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The Nature of ScotlandScottish Natural Heritage Summer 2010
Gentle giants Discover where basking sharks like to spend their summers
Nature for allIntroducing our wildlife and landscapes to new audiences
Paddle upCanoe through the Great Glen in 2012
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Contents
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Features 8 The great big paddle Scotland’sfirstcanoe trailtakesshape
10 Celebrating 100,000 awards Awardsschemereaches 100,000milestone
14 Simple and easy campaign Newcampaignpromotes natureclosetohome
22 Fun in the sun Celebratingthevarietyoflife
26 Public speaking Whatthepublicthink aboutestates
28 Welcome to Scotland’s nature Revealingtheenvironment toethnicgroups
34 We two are one SNHandDCSjoinforces
50 Scotland’s sea monster Newresearchidentifies baskingshark‘hotspots’
56 Green prescriptions Getoutdoorsifyouwant tofeelbetter
60 Sound judgement Testingthewaterformarine renewablesandwildlife
Regulars2 Where we are SNHcontactdetails
3 Welcome
4 Wild calendar Wheretogoandwhattosee thissummer
16 News
20 Common heritage Linkinglanguageandenvironment
36 Reserve focus DiscoverInshMarshesNNR
42 Area news Reportsfromaroundthecountry
46 Events diary Guidetowhat’son
49 Inspired by nature Showandtell –what’sinspiredyou?
58 Kids only! Activitiesforyoungerreaders
64 Mailing list Joinourmailinglist
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Credits
The Nature of ScotlandThe Magazine of Scottish Natural HeritageIssue Number 8 — Summer 2010
Published quarterly© SNH 2010ISSN 1350 309X
Editor: John Walters Tel. 01463 725 222
Cover photo: Red, green and brown seaweeds in shallow water off the coast of Coll. Photographer: Sue Scott Inside cover: Sugar kelp Saccharina latissima in sheltered conditions off the west coast. Photographer: Paul Kay Welcome page: Highland darter dragonfly. Photographer: Lorne Gill/SNH
Photography – all images by Lorne Gill/SNH other than: Mark Hamblin 6; FLPA 7t; Sam Baumber/Rory Syme/JMT 11; Miranda Morgan/JMT 12; David Pyper/George Watson’s College 13t; Stephen Bly 13b; Laurie Campbell 16; www.toothandclaw.org.uk 19; Andrea Cringean/SNH 22; Lloyd Smith 25t; Dougie Barnett 28, 29, 30; www.angusbremner.com 31, 32, 33; Neil McIntyre 34; Alan Ross 40t; Ewen Cameron 42m, 42r; Juan Brown 44l; Shetland Amenity Trust 44m; Tim Dean 44r; David Bell 45l; Naturepl.com 50, 53, 54; Prof Callum Roberts 52; Kat Jones 61; Paul Kay 62.
Map 37: © Ashworth Maps and Interpretation Ltd 2010. Based on Ordnance Survey mapping. © Crown copyright and database right 2010. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number SNH 100017908.
We’ve set up the following ‘Flickr’ page www.flickr.com/snh-iyb2010 with a selection of SNH images to celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity. You can download the images to use as screensavers or to share with friends.
To share your views about The Nature of Scotland or suggest articles for future issues please contact the editor:
SNH Magazine Great Glen House, Leachkin Road, Inverness IV3 8NW Email: [email protected]
The views expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect those of SNH.
Printed by: J Thomson Colour Printers
JTCP35K0610
When you have finished with this magazine, please recycle it. Pass it to another reader or dispose of it at your local waste-collection point.
Where we are…
YoucancontactSNHbyletter,telephoneoremail.Thefollowingdetailsshouldenableyoutofindyournearestmainoffice,butbearinmindthatwealsohaveanumberofsmallerofficesthanthoselisted.
AfulllistofourofficesappearsontheSNHwebsite:www.snh.gov.uk
Corporate headquarters
GreatGlenHouse,LeachkinRoad,InvernessIV38NWTel.01463725000Email:[email protected]
Other main offices
Battleby,Redgorton,PerthPH13EWTel.01738444177
SilvanHouse,3rdFloorEast,231CorstorphineRoad,EdinburghEH127ATTel.01313162600
CaspianHouse,MarinerCourt,ClydebankBusinessPark,ClydebankG812NRTel.01419514488
Area offices
ArgyllandStirlingTheBetaCentre,InnovationPark,UniversityofStirling,StirlingFK94NFTel.01786450362
DumfriesandGallowayCarmontHouse,TheCrichton,BankendRoad,DumfriesDG14ZFTel.01387247010
NorthernIslesGroundFloor,StewartBuilding,AlexandraWharf,Lerwick,ShetlandZE10LLTel.01595693345
EastHighlandFoddertyWay,DingwallBusinessPark,DingwallIV159XBTel.01349865333
NorthHighlandTheLinks,GolspieBusinessPark,Golspie,SutherlandKW106UBTel.01408634063
WestHighlandTheGovernor’sHouse,TheParade,FortWilliam,Inverness-shirePH336BATel.01397704716
StrathclydeandAyrshireCaspianHouse,MarinerCourt,ClydebankBusinessPark,ClydebankG812NRTel.01419514488
TaysideandClackmannanshireBattleby,Redgorton,PerthPH13EWTel.01738444177
WesternIsles32FrancisStreet,Stornoway,IsleofLewisHS12NDTel.01851705258
ForthandBordersSilvanHouse,3rdFloorEast,231CorstorphineRoad,EdinburghEH127ATTel.01313162600
GrampianInverdeeHouse,BaxterStreet,Torry,AberdeenAB119QATel.01224266500
2 The Nature of Scotland
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Welcome
SimonPepperBoardMemberScottishNaturalHeritage
WelcometothissummerissueofThe Nature of Scotland.Afteroneofthehardestwintersonrecord,there’sthehopeofaglorioussummerahead–enoughtogladdentheheartofanyoneheadingforthegreatoutdoors.Andwhatacountrywehavetoattractusoutdoors!FewplacesinEuropecanmatchScotlandforthevarietyandwildqualityofourlandscapes–ourmountainsandcoasts,woodlandsandforests,islands,lochsandrivers.Scotland’stownsandcitiesalsohaveplentyofnaturalareasnearbywhichareopentothepublicandwherewildlifeisabundant.Inthisissueyou’llfindarticlescelebratingthewonderfulopportunitiesthatScotlandofferstogetoutandenjoytheseplaces.
Ifyou’veeverbeeninspiredbyanexperienceofnature,youwon’tbesurprisedtoreadaboutresearchthatshowstheseexperiencesaregoodforourmental,aswellasphysical,healthandwell-being.AnditwillcomeaslittlesurpriseeithertofindthatexploringourrelationshipwiththeEarth–aspromotedbytheJohnMuirTrust–isgoodforourgrowthasindividuals.
Thenaturalenvironmentis,ofcourse,thefoundationformuchofoureconomy,especiallyinruralareas.Providingforvisitstothecountrysideandcoastforallkindsofnature-basedactivitiesisavaluablepartoftheruraleconomy.Thosewhoownthelandhaveanimportantrolehereandthey’rekeentoplaytheirpartinraisingawarenessandunderstandingamongthegeneralpublic.
Climatechangeisanever-presentissuethesedays,influencingallkindsofthinkingaboutthefuturemanagementofournaturalenvironment.ItunderlinestheimportanceofthepioneeringworktoharvestScotland’soutstandingresourcesofcleanrenewableenergyatsea.Wave,tideandwindenergycouldwellallowustoreplacetheclimate-damagingcombustionofcoal,oilandgas,theso-called‘fossil’fuels.Youcanreadabouttheresearchthat’sunderwaytoensurethatwebenefitfromthesenewenergyresourceswithoutharmingourmarinewildlife.
ThisyearSNHtakesoverresponsibilityforScotland’swilddeer.Theseiconicanimalsareavaluableandmuch-lovedpartofournaturalheritage.However,theycandamagecropsandwildlifehabitatswhentheirnumbersgetoutofhand.Gettingthebalancerightisamatterofcarefuljudgement.
You’llfindallofthesetopicsdiscussedinthisissueofThe Nature of Scotland.IhopeyouenjoyreadingthearticlesandthatatleastoneoftheminspiresyoutogetoutandenjoyScotland’swonderfulnaturalenvironment.
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The Nature of Scotland
Wild calendar
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Takealongsummerday.Addapinchofwildlife.Itcouldbethecallofalonefalconoveramoorwherenothingelsemoves.Itmightbe10,000daisies,studdedlikestarsontheturfofafield.Stirinsomewater,whetherthat’stheriver,sea,cascadeorasunnyshower.NowblendinaScottishbackdroptoyourtaste.Drinkdeepofthisgloriousseason.
The big B at St CSea,sand,flowers,brightlycolouredbutterfliesandotherinsectsmakeapotentsummercombination.AtStCyrusNationalNatureReserve,nearMontrose,youcanseeallthesethingsbythebeach-,cliff-andgrassland-load.
Partofitswildlifepowercomesfromthesheernumberofplantshere(about350higherplantspecies,andcounting).Someofthesehavenamestoquickenthepulseofthosewithalikingforfineflowers.Meadowsaxifrage,purplemilkvetchandbloodycranesbillarepartofthisexcitingbunch.
Partcomesfromthevarietyofinsectshere,includingallfiveScottish-dwellingspeciesofgrasshopperandcricket,morethanadozendifferentbutterfliesandmorethan200speciesofmoth.Perhapsthemoststrikingofthesemothsistheday-flyingsix-spotburnet,resplendentinshinyblackandscarlet.
So,inthisInternationalYearofBiodiversity,StCyrusisagreatScottishexampleofvarietyoflifeinamuch-cherishedplace.Giveitavisittodiscoverwhatthe‘B’wordreallymeans.
Web tips: www.nnr-scotland.org and click ‘Find an NNR’www.snh.gov.uk/pdfs/education/burnetmoth.pdf
1 Purple milk vetch was so-named from a belief that it could boost milk production in cattle that ate it.
2 The six-spot burnet is a day-flying moth that often lives near the coast. Its colours warn predators that it’s poisonous.
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KennyTaylorgivessomeseasonaltipsforsavouringScottishwildlifeandlandscapes
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3Originally native to Spain and Portugal, then kept in guarded warrens, rabbits have only become common across Scotland in the last two centuries.
4The pied flycatcher is scarce in Scotland, so hearing one in a summer oakwood is always an enjoyable surprise.
5 Every part of the Isle of Eigg’s coast is interesting. But the Singing Sands, where dry grains can squeak underfoot, is both beautiful and remarkable.
A bunny runs through itMammalwatchingisusuallyachallenge,butsummergivesopportunitiestoseeawiderrangeofspeciesthanduringotherseasons.OnthewestcoastandaroundtheHebridesandNorthernIsles,thesecouldincludedolphins,porpoises,sealsorottersatanytimeofday.InlandontheScottishmainland,earlymorningandeveningcanbethebesttimesformammalviewing.
Trysittingatduskbytheedgeofbroadleavedwoodstocatchsightofpipistrellesorotherbats.Rabbitwarrensarealsofuntowatchwhentheyoungerbunniesareonthehop.Theymaybecommon,butyouneedpatiencetoobserverabbitsatcloserange.
Forgoodranger-ledbadgerviewing,gototheScottishWildlifeTrust’sFallsofClydereserve,nearNewLanark.Here,youcanlookatGlasgow’shomeriverinadifferentlight,asittumblesthroughsteepandwoodedgorgesandoverlargewaterfalls,thenarrangetoseesomeofthewoodland’smostdistinctivelyhairyinhabitants.
Web tip:www.swt.org.uk/visit/reserves and click ‘Visit’ then ‘Reserves’
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Catch a flying pieIfyou’refinetuninganearforbirdsong,earlysummerinaScottishoakwoodcanbeagreattimetopractise.That’sbecausesomeofthelouder,residentsongsters,suchaschaffinch,arejoinedbymoresubtle-voiced,migrantsingers.
Piedflycatcherandredstartaretwosuchmigrants.Givethemalistenonlinetogetanideaoftheirphrasing.OakwoodswhereyoumighthearthemincludesomeofthoseinArgyll,LochaberandflankingLochLomond.VisitthewoodsandwetlandsoftheRiverDee,inDumfriesandGalloway,andyoucouldalsocombinesongappreciationwithviewsofpartofScotland’sexpandingredkitepopulation.
TheGallowayKiteTrailisacircularroutethatrunsneartheDeefromnorthofCastleDouglastoNewGallowayandback.There’safeedingstationatLauriestonthatcanbepopularwiththebirdonceknownasthe‘gled’inScotsdialect.Butthere’salsoachanceofseeingsomeoftheseelegantscavengersalongotherpartsofthevalley.
Web tip: Online birdsong clips: www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguideGalloway Kite Trail: www.gallowaykitetrail.com
Say it again, sandRum,Eigg,MuckandCanna:that’saworld-classquartetofnamesforanyonewithalikingforcharacterfulislands.Eachcouldrewardasummervisit,withEigganexcellentintroductiontothegroup.
OnethingIrelishaboutEiggishowitscommunityhasthrivedsincetheislandwasboughtbyapartnershipbetweenlocalpeople,theScottishWildlifeTrustandtheHighlandCouncilin1997.It’salsoaplacewhere,almostliterally,thelandscapecanspeaktoyou.
TakeashortwalkfromCleadale,intheheartofthecommunity,toacoastwhereancientrockfeaturesareto
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thefore.AtLaigBay,youcouldstandonbeautifulJurassicsandstonesfromthetimesofthedinosaursandlookouttoseeanottersearchingtheinshorekelpbedsforcrabs.
Butit’sthe‘SingingSands’herethatcanstealtheshow.Catchthemindryconditions,andthequartzitegrainswillsqueakunderfoot:weirdbutpleasingmusicfromtheremainsofmountainslongvanished.
Web tip: www.isleofeigg.net and click ‘Nature on Eigg’
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The Nature of Scotland8
The great big paddleWorkhasbegunoncreatingScotland’sfirstformalcanoetrail,whichwillstretchalongtheGreatGlenbetweenFortWilliamandInverness
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1 The waters of world-famous Loch Ness will be a big draw for paddlers.
2 Project officer for the Great Glen Canoe Trail is Donald Macpherson.
OneofScotland’smostpopulartouristlocationsissettoplayhosttothecountry’sfirstofficialcanoetrail.
ThenewGreatGlenCanoeTrailwillofferinternationalandnationalpaddlerstheopportunitytojourneyfromcoasttocoastacrossthecountry.They’llbeabletotravelthe100kmstretchbetweenFortWilliamandInverness,passingthroughthehistoricCaledonianCanalandfourlochs,includingthechallengingwatersofworld-famousLochNess.
ProjectofficerforthenewtrailisDonaldMacpherson,whowillbeoverseeingthedevelopmentthroughtoitsopeninginspring2012.“It’sgreattobeplayingaroleinthedeliveryofsuchafantasticproject,”commentedDonald.“Thetrailiswellplacedtoattractawholerangeofoutdoorenthusiastsfrombothapaddlingandnon-paddlingbackground,becauseit’ssuchaniconiclocationwithspectacularsceneryandwildlife.
“AndoneofthebigadvantagesoftheGreatGlenisthattherearevariouslocationswhereyoucanlaunchorfinish,unlikeotherpaddlinglocationswheretheonlywayoutistocompletethedistance.Noteveryonewillcomeheretopaddlethefulldistance,which
willtakefourorfivedaystocomplete.Somemayoptforjustaoneortwodayrouteinstead.”
Over£600,000isbeinginvestedintheGreatGlenCanoeTrail,whichaimstotakeadvantageoftheincreasingpaddlermarketthat’sestimatedtobegrowingbyastaggering25%eachyear.FundinghascomefromtheEuropeanRegionalDevelopmentFund,BritishWaterwaysScotland,HighlandCouncil,ForestryCommissionScotlandandScottishNaturalHeritage.
Low-levelpontoonsarebeinginstalledatlocksandbridgestoimproveaccessonandoffthewater.Andtherewillbe‘trailblazerrests’,consistingofspeciallyidentifiedinformalcampsiteareasandsecurelong-staycarparkingareasateachendoftheglen.
Fulldetailsonsafety,travelarrangements,accommodationandthefacilitiesalongthewaymarkedroutewillbeavailableontheforthcomingGreatGlenCanoeTrailwebsite,andintheproposedtrailguideleafletandguidebook.Theseaimtoensurethatpaddlersgetasmuchsatisfactionfromtheirtripaspossible.
Addedtothat,anorientationpaneloutliningtraildirectionsandsafetyadvicewillbelocatedattheaccess/exitpoints.Thesepanelswillcomplementtheexisting‘GreatGlenWays’
2
interpretationsignage,whichpromotesthethreesustainablewaystovisitthearea–byboat,bybootorbybike–andfeaturesinformationaboutlocalculture,heritageandwildlife.
Somegroupswhohavecanoeingexperienceofopenwaterwillprefertoplantheirownexpedition.Butothersmaypreferaguidedtripwithalocaloutdooractivityprovider,whocantakecareofallthetravelarrangements,equipment,foodanddrink,aswellasofferinglocalcampingknowledgeandsafetyresources.
“Whetheryouconquerthetrailindependentlyorwithalocaloutdooractivityprovider,theGreatGlenCanoeTrailwillbebothanadventureandaneducationintothejoysofthegreatoutdoors,”Donaldcontinued.
“AndalthoughtheCaledonianCanalismainlypaddledinopenCanadiancanoes,therearegrowingnumbersofpaddlersalsotakingtothewaterwayinseakayaks,whichcutthroughthewaterandtravelfaster.Butwhatevercanoeorkayakyouchoose,andwhateveryourskilllevel,thenewGreatGlenCanoeTrailissettobeanunbeatableexperience.”
Ifyou’reinterestedinfindingoutmore,youcancontacttheprojectofficeron01463725563oremaildonald.macpherson@britishwaterways.co.uk
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Celebrating 100,000 awardsTherehavebeenrepeatedwarningsrecentlyaboutpeoplebecomingdetachedfromnature.ButasuccessfulawardsschemerunbytheJohnMuirTrustpointstohopeforthefuture
TheJohnMuirTrust,theUK’sleadingwildlandcharity,reachedaprettyspecialmilestonerecentlywhenitpresentedthe100,000thawardunderitsenvironmentalawardscheme.
Tomarktheoccasion,aspecialeventwasheldattheRoyalBotanicGarden,Edinburgh,withrepresentativesofthefirst,10,000th,20,000th,50,000thand100,000thJohnMuirAwardsattending.
ThesuccessofthisflourishingenvironmentalawardschemehasseenitquicklygrowfromitsScottishoriginstobecomewidelyestablishedacrosstheUK.Theawardisfocusedonwildplaces,encouragingawarenessandresponsibilityforthenaturalenvironment,inaspiritoffun,adventureandexploration.
FollowingtheexampleofScottishconservationheroJohnMuir,tensofthousandsofparticipantshavenowenjoyedtheirownadventuresinwildplaces,andtakenresponsibilityforlookingaftertheenvironment.
“Theawardisopentoall,”explainedRobBushby,managerfortheJohnMuirAward.“Itwassetuptoencouragepeopleofallagesandbackgroundstoconnect,enjoyandcareforwildplaces.
“It’snotcompetitivebutitismeanttochallenge
thosewhotakepart.Theyhavetoshowenthusiasmandcommitmentfordiscoveringawildplace,activelyexploringit,doingsomethingtoconserveitandsharingtheirexperiences.”
Therecipientofthe100,000thawardwas13-year-oldCumbrianschoolpupilJakeAtkinson,andtheactivitiesheundertooktoachievethefirsttwolevelsoftheawardshowthesortofcommitmentthatcanbeinvolved.
JakewaspartofagroupfromUllswaterCommunityCollege,Penrith,whocompletedawildlifegardenproject.Itinvolvedhedgelaying,drystonewalling,treeplantingandpondconstruction,aswellascreatingwaterfeatures,sculpturesandhomesforwildlife.
HeandhisfriendsalsovolunteeredforavarietyofoutdooractivitiesintheLakeDistrictNationalPark,workingwiththeFieldStudyCouncilandtheForestryCommission.AndoverthepastcoupleofyearsJakehasbeenhelpingarangeofstudentswithASDs(autisticspectrumdisorders)towardstheirownJohnMuirAwards.
“WhatIenjoyedmostwashelpingsomeoftheyoungerpupilstoachievethetaskstheyweregiveninthegarden,”saidJake.“Ialsolikedworkingwithmyfriendsintheeco-gardenandlearningnewskillstotakehomeanduseonthefarm.Ienjoyedmeetingandgettingtoknownewpeople,butmostofallhavingfun!”
1 Some of the scenes and people from the special event held to mark 100,000 John Muir Awards.
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Journey of discovery
TheJohnMuirTrustsetuptheawardin1997togetmorepeopleactiveintheconservationmovement.Itoperateslargelythroughavariedrangeoforganisations,includingschoolsandoutdoorcentres,aswellasyouthandcommunitygroups–over700madeuseofitlastyear.Butmanyindividuals,familiesandsmallindependentgroupsalsotakepart.
They’reinvitedtofollowinthefootstepsofJohnMuir(1838–1914),withhislife-longjourneyofdiscoveryandexplorationtohelpconservethespecialqualitiesofwildplaces.MuirwasborninDunbar,EastLothian,andwentontobecomethefounderoftheUSnationalparks.Heiswidelyregardedasthefatherofmodernconservation.Throughouthislife,Muirsharedhisexperiences,feelingsandvisionforwildplaceswithawideraudience,sotheawardparticipantsareencouragedtodolikewise.
JohnHutchisonischairmanoftheJohnMuirTrustandbelievestheawardisgreatatcharacterformingforyoungpeople.“Theexperienceitprovidesisveryimportantfortheself-discoverythatleadstoself-confidence.
“100,000awardsisahugemilestonetocelebrateinsuchashorttime.TheJohnMuirAwardisfirmlypartofthecoreworkofthetrust’snewvisionforwildland.Ibelievethat,throughtheaward,we’refindingandnurturingthenextgenerationofenvironmentalcommunityactivists.”
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2 Recipient of the 100,000th award was Jake Atkinson (far left).
“TheJohnMuirAwardputsadifferentslantoneverything.Itbringsoutthewonderandbeautyofbeinginnature.It’sabeautifulwayofworkingwithkidsandencouragesthemtolookatthebiggerpicture.”Sarah Robertshaw,Forestry Commission project leader
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George Watson’s CollegeEdinburghAnnualinvolvement
There’sa30-yeartraditionofoutdoorresidentialexperiencesforpupilsintheirthirdyearatGeorgeWatson’sCollege.TheiradventurestakeplaceinallcornersofScotland,withadozendifferenttripstakingstudentsfromKnoydartandSkyetoDumfriesshireandHarris.
Since2003,thethirdyearprojectsprogrammehasincludedtheJohnMuirAward.Itaimstoreflectanddevelopthelongstandingcarefortheenvironmentthat’sbeenanimportantaspectofthesetrips,andtoheightenappreciationofthesespeciallocations.
“TheJohnMuirAwardmademethinkcarefullyabouttheworldaroundmeandhowpreciousthesewildplacesare.”Pupil
“NowI’veexperiencedsuchawildarea,Icanseethebeautyandimportanceofmaintainingtheseplacesthroughouttheworld.”Pupil
Bridges ProjectHM Prison CraiginchesAberdeenAutumn2009
RangersfromAberdeenCityCouncildeliveredaJohnMuirAwardforprisonersfromCraiginchesPrison.Itwasproposedasa‘bridging’projectbetweenparticipants’liveswithintheprisonandlifeintheirhomecommunitiesuponrelease.
Theyusedbushcraftandsurvivaltechniquestoimproveteamworkandcommunicationskills.Mapworkandresearchallowedthemtolearnmoreabouttheirlocalwildplaces,whilealsocontributingtolocalcommunitiesbybuildingplantersforprimaryschools.
“Alotoftheguyshavenothingtogetoutfor.Withthiswehavesomethingtogetoutfor…somethingtolookforwardto.”Award participant
“Eventhoughwehaveourdifferencesofopinion,we’vebondedovertheJohnMuirAward.”Award participant
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Simple and easy campaignAnewcampaignlaunchesinJulyaimedatencouragingallofustomakebetteruseoftheoutdoorsandnatureclosetohome.Thecampaignhasthestrapline‘Simplepleasures,easilyfound’andcelebratesthesimplepleasuresofferedbyournaturalenvironment.Thefocusisonhighlightingwhatcanbeachievedfromourowndoorstepsintermsoflocalwalks,parksandgreenspaces.
“ThecampaignpromotessimpleoutdooractivitiesthatcanbeenjoyedanywhereinScotland,”explainedEleanorMacDonald,SNHcampaignmanager.“Thesimplepleasuresincludeactivitieslikeskimmingstones,lookingforafour-leafedcloverorwatchingasunset,sothey’reallfunanddo-ablethings.
“Wealsowanttoreducethetimeneededtoplananoutingbyprovidingusefulinformationaboutroutesclosetowherepeoplelive.Theinformationwillalsotellthemhowlongeachrouteislikelytotake,makingiteasiertofitoutdoorenjoymentintobusyeverydaylives.”
Thiswillbeanationalcampaign,butthefocuswillbelargelyurban.ResearchshowsthatmanypeoplelivinginAberdeen,EdinburghandparticularlyGlasgowvisittheoutdoorslessthanonceaweek.Theaimistoinspirethemtomakemoretimeforoutdoorenjoymentinsteadofotherleisureactivities.
Nationalposters,newspaperadvertsandleafletswillallformpartofthecampaign.Thesewillprovidetoptipsandideasforthingstodo,aswellasdirectingthepublictoanonlinesource
withinformationspecifictotheirlocalarea.InGlasgow,forinstance,theinformationwillincluderoutesalongtheKelvinWalkway,GlasgowGreenandtheRiverClyde,aswellastheForthandClydeCanal.
Theapproachtakenforsomeofthecommunicationswillbetoshowpeoplehavingfuninallweathers,ratherthantheusualtendencytopresentimagesofhot,sunnydays.It’shopedthismayhelpinfluencepeopletochangetheirbehaviouratthosetimesoftheyearwhenspendingtimeoutsideislessattractive.
ThiscampaignsupportsSNH’s‘EnjoyingtheOutdoors’policy,whichaimstopersuademorepeopletotakepartinoutdoorvisits,andencourageeveryonetogetoutsidemoreoften.Thisapproachrecogniseshowimportantenjoyingtheoutdoorsisforpeople’squalityoflife.
Thecampaignwillincludeatoolkitoftoptipsforhowtogetactiveoutdoors.Partnerssuchasrangerservices,communitygroups,walkleadersorclubsandassociationswillbeabletousethevisualidentityofthecampaignbydownloadingmaterialsfromtheinternet,whichtheycanthenchangetosuittheirowncircumstances.
Anypartnerwillhaveaccesstothis,anditwillbeuseableforanylocation.Itwillincludepostertemplates,leaflettemplatesandnewsreleases.Meanwhile,SNHwilltakealeadontargetingthecampaigninGlasgowandotherurbancentres.
“Wehopethiscampaignwillgivepeoplelotsofideasforplacestogooutdoorsandthingstodo,”addedEleanor.“Wewanttocreateasenseofbuzzaboutthesimplepleasurestobegainedfromoutdoorenjoyment.”
1 Poster advertising the new campaign.
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The Nature of Scotland16
Positive and negativeBeaveractivitycanhavebothpositiveandnegativeeffectsonfreshwaterfish.That’stheconclusionofthemostthoroughrevieweverundertakenoftheeffectsofbeaversonfreshwaterfish.
ThereviewwascarriedoutforSNHbytheUniversityofSouthampton.It’sbasedonstudyingthescientificliteratureandsurveying45fisherymanagersandscientists,alongwithbeaverecologyexperts,mainlyinNorthAmericawheremostoftheresearchhasbeencarriedout.ThereportdiscussestheimplicationsofthisworkfortheEuropeanbeaverinScotland.
Amongthenegativeeffectsarebeaverdams,whichcansometimesstopfishmovingupordowninnarrowerriversandstreams.Therewerealsoreportsofsomespawningareasbeinglostimmediatelyupstreamofdamsduetomoresiltbeingpresent.Theseeffectscanchangeovertimeandtheinfluenceonfishpopulationsremainsunclear.
Beaverscanalsohavepositiveeffectsonfish.Theseincludeanincreaseinthevarietyofhabitatsinstreamsandagreaterareafortherearingandoverwinteringoffish.Therearealsoreportsofanincreaseininvertebrates,suchasinsects,onwhichfishfeed.Beaveractivitymayalsohelptoproviderefugeduringperiodsofhighorlowwaterflows.
Overall,thepositiveeffectswerementionedmorefrequently(157times)thanthenegativeeffects(102times).Inthesurveyofindependentexperts,theresponsestomorethanhalf(58%)ofthequestionssuggestedthattheimpactofbeaversonfishwaspositive,with21%negativeandtheremainderneutral.
Thereportconcludesthatthenegativeimpactofbeaversonthemovementoffishandtheavailabilityofsuitablespawninghabitatcanbeatleastoffsetbythebenefits.Theseincludeanincreaseinthevarietyofhabitatsandtheresultingincreaseintheabundanceandproductivityoffish,includingsalmon.
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NE
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United frontProminentScottishlandownershaveunitedtocondemnanypersonwhoillegallypoisonsbirdsofpreyorotherprotectedspecies.
Over200signedalettertoenvironmentministerRoseannaCunningham,callingforthe‘fullweightofthelaw’tobebroughttobearonthosewhoillegallykillraptors.
Themovecomesaftertheremainsofthreegoldeneagles,abuzzardandasparrowhawkwerefoundduringthefirstweekofMayonornearthegroundsofSkiboCastle,nearDornoch,Sutherland.Policeareinvestigatingifpoisoningwasinvolved.
Theletterstates:“Itiswidelyrecognisedthatwildlifemanagementisacomplexbusinessthatcontinuallythrowsupnewchallenges,butnothingcanjustifyillegalactivity.Itis,forus,astraightforwarddecisiontounderlineourviewofillegalpoisoning.Frankly,wecondemnitoutofhandandithastostop.
“ThoseofuswholiveandworkintheScottishcountrysideareappalledbysuchbehaviour.Theonlythingthatisachievedbysuchactsistheunderminingoftheexcellentworkthatisdonedayin,dayoutonScottishestatesbyowners,landmanagersandgamekeepersintermsofanimalwelfareandconservationofScotland’snaturalheritage.
“Themessagemustgoouttothepeoplewhoindulgeinsuchcriminalbehaviourthatwhattheydoistotallyunacceptabletotheoverwhelmingmajoritywhohavethetrueinterestsofthecountrysideatheart.
“Wewillcontinuetodoeverythingwecantoensurethatmessageisconveyedacrossthelandmanagementsector.Wedonotpresumeguiltnorrefertoanyparticularincident,buttheapparentdeliberatepoisoningofprotectedspeciesinrecentyearshasleftusutterlydismayed.
“WealsosupportthefullweightofthelawbeingbroughttobearonthosewhoareinvolvedinillegalpoisoningandendorsetheeffortsofthePartnershipforActionagainstWildlifeCrime,inwhichourrepresentativeorganisationsareactiveandenthusiasticparticipants.”
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WS ‘Operation Caesar’ launched
Significantandlastingcriminaldamagehasbeenfoundat75%ofinternationallyimportantfreshwaterpearlmusselsitessurveyedacrossScotland.
Criminalactsincludedbothillegalpearlfishingandunauthorisedriverworksthatledtothedestructionofwholepearlmusselpopulations.
Inabidtocrackdownaftertheunexpectedlyseveredamage,policeandSNHhavelaunched‘OperationCaesar’,whichseeksthepublic’shelpinidentifyingandreportingtothepoliceanysuspiciousactivity.
Themusselsareaprotectedspecies,andcrimesagainstthemcarrythepossibilityofprisonsentences.Scotlandhasatotalof21designatedprotectedsitesforpearlmussels,withScottishriversholdingaroundhalfoftheworld’spopulationofthespecies.
ThewildlifecrimefindingscametolightafterthelatestroundofSNH’sroutinemonitoringduring2008/2009.Itcoveredareasspeciallydesignatedtoconservetheseamazingandextremelyvulnerableanimals.Outofninesitessurveyed,damagewasfoundatseven.Threeshowedsuchsignificantdamagethatrecoverywillbeextremelychallenging.
InoneriversysteminthewestHighlands,oneofthelargestpearlmusselbedsofatleast600animalswasfoundtohavedisappearedsincethepreviousmonitoringvisitfiveyearsearlier,withnoexplanationotherthandestructivepearlfishing.
“We’vebeenshockedatthefindings,”statedIainSimeofSNH,“andit’sclearthatwemustundertakeurgentworktosavethisspeciesfromalmostcertainextinctioninsomeareas.Unauthorisedengineeringinoneriverseemstohavedestroyedthemostsignificantpearlmusselbedofaround900animalsinthelowerreachesoftheriver.
“Anothersitehasseenthekilling,inlessthanaday,of50%ofthemusselsintheburn,makinganyrecoveryfortheremaininganimalsextremelydifficult.We’velaunchedOperationCaesartoenlistthehelpofpeopleintryingtostopthesecrimes.”
NorthernConstabulary’schiefinspectorMatthewReisssaidtheywouldbeappealingtotheanglingandwalkingcommunities,aswellasotherswhoenjoythecountryside,tobeonthelookoutforanysuspiciousactivityatornearwater,especiallyasthewarmersummerweatherapproaches.“Thiscanextendtosuspiciousactivityinandaroundrivers–frompeoplesearchinginriversandshellsonbankstovehiclesparkedearlyintheday,”headded.
‘OperationCaeser’issocalledbecausethefreshwaterpearlmusselshaveanancientculturalhistoryinScotland.It’ssaidthatCaesarinvadedBritaintogethishandsonthepearlssometimesyieldedbythemussels,whichalsoadorntheScottishcrownjewels.
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Sea eagle researchWhite-tailedseaeagleshaveaminimalimpactonthedeathsoflambsaccordingtotheresultsofascientificstudy.
Thestudy,undertakenbytheFoodandEnvironmentResearchAgencyforSNH,recordedthefortunesoflambsontheGairlochpeninsulainWesterRoss,fromApriltomid-Augustlastyear.
Theresearchfoundthatseabirds,suchasfulmar,werethemainsourceoffoodfortheseaeagles.Therewaslittleevidenceofdeathsamongthelambsthatcouldbelinkedtotheraptors.
“Thisisaverytimelyandvaluablepieceofresearch,”commentedenvironmentministerRoseannaCunningham.“Theseaeaglesareawonderfulpartofournaturalheritageandtheirreintroductionhasbeenanoutstandingsuccess.
“Butwealsorecognisethatfarmersandcroftersarerightlyconcernedabouttheirlivestockandit’simportantwedevelopourknowledgeandunderstandingofthisissue.
“Wherethereareproblemswithseaeaglespredatingonlivestockwewilllookatmaintainingandimprovingschemestofindwaystohelpfarmersmanagetheirstocktoco-existwiththesemagnificentbirds.”
Wildcat population appears stableTwonewreportssuggestthattheScottishwildcatissurvivingasadistinctspecies.
Thefirstreportlookedatthegeneticmake-upofthespeciesandconfirmedthatScottishwildcatscanbedistinguishedfromferalcatsbycoatmarkings.DoubtwascastovertheidentityoftheScottishwildcatduringacourtcasein1990,andtherehasbeenongoingworksincetoconfirmitsuniqueness.
ThesecondreportpresentstheresultsofaScottishwildcatsurveyconductedbetween2006and2008.ThisconcludedthatwildcatsappeartobestableintheirhistoricallocationsinthenorthandeastofScotland,withlocalisedpopulationssurvivingaroundArdnamurchanandMorvern.However,theirfateelsewhereislessclear.
TheScottishwildcatisoneofourmostendangeredmammals,withcross-breedingwithdomesticcatsposingthegreatestrisk.Thereportswillhelptodelivereffectiveconservationactionandthemanagementnecessarytosustainthespecies.Inparticular,theclearguidanceonhowtoidentifythespecieswillhelptotargetcontrolofdomesticcatsinareaswheretheyposemostrisktothesurvivalofthewildcat.
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Dualchas coitcheannCommon heritage
Lus buidhe Bealltainn
ThanaGàidheilfhathasta’comharrachadhnaBealltainn,co-dhiùlebhithagainmeachadha’chiadlathadhenChèiteanmar‘LathaBuidheBealltainn’.Tha‘buidhe’andàchuidnachomharradedhathagusdedheaghfhortan(canaidhsinn‘nachbuidhedhut’gucumantafhathast).BhaBealltainnbhòthùsnafèillphàganachabhanainntrigeadhdont-samhradh.Bhaeaigceanneilenabliadhnabho‘Shamhain’,fèillphàganacheileabhaa’comharrachadhtoiseacha’gheamhraidh.Chanadhnaseanndaoine‘bhoShamhainguBealltainn’nuairabhaiada’ciallachadhanlethfuardhenbhliadhna.
ThaBealltainnairacomharrachadhannanlusdùthchasachairannochddìtheannanbuidhemunàmsindhenbhliadhna.’SesinCaltha palustris,lusrisancanarmarsh marigoldannamBeurla.AnnanGàidhlig,’se‘lusbuidheBealltainn’ant-ainmath’air.Bhiodhdaoinea’curdìtheannananluisseooscionnandorsanairsondrochgheasanasheachnadh;uaireannanbhiteganceangalriearbaillcruidhairandearbhadhbhar.Iscinnteachgubheildathanluisco-cheangailterismarabhadaoinegathomhasmarfhortanach.
Thaemarastriceblàthguleòraiga’Bhealltainnachcorrauaircuirearansneachdmudheireadhdhengheamhradhaiganàmsin.Thathara’gabhail‘sneachdmubheulnaBealltainn’airaleithid.AgusbhiodhnabalaichagèisteachdairsonnacuthaigairlathanaBealltainn.Nancluinneadhiadi,dh’èigheadhiad“‘Gug-ùg!’arsa’chuthagLathaBuidheBealltainn”.Agusmhothaichnaseanndaoinegumbiodhant-eunbeagrisancanarawhimbrelannamBeurlaa’nochdadhaiganàmsinah-uilebliadhna(coltachrisa’chuthaig,bidhea’curseachada’gheamhraidhannanAfraga).Marsinthugiad‘eunBealltainn’airmarainm.
B’eanseannchleachdadhabhitha’togaildàtheineairLathanaBealltainntronchùirtesprèidhisiomadhrudeileairsonanùrachadhisdìonanaghaidhdrochbhuidseachd.Thathara’smaoineachadhgubheilTullybelton/Tulach BealltainnannanSiorrachdPheairtammeasgnanàiteachanannsantachradhaleithid.Gednacheilant-seannfhèillCheilteachseoairacomharrachadhgumòrannanAlbaan-diugh,thaiairbeathaùrfhaighinnannsnabliadhnaicheanachaidhairanoidhchemudheireadhdhenGhibleanairCnocnaCalltainnannanDùnÈideann.Gedathadreachrudeiginùr-nòsachoirre,thateineaigmeadhana’ghnothaichfhathast.
ThemarshmarigoldisavividreminderofthecloselinksbetweenGaeliccultureandtheScottishseasons,asRuairidhMacIlleathainexplains
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Yellow plant of Beltane
ThemarshmarigoldisperhapsthemostvividplantreminderofthecloselinksbetweentraditionalGaeliccultureandtheScottishseasons.Thedaythatstartsthesummer,nowthefirstofMay,isstillknowninGaelicaslatha buidheBealltainn–the‘yellowdayofBeltane’.
Buidhe,however,doesn’tjustmean‘yellow’.Italsohassuggestionsofgoodfortune.Thisplant,whichbearsyellowflowersatthetimeofBeltane(theEnglishwordcamefromGaelic),islucky–itsbloomswouldoftenbetiedabovedoorwaysortothetailsofhorsesorcattletobringgoodfortune.TheGaelicnameforthespeciesislus buidhe Bealltainn(soundslike‘loossboo-yuhBYOWL-tin’)orthe‘yellowplantofBeltane’.
Anotherspeciesnamedforthisseasonisthewhimbrel–eun Bealltainn(‘ee-unBYOWL-tin’),actuallymeaning‘birdofBeltane’.AndTullybeltoninPerthshirewouldhaveexperiencedthefiresthroughwhichcattleandothergoodswerepassedaspartofthepurificationritesofthispre-Christianfestival.ItsnamecomesfromtheGaelicTulach Bealltainnor‘Beltanehill’.ThetwogreatestfestivalsintheoldGaeliccalendarwereBealltainnand,sixmonthslater,Samhain–thestartofwinter.ThefirstdayofSamhainisstillwidelycelebratedinGaelicScotland,asitisintheEnglish-speakingworld,whereit’scalled‘Halloween’.
Buidhe aig a’ Bhealltainn. Bha, agus tha, lus buidhe Bealltainn a’ comharrachadh toiseach an t-samhraidh ann an inntinn nan Gàidheal.
The yellow Beltane plant. To Scotland’s Gaels, the marsh marigold in bloomis a traditional symbol of the start of summer.
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Fun in the sunAlmost200eventscelebratingScotland’swildlifeandenvironmenttookplaceacrossScotlandduringScottishBiodiversityWeekinMay
1 Exploring the rockpools of Coldingham Bay in Berwickshire at a ‘seashore safari’ event.
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2 Artist Fraser MacDonald and his assistant Neil planting herbs in a recycled planter at his ‘Garbology’ site at Perth and Kinross recycling centre.
3 Professor Keith Nicholson helps a couple of pupils from St Leonard’s Nursery in Edinburgh explore the wildlife in their pond.
4 Dennis McCullough shows how to handle a great tit that’s been caught at a bird ringing workshop at Westmuir Community Woodland, near Kirriemuir in Angus.
5 Perth Youth Theatre Collective performing the environmental play The Tree at Larghan Park, Coupar Angus.
2
OrganisedbySNHandpartners,theweekofferedsomethingforeverytaste,includingenjoyingaguidedbadgerwalkonCorstorphineHillinEdinburgh,mini-beasthuntingatVogrieCountryParkinMidlothian,abluebellwalkintheBallathieWoodsinPerthshire,learningaboutbatsandswiftsinPitlochry,pond-dippingatVaneFarmatLochLeven,seeingpuffinsnearDunbeathinCaithness,hearingthedawnchorusatThreaveGardensinDumfriesandGalloway,watchingseaeaglesontheIsleofMullandgoingforaguidedwalkattheAlltMhuicbutterflyreservenearFortWilliam,tonamejustafew.
ChildrenatStLeonard’sNurseryinEdinburghlaunchedtheweekwhenSNHboardmember,ProfessorKeithNicholson,joinedthepupilstoexplorethenursery’sspectacularwildlifegarden.“ScottishBiodiversityWeekgivespeoplealloverScotlandachancetogetoutinthecountrysideandenjoysomewonderfulevents,”commentedProfessorNicholson.“Weliveinaspecialplace.EveryoneknowsaboutthenaturalbeautyinareasliketheHighlandsandIslands,butthere’sasurprisingamountofwildlifeeveninourcityparks.SoIhopepeopleenjoyedgettingoutandenjoyingsomeofthesefunevents.”
Buttheoccasionisn'tquiteoveryet.Ournaturephotographycompetitionisongoinguntil31July.Youcanfindoutmoreaboutitfrom www.snh.org.uk/biodiversityweek.Thethemeis'emotions'–wewanttoknowhownatureaffectsyou.Therearegreatprizestobewon,includingaone-to-onetutorialwithSNH’sownphotographer,LorneGill,andafantasticdigitalcamera.Thetop30imageswillbeusedtodevelopanexhibitionthatwillfeatureintheEdinburghInternationalFringeFestival.Sendyourbestimagestobit@snh.gov.ukanddon’tforgettotellushowtheimagesyoutookaffectedyou.
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ArecentresearchstudylookedatpublicattitudestowardsestatesandlandownersinScotland.DavidGreer,deputychairmanoftheScottishEstatesBusinessGroup,reflectsontheresults
Public speaking
Untilnow,itwasdifficulttoassessaccuratelywhatpeoplemadeofestates,ifanythingatall.Ontheonehand,estatescouldbeseenmakingasignificantcontributiontoruralScotland,buttheirreputationwasstillburdenedwithvariousissues.
SotheScottishEstatesBusinessGroupandtheScottishRuralPropertyandBusinessAssociation–twoorganisationswithsignificantinvolvementinlanduseacrossScotland–decidedtoaskthepublicwhattheyreallythought.Theyfelttheresultswouldbeusefulinconsideringthewayaheadforlandmanagement.
ThetwoorganisationscommissionedGeorgeStreetResearch,anindependentmarketresearchagency,toundertakethewide-rangingstudy.ItinvolvedfocusgroupsacrossScotland,followedupwithasurveyofover1,000adults.Theresultsoftheresearchcanbeviewedatwww.sebg.org/news
It’sfairtosaythatbothorganisationswereabitanxiousaboutbeingonthereceivingendofa‘wartsandall’assessmentbythepublic.Asitturnedout,theresultswerebothsurprisingandinformativeforthelandmanagementsector.
Predictably,theresearchrevealedthatthepublicappreciatetheruralScottishlandscapeandvaluehighlythewell-cared-fornaturalresourcesthattheycanenjoy.Theyalsobelievethecountrysideplaysanimportantpartintourismandleisure.
However,thoseinterviewedhadverylittleawarenessofestates,andtherolethattheyplaywasvirtuallyunknown.Some65%saidtheyknewverylittleornothingaboutestatesandonly1%saidtheyknewa‘greatdeal’.Theparticipantsalsosaidtheydidn’tregardlandownershiponitsownasa‘topofmind’issue.
Thepublictendedtorelatetothestereotypical‘MonarchoftheGlen’imagewhenpromptedtothinkaboutestates,
ThereputationofestatesandlandownershipisasubjectthatwillgenerateawiderangeofopinionsinScotland.Andtheviewsexpressedwill,ofcourse,dependonwhoyouask.
1 Farmland, birch woodland and conifer plantations in Upper Deeside, Grampian.
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buttheydidn’tregardthatimagenegatively.Theydid,however,formanegativeviewiftheywereawareofaparticularissue,suchasanaccessproblem,butdidn’tdisplaygeneralhostility.
Thepublicmadeitclearthat,oncetheywereawareoftheroleofestates,theyfeltitwouldbehelpfulforestatestocommunicatemorepositivelyonwhattheydo.
“Thestudyshowedthatthemanagementandmaintenanceofthecountrysideweresomewhattakenforgrantedandpeopleassumedthemtobelargelyafunctionofnature,”commentedJoFawcett,managingdirectorofGeorgeStreetResearch.
“Therewasalackofawarenessaboutestatesratherthanantagonism,andit’sclearthepublicenjoythefacilitiesandgoingintothecountryside.Theyjustdon’tthinkmuchabouthowthathappensorwho’sinvolvedinmakingithappen.”
Thesewerekeyfindingsasfarasestatesareconcerned.Therearemanyandvaryingviewsonestates,andofcourse
werecognisethatwecanbeviewedinanegativelight.Itwouldbeabsurdtosuggestotherwise.Butitwasalsoclearthatthepublic’sopinionsaboutestatesandlandownerswerenotasstrongaswethoughttheymightbe.
Themessagecomingbackfromthepublicisthat,whentheyexperienceestates,theylikewhattheysee.Theydonot,however,makestrongconnectionsbetweenthatexperienceandthecontributionofestates.Thebiglessonforustolearnisthatweneedtomakeveryclearwhatroleweplay.
ManyruralestatesinScotlandcontributeagreatdealintermsoftourism,leisureandbusiness.Andtheworkthat’sdoneonestatesacrossScotlandintermsofconservation,wildlifeandhabitatmanagementissomethinginwhichweshouldtakepride.
ThepublicseemsopentofindingoutmoreaboutthecontributionwemaketoruralScotland.Providingthemwithbetterinformationisachallengethatestatesandlandownersmustmeetsuccessfully.
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1 The group visited Cleghorn Glen woodland, where the steep slopes have protected the rich mix of trees from felling and development.
2 Martin Twiss (right) talked about the woodland plants that carpet the ground during spring and early summer.
Welcome to Scotland’s nature
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Youprobablyknowplentyofoutdoorplacesthatyoucanvisit,havinggatheredtheinformationfromfamily,friendsandexperienceovertheyears.Butwhatifyou’renewtothiscountry?ScottFergusonandElaineMacintoshofSNHoutlineacoupleofprojectsaimedatmakingthatknowledgemorewidelyavailable
Manyofusaresurroundedbyinformationaboutspecialplacestovisitandthingstodointheoutdoors,soit’seasytoforgetthatknowingwheretogoandwhattodoisn’tassimpleforeveryoneinScotland.
IgotachancetoexperiencethisfirsthandwhenIjoinedagroupfromtheBridgesProgrammeinGlasgowearlierthisyear.ThegroupwasvisitingCleghornGlenWoods–whichformspartoftheClydeValleyWoodlandsNationalNatureReserve–aspartofa‘CommunityIntroductions’project.Thisisaprogrammeofvisitsto‘specialplacesfornature’forblackandminorityethniccommunitygroups.
ThegroupvisitingCleghornGlenwasjuststartingona14-weekpersonaldevelopmentprogrammewithBridges.TheprogrammesaimtohelprefugeesandasylumseekerslivinginGlasgowgainmeaningfulworkexperience.Theyoffertraining,officialrecognitionandschemestoupgradetheirskillsaimedathelpingrefugeeprofessionalsgetintolong-termjobsattheappropriatelevel.
Itwasclearfromthestartthatthevisitwasasuccessful‘introduction’.MartinTwiss,whoworksoutoftheSNHLanarkoffice,ledthegrouponawalkthroughthegorge,andPammyJohalfromBackbone(whohassetupandwillleadalltheCommunityIntroductionsvisits)thenhadusallexploringthewoodswhileblindfolded.
Forsome,itwastheirfirstopportunitytoexploretheScottishcountrysideaftertwoorthreeyearslivinginGlasgow.Aswewalkedbackthroughtheancient
“FantasticdaybecauseIrelaxandforgetabouteverything...myworries...thinkingaboutmanythings.Quiet,peaceful...hadtimetolistentoeveryoneandhaveanopinion.”Akhmed
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3 The group all had a go at exploring the woods while blindfolded, including Scott Ferguson from SNH.
4 Ecofusion was a lively and colourful day out.
oakwoods,therewasalotofchataboutchildhoodexperiencesintheoutdoors,andmanyquestionsaboutotherplacestovisitandhowtogetthere.ThegroupleftwithacommitmenttoplanandrunanothervisitwiththeBridgesprogrammestaff.
CommunityIntroductionsisapartnershipbetweenSNH,BackboneandtheForumforEnvironmentalVolunteeringActivity.Backboneisatrainingandpersonaldevelopmentorganisationthatpromotes‘celebratingdiversitythroughadventure’,primarilyforwomenandblackandminorityethniccommunities.
BybringingtogetherBackbone’scontactsinblackandminorityethniccommunitiesaroundScotlandwithourknowledgeofScotland’soutdoors,theCommunityIntroductionsprojecthasorganisedaseriesof12visitstosomeofScotland’s‘specialplacesfornature’betweenMarchandJulythisyear.Theresponsefromboththenaturalheritagesectorandcommunitygroupshasbeenfantastic.Nositemanagerhasturneddowntheopportunitytotakepartandofferawelcometovisitinggroups,andmorecommunitygroupswanttovisittheoutdoorsthanwe’vebeenabletoaccommodate.
TheprogrammeofvisitshastakeninnationalnaturereservesatTentsmuir,LochLevenandtheIsleofMay,LochLomondandtheTrossachsandCairngormsNationalParks,aswellasClydeMuirshielandPentlandHillsRegionalParks.Foreachvisit,Backboneandthehostorganisationworktogethertoplanactivitiestailoredtothevisitinggroup,aimedatgivingparticipantsatasteofwhatScotland’soutdoorshastooffer–whetherit’sfun,amazingwildlife,orjustachancetorelaxinbeautifulsurroundings.SNHarenowworkingwithBackbonetosecurefurtherfundingtoextendtheprogramme.
Aftereachvisitweaskbothparticipatinggroupsandthehostorganisationtotelluswhatthevisitmeanttothem.Andthefeedbackshowsjusthowimportantanorganised‘introduction’canbeforgroupswithlimitedaccesstoknowledgethatmanyScotstakeforgranted.
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4
Fusion for allAsunnySundayinAprilsaw4,000peopleinEdinburgh’sHolyroodParkattendEcofusion,auniquemulticulturalcelebrationencouragingmorepeopletoenjoytheoutdoors.
Ecofusionmergedoutdoorandenvironmentalactivitieswithartsandcraftsfromaroundtheworld,combiningguidednatureandheritagewalks,aclimbingwallandabikeskillscoursewithNepalesedance,ThaifruitcarvingandJapaneseknotwork.
Arthur’sSeatprovidedaninspiringbackdropaspeoplebrowsedinformationstallsonopportunitiestoenjoyScotland’soutdoorsandtookpartinactivitiesaroundbrightlycolouredIndianmarquees.Over40environmentalandcommunityorganisationswereinvolved,withtheaimofencouragingmorepeople–ofallculturalbackgrounds–tomakethemostofScotland’soutdoorsandthenatureontheirdoorsteps.
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Ecofusionwasinspiredbythe‘WorkingwithDifference’programme,setupbytheForumforEnvironmentalVolunteeringActivityandBackbone.ThisinvolvesapartnershipofenvironmentalorganisationsandminorityethniccommunitygroupswhohavebeenworkingtogetheroverthepastyeartoencouragegreaterdiversityinScotland’soutdoors.
Blackandminorityethniccommunitiesareoftenunder-representedinenvironmentalandoutdooractivities,andtheWorkingwithDifferenceprogrammeaimstoaddressthebarriersbysupportingpartnershipsworkingbetweenenvironmentalandblackandminorityethnicorganisations.
Monthly‘gettingtoknowyou’meetingsanda‘learningbydoing’approachledtovisitstotheoutdoorsfor200peoplefromblackandminorityethniccommunitiesandanumberofongoingprojects.Forinstance,avisittoQueenElizabethForestPark,hostedbyForestryCommissionScotland,wasenjoyedbyagroupfromtheprojectforminorityethniccarersofolderpeopleandtheNepalScotlandAssociation.“ThistrailremindedusallasifwewerewalkingintheHimalayas,”remarkedoneofthegroup.“Youdon’tfeellonelywhennatureiswithyou.”
Recently,sevencommunitygroupsreceivedfundingfromthePathsforAllorganisationtosetuplocalhealthwalkprogrammes,andanumberofgroupsareplanningtheJohnMuirAwardwithHistoricScotland’srangerservice.
PammyJohalofBackbonewasdelightedbythepartnershipsandprojectsthatquicklygrewoutoftheprogramme.“InsettingupWorkingwithDifference,wediscoveredthatenvironmentalorganisationsandblackandminorityethniccommunitygroupsfounditdifficulttomakeconnections.Ayearlater,theEcofusioncelebrationeventbroughttogethereverythingthatthisprogrammesetouttoachieve!”
“Manypeoplefeltownershipoftheeventbecausetheywereinvolvedintheplanningprocess,”commentedAdilIbrahimoftheCommunityOrganisationforRaceEquality,whoorganisedafootballtournamentattheevent.“Ecofusionwasanexcellent
5 The climbing wall was a big hit with the children.
6 There were opportunities to get up close to wildlife.
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wayofbringingcommunitiestogether,offeringthemtheopportunitytotrynewoutdooractivities,meetenvironmentalorganisationsandsimplyappreciatetheoutdoorspaces.WeallenjoyedtheoutdoorspaceatHolyroodPark.WehaveneverfeltsorelaxedandcheerfulinEdinburghbefore.”
TasnimRafiqoftheBeyondtheVeilorganisationhadastallattheeventandwasequallyenthusiasticabouttheintroductionsmadeontheday.“WemetupwithsomanypeopleconnectedtoEcofusion,”sheremarked,“andweexchangednumbers,sowe’llhopefullybeabletoworktogether.”
ForSNH,EcofusionwasanopportunitytopromoteScotland’snaturalheritagetoanewaudience.Wewereabletohighlightthespecialqualitiesofnationalnaturereserves,aswellasencouragingpeopletoenjoynatureandlandscapesclosertohome.
AkeyaimforSNHistogetmorepeopletoaccesstheoutdoorsmoreoften,andtoensurethatthehealthandwellbeingbenefitsofthenaturalheritagearesharedmorewidely.So,whetheryoupreferyourdoseofnatureonaquietwalkinthepark,hittingadrenalinehighsinadventurousoutdoorpursuits,visitingoneofScotland’sspecialplacesfornature,orhelpingmanageyourlocalgreenspace,theoutdoorshassomethingtomakeeveryonesmile.
“WeallenjoyedtheoutdoorspaceatHolyroodPark.WehaveneverfeltsorelaxedandcheerfulinEdinburghbefore.”Adil Ibrahim,Community Organisationfor Race Equality
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We two are one
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TwoofthegovernmentorganisationsinvolvedwithwildlifemanagementinScotlandaresettomergethissummer
ReformofthepublicsectorwillseethemergerinAugustoftheDeerCommissionforScotland(DCS)withScottishNaturalHeritage(SNH).
TheorganisationshavebeenworkingtowardsthemergersincetheScottishGovernmentannouncedin2008thattheyplannedtobringtogetheranumberofpublicbodiesinScotland.
TheunionofSNHandtheDCSwillcreateastrongerorganisation.Itwillcombinetheskillsandexperienceofstaffinordertoprovideabetterserviceforcustomers,particularlythosewithaninterestindeeranddeermanagement.ItmeansalsothatdeermanagementinScotlandcanbetakenforwardinthecontextofbroadernatureandlandscapeissues,ratherthanasaseparateactivity.
Inaddition,thenewmergedorganisationwillbemorecost-efficientthroughhavingonlyonebusinesstorunratherthantwoseparatebodies.AndSNHandDCSalreadysharethesameheadquartersbuildinginInverness,sotheupheavalforstaffhasbeenkepttoaminimum.
“ThemergingofSNHandDCScreatesanorganisationthatwillbemoreeffectiveandefficientatlookingafterallofnatureforallofScotland,”commentedIanJardine,chiefexecutiveofSNH.
“We’llbetakingforwardthefullrangeofactionspreviouslydealtwithbytheDCS,whichmeansthatSNHwillnowhaveabiggerroleinwildlifemanagement.WewanttoensurethatScotland’swildlifeismanagedinasustainablewaysothatourrichnaturalresourcesremainforfuturegenerationstoenjoy.”
Theterm‘wildlifemanagement’isanimportantone.Asaresultofthemerger,SNHhavesetupanewwildlifemanagementteam,whichwillfocusonthebroadrangeofissuesinvolvedinthemanagementofcertainwildspeciesfoundacrossScotland–fromourmoreremote,ruralareasthroughtotheheartofourtownsandcities.
Wildlifemanagementcanbeasensitiveareaofworkasitofteninvolvescatching,relocatingorcullinganimals.ThisnecessityhastobebalancedwithSNH’scommitmenttolookafterandpromoteourrich,variednatureandlandscapes,andalsowiththeneedforthehigheststandardsofanimalwelfare.
ThereareanumberofwildanimalsandplantsinScotlandthatareactivelymanagedforfood,sport,conservationandprofit.Somespeciesaremanagedtoreducetheimpacttheyhavethroughdamagingcropsorotherwildlife,suchasmink.
Otherspeciesaremanagedtohelptheirpopulationandconservation,aswehaveseenwiththereintroductionofbirdssuchasseaeaglesandredkites.Somewildanimalsarealsomanagedforcommercialandrecreationalpurposesandforprofit,suchasthemanagementofgrouseanddeerpopulationsforcountrysports.
Ourwildlife,includingdeer,isamajorassetthatweneedtomanageandlookafterforconservationaswellaseconomicpurposes.Indeed,countrysportsinScotlandarethesecondlargestprimarylanduse(some20%)afterfarming.
AfterAugust,SNHwillhaveabroaderroleintermsofwildlifemanagement,andthiswillcontributesignificantlytotheorganisation’soverallresponsibilityforhelpingpeopletounderstand,appreciate,valueandenjoyallaspectsofnatureinScotland.
“ThemergingofSNHandDCScreatesanorganisationthatwillbemoreeffectiveandefficient”
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The Nature of Scotland
Wetland wonderThesprawlingInshMarshesinBadenochformoneofthemostimportantwetlandsinEurope.Themarshescreateapatchworkofopenwater,wetland,meadowandwoodland,providingasanctuaryforawealthofwildlife
1 The national nature reserve includes a large section of the River Spey floodplain.
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erve
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Kingussie
RuthvenBarracks
Ruthven
Torcroy
TromieMills
TromieBridge
Invertromie
B970
B970
B9152
A86
A9(
T)
A9(T)
GordonhallHide
InvertromieHide
R i v e r S p e y
River Tromie
ToPerth
ToInsh
ToAviemore
To Aviemore andInverness
ToNewtonmore
Reserve boundary
Parking
Viewpoint
Information board
Hide
A road
B road
Minor road
Track
Railway / Station
Reserve paths
0 1
0 1
kilometre
mile
12
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LookoutoverthevastwateryexpanseoftheInshMarshesandit’seasytoforgetthatyou’remanymilesfromthesea.However,thebroodingbackdropoftheMonadhliathmountainsandtheCairngormsisaconstantreminderoftheinlandlocation.
Themarshesoccupysome10sqkmbetweenKingussieandKincraig,wheretheRiverSpeyspillsoutontothefloodplainseveraltimesayear.Bothsnowandheavyrainresultinfloodwatersfillingupthemarshland.
Toreachthereserve,followtheB970southfromKingussie,towardsandthenbeyondRuthvenBarracks.Thereserveentranceisjustoverakilometreeastofthebarracks.
ThiswalkbeginsatthecarparkandtakesinboththeInvertromie(1.5km)andTromieMeadow(4.5km)trails.TheInvertromieTrailtakesyoutohides,fromwhereyouhavesuperbviewsoverthemarshes.TheTromieMeadowTrailleadsyoutothemeadows,withtheirremarkableshowofplantsandbutterfliesinsummer.Bothtrailsareunsurfacedandhavesteepslopes.Usethenumberedmapanddirectionsinthetexttoguideyouaround.
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2 Goldeneye have been attracted to nest at Insh Marshes in specially designed boxes put up on trees close to water.
3 Redshank like wet grassland. Drainage on farmland has reduced their numbers nationally.
4 Aspen wood was once a popular choice for making oars and paddles because it’s light and buoyant.
Thefloodplainnaturallyfloodsseveraltimesayear,whichhelpstokeepitfertile.Themarshesprovidesecurenestingandfeedingsitesforlargenumbersofwadingbirdsandwildfowl.Over500pairsofwadingbirds(suchaslapwing,snipe,curlewandredshank),plushundredsofpairsofwaterfowl(includingrarespeciessuchasgoldeneye,wigeonandspottedcrake)nestherefromApriltoJune.
Floodedgroundprovidestheessentialconditionsforthesebirdstosurvive.Listenoutforthemournfulechoofacurleworthepersistent‘pee-wit’callofalapwing.It’salsoanidealenvironmentforarangeofspecialistanimals,fromotterstominutewaterlife.
1
Thereservehasoneofthemostimportantstandsofaspentreesinthecountry.AlthoughaspenoccursthroughoutBritain,it’smostcommoninthenorthandwestofScotland,andisalsofoundinShetlandandtheHebrides.Aspenisnotableforthedistinctivewayitsleavestrembleintheslightestbreeze.Theleavesofthetreewerebelievedinfolkloretotremblecontinually,soitwasalsoknownasthe‘shiveringtree’.
Aspencanreachaheightof20m,butinmostlocationsintheHighlandsitwillonlygrowtoabout10mtall.Thetreeisimportantforrareinsects,mosses,lichensandfungi.Deadaspenalsoprovidesahomefortheveryrareaspenhoverfly,whoselarvaeliveunderthebark.
ThisareaoverlooksInvertromieFarm,andyoucanseealongthelengthofthefloodplain.Cattle,poniesandsheepgrazethemarshfromspringtoautumntokeeptheareafreefromtreesandtopreventthemarshfrombecomingovergrown.Themarshesalsoprovidealittlegrassforhayandotherforagecuttingindrierareas.Thefloodsreturninlatesummerandforcecattleandsheeptohigherground.Duringthesummermonths,youmightseeospreyhuntingforfishalongtheriverandoveropenareasofwater.
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InshMarshesisoneofover50nationalnaturereservesinScotland.Findoutmoreatwww.nnr-scotland.org.uk
We’veidentifiedover500typesofplantonthesite,with150onInvertromieMeadowalone.Thereserveiswellknownforawidevarietyoforchids.Acarefulsearchofthemeadowareasinearlysummershouldrewardyouwiththebeautifulpurpleflowersoftheheath-spottedorchidorthesweetscentofthefragrantorchid.Justlikethebirds,theplantshererelyondampconditionstoprovidetheessentialconditionsforthemtosurvive.
Insummer,youmayseemanyvarietiesofbutterfly,includingScotchargusanddarkgreenfritillary.TheformerisfoundmainlyinScotlandwhereitfliesintall,dampgrassland,whereasthedarkgreenfritillaryoccursinarangeofflower-richgrasslands,oftenwithpatchesofscrub.Youcanoftenseedragonfliesaswell,includingtheblackdarter,closetothetrail.
Watchoutforredstartsandtreepipitshereinsummer.Thesesummervisitorsaretypicalspeciesinthiskindofopenwoodland.RedstartsaremainlyfoundinthenorthandwestoftheUK,andareimmediatelyidentifiablebytheirbrightorange-redtails,whichtheyoftenquiver.They‘bob’inaveryrobin-likemanner,buttheyspendverylittletimeatgroundlevel.Youmightalsoseearangeofothersmallwoodlandspeciessuchastitsandwarblers,aswellassparrowhawksandbuzzards,whichmightbespottedhuntingoverhead.
5
4
5 Redstarts are summer visitors to Britain, arriving in April and leaving in early September.
6 The heath-spotted orchid flourishes particularly in the west and northwest of Britain. It likes moorland, acidic soil or damp pasture, and flowers in late May to early August.
7 Visitors enjoying the view over Insh Marshes from the new information viewpoint, part-funded by SNH.
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Essential informationThereservecoverssome8kilometresoffloodplainbetweenKingussieandLochInsh.ThenearestbusstopandtrainstationareinKingussie,a1.5kilometrewalkfromthereserve.InshMarshesareconnectedtotheBadenochWaycycleandwalkingroute.
OS mapsExplorer402(Badenoch&UpperStrathspey)Explorer403(CairnGorm&Aviemore)
Trail lengthInvertromieTrail–1.5kilometresTromieMeadowTrail–4.5kilometres
TerrainThepathsareunevenlysurfacedandwide,withsomesteepslopes,stepsandroughsections.
DogsIfyouhaveadogwithyou,pleasemakesureyoukeepitonashortleadorunderclosecontrolatalltimes.Pleasealso
makesureyoupickupafteryourdoganddisposeofwastecarefully.
Further informationThereserveisopenallyear.Ifyou’dliketojoinaguidedwalk,arrangeagroupvisitorsimplyfindoutmoreabouttheworkatInshMarshes,youcancontactthewardenatIvyCottage,Insh,Kingussie,tel:01540661518,email:[email protected]
Nearby natural attractionsAtKincraigthere’stheHighlandWildlifePark,whereyoucandiscoverawidevarietyofScottishwildlife,aswellasendangeredanimalsoftheworld’smountainsandtundra.Theparkisopeneverydayoftheyear,apartfrom25December.FromApriltoOctober,theopeningtimesare10amto5pm,andfromJulytoAugustitis10amto6pm. Ifyou’dliketovisitanothernationalnaturereserveinthearea,thenthereareplentytochoosefrom.InshriachandInvereshieisjustacoupleofmilesaway,CraigellachiesitsalongsideAviemore,Glenmoreiscloseby,andthere’sCreagMeagaidhtothewestandAbernethytothenorth.Visitwww.nnr-scotland.org.ukfordetails.
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Return of the natives
Storiesofwildlifeindeclinemayseemcommonplace,butit’sstillpossibletofindnuggetsofgoodnews.Forinstance,majorprojectshaveallowedredsquirrelstomakeacomebackinandaroundAberdeen,andwatervolesarere-appearinginFormartine,nearEllon.Bothanimalswerepreviouslylosingouttoinvasivenon-nativespecies–greysquirrelswerereplacingredsandAmericanminkwerekillingoffwatervoles.
Thewatervoleprojectusedlong-termresearchtofindanefficientwayoftrappingmink.Smallraftsinriverswerecheckedforfootprints,andtheareaswithlotsofactivitydeterminedwheretoplacetheminktraps.Wecan’teliminatemink,butthey’resufficientlyundercontrolforvolestobeseenagainintheTartyandFoveranBurnsforthefirsttimeinover10years.
The‘SavingScotland’sRedSquirrels’projectinthenortheastinvolvesstoppinganyfurtherspreadofgreysquirrelsacrossAberdeenCityandAberdeenshire.Itrequirestargetedcontroltoprotecttheremainingredsquirrelsthatarestillhangingon.Thankstoadedicatedprojectteamandpublicsupport,we’renowseeingredsreturningtosomeoftheiroriginalhauntsinthecity.
Youcanfindfurtherdetailsatwww.watervolescotland.organdwww.scottishsquirrels.org.uk
Moving on
Inmid-AprilwelockedupourAberdeenofficeinRubislawTerraceforthelasttimeandmovedintothepurpose-builtInverdeeHouseinTorry.WesharethebuildingwiththeScottishEnvironmentProtectionAgency(SEPA)andtheJointNatureConservationCommittee(JNCC).
Althoughitwasabitofawrenchtoleaveour‘home’ofover30years,themodernInverdeeHousewillhelpustocontinuesavingenergyandlowerourcarbonfootprint.Thismodernbuildingalsogivesabetterworkingenvironmentandmakesitmucheasierforcolleaguestovisit.
SEPAandJNCCarekeypartnersforSNH,andourjointworkingwillbecomeevenmoreefficientnowthatallthreeorganisationssharethesamebuilding.Projectsthatweallworkonincludedevelopmentplanning;thewaterframeworkdirective;rivercatchmentmanagement,suchastheRiverDeeSpecialAreaofConservation;riverbasinmanagementplanning;marinerenewablesandmuchmore.
Havingallthreeorganisationsinthesamebuildingalsogivesusafurtheropportunitytosharemore‘backoffice’support.Asaresult,SNHAberdeenhavebeenabletomakeanothersmallreductioninstaffing.Clickonwww.inverdeehouse.org.uk/default.aspx forfurtherinformation.
Helping hands
ThelasttimeGrampianfeaturedinthesepages,wewroteaboutprojectshelpedthroughtheGrampianLEADERprogramme.Thegoodnewsisthat,evenwithbudgetcuts,we’restillmanagingtosupportsomegreatcommunityprojects.
Recently,wegave£8,000totheWhale&DolphinSocietytokitouttheirSpeyBayclassroom;£15,000totheStrichenCommunityParktobuyanewtractortomaintainpathsandcutgrass;and£1,000tohelpanewlyformedgroupofvolunteerspurchasebatdetectionequipment.
Inaddition,2010istheInternationalYearofBiodiversityandwewantedtohelppublicisethefactthatit’snotjusttigersandpolarbearsthatareimportant.So,we’vehelpedtheScottishOrnithologistsClubprinttheirNE Bird Atlas.Eventually,afreecopyofthebookwillbeplacedinallschoolsandlibrariesinGrampian.
Mostgroupstowhichwegrantaidhaveonethingincommon–theyrealisethatScotland’snaturalworldsupportsoureconomyandqualityoflife,andweallhavetotakeresponsibilityforit.TheyknowthatSNHcan’tdoeverything,sotheyrolluptheirsleevesandmuckin.Andforourpart,we’redelightedtobeabletogivethemahelpinghand.
SNH Area NewsGrampianCorrespondent: Ewen Cameron
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Room with a view
AnexcitingnewprojectisunderwaytobuildatimberwildlifewatchinghideontheshoresofLochFleetinEastSutherland.WithabackdropofBalblairWoods,thehidewillprovideanewviewingfacilityoverlookingBalblairBay,andwilldemonstratetheuseofhome-grownScotspine.
Theprojectisbeingco-ordinatedbyHighlandBirchwoodsthroughaschemeaimedatencouraginggreateruseofScotspineforbuildingprojects.HighlandBirchwoodsareworkingcloselywithSNH(whoareco-fundingtheproject),SutherlandEstatesandScottishWildlifeTrust.NeilSutherlandArchitectsandMAKARLtdwillbedevelopingandbuildingit.
LochFleetisanationalnaturereserveandit’salreadyapopularareaforwalkersandwildlifeenthusiasts.Thehideshouldbeopenintheautumn,andthenewfacilityshouldattractnotonlywildlifewatchers,butalsofolkinterestedinseeingwhatcanbeachievedusinghome-growntimber.
Knockan face-lift
KnockanCragliessome20kmnorthofUllapoolandholdsthekeytoanamazingstoryofcollidingcontinentsandscientificintrigue.Thisisaplaceofglobalimportance,bothtogeologistsandtopeoplewhosimplywanttowonderattheforcesthatshapeourplanet.
ThecragatKnockanexposesrocksthatlitupthescientificworldinthe19thcentury,withthediscoverythatasliceofoldrockssitsontopofmuchyoungerones.The‘MoineThrust’,asit’sknown,wascreatedbytheforceoftwocontinentscrashingtogethermanymillionsofyearsago.
Today,Knockanisanationalnaturereserveandapopulartouristdestination.In2001,SNHcarriedoutamajorupgradeofthesite’svisitorfacilitiesandit’snowinneedofasubstantialface-lift.SoSNH,withthesupportoftheHighlandLEADERProgramme,havesetouttocreateanewvisitorwelcomearea,refreshtheinterpretationandre-fitthenovel‘RockRoom’.ThenewvisitorfacilitiesatKnockan–aswellasarenewed‘RockRoute’geologicaltrailaroundthearea–willbeinstalledandopenedintimeforEaster2011.
Willows gain ground
TheInchnadamphareainwestSutherlandisfamousforitslimestonepavementlandscapesandassociatedplantlife.Inthelate1980s,theestateremovedtheirsheepfromthearea.Thisbroughtaboutanincreaseinthereddeerpopulation,whichthenledtomoredeergrazingandtramplingtheground.By2000,theanimalswerecausingseriousdamage.
Theownersthereforereduceddeernumbersoverafive-yearperiodaspartofanagreementwiththeDeerCommissionforScotlandandSNH.Thegoodnewsisthatthelandscapesandplants–whichareimportantonaEuropeanscale–haveimprovedgreatly.Inparticular,therarewhortle-leavedwillow(picturedabove),whichseemsespeciallyattractivetodeerbrowsing,hasrespondedreallywell.
Morebushesnowproduceflowersandseeds,andthey’regrowingtallereachyear.Sothedeerbrowsingdoesn’tseemtobelimitingtheirsurvival.Meanwhile,theestateismaintainingdeernumbersatthelowerlevel,whichisstillenoughforthemtomaintaintheirsportinginterests.
SNH Area NewsNorthHighlandCorrespondents: Ian Mitchell, Sue Agnew/Alex Scott
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Studying sick fairies
ThefamouscolonyofstormpetrelsontheuninhabitedislandofMousainShetlandwillbestudiedthisyearbyGlasgowUniversityPhDstudentHannahWatson.She’llbelookingattheeffectsofenvironmentalstressonthistinymysteriousseabird,whichlooksforfoodfaroffshoreandonlyreturnstothecolonyindarkness.
MousahasthelargeststormpetrelcolonyinBritainandsupportsperhaps2%oftheworldpopulation.TheRSPBmanagetheislandreserve,andtherearenight-timeboattripsduringthesummermonths.VisitorsheadfortheIronAgebroch,whichisaniconicShetlandlandmarkthatprovidesnestingsitesformanyofthepetrels.Thisdramaticsettingcomesalivewithpurringandhiccupingcalls(likenedtothesoundofafairybeingsick!),asbat-likeshapesflutteraroundthemightystonewalls.
ArecentcensussuggestedthatthestormpetrelpopulationonMousaisthriving,incontrasttomanyseabirdspeciesthathavesufferedinrecentyearsbecauseofashortageofsandeels.Thepetrelsfeedonsurfaceplanktonandcanperhapscopebetterwithfoodshortagesbecausetheirchicksremaininactivewhiletheadultssearchfarandwideforfood.
Festival time
ShetlandNatureFestivalwillbetakingplacefrom3to11July.Nowinitsthirdyear,thefestivalcelebratesthewildlifeandwideopenspacesofShetland,witheventsandactivitiestosuitallagesandinterests.
HoldingthefestivalinJulyallowseveryonetomakethemostofShetland’snature,whendaylightlastsuntillateevening,cliffsareteemingwiththousandsofseabirds,wildflowersarebloomingandthere’sagoodchanceofspottingseamammals.
Thisyear’sfamily-friendlyeventsstartwithanopendayonNossNationalNatureReserve,whichisahighlightinthediaryformanylocalpeopleandalwayspopularwithvisitors.
Throughouttheweektherewillbeworkshopssuchas‘butterflyfeeders’and‘creepycrawlies’,alongwithfamilyfundaysincluding‘ShetlandRocks!’and‘Gowildwithyourchild’.Localorganisationswillalsobegivingguidedwalks(picturedabove),takinginsomeofShetland’smostspectacularsceneryandhighlightingthevariedwildlifeoftheislands.Othereventsincludeboattripsandtalks.
ThefestivalisajointventurebetweenthemainpartnersShetlandAmenityTrust,RSPBScotlandandSNH.Checkoutthewebsitewww.shetlandnaturefestival.co.ukforfurtherdetails.
Heavenly rain
WearyandblackenedfirefighterswerespreadalongtheslopesofGrutFeaontheislandofHoyinApril.Armedonlywithfirebeaters,theyrepresentedthethinlineofdefencebetweentheonrushingtonguesofflamescracklingthroughthetinder-dryheatherandtheancientwoodlandintheBerriedalevalley.
ThevalleyishometothemostnortherlynaturalwoodlandinBritain,holdingOrkney’slargeststretchofnativeancientforest.It’sthoughttodatebackthousandsofyearstobeforethearrivalofpeopleontheNorthernIsles.Itsshelteredslopesgiverefugetoaspecialrangeofislandplantlife,includingdownybirch,rowan,willow,aspen,twoofOrkney’sthreehazeltrees,treelungwortandotherwoodlandplants.Formany,it’saplaceofpilgrimage.
Andthen,withhungryflamesbarely30pacesfromthewoodandwiththefirefightersinretreat,thewindswunground180degrees.Asitdid,therainbegantofall.Thefatiguedcheeredandthelocalcouncillordescribeditas‘divineintervention’.Whoknows,maybeitwas.
SNH Area NewsNorthernIslesCorrespondents: Juan Brown, Denise Woodford, Tim Dean
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Caring developers
GreatcrestednewtsareahighlyprotectedspeciesandareknowntofavourthelandscapesofcentralScotlandasaplacetolive.Theycanthereforefrustratesomedevelopersinthisbusypartofthecountry.
I&HBrownareacompanythatspecialiseinreclaimingbrownfieldland.SoyoumighthaveexpectedthemtobeabitvexedwhentheydiscoveredapopulationofthesespecialcreaturesusingpartofasiteearmarkedforregenerationnearthecommunityofBanknock,Falkirk.However,theyinsteadgraspedthechallengewithbothhands–literally!
Theyinstalledover1.5kilometresoffencingtomanagenewtmovementsduringconstruction;designedthelandscapeplantoconsiderfuturenewttravelsandhabitatneeds;setasideover10%oftheareaasawildlifereserve;andinvolvedlocalschoolchildrenincreatingsuitablehomesfornewts.Theyevenallowedtheirdevelopmentmanager,TommyDevlin,tobetrainedandlicensedtohandleandrelocatetrappednewtswithinthesite.
Tommy(pictured)isdelightedtoget‘handson’withthegreatcrestednewts,despiteacertainamountofribbingfromcolleagues.Heregularlychecksthetrapsfornewts,demonstratingthatnotalldevelopersareafraidtoshowtheycareaboutourexceptionalwildlife.
Gigantic scorpion
Evidenceofagiantsix-leggedwaterscorpionhasbeenfoundontheFifecoast.There’snoneedforalarm,however,asit’snotbeenthereforsome330millionyears–beforethedinosaurs.KnownasHibbertopterus,thisancientanimalwouldhavebeenabouttwometreslongandaboutametrebroad,andwasrelatedtomodern-dayscorpionsandhorseshoecrabs.
Weknowitwastherebecauseitleftbehindauniquefossiltrackway(shownabove)asitcrawledoverdampsand.Thetrackway,whichispreservedinsandstone,consistsofthreerowsofcrescentshapedfootprintsoneachsideofacentralgroove.Thegroovewasmadebythetailoftheanimalasitdraggeditselfoverthesand.
Thisfindisuniqueandinternationallyimportantbecausethecreaturewasgigantic.Sadly,thecoastalsitewherethefossilwasfoundisvulnerabletotheforcesofnature.Topreservethisimportantevidence,GeoheritageFife(withfundingfromSNHandtheGeologists’Association)havepaidforthetrackwaytobemouldedinsiliconerubber.It’shopedthatreplicasmadefromthemouldingcanbedisplayedinmuseumsanduniversities.
Restoring the land
ArecentconferenceinPeeblesbroughttogetherlandmanagers,environmentalists,academicsandotherstoconsiderhowtoputrestoringtheenvironmentattheheartoftheScottishGovernment’semerginglandusestrategy.
JamesAronsonfromtheCentreforFunctionalandEvolutionaryEcologyinFrancegavetheopeningpresentation,describinghisexperienceofprojectsinothercountriesandthefactorsthatdecidewhetherornottheyaresuccessful.OtherspeakerscoveredthescopeforrestoringareasforwildlifeinScotland–upland,woodlands,bogs,riversandfloodplains,aswellasfarmland–andhighlightedexamplesofgoodpractice.
Bytheend,therewasbroadagreementthatweneedtodomoretopromoterestoringnaturalareasinScotland.Thiswillcorrectthedamagecausedbypasthumanactivityandalsohelptomeetthefuturechallengesandopportunitiespresentedbyclimatechange.
WillieMcGhee,directoroftheBordersForestTrust,summeduptheday:“Wemustensurethatrestoringtheenvironmentisattheforefrontofanypolicydecisions.Gettingitrightiscriticalforboththelanditselfandforthepeoplewhoworkandliveonit.”
SNH Area NewsForthandBordersCorrespondents: Neville Makan, Heather Kinnin, Andrew Panter
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Events diary 2010
July Thursday 1Sunday 4
Tuesday 6Wednesday 14
Thursday 15Monday 19
Friday 23Tuesday 27
Saturday 31
Sunday 11
Sunday 11
Sunday 11
Wednesday 14
Saturday 24
Sunday 25
Sunday 25
Sunday 18
Guided WalksKnockan Crag NNRSutherland
Reptile WalkFlanders Moss NNRStirling
Alpine SecretsCorrie Fee NNRAngus
Fun DayMuir of Dinnet NNRGrampian Highlands
Row, Row, Row Your Boats!Muir of Dinnet NNRGrampian Highlands
Edibles and MedicinalsMuir of Dinnet NNRGrampian Highlands
Run, Jump and ExploreSt Cyrus NNRAberdeenshire
International TravellersLoch Leven NNRTayside
Family Fun DaySt Cyrus NNRAberdeenshire
JoinourgeologistguideandexploreoneofScotland’stopEarthsciencesites.DiscoverhowforcesdeepwithintheEarthcancausegreatmassesofrocktoslideupandovermuchyoungerrock.
Joinreservestaffinthecoolofthemorningfrom9amto11amwhenthereptilesaren’tquitesofast.Spendsometimelookingforlizardsandaddersonandneartheboardwalk.Bookingessential.
MeetattheGlenDollrangerbaseandspendtheday(11amto4pm)onthereservediscoveringtheimportanceofitswildlife.
Meetatthevisitorcentreforgames,craftsandactivitiesforallthefamilyfrom12noonto6pm.Astorytellerandafacepainterwillbeonhandtoentertain.
ComeforasplashaboutandadventurewithMandyTullochof‘MudPies’fame.Suitablefor2-to5-yearolds.Meetatthevisitorcentreforsessionsfrom11amto12noonandfrom1pmto2pm.Bookingessential.
Longbeforesupermarketsandpharmacies,peoplehadtofeedanddoctorthemselveswiththeplantsaroundthem.Meetatthevisitorcentreandfindoutwhichplantstheyusedfrom2pmto4pm.Bookingessential.
ComeforanadventureanddiscoversomewonderfulwildlifewithMandyTullochof‘MudPies’fame.Suitablefor2-to5-yearolds.Meetatthevisitorcentreforasessionfrom10amto11.30am.Bookingessential.
MeetreservestaffatFindatiecarparkandjoinaguidedwalkfrom2pmto4pm.DiscoverthesecretsofLochLeven’slong-distancetravellers,includingswallows,sandmartinsandhousemartins.Bookingessential.
Meetatthevisitorcentreforgames,activities,atreasurehuntandstorytellingforallthefamilyfrom12noonto4pm.
Tel:01571844000
Tel:01786450362
Tel:01575550233
Tel:07733303175
Tel:07733303175
Tel:07733303175
Tel:01674830736
Tel:01577864439
Tel:01674830736
Thursday 8
A Bloomin’ Great Day OutTentsmuir NNRFife
ComeandjointhereservemanagerforadayoffunforallthefamilyonthebeachatTentsmuir,followedbythe‘PuppetLab’show.Bookingessential.
Tel:01382553704
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September
Sunday 12
Thursday 2Thursday 9
Saturday 14
Sunday 15
Sunday 22
Sunday 29
Paws for ThoughtCorrie Fee NNRAngus
Guided WalksKnockan Crag NNRSutherland
Bats in the GlenCorrie Fee NNRAngus
Meet the WardensFlanders Moss NNRStirling
Bog CraftsFlanders Moss NNRStirling
Fungi ForayMuir of Dinnet NNRGrampian Highlands
Bringyourdogandjointherangerfrom2pmto4pmtodiscovermoreaboutyourresponsibilitiesasadogowneraspartoftheScottishOutdoorAccessCode.MeetatGlenDollrangerbase.
JoinourgeologistguideandexploreoneofScotland’stopEarthsciencesites.DiscoverhowforcesdeepwithintheEarthcancausegreatmassesofrocktoslideupandovermuchyoungerrock.
MeetatGlenDollrangerbaseat9.30pmtolookandlistenforbats.Bringatorch!
Comealongfrom1pmto4pmandmeetreservestaffontopoftheviewingtower.Chattothewardensaboutwildlifeonthereserve,includinghenharriersandgeese.
Meetattheboardwalkandtakeawalkroundtocollectmaterialsforcreatingsomecraftitems.Bookingessential.
Jointheexpertforaguidedwalktoexplorethereserve’sfascinatingfungi.Meetatthevisitorcentreanddiscoversomeweirdandwonderfulfactsaboutfungifrom2pmto4pm.Bookingessential.
Tel:01575550233
Tel:01571844000
Tel:01575550233
Tel:01786450362
Tel:01786450362
Tel:07733303175
Tuesday 10 Osprey WalkLoch Leven NNRTayside
MeetreservestaffatBurleighSandscarparkandjoinaguidedwalklookingforospreysfrom6pmto8pm.Discovermoreabouttheseamazingbirdsofpreybeforetheyheadsouthforwinter.Bookingessential.
Tel:01577864439
Sunday 8 Doggies’ Day OutSt Cyrus NNRAberdeenshire
Joinreservestaffandacouncildogwardenforadoggies’dayoffun!Discoverhowtogetthebestoutofthereservewithyourdogandtesthisorherskillsatagility.Bookingessential.
Tel:01674830736
August Monday 2Tuesday 3
Saturday 7Thursday 12Tuesday 17
Friday 20Monday 30
Tuesday 3
Guided WalksKnockan Crag NNRSutherland
Osprey WalkLoch Leven NNRTayside
JoinourgeologistguideandexploreoneofScotland’stopEarthsciencesites.DiscoverhowforcesdeepwithintheEarthcancausegreatmassesofrocktoslideupandovermuchyoungerrock.
MeetreservestaffatBurleighSandscarparkandjoinaguidedwalklookingforospreysfrom6pmto8pm.Discovermoreabouttheseamazingbirdsofpreybeforetheyheadsouthforwinter.Bookingessential.
Tel:01571844000
Tel:01577864439
www.snh.gov.uk 47
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Saturday 18
Sunday 26
Sunday 26
Fungal ForaySt Cyrus NNRAberdeenshire
Meet the WardensFlanders Moss NNRStirling
Fungi ForaysLoch Leven NNRTayside
Jointheexpertforaguidedwalktoexplorethereserve’sfascinatingfungi.Meetatthevisitorcentreanddiscoversomeweirdandwonderfulfungalfactsfrom2pmto4pm.
Comealongandmeetreservestaffontopoftheviewingtower.Chattothewardensaboutwildlifeonthereserve,includinghenharriersandgeese.
JointheexpertsonwalksaroundLochLeveninsearchoffungi.MeetatFindatiecarparkanddiscoversomeweirdandwonderfulfungalfactsfrom2pmto5pm.Bookingessential.
Tel:01674830736
Tel:01786450362
Tel:01577864439
Wednesday 15 Area Evening ReceptionMontroseAngus
Allwelcome(pleasecheckSNHwebsiteorwithlocalAreaofficetoconfirmvenueandtimings).
Events diary 2010
September
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DoyouhaveacrackingimageofthewonderfulwildlifeandlandscapesofScotlandoragreatstoryorpoemaboutawildencounter?Iftheansweris‘yes’,thenwewanttohearfromyou,asweplantoprintsomeofthebestentriesinfutureissuesofThe Nature of Scotland.
Thisisyourchancetohaveoneofyourimages,storiesorpoemspublishedforalltosee,sosearchoutyourbesteffortsandsendthemin.Youcanemailyourwordsorphotostoeditor@snh.gov.uk
Remembertoincludeyourname,whereyouliveandbriefdetailsofanypicturessubmitted.Ifyou’resendinginphotosthathavechildreninthem,thenweneedwrittenpermissionfromaparentorguardianofeachchildinthepicture.
Bywayofinspiration,hereareafewimages.Thefirst(above)wasthewinneroflastyear’sScottishBiodiversityWeekphotographycompetition,andcameinfromGordonRaeofLockerbieunderthetitle‘Betweendayandnight’.
Theothertwoimages,ofaptarmiganandamountainhareintheMonadhliathmountains,weresentinbyColinRichards,who’soneofourreadersinBridgend,SouthWales.
Inspired by nature
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Scotland’s sea monster
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1 Basking sharks are seasonal visitors to Scottish coastal waters. They’re mainly seen on the west coast in summer, and sightings peak around August.
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2 Hunting basking shark around Arran, 1770.
3 Basking sharks are active all year round. In winter, they move to depths of up to 900m to feed on deep water plankton.
ThewatersofthewestcoastofScotlandhavelongbeenhometothebaskingshark,theworld’ssecondlargestfish.Shoalsofthemusuallyarriveearlyinthesummer,whentheycanoftenbeseenswimmingatthesurface,feedingontherichsupplyoftinyplanktonthatbloomthen.Thishabitof‘basking’atthesurfacenotonlymakesthesharkshighlyvisible,butwasalsoresponsibleoverthecenturiesformakingthemvulnerabletohunting.
ThefirstwrittenaccountsofthebaskingsharkinScottishwaterscomefromthe1760s,whenthecountry’sfirstrecordedsharkfisheryoperatedfromtheislandofCannaintheInnerHebrides.Localshuntedthesharksfromsmallboatsusinghand-heldharpoons.Althoughthisfisheryprovedunprofitable,itwassoonfollowedbyothers,allthewayfromShetlandtoArranintheFirthofClyde.Thehunterswereafteroilfromtheshark’sliver,whichcanformuptoaquarterofitsbodyweight.Thiswashighlyvaluedatthetime,beingusedmainlyaslampoil,butalsoservingasabalmforachinglimbs.
Sharkhuntingcontinuedonandoffoverthefollowingtwocenturies,beforeincreasinggreatlyintheperiodbetweenthe1930sand1950s.Largenumbersofsharkwerepresent,andhuntersfromtheFirthofClydeandtheSeaoftheHebridessetsailinpursuitoftheliveroil.Itwasnowmuchindemandasanoilforfine-grademachinesandaircrafts,beingsoldforhighpricesontheworldmarket.
However,thishuntingbonanzaultimatelyendedinfailure.Thescarcityofsharks,thechangeableweatherandfallingoilpricesallplayedapart,althoughsomefairlyterriblebusinessdecisionsalsocontributed.Manyofthehunters–mostnotablythecelebratednaturewriterGavinMaxwell–lefthighlyreadableaccountsoftheiradventures,includingvaluableinformationonthekeyhuntinggroundsthattheyrevisitedmanytimes.
BaskingsharkswereoncehuntedwidelyaroundScotland,butsince1998they’vebeenaprotected
species.Now,researchershavefoundtwo‘hotspots’offScotland’swestcoastthatarehighlyimportantforthesharks,asColinSpeediereports
2
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1
Survey work
Fiftyyearslater,andwiththesharkbynowahighlyprotectedspeciesinScotland’swaters,thecountry’swildlifetrustssetupabaskingsharkprojecttosurveythesamewatersthatthehuntershadfoundsoproductive.Wouldthesharksbefoundinsignificantnumbers,andwouldtherestillbekeysitesfocusedontheareaswherethehunterspursuedthebigshoals?StatisticsforthenortheastAtlanticrecordedthat81,639sharkshadbeentakenthroughouttheareabetween1952and2004–asevereonslaughtonascarcecreature.
Fiveyearsofsurveysalongsetroutes,totallingsome956hoursofactualsurveytime,yieldedavarietyofresults.InthehistoricallyimportantareaoftheClydeSea,wesawveryfewsharksatthesurface.Itwasdisappointingtofindthatonlyonesmallarea,aroundArdlamontPoint,producedanythingmorethanrandomsightings.ButtheSeaoftheHebrideswasadifferentmatterentirely.Wesawsharksthroughoutthearea,andattwositeswerecordedremarkablyhighnumbersofsharksonaregularbasis.
Interestingly,thefirstofthesesiteswasaroundCanna,wherethehuntingstorybegan.BetweenCannaandtheHyskeirlighthousetothesouth,werecordednearlythreesharksperhourofsurvey,whichwasaremarkablyhigh
successrate.Atthesecondsite,aroundtheislandofColl,werecordednearlytwosharksperhour.Atbothsites,thesharkswereconsistentlyengagedinwhat’sbelievedtobecourtshipbehaviour,wheregroupsofanimalsswimcloselytogether,oftentouchingeachother.Theywerealsobreaching–leapingclearofthewater–whichisalsothoughttobeconnectedtocourtship.Moreover,werecordedbigshoalsatbothsites–50atHyskeirandashoalof73atColl.Asaresult,weclassedbothofthesesitesasbaskingshark‘hotspots’.
Nowthatthesharkisprotected,thedaysofhuntingareover.Butthatdoesn’tmeanthatthesegentlegiantsareoutofharm’sway,asincidentsfromothersitesaroundtheUKhaveshown.Thisisespeciallytruewhenthesharksareattheirmostvulnerabletohumanimpact–swimmingatornearthesurface.Sharkscanbecometangledupinfishingnetsorcreelropes,forexample,orruntheriskofbeinghitordisturbedbyboats.Fortunately,therewaslittleevidenceoftheformerduringthesurvey,butanumberofsharksdidshowfreshevidenceofcollidingwithboats,allofthemclosetotheCollhotspot.
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Rough guide to basking sharksThebaskingsharkisthesecondlargestfishintheworld,afterthewhaleshark.Itcanreachupto12minlengthand7tonnesinweight,soit’sasbigasabus!
It’sfoundinalltheworld’stemperateoceans.ThisisthebiggestwildanimaltovisitBritainregularly,butit’sslowmovingandharmlesstohumans.
Recentsatellitetrackingresearchhasshownthatthesharkgenerallymovesintodeeperwaterduringwinter,althoughtaggedbaskingsharkshavealsomadelong-distancemigrationsintounexpectedareas.
Inonecase,asharktaggedneartheIsleofMancrossedtheNorthAtlantic,surfacingoffNewfoundland.Andinanotherstudy,asharktaggedoffFloridaintheUnitedStatesmovedtothesouth,crossingtheequatoroffBrazil.
Baskingsharksfeedmainlyonmillionsoftinyshrimpcalledplankton.Asthesharkswimsalong,seawaterpassesthroughitshugemouthandleavesthroughfivegillarches,wheretheenergy-richpreyisfilteredout.They’rethoughttobecapableoffilteringover1,800tonnes–enoughtofillaswimmingpool–ofwaterperhour!
Theycantravelontheirown,butthey’resocialanimalsandformgroups,usuallyinsmallnumbers(threeorfour)butsometimeshavingupto50oreven100individuals.
Baskingsharksareslowtoreproduce,withmalesmaturingataround15yearsofage(5.5–7metres)andfemalesataround18to20years(8–9metres).Afteragestationperiodofupto18months,fiveorsixlive‘pups’ofaround1.4–1.6metresareborn.Theymayliveforupto50years.
4 If you see a basking shark, you can report your sighting at www.mcsuk.org/sightings/baskingshark.php
Visitor favourite
Happily,huntersofadifferentkindnowseekoutthesharks.They’vebecomeakeyelementinScotland’svibrantecotourismindustry,highlypopularwithvisitorsandfilmcrewsfromaroundtheworld.Therefore,commercialecotourismoperatorsarenowencouragedtoattend‘WiSe’trainingcourses(www.wisescheme.org),whichrecommendsafeandsustainablemethodsofsharkwatching.
ThecoursespromoteuseoftheScottishMarineWildlifeWatchingCode(seewww.marinecode.org/scottish-marine-code-g.asp),withspecificadviceonbeingawareofsharkactivityaroundthehotspotsites.SNHhavedevelopedleafletsandwater-resistantmapsaimedatpleasurecraftthatmightvisitthesehighlyimportantsites.Theyhavesimplerecommendationsonkeepingacarefullook-outandsafespeed,forthesafetyofnotonlythesharkbutalsotheboatsandpeopleonboard.
So,historyhasnowturnedfullcircle.WecanstillenjoytheremarkablesightofahugeshoaloftheseleviathansoffthewestcoastofScotland,andclosetothesitewheretheywerefirstexploited.Andthankstotheconservationmeasuresthatareinplace,wecanhavesomeassurancethatthiswillalwaysbethecase,withfuturegenerationsstillbeingabletoenjoythebaskingsharkwhereitrightfullybelongs.
Canna
Coll
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The Nature of Scotland
1 The path to good health will for some patients involve outdoors exercise.
2 ‘Green exercise’ can take many forms.
Green prescriptions
Visityourdoctornowadaysandyoumightbeprescribedsomeoutdooractivitytoimproveyourhealth.RuthJepson,fromthedepartmentofnursingandmidwiferyattheUniversityofStirling,hasbeenresearchingthesubject
1
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It’snowwidelyagreedthat‘natureisgoodforyou’,soitmakessensefordoctorstoprescribeactivitiesthattakeplaceoutdoors.
GPs,nursesandphysiotherapistsinmanypartsofScotlandalreadyprescribephysicalactivityforarangeofhealthconditions.These‘exercisereferralschemes’usuallyfocusonindooractivities,suchasswimmingorgoingtothegym.
‘Greenprescriptionschemes’takeitastepfurther,withhealthprofessionalsabletoprescribeorreferpatientstoexerciseoutdoors.TherearelotsofexistingoutdoorgreenexerciseschemesinScotlandthatcouldbesuitableforgreenprescription.
Manyofthesearegroupbased(forinstancewalkinggroups,greengyms,gardeningprojects)andtakeplaceinthelocalcommunity.They’resupportedthrougharangeoforganisationssuchasPathstoHealth,TrellisandtheBritishTrustforConservationVolunteers.Peoplegetthechancetotakepartinenjoyableoutdoorphysicalactivity,andatthesametimetheycanlearnmoreabouttheirlocalareaandmeetnewpeople.Thiscanalsohelptoreducefeelingsofbeingsociallyisolatedandnotknowinganyone.
NHSHealthScotlandandSNHfundedresearchearlierthisyeartofindoutmoreaboutthegreenprescriptionschemesthatalreadyexistinScotland.Theresearcherslookedatthenumberofgreenexerciseschemesthataimtoimprovehealth,wheretheyareandhowtheylinkinwithhealthprofessionals.Thestudycameupwithover170greenexerciseschemesinScotland,and94ofthemcompletedanonlinesurveyabouttheirwork.
The94schemesareverydiverse,notonlyintermsofsizeandwhattheyprovide,butalsothehealthconditionstheycaterforandwhetherhealthprofessionalsareinvolved.
Thetargetpopulationismostcommonlydeskboundpeopleandthegeneralpopulation,althoughaquarteroftheschemestargetpeoplewithmentalhealthproblems.Forexample,‘BranchingOut’(aconservationscheme)and‘PedalForth’(acyclingscheme)arebothreferralschemesrunforthisgroup.
Therearetwomainwaysthattheschemeslinkupwithhealthprofessionals.Firstly,somegreenexerciseprojectsaredirectlyinvolvedwithestablishedexercisereferralschemes.Forexample,‘WestLothianontheMove’isanexercisereferralschemethatincludestheoptionforpeopletowalkwithagroup.
Theotherlink-upbetweenschemesandhealthprofessionalscomesthroughdirectlycommunicatingandworkingwiththem.‘WalkDeeside’workswithdoctorsandotherstoprovidewalkstosupportarangeofhealthconditions,includingdiabetesanddementia.And‘GallowayStrollers’isanotherexampleofaschemethathasareferralmethodinplace.
Althoughtherearemanysuccessstories,someoftheschemeshaddifficultiesconvincinghealthprofessionalsthatoutdooractivitiesweresafeandreallywouldbenefitpatients.Andhealthprofessionalsarebusypeople,whomayforgettoreferpatientsontotheactivities.Indeed,there’slotsofscopeforhealthprofessionalstoincreasethenumbersofpatientsthattheyrefer,andtheschemeorganisersarekeenforthistohappen.
Thefullreportisavailablefromwww.healthscotland.com/documents/4225.aspxandSNHhasalsopublishedaseriesofhealthandnaturalheritagecasestudiesatwww.snh.gov.uk/about-snh/what-we-do/health-and-wellbeing/healthier-scotland/green-exercise-projects
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58 The Nature of Scotland
Go down to the beach at low tide and explore the creatures and plants
of the rock pools that are exposed when the tide goes out. You’ll
be able to discover some of the secrets that are hidden in the
world of the sea.
Explore A rock pooLand SEE what YOU
can find!
Crab
Shrimp
Fish
Jellyfish
Shell
Starfish
Seaweed
Anemones
Can you find all of the creatures listed below?
Kid
s on
ly!
Haveyouevertakenthetimetolookatbugs?They’reamazingcreaturesthatfly,buzz,sting,leapandevenlightup!Agoodwayto
attractbugsistoputoutapeeledbananawithbrownsugarsprinkledontop.Leavetositoutsideforawhile,thenspreaditontothe
barkofatree.Checkregularlytoseewhatnewbugsyouhaveattracted.Lookthroughamagnifyingglassanddrawwhatyousee.
Comeoutatnightwithatorchandseeifthereareanynewcomers.Ifyouwanttotakeacloserlookataparticularbug,putitina
containerwithabottletopofwater,astickandsomegreenleaves.(Returnyourbugtotheplaceyoufoundhimwithin24hours.)
going on a bug huntgoing on a bug hunt
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worms
are responsible for a lot of things that make our soil good enough to grow healthy plants, which in turn provide us with food. Worms help to increase the amount of air and water that gets into the soil. They break down materials like leaves and grass into things that plants can use. The worms help to turn the soil, bringing down organic matter from the top and mixing it with the soil below. Having worms around in your garden is a good sign that you have healthy soil. If you want to learn more about a worm’s importance in our environment, you can buy worm farm kits, which allow you to see into the wonderful world of worms usually hidden underground!
SPLASH!!This game is best played outdoors on a warm sunny day, when clothes don’t really matter! It’ll work well if everyone who takes part is a good sport. With suspicion and shock, it’s great fun...
You will need:numbercards(e.g.sixpeopleplayingthegame=sixcardsnumbered1to6),aplastictumblerandalargebucketofwarmwater.
How to play: Chooseoneplayertobethesplasher.Hepicksanumberwithoutlettinganyoneelseseeit.Hethenfillsupthesmallcontainerwithwater,andstandsinthecentreoftheotherplayers,whoformacirclearoundhim.Thesplasherfaceseachpersoninturn,andtheoutsideplayerstaketurnstoshoutoutanumberbetweenoneandsix.Whenanoutsideplayershoutsthesplasher’schosennumber,thesplasherthrowsthecupofwateratthem!!SPLASH!!!
keep cool this summerBe inspired by your surroundings and make this beautiful fan to keep you cool during those long sunny afternoons in the garden.
Whatyouneed:apieceofpaperabout1mby20cm,twowidelollipopsticks,PVAglue,stickytapeandcolouredpens/pencilstodecorate.
Lookaroundyouandchooseathemeforyourdesign–maybeflowers,birdsorevenbutterflies!Nowdecoratethepaperbydrawingallyourideas.Youcouldalsoincludewords.
Pleatthepaperintofoldsabout1.5cmwide.Gluealollipopstickontoeachendofthepaper.Thelollipopstickshouldstickoutabout2cmabovethetopofthepaper.Tapethebottomofthefantogether.
Toopenyourfan,bringthelollipopsticksallthewayroundsothattheymeet.Nowyouwillbeabletokeepyourselfcoolwhenthesuncomesout!
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60 The Nature of Scotland
Sound judgementAseriesofresearchprojectsisunderwaytoensurethenewmarinerenewablesindustrycanexistinharmonywithwildlife.KatJonesofSNH’sgovernmentrelationsteamreports
1
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Imaginelivinginaworldwheresoundtravelsmorethanfourtimesfasterthanweexperienceandcancarrymanythousandsofmiles.That’swhatlife’slikeforcreatureslivinginthesea.
I’msittingwithCarolineCarter,fromtheScottishAssociationofMarineScience,ontheshoreofLochCreran,afewmilesnorthofherlaboratoryatOban.We’relookingoutonashale-bluesea,rippledbyalightwindblowingfromtheoppositeshore.
“Soundtravelsataround1,500metrespersecondinwater,”shetellsme,“andthelow-frequencysongsofwhalescanbeheardfromonesideoftheAtlantictotheother!
“Formarinemammals,hearingistheirkeysense,”saysCaroline,who’sinherfirstyearofanSNHandScottishEnvironmentProtectionAgencyfundedPhDtoinvestigatewhetherseamammalscanhear,andthereforeavoid,marinerenewabledevices.
“There’sactuallyverylittleinformationaboutsoundlevelsintidallyactiveandcoastalareas,asmostoftheworkhasbeendoneinareasofdeeperwaterwherethemilitaryhavebeeninterestedinsonardevices,”explainsCaroline.
Herresearchinvolvessendinghydrophonesouttodriftwiththecurrentsandmeasuringthenoiselandscapesoftheseareas.Thiswillfillinsomeofthegapsinourunderstandingofnoiseinthemarineenvironment.Itshouldalsohelpwithdesigninganddecidingwheretoputmarinerenewabledevicestoreducetheeffectsonmarinemammalstoaminimum.
Butit’snotjustintheareaofunderwaternoisethatthere’salottodiscover.Weactuallyknowsurprisinglylittleaboutourcoastsandseas,despitehowneartheyareandtheirimportancetooureconomy.
1 Marine mammals, such as seals, have an incredibly keen sense of hearing.
2 Caroline Carter braves the west coast weather to position drifting hydrophones that can measure underwater sound.
EMEC test site
Loch Creran
2
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New discoveries
Scotland’scoastlineisoneofthelongestinEurope–ifitwasstretchedoutinastraightlineitwouldreachallthewayfromScotlandtoHawaii.ThevastscaleofScotland’scoastalandmarineresource,alongwiththeobviousdifficultiesofobservingandmeasuringwhat’shappeningunderthesurfaceofthesea,meansthatwe’restilldiscoveringnewspeciesandthewaythatmarineanimalslive.
Forinstance,onlyfouryearsago,SNHscientistsdiscoveredoneoftheworld’srarestcoral-likestructuresinalochinMorven.Thesecoloniesofreef-buildingwormswerepreviouslythoughttoexistonlyinLochCreranandinthreeotherplacesintheworld.It’sclearthatwehaveachallengeaheadofustogetholdoftheinformationweneedtoensurethatwechoosethebestsitesformarinerenewabletechnologiesandtominimisetheirimpactsonmarinewildlifeandhabitats.
“It’svitalthatweincreaseourknowledgeofthemarineenvironmentifwe’retogetmarinerenewabledevelopmentright,”commentsGeorgeLees,policyandadvicemanagerforSNH.“We’rethereforefocusingonsomeofthekeyquestionsthatwillhelpensuremarinedevicescancontributetoalow-carbonScotlandwhilenotharmingourspectacularmarinewildlife.Wehaveanumberofresearchprojects
thatwillhelpusgivethebest,scientificallybasedadvicetogovernmentanddevelopers.”
There’saprojectmappingtheuseofseaspacebyseals,baskingsharks,whalesanddolphinsinthePentlandFirthandOrkneyarea,wheremanyofthetidalturbineswillbeinstalled.Anotherisreviewingtheeffectsofnoisefrommarinedevicesonsalmon,troutandeels.Andthere’salsoareviewofthedivingbehaviourofseabirdsandthedistancestheytraveltofindfood.
MonitoringisanotherimportantstrandofSNH’sresearchwork.Projectsincludesurveyingmarinemammals,fishandbirdsinareaswheremarinedeviceswillbeplaced,aswellasmonitoringwildlifearoundtheEMECwavetestfacilityinOrkney.“Inallcases,we’reidentifyinggapsinourknowledgeandtryingtoensurethatweaddressthem,”Georgeadds.
Naturally giftedScotlandisfortunateinbeingblessedwithawealthofenergyfromnature.Wehave25%oftheoffshorewind,10%ofthewaveand25%ofthetidalresourcesofEurope.Buttherateatwhichweinstallrenewableswillneedtoincreaseifwe’retoachievethecutsingreenhousegasesthatareneededtoavoiddangerousclimatechange.
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Toaccommodatethispace,weneednewapproachesforlookingattheeffectsofrenewabledevicesonmarinewildlifeandhabitats.MarineScotlandaredevelopinganapproachwhereoneorafewrenewabledevicesareinstalled,andtheeffectsonthemarineenvironmentandwildlifearecloselymonitoredbeforethenumberofdevicesisexpanded,orlargernumbersarebuiltelsewhere.Informationgatheredfromthisphasedapproachwithearlyinstallationswillhelpusmakebetterinformeddecisionsonhowfuturedevicesshouldbedevelopedandlocated.
ManyareaswithstrongtidesarealsoamongScotland’srichestareasformarinelife.ThisisthecaseintheseasaroundOrkney,wherelargenumbersofseabirdsandmarinemammalsfeastontheplentifulmarinelifeoftheislands.
“Orkneyhasanumberofhighlyimportantprotectedsitesbecauseofthescaleofthebirdcolonies,”explainsGeorge.“WehavetospeaktothedevelopersduringtheplanningprocessinOrkneysothatwemakesurethehealthofthesesitesismaintained.Andinlocationswhereseveralrenewabledevicesareplannedforthesamearea,thenwehavetoconsiderthepotentialforadditionaleffectsonmarinewildlife.”
Sound signatures
OnceCarolineCarterhasgatheredinformationonthesoundscapeintidalareas,she’shopingtoworkwiththemarinerenewablescompaniestofind‘soundsignatures’fortheirdevices.Sheplanstousethese,andherowndata,tocheckwhethermarinemammalswillbeabletoheartidalstreamgenerators.“Thedeveloperswillalsobedoingalotoftheirownmonitoringandresearcharoundthedevices,whichcouldofferimportantinsightsiftheresultsareshared,”shesays.
MarinedeveloperswillneedtocarryoutrigorousmonitoringwhentheyputdevicesinplaceandwillhavetoprovidetheresultstoMarineScotlandandSNH.“We’relookingforwaystoencouragecompaniestosharetheirdatawithoutaffectingtheirneedtokeepsomethingsconfidential,”GeorgeLeescommented.
BackonLochCreran,Carolineistalkingmethroughthehugevarietyofmarinedevicesthatarecurrentlybeingplanned,developedandtested.“No-oneknowswhichwillbesuccessfulincommercialtermsandeachcouldhaveadifferenteffectonthemarineenvironment,”shesays.“Somemarinedevicescouldevenhaveunexpectedpositiveeffectsformarinewildlifebyprovidinganartificialreefforcreaturesthatwouldotherwisehavenothingsuitabletoliveon,”saysCaroline.“Therearesomanyunknowns.Butthat’swhatmakesitexciting.”
3 Serpulid reef in Loch Creran. These are the best developed reefs of their kind in the world. They’re a haven for other marine wildlife.
Productive seasScotland’sseasarehighlyproductiveanddiverse,supportingover8,000differentspeciesand30%ofEurope’sbreedingseabirds.Theyalsocreatehugewind,tidalandwaveenergyresources.TheconnectionbetweenourrenewableenergyresourcesandthefertilityofourseasliesinScotland’suniquegeography.
ThevasticesheetsthatcoveredScotlandduringthelasticeagecarvedahighlyindentedcoastlineleavingdeeplochsandover800islands.ThisgivesScotlandacoastlinesome11,800kmlong,aswellassomeofthestrongestandmostcomplextidesintheworld.Waterflowingbetweentheislandsandaroundtheheadlandsrestrictstheflowofwater.Thiscreatesfiercetidalcurrentsandconcentratesfishintodistinctareas,producingimportantfeedinggroundsforseabirdsandmarinemammals.
ScotlandliesontheedgeoftheEuropeancontinentalshelf,bearingthebruntoftheAtlanticswellandwindsthatblowoverthousandsofmilesofocean.Windsandwavescanbeharnessedtoproducerenewableenergy,butScotlandalsoseesthebenefitsinthenutrientsthatarebroughtupfromthedeepoceanandinthemixingofthewatersbywaves.
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64 The Nature of Scotland
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