good management.
To raise awareness of
conservation and to provide additional nesting sites, a sand
martin barrel was constructed at Monikie
Country Park; there are now several of these barrels in Angus,
including a new one at Aggregate Industry’s Edzell quarry.
Action
for 2005
At Forfar Loch, a public awareness campaign – the “Watersense
Project” – will get underway in 2005. The scheme
links domestic phosphate usage to biodiversity and is being
led by WWF Scotland (funded by HSBC), SEPA, the Scottish Executive
and Scottish Water. The Angus Ranger Service will be involved
with the education side of the campaign.
The Salmon in the Classroom
Project will be expanded within Tayside. As part of a larger
project in Scotland, Scottish
Natural Heritage has appointed a project officer to oversee
and co-ordinate events, as well as providing funding for the
school trips. The project officer will be involved with schools
in Angus and Perthshire. Eggs for some of the schools have
been obtained from the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board,
which will have a substantial input to the Almondbank hatchery
visit. Three primary schools in Angus will again take part,
namely Lethnot, Tarfside and Muirfield Schools.
Pitlochry Lade – working with a local community group,
species and habitat surveys are planned on mill ponds and the
historic lade that runs from the village of Moulin through
Pitlochry to the Tay with a view to enhancing the area’s
biodiversity.
Invasive Species – the SEPA guidance leaflet 'Managing
Aquatic and Waterside Plants' is planned for publication in
2005 and will provide general guidance on the factors which
should be considered by anyone contemplating any form of plant
control. It will provide options for consideration; detail
whom to consult under various circumstances and where to obtain
more detailed information and guidance; and describe the legal
responsibilities of different control options. Pilot projects
across Tayside are currently being considered - the first on
the Dighty Burn(Dundee and Angus) is already in hand - see
the Urban section for an update.
Riparian Engineering
Seminar – planned for the autumn,
the seminar will be for anyone undertaking river works, particularly
local authority Planning and Roads Departments, as well as
Fisheries Groups. Case Studies from fisheries and councils
will be highlighted, together with information on the incoming
legislation and licensing changes. |
Woodland
•
Native Pinewoods
•
Upland Oakwoods
In June, a Small Cow-Wheat Training session was
held by the SWT at the Birks of Aberfeldy. A number of Partnership
members
attended.
During July, twenty members of the sub-group and guests
met at Glen Lednock (Comrie). The focus of the day was the restoration
of Plantations on Ancient Woodland sites under the umbrella
of the LIFE - funded Core Forest Sites project. Three key areas
were explored:
• The Comrie Millennium Footpath
• The restoration of Ancient Woodland Sites by removal of conifer
• Management
of mixed broadleaf woodland and recreation on Ancient Woodland
Sites.
This event was perhaps unique in that all the land managers
were actively carrying out works on their land. This allowed
for discussions on what had been achieved and what the next
stages were, rather than using the sites to discuss what could
be done if the landowners were willing. One of the key elements
linking the sites was public involvement. All three areas have
well - used footpaths which might have caused problems if both
planning and implementation had not been handled correctly.
Publicity and meetings informed the public, and opinions and
perceptions taken on board. No frustrations or confrontations
were therefore encountered.
A number of TBP Partners have acted
as consultee on the Beauly to Denny replacement powerline. Advice
on the impact on woodland
throughout this area continues and, through active involvement,
the direct loss of woodland habitat resulting from the new
corridor has been significantly reduced. Proposals for the
management of the redundant corridor will give rise to a net
gain in woodland cover. Consultation documents for the powerline
will be available from April 2005.
In addition, windpower continues
to be an issue and many Partners are being consulted over numerous
schemes in Tayside.
Progress with the woodlands in Tayside covered
by LIFE funding continues, and significant changes are now apparent.
In particular,
Craighall Gorge has been opened up from the A93 across the
river, mainly by removal of exotics, giving the native regeneration
more light to grow; the results so far are very good. The LIFE
funding continues until 2006, by which time over £250,000
of grant aid will have been spent on the Core Forest Sites
in Tayside (Craighall Gorge; Keltneyburn; Shingle Islands;
Comrie and Crieff Oakwoods – involving 17 different ownerships).
Work
was completed on a spruce plantation in Glen Clova to remove
trees from the banks of the Esk to help improve water
quality in an important area for salmon spawning.
Much woodland
work has additionally been carried out by Dundee City and Perth
and Kinross Councils.
The Forestry Commission’s wood chip
trial for bedding lambs has been completed and a report
produced.
Tensions between the Rural Stewardship Scheme and the
Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme continue, but a healthy debate
on the
way forward to resolve these is ongoing. The key issue is that
SEERAD policy does not allow other grant aid to take place
in woodlands where they are paying for Livestock exclusion.
This therefore means that essential woodland management is
not taking place.
Further work to refine Forest Habitat Networks
is taking place. There may be links with the draft Red Squirrel
Action Plan
as landscape-wide issues need to be discussed for the species’ future
in the area. In the meantime, the Perth and Kinross Squirrel
Group has been revived and members are now undertaking a number
of transects to update their survey records. In Glen Doll forest
and Crombie Country Park, the Angus Ranger Service is collecting
Red Squirrel records. All information is passed on to the Scottish
Red Squirrel Co-ordinator. The successful Dundee Red Squirrel
Project is reported on under the “Urban” section
on page 9. In addition, to update records, the Highland Red
Squirrel Group launched a Great Red Squirrel Hunt in the Cairngorms.
There is interest in widening this into Highland Perthshire
and discussions are underway as to how best limit the expansion
of grey squirrels north of Dunkeld.
Black Grouse habitat improvement
continues and some areas have shown tremendous success whilst
others are still in decline.
Declining quality of habitat within enclosed woodland is resulting
in less holding capacity for birds. Changes to the SFGS have
recognised this and will be implemented.
Strathmartine Park
Community Wood - with an Angus Council forester, eleven volunteers
from SNAG (Strathmartine Nature
Action Group), the local Community Council, and Strathmartine
Primary School were all involved in planting the first 126
Alder and Willow trees with vole guards in March 2005. Strathmartine
Park used to be a near treeless public park with only a football
pitch and small play area, and very little of wildlife value.
SNAG contacted Angus Council three years ago and together designed
a 0.5ha Red Squirrel friendly Community Woodland park, retaining
all the original park features intact. The 30% Scots pine woodland
will have its planting of 1250 trees and shrubs completed in
April by Angus Council Leisure Services staff. Further wild
flower planting and wetland area creation is planned once the
trees are established.
Capercaillie Workshop
A workshop was held at Birnam in August 2004 to discuss
capercaillie conservation in the Angus, Perth and Loch Lomond
National Park
area.
A national survey in winter of 2003/04 found only three
birds in 157 2km transects in Angus, Perth and Loch Lomond National
Park (LLNP) area. Particular emphasis was given to the current
low numbers and dispersed nature of the Angus, Perth and LLNP
metapopulation, which is likely to present special problems
in any recovery effort. Remaining core populations are confined
to parts of northern, upland Perthshire and the LLNP islands.
The situation in Strathearn seems to be especially critical
at the moment, with very few birds left, at widely scattered
sites. Habitat fragmentation appears to be a major factor,
although there is a connected woodland network with a variety
of forest structures and species types.
It was agreed that a
Capercaillie Conservation Plan would be completed in 2004,
followed by a distribution survey and
audit of key sites by spring of 2006. Forest plans for FCS’s
own forests to include measures for capercaillie started in
2004 with Errochty and Craigvinean. A Newsletter will be distributed
to highlight the various actions being taken to enhance capercaillie
status and woodland management workshops held in the area.
The
remnant Perthshire population is significant in genetic terms
as the Scottish population has less genetic diversity
than populations in mainland Europe. It is important that the
six sub-populations in Scotland are linked in order that gene
flow is increased and maintained.
Since there is some suggestion
that the ecology of capercaillie broods in Perthshire may differ
from the accepted norm of blaeberry-rich
woodland, an attempt should be made to identify the precise
areas used by broods in Perthshire. It appears that bogs and
flushes may be more important than the classic carpet of blaeberry
in many woods here.
Action for 2005
For the foreseeable future, a reactive approach
to HAPs will have to continue until other staff resources can
be made available.
Juniper wood restoration plans have been drawn
up for a key Juniper wood SSSI. A “Juniper Day” is planned during
the summer of 2005 to bring together Woodland sub-group members,
woodland owners and guests to discuss the various management
options for a number of woods in Highland Perthshire and the
current research available to support these. There are plans
to contribute to Plantlife International’s general juniper
survey. Moreover, the Scottish Executive has included Tayside
Juniper woods in their 2005 calendar.
Forest Research is conducting
a long-term trial on the suitability and timing of various
grazing regimes within Juniper woodlands
to encourage regeneration. Perthshire is the only area in the
UK to support this trial, and with the support of SNH and FC(S)
the long-term viability of these important habitats will be
secured.
Three new grants for Woodland Management on Farms,
announced in early 2005, will include Livestock Grazing in Woods;
Capital
Investment in Small-scale Processing and Finishing of Timber;
and Capital Investment in the Wood Fuel Supply Chain. Related
to this are changes regarding funds available to farmers taking
land out of agricultural production.
There is to be a Tayside
Red Squirrel Newsletter – due
for publication in the summer - which will bring together all
those working together for the species and will highlight projects
and surveys in which local communities can contribute.
There
are proposals to launch a Veteran Tree Initiative in Highland
Perthshire and then extend it Tayside-wide once resource
implications are fully realised. The intention would be to
target key areas such as rural schools and town trees.
The Big
Tree Country Project has been awarded a grant of £526,000
from the Heritage Lottery Fund (which represents a 31.6% HLF
contribution towards the costs). Project planning started late
2004 with work being implemented on the majority of the key
sites by Autumn 2005. |
LEARNING
ABOUT BIODIVERSITY
Membership of the Education sub-group
continues to increase
and now includes representatives from all the local authorities,
Angus and Perth & Kinross Countryside Initiatives, the
RSPB, Grounds for Learning, the Dundee Botanic Gardens, Broughty
Ferry Environmental Project, the John Muir Trust and the Forestry
Commission’s Forest Education Initiative.
Once again, the Partnership played a major part in the
National Backyard Biodiversity Day over Midsummer. PKC Ranger
Service
joined NTS, SWT and Atholl Ranger Services in a 2nd School
Biodiversity event with 300 children from Perth and Kinross
taking part in a one-day event at Battleby. Angus Ranger Service
also publicised the Day and encouraged use of the Local Patch
survey forms.
Harris Moore Award (PKC) - the Biodiversity Co-ordinator
was again part of the judging panel which led to closer contact
with some schools and specific projects being discussed amongst
Partners. Using Perth & Kinross’ Environmental Award
for Schools as an example, the possibility of setting up a
similar scheme in Angus and Dundee from 2006 is currently being
explored.
BFEP continued its Swift & Swallow Survey, as did the
Dundee Ranger Service. It also launched its “Zoom Project – Taking
a Closer Look at Nature”. This was a community project
focussed on Douglas, Whitfield and Broughty Ferry. It encouraged
a closer look at the natural world. SNH funding enabled a number
of innovative Survey Packs to be given away. Together with
a themed survey recording sheet, different packs contained
free magnifying glasses to look at lichens, a bee identification
chart with a jar of honey, or bird feeders and seed. The Dundee
Ranger Service will be widening the project in 2005.
The Tayside
Local Patch Project (Wildlife on your Doorstep) completed its
third year and will be available on the new Biodiversity
website. Although fewer survey forms were returned in 2004,
there is still wide interest in the idea and it certainly engages
the public in urban biodiversity recording. Once the results
have been analysed further project possibilities will be considered.
Angus
Trees for Wildlife (National Tree Week 2004 Project) - during
the winter at least 240 Angus school pupils from 15
schools - aged between 7 and 15 including ‘special needs’ pupils
- worked with the Woodland Officer and Angus Ranger Service
to plant their share of 660 rowan, hawthorn, birch, whitebeam
and hazel trees in their school grounds (15 schools were involved).
Funding was provided by the Forestry Commission and the Angus
Millennium Forest which provided spades and planting bags.
Two schools planted juniper in their grounds and were encouraged
to take part in the new Plantlife Juniper Survey to learn how
important the species is in Scotland. All pupils had the opportunity
of exploring the important interaction between trees and species
dependent on them.
In Angus, the Ranger Service held 52 events
attracting 500 participants; themes included ‘Creatures of the Night’, ‘Bats’, ‘Dragonflies
and Damselflies’ and ‘Butterflies’. Environmental
field work visits involved 133 school groups who took part
in pond dipping, minibeast hunts, etc. and as a result of the
field work, 123 visits to schools were made. A number of school
grounds projects also got underway with bird feeders and bird
tables being made and erected.
The Partnership’s display
boards and biodiversity information were featured in the box
office of the Angus Glens Walking
Festival. The Angus and Dundee Tourist Board, Scottish Enterprise
Tayside, Angus Rural Partnership and the Countryside Rangers
were all involved - twenty two walks were made available over
four days and once again the event proved highly successful.
The events promoted biodiversity, responsible access and healthy
lifestyles.
RHET Angus Countryside Initiative
Since its inception
nearly four years ago, RHET Angus Countryside Initiative (RHET
ACI) has welcomed some 1,500 schoolchildren
onto local farms. Many of these visits form part of “food
and farming” study projects, but once onto the farms
pupils also learn about biodiversity, weather, soils, biology,
geography, safety, and local history.
RHET ACI is one of ten
Countryside Initiatives in Scotland. They are all registered
companies and charities. All of the
farmer visits (both into schools and onto farms) are done on
a voluntary basis. There are twelve risk-assessed farms in
Angus which take classes in a safe and well-informed environment;
over half of these farms are also involved in the Scottish
Executive’s agri-environment schemes.
To many youngsters,
the rural environment is often strange and sometimes frightening.
Some of the farmer hosts are teachers
themselves, but all are developing skills in communicating
what is happening on farms and in the countryside. RHET ACI
works in partnership with a number of organisations at local
agricultural shows, school science and environment festivals
and also SafeTaysiders. The Angus Council Ranger Service is
RHET ACI’s partner organisation at SafeTaysiders and
farmers, together with the Rangers, highlight to P6/7 pupils
some of the problems they might encounter in the countryside
and how to react to them.
The Outdoor Access Code also stresses ‘responsible access’ and
the Scottish Executive includes ‘responsible citizenship’ amongst
its ideals. By giving children the opportunity to understand
rural life and the wonderful diversity of such a county as
Angus, RHET ACI is helping fulfil these aims.
Action for 2005
An Angus-wide schools and trees project
will be discussed amongst the Partnership.
Pupils taking part
in the Angus Trees for Wildlife Project will be encouraged to
join in the 2005 Backyard Biodiversity
Day celebrations focussing on their new trees.
Members of the
Education sub-group will be contributing towards a Tayside Schools
Calendar planned for publication at the beginning
of the next school year.
Lichen identification courses – Linking
to the Green Graveyard Initiative (Urban sub-group) and the
BFEP Zoom Project,
at least one training course will be held in Tayside to raise
awareness of churchyard lichens.
The draft Schools, Colleges
and Universities Ground Action Plan will be finalised - Perth
College has been leading on
this.
A Town Swift Survey will be carried out in the summer
in as many Tayside towns as possible so as to plot colonies of
swifts.
The information will be used to help planners and developers
know where swifts are most vulnerable.
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