Welcome
Welcome to the 1st issue of the Tayside Biodiversity, published in time
for the launch of the new website. There is so much going on in the area
that it is difficult to know where to start. However, Scottish Biodiversity
Week takes place between 21 and 29 May with Backyard Biodiversity Day following
on 12 June. Further details of events taking place in Tayside are available
from Scottish Biodiversity Week Listings.
We hope you will enjoy reading this update. If you know of a biodiversity
project that could be mentioned in the next issue, please let us know. |
In this Issue
• What exactly is Biodiversity?
• What is the Tayside Biodiversity Partnership?
• Biodiversity Projects in Tayside
• Nature Conservation Act (Scotland) 2004
• Scottish Biodiversity Strategy
• Grants News
• Species Updates
• Contact details: let us know what YOU are doing for biodiversity in Tayside |
Introduction
What is Biodiversity
Biodiversity is a fairly new word to our language, but it is becoming more
and more commonly used and understood. It simply signifies the variety
of life on earth in all its shapes and sizes – from the smallest
insect and fungus to the largest mammal or tree. In Scotland alone it is
estimated there is something in the order of 90,0000 species; worldwide
there could be at least 30 million!
This massive variety of life is everywhere, not just in our countryside
and gardens, but also in our towns and cities. It is all encompassing – biodiversity
enriches all our lives, whether it’s a butterfly visiting our garden
or a blackbird heard from an office window. It is important to our health,
in the use of many species in our medicines and for the fact that it encourages
us to take exercise in our surroundings, be it walking or gardening. It
is therapeutic too – it has been found that a view of nature from
a hospital bed speeds up recovery from operations.
Biodiversity contributes to our overall economy by supplying the raw materials
for our clothing, food, drink, fuel, buildings and roads. Tourism based
on wildlife is one of Scotland’s major income-earners. Environment-based
jobs include farming, fishing and services providing water, energy and
building materials.
Tayside is Unique
There is much to be proud of within the 7,500 square kilometres that make
up Tayside. It provides winter quarters for more than half the entire world
population of Pink-footed geese; it houses a third of the UK’s breeding
population of Ospreys; Britain’s most continuous stand of reed beds
plays host to the only breeding site in Scotland of the rare Bearded tit.
The same habitat holds the largest population of Water rail in Britain
and is the national stronghold for breeding Marsh harriers.
We play host to the only UK populations of such wonderfully-named plant
as: |
• Greater yellow rattle – found
on one sand dune site in Angus, it grows nowhere else in Scotland
• Alpine fleabane and Alpine gentian in the internationally significant
arctic-alpine habitats of Perthshire and Angus.
• Blue dew moss and Vauchers feather-moss.
• Hair silk moss and Large yellow feather-moss.
• Our coast supports internationally important groups of dolphins and porpoises;
• The River Tay drains the largest area of any river in Scotland – its
flow is the greatest in Britain.
• Europe’s oldest living thing resides in Perthshire – at between
3,000 and 5,000 years old the Fortingall Yew is surely Tayside’s icon of
biodiversity. |
What is the Tayside
Biodiversity Partnership?
Set up in 1998, with a Co-ordinator being employed from 2000, the Tayside
Local Biodiversity Action Plan was published in 2002. Since then the Partnership
has been busy implementing 400 actions and liaising with as many environmental
organisations and individuals as possible to reach the broad aims of the
Plan:
• To co-ordinate existing actions, as well as initiating new ones;
• to conserve and enhance the region’s biodiversity, taking into
account both local and national biodiversity priorities.
In other words - the Partnership is helping to create, enhance and conserve
habitats throughout Tayside, promote the management of land with wildlife
in mind, and raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity.
The Partnership consists of the three local authorities: Angus, Dundee
City and Perth and Kinross, plus the statutory bodies – Forestry
Commission, Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Natural
Heritage, plus non-governmental organisations such as the Farming and
Wildlife Advisory Group, National Farmers’ Union Scotland, Scottish
Agricultural College, National Trust for Scotland, the Royal Society
for the Protection of Birds, Scottish Wildlife Trust, and the Scottish
Rural Property and Business Association. Many other organisations and
individuals are involved in the habitat and education sub-groups.
It is not just a case of implementing the actions within the Biodiversity
Action Plan though. Much conservation action is being carried out by
local volunteers, and businesses are becoming increasingly interested
in how to play a part in an internationally-important process. With new
legislation in place the public sector is revising its policies and looking
at new ways of managing its land holdings. Specific projects and surveys
are beginning to be undertaken. In the next issue of the Newsletter there
will be more project news items and important information about funding.
|
Biodiversity Projects
Hourglass Project, Broughty Ferry
Last year the new sand martin wall on the dunes was a resounding success
with over 100 birds using it in its first year. The Nature Nutters session
in March involved the group in transplanting more marram grass to stabilise
the dunes near the sand martin wall. The group sowed wildflower seeds and
painted shapes on the banks to identify the nesting holes to assist with
monitoring during the breeding season.
The winter months involved considerable work for the Hourglass Project,
one of the few projects funded by the Scottish Executive’s new Biodiversity
Action Grant Scheme. The Sand Martin Team worked with the Scottish Wildlife
Trust to plan, design and build the second sand martin nesting bank. The
group also worked closely with the coastal protection engineers to ensure
the area behind the coastal protection structure was ready for the planting
of wildflowers as soon as it was completed. There was excellent collaboration
with the coastal protection engineers, and feedback from local people about
the nesting bank was overwhelmingly positive and supportive throughout. |
Zoom into Nature
To link with the Local Patch Project, Broughty Ferry Environmental Project
(BFEP) launched its “Zoom” biodiversity survey in early 2004
with funding of £10,000 from Communities Scotland. Based on the Dighty
Burn, communities were involved in surveying their local patch. A display
was created in the library to encourage local people to put forward ideas
for biodiversity projects and three post-project meetings were held in
the locality to ensure the project was discussed within the communities. |
Dundee’s Red Squirrel
Project
Dundee’s Red Squirrels are important because, as far as is known,
they are the only city population in the UK. But Dundee is also home to
Grey squirrels and the feeding of greys in public and private gardens has
encouraged an increase in their population. This makes it even harder for
the Reds to compete for food, especially in the winter. Many of the City’s
parks and woodlands also consist of mixed and broadleaved trees - feeding
conditions favourable to the Grey Squirrel.
The Red Squirrel is therefore in trouble. Found in isolated woodland pockets – such
as is the nature of a city’s green space– they are very susceptible
to changes within them. They are at risk from domestic cats in the city
and to birds on prey on the city outskirts. Road mortality is common because
busy roads transect many of their remaining habitats. Road signs and rope
bridges across roads have been put up near Camperdown Country Park and
Templeton Woods to help combat this.
The urgent need to discover how many Red Squirrels there are in Dundee
has led to a Red Squirrel Action Group being formed. With the Dundee Countryside
Ranger Service, volunteers have been finding out where the Red Squirrels
are clinging on. Other organisations, including Tayside Police and the
NHS, are also involved via the Dundee Partnership for the Environment.
Staff at Ninewells Hospital are passing on sightings to the Action Group.
One of the most contentious issues- that of controlling the Greys – is
being handled as sensitively as possible. Dundee City Council’s own
Gamekeeper has greatly contributed to the continuing existence of Red Squirrels
in the city. Without regular Grey Squirrel control some parks would now
be exclusively Grey Squirrel areas - this has already been proven in the
city’s Balgay Park where Red Squirrels have become locally extinct.
In conjunction with Dundee CSV Media Action, the Council has produced a
video. Part-funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, it shows what’s
happening in Dundee to protect and enhance our important Red Squirrel population.
An education pack with a CD is next on the cards.
The video and the Dundee Red Squirrel Management Strategy (which highlights
actions for 2005–07), can be viewed on www.dundeecity.gov.uk (Click
on A-Z, then ‘C’ for Countryside Ranger Service). If you would
like to help with surveys or have a query about the project, contact Kate
Farrer at the Ranger Service, Tel. 01382 431848, or e-mail her on: countrysiderangers@dundeecity.gov.uk. |
New Red Squirrel Trail at Blair
Atholl
As many visitors to Highland Perthshire have never seen a red squirrel
before, the Atholl Estates Ranger Service has set up a new Red Squirrel
Trail in the policy woodlands at Blair Castle.
There is now a mile long trail in a woodland teeming with red squirrels.
The squirrels appear to have got used to the large number of people and
dogs in the woods and are relatively easy to see. Two squirrel feeders
provide a focus for ‘squirrel spotters’. A resident in the
nearby caravan park has mentioned that he has heard the squeaky feeder
lid go up and down over a hundred times in one morning! |
Barry Buddon Terns
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. |
|
Orchar Park Orchard, Broughty Ferry
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 last 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 tress in the shape of the constellation Hercules (the carrier
of the golden apples). |
The Small Blue Butterfly
Last summer the Angus Ranger Service began to search for the Small Blue
Butterfly on the Friockheim disused railway line. It is not certain that
this species is still present inland sites; it is still found on the Angus
coast. Survey work with Butterfly Conservation Scotland will continue into
2005. |
| Upland Water Vole Project
It has been discovered that most of Tayside’s water
vole population has taken to the hills. Once thought of as
a lowland species, water vole numbers in Britain have plummeted
over the years to just 2% of their original population.
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.
|
Tayside Swift Survey
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.
Since 2001, the Dundee Swift Project has monitored and recorded the Swift
nesting population in Dundee and Broughty Ferry. From May onwards, volunteers
monitor signs of nesting. At the end of the season, the results are sent
to the Countryside Ranger Service who coordinates the scheme. To date
19 volunteers are involved in the project.
The next stage is to plot on a map the hot spots of Swift nesting activity
in the city. This will allow Dundee City Council to focus on any developments
that may interfere with the Swifts or their ecology and will highlight
where populations are declining. Areas showing little or no Swift activity
will also merit closer scrutiny to ensure there are no Swifts present
rather than being areas with no records. Later, a more in-depth study
will be possible to identify possible causes for any decline, and/or
suggest where more nesting sites are needed.
Various nest-box designs are now available and the Countryside Ranger
Service is working with the Council’s Planning and Transportation
Department to encourage incorporation of nestboxes into the building
programme. Installation of nest-boxes can be at nominal cost to the developer,
yet it ensures they are at the cutting edge of wildlife conservation,
meeting goals set under the Tayside Biodiversity Action Plan. It also
raises awareness of the subject which may help prevent inadvertent obstruction
or destruction of existing nest sites.
The Countryside Rangers are working with Discovery Homes to include nest
boxes at a new development adjacent to Trottick Ponds Local Nature Reserve.
Throughout Tayside various town surveys are going to be held this summer
to find out exactly where the swift colonies are located. This information
will be plotted on maps to show the swift ‘hot spots’ in
the area – this will ultimately help planners and developers to
consider swift nest site conservation or the installation of nest-boxes
in new buildings.
If you would like to take part in the survey, please contact the Biodiversity
Co-ordinator or your local Ranger Service. Only one or two evenings in
July will be needed – a simple walk around town will help locate
where the swift colonies are – that’s all we need to know
for now!
|
Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act
The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 places a duty on all public
bodies and individual office-holders to further the conservation of biodiversity.
In addition the Act requires Scottish Ministers to publish lists of species
and habitats considered to be of principal importance within Scotland.
This will help to identify and target biodiversity priorities specifically
in Scotland, as at present the focus is the UK priority species and habitats
lists identified by the UK Biodiversity Steering Group. |
Scottish Biodiversity Strategy
The Scottish Executive launched the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, entitled ‘Scotland’s
Biodiversity: It’s in Your Hands’ in May 2004. This important
new document sets out a 25 year strategy to conserve and enhance biodiversity
for the health and enjoyment and wellbeing of the people of Scotland. It
presents an ambitious vision for the future, explores Scotland’s
biodiversity and the issues affecting it and sets out objectives for species
and habitats, people, landscapes and ecosystems, integration and co-ordination,
and accessing knowledge.
The Strategy is supported by the newly published Implementation Plans.
These Plans will work to prioritise action and deliver the aims and objectives
set out in the Strategy. They cover Interpretation, Communication and Education,
Urban, Rural, Marine, Local delivery and Crossing Issues. Both the Scottish
Biodiversity Strategy and the Implementation Plans can be accessed in www.scotland.gov.uk/biodiversity. |
Biodiversity Action Grants Scheme
At the launch of the Strategy, the Executive announced a new Biodiversity
Action Grants 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 who received funding for its innovative Hourglass Project – a
community-led project working towards specific targets in Tayside’s
Sand Dune Habitat Action Plan.
More information is available on the Scottish Biodiversity website at www.scotland.gov.uk/biodiversity.
The scheme will run for three years; the application window has closed
for this year, but further information can be obtained on the above website. |
Species Update
Reptiles and Amphibians in Tayside
2004 was initially a bad year for reptiles. No lizards were seen at Lumley
Den until 12th April when one tailless male lizard was seen basking on
a log. There was also new frog spawn in the loch. On 7th June three females
and a juvenile were observed. On 22nd July ten lizards, mostly gravid females,
were seen making the most of the sunshine. Then on 2nd August eight adults
and three newly born lizards were noted – the babies were much smaller
than usual. A month later, on 1st September, eight adults and seven babies
were seen lying in the sun.
No slow-worms were observed, but a female adder was spotted north of Dunkeld
on 29th July. The lonely male frog who visits our tiny pond annually only
stayed there this year for half as long as last year.
It was not only in Tayside that reptile sightings were poor. Checking out
sites for both lizards and adders in May on the Lammermuirs was equally
disappointing.
Frank D Bowles |
Barn Owls in Angus
Angus FWAG, a member of the Biodiversity Partnership’s Barn Owl Interest
Group, is taking forward one of three Barn owl Projects in Tayside. The
Angus Barn Owl Nest Box Project is bringing together a number of community
groups, who are making the boxes, and farmers who will site the boxes on
their land. FWAG is also offering advice to hopefully improve the habitat
on their farms for Barn Owls.
The project is delivering actions identified in Tayside’s “Farm
Buildings” Habitat Action Plan. It is funded by Scottish Natural
Heritage, the Cairngorms Biodiversity Partnership and Angus Council. The
voluntary help is being provided by Rossie School, Kinnordy Saw Mill, Dundee
Bird Group, the Crombie Park NATS and WATCH Groups and the Tay ringing
group. Allan Leitch, the RSPB Ranger at Kinnordy Loch and several RSPB
volunteers have offered invaluable assistance, as have the 2nd Montrose
Scouts and Kirriemuir Boys Brigade.
The project will address the dual problem of a decrease in natural nest
sites and the reduction of suitable foraging habitat. Sites for suitable
nest boxes will be identified on farms known to have barn owls already,
whether the birds are using the vicinity for breeding, roosting or foraging.
If any boxes come into use, monitoring and ringing will be carried out
by the Tayside Ringing Group. It is hoped that by increasing the numbers
of barn owls in the foothills of the Angus Glens, they will spread to where
there is other suitable foraging habitat. Funding permitting, it is hoped
the project can be widened into other areas in Angus. |
And Finally – please
let us know what you’re doing for biodiversity in Tayside.
Please contact:
Catherine Lloyd, Tayside Biodiversity Co-ordinator
Environment Services, Pullar House, 35 Kinnoull Street. Perth. PH1 5GD
Tel: 01738 475273
Email: Tayside.biodiversity@ukf.net |
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