Stone Dykes ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT The majority of dykes are left unmanaged and any reconstruction of dykes is normally carried out with grant aid from an agri-environment scheme. A large amount of dyke restoration has been carried out as part of the Breadalbane Environmentally Sensitive Area Scheme. CURRENT FACTORS CAUSING LOSS OR DECLINE Fences have, in most cases, replaced dykes as effective stock-proof barriers. Farm and estate sizes have grown with livestock utilising wider tracts of hill ground. There has been a decline in the number of people with the necessary skills required for dyke restoration work. Cost and time requirements mean dyke restoration is no longer viable without grant aid. Removal of dyke material for other uses and sale to garden centres.
MAIN THREATS TO KEY SPECIES Wheatear Loss of nest sites UK Importance of Tayside population: small Spleenwort Removal of habitat Pollution Climate change UK Importance of Tayside population: small OPPORTUNITIES AND CURRENT ACTION Agri-Environment Schemes Any farm or estate currently entered into an agri-environment scheme (CPS, RSS or ESA) has the dykes on the holding identified in the conservation audit. These dykes are protected under the conditions of the scheme and cannot be removed. Grants are available under the current agri-environment scheme to fund dyke restoration work. Advice FWAG and SAC employ advisers who can provide farmers with advice on grants available for dyke restoration. Some of this advice is available free of charge to the farmer. Case Study Dry Stone Walling Association The DSWA is a charitable organisation committed to promote and preserve the art of dry stone walling throughout the UK. The Association has 20 branches nationally, of which five cover Scotland. The Central Scotland Group takes in part of Tayside and consists of 60 members, including both professional and amateur wall builders. The group’s main remit is to train new members in the art of dry stone walling, whilst more advanced classes are held for old hands at which members can learn the art of building on steep slopes and that of artistic dry stone walling. The organisation is involved in local community and conservation projects and works closely with the National Trust for Scotland and Scottish National Heritage. Recent work includes mending walls at Barrie’s Birthplace in Kirriemuir, making raised flowerbeds in Blairgowrie and constructing a conservation enclosure at Blair Atholl. OBJECTIVES AND TARGETS Objectives Targets 1 Prevent further decline in the length and quality of dykes in Tayside. No decline in length and quality of dykes after 2010. 2 Identify the true extent and quality of dykes in Tayside. Identify by 2005. 3 Promote the importance of dykes in terms of biodiversity, shelter and stockproofing.   4 Ensure dykes are protected from further destruction and removal. Prevent further removal and destruction of dykes by 2010. 5 Encourage uptake of agri-environment schemes to ensure the restoration of dykes. Ensure that 50% of farms with dykes in Tayside are entered into an agri-environment scheme using the dyke restoration grant by 2010. Stakeholders Landowners, farmers, land managers and advisors, DSWA, government bodies, conservation volunteer groups, general public. Stone Dykes - F4 PAGE 1 Stone Dykes - F4 PAGE 2 Stone Dykes - F4 PAGE 3
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