Summer 2011 Network Bulletin

Biodiversity matters!It’s maybe not the snappiest headline you’ll ever read but it does sum up the importance of biodiversity. Both the health of the natural world and the well-being of the human population are dependent on the richness of the earth’s biodiversity – the variety of life.

Groups belonging to the Community Network undertake a staggering amount and variety of activities to enhance Scotland’s biodiversity. In this issue of the Network Bulletin we highlight several of them – a wildlife garden in Buchlyvie village, Edinburgh’s very own river conservation trust, a nature reserve near Lockerbie, a Green Gym improving health and habitats in Glasgow, and the organisation dedicated to the welfare of one of our most recognisable wildlife species, the badger.

BTCV Scotland’s own volunteer groups are also engaged in all kinds of projects benefi ting biodiversity, from rural tree planting to urban gardening. And not forgetting the signifi cant efforts to control invasive non-native plant species such as Himalayan Balsam (pictured), which if left unchecked can have a devastating effect on our native wildlife.

The spread of invasive species is one of the subjects covered by the Natural Talent programme whose apprentices learn about, and contribute to, the knowledge of our wildlife habitats and species. We highlight one of our apprentices (page 8) and her look at one of the less appreciated building blocks of biodiversity – algae! And, based on the success of Natural Talent, we’ve recently established the Natural Communities programme, whose trainees aim to connect communities with the biodiversity on their doorstep, an example being Abernethy National Nature Reserve (page 9).

Contributing to the health of our biodiversity needn’t just be practical conservation or habitat work. You can play your part by helping to record wildlife and other environmental information, which is at the heart of an exciting new initiative involving BTCV Scotland promoting ‘Citizen Science’. The good news is you don’t have to be an expert to join in and it doesn’t just involve rare species in

remote locations – you can start off with the birds, bugs and beasties in your own garden, and spread out from there! To this end BTCV Scotland has recently been training a group of ‘Biodiversity Mentors’ to record their local wildlife in several areas including Glasgow, and to encourage others within their communities to do the same.

And, from now on, BTCV Scotland’s own staff and volunteers will be regularly taking records of the wildlife they encounter during their practical projects. All of the information gathered at the local level feeds in to the bigger picture of our understanding of the Scottish environment and how best we can conserve its habitats and species.

As the following pages illustrate, there’s a lot going on to monitor, record, and conserve Scotland’s fantastic wealth of biodiversity. Whatever your particular interests or experience (or lack of!) – get involved!

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The Earth’s biodiversity has also been described as its life support system. Worldwide there are estimated to be approximately 30 million different species or types of living thing.

In Scotland we have approximately 90,000 different species living in a wide range of habitats such as the Caledonian Pine Forest, home to iconic species like the Capercaillie (pictured right). We need to conserve these and our other internationally important gems of biodiversity.

But biodiversity isn’t just about rare species in pristine habitats. It includes the ‘ordinary’ plants and animals found in your garden, park and local greenspaces – even those scratching a living on scruffy waste sites. Most of these contribute to the richness of our biodiversity, although we do have a problem with some of our exotic visitors (see page 12).

Biodiversity conservation isn’t simply about wildlife – it’s about people too. We need a healthy environment to provide the resources for a prosperous economy and the opportunity for a decent, healthy life for everyone in a fair society. So, conserving biodiversity is crucially important for sustainable development – ‘development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’

All public bodies in Scotland have a duty to further the conservation of biodiversity, as outlined in the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act, 2004. Enshrined in the Act is the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, a 25-year plan to conserve and enhance

biodiversity in Scotland. One of the ways this is being achieved is through Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs) which encourage people and organisations to work together to deliver biodiversity action at a local level. Throughout Scotland hundreds of BTCV volunteers are contributing to LBAPs, even if they don’t know it!

For example, BTCV Scotland has been involved in Glasgow’s LBAP since 2004, since when hundreds of BTCV volunteers have undertaken conservation tasks at dozens of sites in and around the city. The work has been incredibly varied, including hedgerow planting at Bishops Loch, pond creation at Hogganfield Park and wildflower planting at the Necropolis. And a lot of invasive species control at numerous locations to remove the ‘usual suspects’ of Himalayan Balsam, Rhododendron, etc. All of these activities have been undertaken in partnership with Glasgow City Council’s Biodiversity Officers who have identified the sites and tasks required.

Biodiversity basics

Above left: Preparing wildflowers for planting out on sites throughout Glasgow.

Above right: Cutting back young trees encroaching on to the moorland habitat at Robroyston Park, Glasgow.

Conserving biodiversity is at the heart of sustainable development. The challenge for the environmental movement, particularly in a time of economic austerity, is to keep it that way.

Biodiversity, or biological diversity, has many definitions, some a lot more scientific (and complicated) than others. One of the simpler definitions is: ‘Biodiversity is the variety of life and includes all living things and the places (habitats) in which they live.’

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Buchlyvie Wildlife Garden lies behind the school and adjacent health centre, and was established in 2007. Its aim was to create a rich habitat for wildlife, an educational resource for the school, and an attractive area which could be enjoyed by all the community.

The garden has been created by the school’s pupils, teachers and parents, plus many local residents, with occasional help from outside bodies such as BTCV Scotland and the Stirling Criminal Justice Community Service Team. It has a number of habitats and features, attracting a wealth of wildlife:

Rowan Tree AvenueIn 2007 the school children each planted a Rowan tree along the path linking the village hall and health centre. If you’re visiting look out for Redwings enjoying the berries.

PondIn Spring 2008 the pond was dug by BTCV’s Stirling volunteers group. The pond’s rich variety of aquatic and marginal plants attracts a wealth of creatures including damselflies, newts, toads and Great Diving beetles. In March of this year the pond heaved with frogs, watched by the whole school. Some of the children counted over a hundred! Also to be seen are Swallows and House Martins swooping down to collect mud for their nests under nearby eaves.

Broch Medicinal GardenInspired by the Buchlyvie Broch, this double-walled stone feature was built by members of the Dry Stone Walling Association, and has been planted with 30 medicinal herbs such as Feverfew, Marigold and Echinacea. On sunny days the area is used as an outdoor waiting room for visitors to the Health Centre.

OrchardThe school children have planted a small orchard with traditional apple varieties such as Scrumptious, Sunset and Katy, plus Victoria plums and Merryweather damsons. These attract several species of bumblebees including the Early, White-tailed and Common Corder.

Butterfly & Bee GardensBoth of these areas are planted up with an array of insect-attracting plants including Buddleia, Honeysuckle, nettles and thistles. Winged visitors include Painted Lady and Peacock butterflies, plus Garden Tiger and Six Spot Burnet moths. And plenty of bees!

HedgerowsNative hedgerows are especially important for insects and birds. We have planted many species including Holly, Hawthorn, Elder and Blackberry which attract birds such as Yellow hammers, Robins and Thrushes. Also present are hedgehogs, field mice and voles.

Wildflower MeadowIn 2008 the wildflower meadow was sown with native Scottish seed including Field Scabious, Ox-eye Daisy, Ragged Robin and Red Campion – great for the wildlife and providing a riot of colour.

Native WoodlandIn 2007, 300 native trees were planted including Birch, Scot’s Pine, Oak, Alder and Hazel. Look out for foxes, rabbits, owls and Pipistrelle bats.

Watch the video!As well as the obvious opportunities for nature studies, the garden provides inspiration for arts projects. For example, with my help the children have made a short animated film ‘Hedgerow Tales’ using materials from the garden – teasels make great hedgehogs! See the film at www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCnrQuwilxs or Google ‘Buchlyvie Hedgerow Tales’.

Buchlyvie Wildlife Garden has been funded by The Big Lottery Fund, SNH, Stirling Community Council, Stirling Biodiversity Scheme and the Schiehallion Group. For further information contact [email protected]

To learn more about wildlife

gardening there is a wealth of

information on the internet, but If

you prefer to read an old fashioned

book, a good introduction to the

subject is ‘How to Make a Wildlife

Garden’, by Chris Baines, which is

available from www.btcv.org/shop

BTCV Scotland runs occasional

wildlife garden training courses.

For information visit

www.btcv.org/scotlandtraining.

These courses are often held at

the Jupiter Wildlife Centre in

Grangemouth where we run a

wildflower nursery providing

native and naturalised wildflower

‘plugs’ – ready for planting. For

details go to the Jupiter page at

www.btcv.org/scotland

COMMUNITY NETWORK MEMBER

Growing Wild in BuchlyvieOne of the best ways to boost biodiversity on your doorstep is to create a wildlife garden, whether in your own back yard, or in the grounds of your local school, care home, community centre, or any other patch of available land, large or small. That’s what the good folk of Buchlyvie in Stirlingshire have done at the village school with fantastic results, as volunteer co-ordinator (and film animator) Jessica Langford explains.

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Keen amateurs have always played an important part in gathering this information, whether as individuals or through membership of local natural history societies and other organised groups. Much of this effort can be described as ‘Citizen Science’ – a term used for scientific projects in which volunteers collect data. If you’ve ever participated in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch, you’re already a citizen scientist! And, to encourage more people to get involved in biological recording BTCV Scotland is involved in a number of initiatives:

Scotland CountsScotland Counts is a new project with Citizen Science at its heart and aims to build the foundations for a national pride in environmental citizenship. Many organisations, such as Butterfly Conservation, Buglife, and the Met

Office already use volunteers to collect environmental data. Scotland Counts will work with these and other organisations to co-ordinate more opportunities for volunteers to be involved. The project will also develop a number of pilot initiatives in schools and communities, aimed at increasing the confidence of people from all sectors of society to carry out recording and monitoring to produce valid environmental data.

Scotland Counts is funded by the Scottish Government, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). To take the project forward BTCV Scotland has appointed a Citizen Science Co-ordinator, Stevie Jarron, who joins us from SEPA, before which he was a BTCV Natural Talent apprentice.

Citizen Science is not just about producing data though. Whether you’re into birds,

butterflies or plants, or interested in your local air quality, or how much earlier spring seems to be arriving these days, there are opportunities to learn new skills and put them into practice through monitoring your local environment. It’s amazing how much there is out there to notice and how much closer you feel to the environment when you’re looking at the way it works in detail.

Wildlife Counts Biodiversity MentorsCurrently, over 30 enthusiastic people in Glasgow, Inverclyde and North Ayrshire are taking part in Wildlife Counts - a free training programme to equip them with the knowledge and skills to identify and record their local wildlife. But Wildlife Counts isn’t just about training up a few individuals, valuable though that is. The main aim is for these key people to act as ‘Biodiversity Mentors’ and encourage other people within their own communities to get involved, whether as interested individuals or those belonging to local schools or community groups.

Wildlife Counts is co-ordinated by John McFarlane (Environment Development Officer) and Paul McDonald, (Natural Communities trainee), who says: “The initial workshops are covering the basic ‘nuts and bolts’ of identification techniques for the

Count us inCathy Fiedler and a participant during one of the Biodiversity Mentors training events.

Hundreds of community groups, council departments, government agencies, and environmental organisations, large and small, are working to conserve Scotland’s natural environment and wildlife. What actions they take often depends on the information, or environmental data, available on particular habitats and their associated species - what species are present, and in what numbers? Is a species’ distribution increasing or declining? Is climate change having an effect? To answer these questions we need accurate information – and you can help!

more common species of urban flora and fauna, lichens, pond life, fungi, etc. And, over the winter further training sessions will cover community engagement, fundraising and identification software programmes, all designed to help the mentors recruit more participants and to ensure that records are properly inputted to the appropriate agencies.”

The workshops have been led by current and former apprentices from our Natural Talent scheme (page 8), who’ve had the opportunity to share their knowledge and enthusiasm for their specialist subjects. For example the recent Hymenoptera course covering wasps, bees and ants was led by former apprentice Cathy Fiedler, whose ‘pupils’ for the day enjoyed her course:

“In the time available the course covered a great range of identification skills.”

“An informative and interesting course. In particular I now feel more confident in identifying bees, and look forward to trying on my own.”

“More courses please!”

“It’s been great – any excuse to run around with a net.”

“I never knew there were so many species of bees!”

The Biodiversity Mentors programme has received support from SNH and is being delivered in partnership with the local councils in each area. If you would like to get involved with Wildlife Counts, or get in touch with the Biodiversity Mentor in your area, contact Paul McDonald at 01786 476182, or [email protected]

What about us?The Biodiversity Mentors scheme outlined above is about involving new people in biological recording, but how can BTCV Scotland’s own staff and regular volunteers be involved?

In recent months all of BTCV Scotland’s project staff have taken part in wildlife recording workshops, similar to those undertaken by the Biodiversity Mentors. In the coming months the staff will use this knowledge to involve our volunteers and Green Gym participants in recording work. Typically, this will involve taking a little time out during a practical project day to record some of the plant and animal species which the volunteers come across at the work site. Volunteers with BTCV Edinburgh are already familiar with this type of activity as it’s something they’ve previously undertaken on their own initiative, with the help of Volunteer Officer Rachel Redmond.

To carry out recording activities each BTCV Scotland office is now equipped with a ‘bio-box’ of wildlife identification guides, hand lenses, nets etc ,which can be taken out and used on project sites. The records gathered will be sent to our Biodiversity team in Stirling to be submitted to national recording and environmental monitoring programmes and build up a picture of what BTCV volunteers are discovering during their work. These activities will not only add to the biological data from sites across the country, it will also enhance the experience of our volunteers giving them a better idea of what it is they are conserving, and help answer a common question they often ask – “Why are we doing this?”, the next time you volunteer with BTCV Scotland you may be using an identification book as well as a spade or saw.

“When you have scores of BTCV volunteers going out every day, this is a great opportunity to bring together practical conservation and biological recording.” – David Graham

“I think our younger volunteers will enjoy getting up close and personal with bugs and beasties!” – Katie Stewart

The programmes mentioned above, as well as BTCV Scotland’s many other activities, are all about involving people in environmental activity. With funding from the Scottish Government’s Chief Scientific Officer we intend to engage 10,000 people with biodiversity over the next 18 months.

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BTCV staff David Graham, Katie Stewart, and Chris Peach examine their catch.

Our Glasgow volunteers team get to grips with their new bio-box.

BRISC

The recording initiatives involving BTCV Scotland will add to the data provided by other organisations including BRISC - Biological Recording in Scotland. BRISC encourages and supports every aspect of recording wildlife and wildlife habitats in Scotland through local records centres, recording groups and individual recorders. Details: www.brisc.org.uk

New BTCV Green Gyms are currently being set up in Inverness, Dingwall , Glasgow and Kilsyth.v For more information about the Green Gym concept and for contact details of all the Green Gyms operating around Scotland go to www.btcv.org/greengym

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COMMUNITY NETWORK MEMBER

West Glasgow Green Gym Healthy people and healthy places – that’s the aim of the flourishing Green Gym movement, developed by BTCV and partner organisations in locations throughout the UK. By taking part in regular conservation activities, people improve their own health and well-being whilst providing some much needed TLC for the local environment.

That’s certainly the case in West Glasgow where Green Gym volunteers are doing themselves and the local biodiversity a power of good. West Glasgow Green Gym is based in Drumchapel but the group also work in nearby neighbourhoods including Yoker, Knightswood and Scotstoun. Despite its gritty, urban image, Glasgow has a surprising amount of greenspace and this part of the city is no exception. WGGG projects have so far included wildflower and wetland planting within the grounds of Essenside Church, woodland management tasks at Garscadden Woods, vegetation clearing along the Kelvin Walkway, and removing invasive Himalayan Balsam growing along the burn beside Drumry

Woods. And, not forgetting the inevitable litter picking of the ‘usual suspects’ – glass beer bottles, plastic Irn-Bru and coke bottles, plus the occasional car tyre and other sundry item.

WGGG was originally set up by BTCV Scotland and Drumchapel LIFE*, whose Programme Officer Emma Balfour was particularly instrumental in the project’s success. BTCV has since stepped back and the group is run independently by Drumchapel LIFE, with a BTCV Green Gym licence. WGGG works in partnership with several other organisations, particularly Forestry Commission Scotland and Sustrans – the sustainable transport charity. The Rangers from these organisations identify suitable tasks for the group to carry out, whilst the fortnightly Green Gym sessions are actually run by three members of the group - Tracy Hamilton, Wendy Cameron and Yulia Kliuiko – who have all been trained as Green Gym leaders.

The group is taking a break over the summer and will start up again in September when members, old and new, will be most welcome to join in. For information about WGGG, please contact Graeme Allardice at Drumchapel LIFE on 0141 944 6004, or email [email protected]

l www.drumchapellife.co.uk

“I’ve been coming out for over a year, off and on. Before, I had piles of energy and nowhere to put it. You make new friends and meet all different kinds of people. It’s a great thing; I tell everybody about it.” – Sue

“It’s great. I like the outdoors. It’s better than being inside: I get bored easily. I’d like to do more.” – John

“Through the Green Gym I learn more about the area and the environment. You meet new people. It’s very helpful for people with health issues and helps their recovery. People feel better, it gives them an energy boost, builds their confidence and encourages them to socialise.” – Yuliya

“You meet different folk from a wide variety of backgrounds. I prefer to be outdoors. I’d rather be doing this than the housework. It’s good to be improving places and cleaning them up. And it helps you get your head together!” – Wendy

Yuliya and Jackie remove Himalayan Balsam from a patch of Flag Iris.

What a load of rubbish! Wendy Cameron with another haul from our throw-away society.

A recent WGGG team at Drumry Woods, in Drumchapel

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COMMUNITY NETWORK MEMBER

The Water of Leith: a fl ourishing little riverBy Helen Brown, Manager,Water of Leith Conservation Trust

The Water of Leith fl owing through the heart of Edinburgh is a haven for wildlife and a fantastic recreational asset for the City. This was not always the case for historically the river was an industrial power house, host to over 70 mills and not to mention Edinburgh’s main sewer. However, its recovery since the turn of the last century has been remarkable.

At the heart of this success story is a small charity, The Water of Leith Conservation Trust, whose mission is to conserve and enhance the Water of Leith as a haven for biodiversity and to be an educational and recreational resource for all. Based at the Water of Leith Visitor Centre in Slateford, the Trust and its 100 strong team of volunteers, works all year round to clean-up this urban river and is involved in many projects to monitor its wildlife and plants and improve its habitats.

So, what can you expect to see on the Water of Leith? The bird life is great with over 70 recorded species, the favourites

undoubtedly being the nesting pairs of kingfi shers and swans and the healthy dipper and heron populations. Mammals you can expect to fi nd include; foxes, hedgehogs, badgers, roe deer, pipistrelle and daubenton bats, and at the top of the tree we have an otter family with two cubs. Over the past three years we have been surveying the plant life of the river and with 70 species of aquatic plant, 250 species of wildfl owers and around 45 species of tree, I think you would struggle to fi nd a more bio-diverse area in Edinburgh. However, it isn’t all rosy as we have many invasive species. We monitor the mink populations and our volunteers are currently surveying the locations of Giant Hogweed, Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam. The latter we will tackle by hand to try and minimise its spread by seed later in the summer.

Biodiversity Boost ProjectIn 2009 we were awarded a small grant by Scottish Natural Heritage to carry out the Bell’s Mills Biodiversity Boost. This involved clearing a rank meadow, replanting it with 400 wildfl ower plugs, and broadcasting 1kg of seed. The project was a great success, volunteer-led and open to the local community. During 2011 we want to bring the rest of this meadow under control,

using the same idea at another site further upstream, Bog’s Mill, and creating a small wildlife garden near St. Bernard’s Well. Thanks to funding from The BIG Lottery Fund, this is becoming a reality. The project has three foci:

l To engage local communities and disadvantaged groups in active and practical workdays.

l To improve the biodiversity of two rank meadows and one tourist ‘hot spot’ along the Water of Leith for thousands to admire.

l To control the situation caused by, and educate the public about, the problems caused by invasive species.

At Bell’s Mill we will have a series of ‘hay making days’ in the autumn, followed by further workdays to rotivate, seed, and plant the remaining meadow area. At Bog’s Mill volunteers have been hard at work clearing years of rank vegetation. In June we surveyed the species growing on site and removed Himalayan Balsam, and in the autumn we will return to clear the meadow and rotovate, seed, and plant the area. And at St. Bernard’s Well we will be clearing the overgrown ground near the Well to prepare for planting. The theme of the garden will be ‘medicinal herbs’, and this will be created over the summer months.

If you would like to join in any of the tasks, please register as a volunteer by visiting www.waterofl eith.org.uk/volunteer

For more information about the wildlife of the river, our education and events programme, or if you are planning a visit or walk along the 12 mile Water of Leith Walkway, then call in to the Visitor Centre - open daily 10am to 4pm, or visit us online and subscribe to the news feed at www.waterofl eith.org.uk

We’ll be delighted to see you – as a visitor or as a volunteer!

Water of Leith Conservation Trust24 Lanark Road, Edinburgh EH14 1TQTel: 0131 455 7367

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One of the resident otters poses for the photographer

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During my apprenticeship over the past 14 months or so, I have been placed at the Clyde River Foundation*, a conservation charity that researches the ecology of the Clyde and its tributaries. I have been mentored by Dr Willie Yeomans, as well as the other staff at the foundation; Caroline McGillivary, David McColl and Justyna Olszewska, who have each contributed to my learning and development.

As ‘Headwater’s’ apprentice I have spent a considerable amount of my time on a research project developed by myself and Willie. I have looked at the effect of heavy metal mine drainage on the diversity of the flora and fauna of headwater streams. My training in macroinvertebrate identification has been provided at the foundation but as I also wanted to study algae (1) I had to go further afield. Therefore in February I took a course on diatom (2) identification provided by University College London which was ideal for my project as I was studying diatoms, but I wanted to get a broader understanding of freshwater algae.

Thankfully I received a bursary from Biological Recording in Scotland which enabled me to attend a Freshwater Algae course ran by the Field Studies Council at Kindrogan in Perthshire, its only centre in Scotland. I learned so much about algae in such a short space of time - it really was intensive. We spent two of the days in

the field collecting samples from ponds, rivers, streams, lakes and …walls! The huge variety of different types of algae was fascinating - reds, greens, blues, browns, yellows, and violets, all of which were found in and around the Pitlochry area, or in the grounds of the centre itself. In total we found hundreds of species of algae, a truly amazing figure for a small group of enthusiasts that knew very little about the subject before the course begun. When you hear about algae in the news it’s normally just about the harmful ‘blue-greens’ or cyanobacteria blooms, like the one spotted on Loch Lomond back in April.

What I learned from this course is the tremendous importance of algae and why they are such a valuable group to study; mainly because they are the base of the food chain, they are indicators of environmental change (both past and present), and predominantly because they are a measure of biodiversity!

At the conclusion of her apprenticeship Lesley was given a full-time job at the Clyde River Foundation, which in employment training jargon is called a ‘positive outcome’!

What are they?Algae are a large group of simple non-flowering plants containing chlorophyll

but lacking true stems, roots, leaves and vascular tissue eg seaweeds and many single-celled forms.

Diatoms are microscopic unicellular algae which grow in a wide range of habitats in damp soils, lakes, rivers and seas. Extremely common in almost all freshwater and marine environments they are excellent ecological indicator species sensitive to acidity, nutrients and salinity. Since they have a short life cycle they respond quickly to changes in conditions. Modern communities are used by environmental scientists for monitoring water quality especially in relation to the problems of acidification and eutrophication. Diatoms also preserve well in many lake and marine sediments and thus can be used to reconstruct past conditions on a range of timescales from decades to tens of thousands of years.

Lesley Gregg (left) collecting a phytoplankton

l For further information about Natural Talent, including blogs from the apprentices, visit

www.btcv.org/naturaltalent

l www.clyderiverfoundation.org

Developing a Natural TalentBTCV’s Natural Talent programme provides paid ‘apprenticeships’ for people passionate about the natural world, enabling them to spend 12-15 months on a particular area of ecological study. Towards the end of her apprenticeship Lesley Gregg put together a few words about the experience, including her most recent subject of study - algae!

Under the microscope: Staurastrum, an example of a Desmid, which is an order within the ‘green’ algae

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In addition to Alison the other Natural Communities trainees are:

l Katy Green (East Lothian Coastal Communities)

l Flo Duncan-Antoine (Carts Greenspace)

l Alex Hogg (Butterfly Conservation Scotland)

l Nick Underdown (Clyde River Foundation)

l Paul McDonald (BTCV Scotland Wildlife Counts - see page 4)

The programme Co-ordinator is Ant Morrow, based at BTCV Scotland in Stirling.

Further Natural Communities information, plus trainee blogs, is available at www.btcv.org/scotland

The Natural Communities and Natural Talent programmes are supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

BTCV Scotland’s Natural Communities programme is now in full swing with six trainees working on a range of projects to connect people with nature. One of the trainees, Alison Creggans is based with the RSPB at Abernethy National Nature Reserve in the Cairngorms National Park. Here, Alison shares her enthusiasm for the place and her work...

Four months into my placement as a Natural Communities trainee at RSPB Abernethy I’m finding that no two days are ever the same. This is hardly surprising considering ‘people engagement’ is key to what I am about, but when the size and diversity of this reserve is added to the mix, ways of engaging people are various in the extreme!

There is so much to tell and to impress upon people as to why this iconic nature reserve is special – no, not just special, but spectacularly important for wildlife. What stories can possibly convey why its 52 square miles is one of the most highly designated sites on the planet? Or how its mind-boggling assortment of species, 4,100 recorded with 750 nationally important, (some new to science), makes Abernethy one of the most biodiverse reserves in RSPB’s care? There are 926 species of beetles alone! How amazing is that?

My task is huge, but I bear it! Who wouldn’t want this job? As Abernethy’s ‘Community Networker’, local communities are my main focus, but I also work with communities from further afield, including visiting school groups. This is what I want to tell you about, what I and the RSPB Field Teachers get up to.

When a coachload full of excited children turn up, their first close natural encounter is with a composting toilet! So, they’re immediately right in at the deep end in terms of the importance of the nitrogen cycle. Without further ado we are off to Loch Garten Osprey Centre, the very place where the first pair of ospreys returned and successfully bred, after an enforced 40-year absence from these shores due to human persecution. We ogle at the ospreys through optics, appreciate their ecology and incredible migratory journey, and enjoy their aerial piscatorial antics as they bring fish to the nest. Then we have lunch too.

After that we go out to the forest to marvel at ants’ nests and make friends with trees, using all our senses other than sight. We get to grips with how trees work from the inside out by building a tree with these little people – which you have to see to believe. We make food webs, pretend we are insects and go on micro-hikes, look at bugs close up, and then make a recipe for a forest – which helps to pull it all together.

When you bake the perfect cake, ingredients and quantities have to be just right, so we get the children to think

about their perfect forest. As well as the trees, what other vital ingredients, including quantities, are right for a balanced ecosystem? It’s a nice way to round off the day, and helps nudge their thinking towards learning.

When the sun shines it’s a bonus, but when it’s raining… well, Scottish children are tough. Explaining to youngsters how the ancient woodland area of Abernethy, one of the rarest habitats in the UK, works for bugs, beasties, birds and biodiversity in general, is a wonderful opportunity to enrapture young minds about nature. And in terms of what I do, it beats hanging out at Community Council meetings!

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Building Natural Communities in Abernethy

Alison Greggans and youngsters in the outdoor classroom which is Abernethy Forest.

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Scottish Badgers was established 15 years ago, our purposes being to:

l Protect and conserve badgers, their setts and natural habitats

l Educate, inform and advise the public

l Liaise with other wildlife organisations for the benefit of badgers

Our core membership is over 200 active volunteers, augmented by nearly 600 volunteers who were trained during the National Badger Survey, completed between 2007 and 2009. This was the first-ever Scottish-wide estimate of badger main setts, involving over 14,000 volunteer hours and 42 training events. The Survey demonstrated how compelling badger work is for volunteers – nearly all of the 960

survey sites allocated to volunteers were completed. As a result there are now many people out and about in Scotland with skills and knowledge to spot signs of badgers and their territory, which in turn increases the reporting of any incidents of possible persecution, or damage to setts.

Scottish Badgers has developed Level One Badger Worker training. Individuals who have acquired a sufficient level of expertise in identification of signs and setts come forward for assessment. Many have already passed with flying colours and can then go on to provide basic badger expertise in their locality. And, recognising the demand for volunteers to be able to respond to more specialist requests concerning badgers, we are now piloting Level Two module providing training in the likes of Forestry Operations and Scenes of Crime.

Ian Hutchison, Scottish Badgers’ Species Protection Officer has the lead role for the UK in badger persecution prevention through ‘Operation Meles’. Sett interference is the commonest crime against badgers. Whether it is agricultural, forestry or land management operations, we are constantly alerted to new incidents. Snaring continues to be a problem with a number of badgers being caught and left to die. And baiting also remains a problem, often involving dogs. Where we have active volunteers, who are constantly out in the field surveying, more offences come to light and are reported. Much improvement has been

seen with more communication between our volunteers, enforcement agencies and the prosecution services.

We monitor what is happening in the built environment and have identified several locations where major development is affecting badger populations. Ian Hutchison, Species Protection Officer, of Scottish Badgers, is currently spearheading a new approach. By liaising with planning authorities at an early stage we aim to avert conflict with developers, and to extend better practice across Scotland.

Scottish Badgers collates data on road deaths reported by volunteers and the public. New road building provides scope to include features such as badger underpasses and fencing to keep badgers off roads. We monitor road building throughout Scotland and become involved where proposed mitigation plans have been found lacking or ill-informed.

Elaine Rainey, our Development Officer, is initiating our Youth Project to work with young people in areas of historically high badger crime to investigate current attitudes to wildlife and to create positive, lasting changes in attitude amongst young people. We intend to do this by engaging young people in a sustained and fun way, introducing children to wild mammals through wildlife surveys, badger watches, visits to wildlife rehabilitation centres etc, and through activities such as movie making and poetry sessions about badgers.

Scottish Badgers Annual Conference17 SeptemberOatridge College, West Lothian

Each year we hold a conference for members and others, where we enjoy input from expert speakers as well as sharing and updating volunteers’ experience in practical workshops. As always this year’s conference promises to be an interesting and rewarding event. Why don’t you join us?

l www.scottishbadgers.org.uk

COMMUNITY NETWORK MEMBER

Scottish BadgersBadgers are Britain’s largest carnivore, largely nocturnal animals which can live for over 15 years in favourable circumstances. They have no natural predators, their only threat being man and his activities. The welfare of these creatures north of the border is led by the charity Scottish Badgers, as member Ellie Stirling explains.

“The first-ever Scottish-wide badger survey involved over 14,000 volunteer hours and 42 training events...”

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Looking for lolly? If you’re looking to give your biodiversity project a boost, the CSV Action Earth campaign may have the cash to help you.

The campaign, supported by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), was launched at the end of May and continues until October. It offers three types of grants ranging from £50-£500 to cover materials, tools and expenses.

1. CSV Action Earth Express awards are easy-to-access grants of £50 for any group of volunteers to improve their local environment through practical conservation.

2. SNH Biodiversity Awards are grants of £250 for projects which are providing or

improving habitats for wildlife or enhancing local biodiversity.

3. SNH Local Nature Reserve Awards of up to £500 are available exclusively for projects taking place on Local Nature Reserves (LNRs).

Last year over 10,000 CSV Action Earth volunteers were involved in tasks such as improving woodlands by planting and clearing, and turning derelict wasteland into bee-friendly wildflower meadows.

They also helped to create ponds and footpaths, build bird and bat boxes and took part in a whole load of other environmental activities.

For 2011 the campaign organisers are keen to help projects and groups attract new volunteers to their work.

You can apply online, download forms, or get further information at www.actionearth.org.uk

If you would like to discuss project ideas please contact Robert Henderson on 0131 222 9083, or email: [email protected]

As well as ‘talking to the converted’ BTCV is providing new audiences with opportunities to experience and learn about the great outdoors on their doorstep.

A new programme ‘Discovering Nature’ kicked off in late June when an Arab women’s group, plus other members of Glasgow’s Black and Minority Ethnic

(BME) community, had a day out at Pollok Country Park.

The adults brought with them a gaggle of excitable youngsters, keen to join in the bug hunts, arts and crafts, and wildlife identification activities.

While the kids were finding frogs, peering at newts and looking through microscopes, the adults joined Nancy McIntyre, our Wildflower Nursery Manager, for wildflower walks around the grounds

of Pollok House. Here, they found a wide variety of colourful wildflowers and plants, each with its own story.

Everyone had a great time, especially as the rain held off! The event was organised by Julia Duncan of FEVA, with support from the Forestry Commission Scotland, and BTCV’s Biodiversity team. And more outings are planned for the coming months. For further information contact [email protected], or call 07843 069 559.

Discovering Nature

The campaign offers grants ranging from £50 - £500 to cover materials, tools and expenses. Last year over 10,000 volunteers took part...

It’s in the bag! Volunteer Callum McClellan with a salmon, from which eggs were removed for a breeding programme. Callum reluctantly had to return the salmon to the river!

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Over the past few years BTCV Scotland’s work to control invasive non-native plant species* has become increasingly important in many parts of the country and is a very prominent part of our work in the Highlands.

In the summer we spend many weeks strolling along the river banks, industriously pulling up Himalayan Balsam and other invasives, whilst on cold and snowy winter days we warm our hands over a crackling rhododendron fire.

All of this effort is to counterbalance the negative impact these invasive species have on our local ecosystems, where they very effectively out-compete the existing vegetation. Although most of these plants are quite attractive to the eye - one of the reasons they were introduced to begin with - they produce monotonous stands of vegetation, with mostly little benefit to the local wildlife.

So, although our work seems mostly destructive these days, we are in fact greatly benefiting local biodiversity by allowing native plants and animals to re-establish themselves.

Over the last four years we have established a hugely successful partnership with the Cromarty Firth Fisheries Trust (CFFT) aiming to remove invasive species, educate the local public and improve local biodiversity.

As Simon McKelvey from CFFT says: “The work of BTCV conservation volunteers and Green Gym participants is essential to the delivery of biodiversity projects within the Cromarty Firth region. The BTCV teams provide the labour to clear invasive alien plant species from riverbanks throughout the region. Their work to clear rhododendron from the River Orrin has been dramatically successful and BTCV Inverness is also a key partner in the restoration of the River Peffery. These works are supported financially by SEPA, Highland Council and CFFT. This collaboration between public, private and voluntary sectors, is proving a very successful model to deliver catchment-

scale biodiversity improvements.”

So, aside from the occasional monotony of our work it is very satisfying to see the abundance of other species pop-up after even just a year of site clearance, with bluebells and other equally beautiful species making an appearance, or should that be re-appearance?

This is perhaps the main reason that our volunteers keep coming back year after year – they can see the positive results of their hard work. That and the fact that we get to join Simon and his team in their fascinating fisheries work too – from electro-fishing and salmon broodstock collection, to releasing the wee ones.

Himalayan Balsam and Rhododendron Ponticum are probably the top two on our hit list of botanical bad guys. Others include Japanese Knotweed, Snowberry and American Skunk-cabbage. The work of our Inverness team proves that with concerted effort it is possible to make an impact on invasive species. However, this remains a massive problem across the country with some of the opinion that we will never completely eradicate such species from our countryside. So, who will win the battle of the aliens? Watch this space!

*There are of course examples from the animal kingdom too, such as mink, grey squirrels and North American signal crayfish – but that’s another story.

By Ullie Wenzel – Volunteer Development Officer (Inverness)

Space invaders!

Ullie Wenzel (third from left at back) and Dingwall Green Gym volunteers amid a sea of Himalayan Balsam, beside the Conan Bridge

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A group of RBS employees abandoned their desks and computer screens for a day to help build a new footpath and go-carting track at Barnardo’s Caern House on the outskirts of Edinburgh, close to the RBS Headquarters at Gogarburn.

Caern House provides essential overnight breaks for young people with learning disabilities and complex needs. The House’s attractive grounds include a small woodland through which runs a path which the youngsters can use for go-carting – great fun and a very stimulating activity for them.

The task for the RBS team was to help Chris Peach, from BTCV Edinburgh, lay down a new path surface of Type 1 hardcore covered with whin dust.

Many wheelbarrow loads and sore backs later, the team ran out of path material so it was time to pack up for the day, but not before having a quick spin!

The RBS involvement was arranged by Heath Brown, BTCV Scotland’s Corporate Development Manager, who says: “The Caern House project is part of an ongoing programme of employee action days in which RBS staff work with BTCV Scotland on worthwhile community and environmental projects.

“So, many thanks to the RBS path builders, some of whom came up from London especially, plus all the other RBS staff who’ve been involved in the programme so far.”

RBS Away DayA group of RBS employees abandoned their desks and computer screens for a day to help build a new footpath and go-carting track at Barnardo’s Caern House on the outskirts of Edinburgh, close to the RBS Headquarters at Gogarburn.

Caern House provides essential overnight breaks for young people with learning disabilities and complex needs. The House’s attractive grounds include a small woodland through which runs a path which the youngsters can use for go-carting – great fun and a very stimulating activity for them.

The task for the RBS team was to help Chris Peach, from BTCV Edinburgh, lay down a new path surface of Type 1 hardcore covered with whin dust.

Many wheelbarrow loads and sore backs later, the team ran out of path material so it was time to pack up for the day, but not before having a quick

The RBS involvement was arranged by Heath Brown, BTCV Scotland’s Corporate Development Manager, who says: “The Caern House project is part of an ongoing programme of employee action days in which RBS staff work with BTCV Scotland on worthwhile community and environmental projects.

“So, many thanks to the RBS path builders, some of

backs later, the team ran out of path material so it was time to pack up for the day, but not before having a quick spin!

Ullie Wenzel (third from left at back) and Dingwall Green Gym volunteers amida sea of Himalayan Balsam, beside the Conan Bridge

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Eskrigg Nature Reserve near Lockerbie, in Dumfriesshire, is both a haven for wildlife and a valuable educational resource.

The 2.8 hectare site was originally a curling pond built in the mid-19th century. The reserve, which is located 1.6 miles from the town centre, was opened in 1968 and is today managed by Lockerbie Wildlife Trust.

Eskrigg contains a wide range of habitats, each with its indigenous flora and fauna, some of which is quite rare. There are areas of grassland, heathland, willow carr, mixed woodland, wetland and open water. The reserve woodland and neighbouring coniferous plantations have a rich deciduous shrub layer and support a healthy population of red squirrels.

In 2010 a new visitor centre was opened with a viewing area which looks out over

the pond and into the trees with squirrel and bird feeders either side, so is popular with birdwatchers and photographers. The centre, which is wheelchair accessible, also has a small teaching extension which can be used by school and community groups.

Reserve Manager and retired biology teacher Jim Rae is available to assist with practical activities such as pond dipping, moth trapping, fungal forays and guided walks through the reserve and adjacent woodlands.

From April until October a varied programme of wildlife events is held at the reserve, led by local experts. Throughout the year there are opportunities for volunteers to assist with practical maintenance, monitoring and development work, and help with fundraising is always appreciated.

From October to March LWT also organises a programme of talks on a wide range of wildlife topics at Lockerbie Town Hall. So, whether you want to learn about the local wildlife or do something to conserve it, Lockerbie Wildlife Trust has plenty of opportunities.

For further information contact Jim Rae at 01576 203314, or visit the LWT website: www.lockerbie-wildlife-trust.co.uk

COMMUNITY NETWORK MEMBER

Lockerbie Wildlife Trust

The new Eskrigg visitor centreBrownies pond dippin

Youngsters help to prepare mammal traps at Eskrigg Nature Reserve

A new visitor centre has a viewing area which looks out over the pond and into trees... A varied programme of wildlife events is led by local experts

Summer 2011 15

Butterfly Conservation ScotlandOur mission is the conservation of butterflies, moths and their habitats. Butterfly Conservation was formed by a small group of naturalists in 1968 worried about the alarming decline of many beautiful butterflies. Our vision is of a world rich in butterflies and moths for future generations to enjoy. The sensitivity of butterflies and moths to environmental change makes them valuable indicators of the health of the countryside, and they are being used to help measure biodiversity trends throughout the UK.

We have more than 16,000 members (over 1,000 in Scotland) and 31 regional branches. We employ over 50 people including many highly qualified scientists,

making us the world’s largest research institute for butterflies and moths. We’re involved in 67 landscape-scale projects with partners across the UK and manage 35 nature reserves, 3 of which are in Scotland, the newest being Wester Moss at Fallin, near Stirling. We offer opportunities for volunteers to help with survey and monitoring work, publicity activities, plus practical habitat management. And, the public can submit butterfly sightings online or via postcards available from visitor centres, country parks etc. Currently we’re keen to plot the advance of the Comma butterfly, once extinct in Scotland but making a comeback due to climate change. It can be found in gardens and woodlands up until September. The postcard survey is is one of the projects we’re undertaking with the help of Alex Hogg, Community Participation Officer, as part of the Natural Communities programme (page 9).

Contact: 01786 447753 [email protected] www.butterfly-conservation.org/scotland

Meet the lodgersBTCV Scotland’s Head office in Stirling is also home to three other conservation charities – Butterfly Conservation Scotland, Plantlife Scotland, and Buglife. Here, each organisation provides a short introduction to its work, and how people can get involved.

Plantlife ScotlandOur wild plants and flowers are wonderful; not just for the beauty they bring to our lives, but for the vital role they play in supporting other wildlife, and cleaning our air and water. Plantlife is the charity speaking up for the nation’s plants. The Plantlife Scotland team carries out conservation work on rare and threatened plant species, helps manage Munsary Peatlands – a large reserve of internationally important blanket bog – runs events and activities that connect people with wild plants, and influences Scottish Parliament legislation to protect wild plants and landscapes.

We cannot do all this without our Flora Guardians, our conservation volunteers who help us keep a watchful eye on vulnerable plants. This could be monitoring butterfly orchids in summer meadows, keeping an eye on rare lichens clinging to exposed rock outcrops, or joining in with Wildflowers Count – a simple survey of common plants near where you live. We welcome all volunteers; experience in botanical knowledge is not essential as the work is straightforward and we provide any training.

Contact: 01786 469778/478509 [email protected] www.plantlife.org.uk/scotland

BuglifeBuglife is the only organisation in Europe committed to the conservation of all invertebrates (animals without a backbone). Our aim is to halt the extinction of invertebrate species and to achieve sustainable populations of invertebrates. In Scotland we are currently working on a number of projects covering habitats such as brownfields, urban greenspace and coastal vegetated shingle. We also have a full programme of events, walks, talks and workshops around Scotland. Buglife recently hosted a BTCV Natural Talent (page 8) apprentice, Suzie Bairner, looking at brownfield invertebrates and are currently jointly hosting another NT apprentice, Daisy Shepperd, on Lowland Raised Bogs. If you would like to volunteer with our survey work, or to help with our events programme, please get in touch.

Contact: [email protected] www.buglife.org.uk

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Free competition! Know your spiders? This is a common spider found in a variety of habitats including gardens, parks and brownfield sites. But what is it? A prize is on offer to the first correct answer drawn on 1 September. Send your suggestions to [email protected]

Surveying Bird-perch Gristle lichen on North Berwick Law

If you spot a Comma butterfly, why not take part in Butterfly Conservation’s postcard survey?

The new Eskrigg visitor centre

Training eBulletin

A warm welcome to the following groups which have recently joined the Community Network as full members:

Communities Along the Carron Association (Stirlingshire)

Craigmillar Woods Action Group (Edinburgh)

Dalbeattie Forest Community Partnership (Dumfriesshire)

Edinburgh Old Town Development Trust

Gorebridge Growers (Midlothian)

The following have joined the Network as Registered members to receive our free bulletins and other information:

CHIP – Children Inclusion Partnership (Glasgow)

Save Our Suntrap (Edinburgh)

New Members

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This lovely photo ‘Cuillin Hills at Dusk’ by Gillies Semple is to remind young photographers about the Focus Environment photography competition for 2011. The competition is open to all pupils attending secondary school in Scotland. The deadline for entries is 3 October, so get snapping over the summer. For details go to www.focusenvironment.com

Community Mentors’ WorkshopPerth27-28 October

Perth is the next location in our successful Sustainable Communities Mentorship Programme, a series of free training events for people keen to undertake sustainability projects within their own communities. The programme starts with a 2 day workshop providing skills and knowledge to raise awareness about the issues involved. Participants are also encouraged to develop action plans to take forward practical projects to improve their local environment and take action for a more sustainable planet. So far over 100 people across Scotland have participated in the programme.

For further information contact Kerry Riddell tel: 01848 200184 email: [email protected] www.btcv.org/scotland

Scottish Learning FestivalSECC, Glasgow21-22 September

If you’re attending the annual Scottish Learning Festival why not come along to the BTCV Scotland stand, number J60, and meet some of our staff. Find out about the exciting learning opportunities being offered by BTCV Scotland. We currently work on a wide range of programmes including school grounds projects, environmental education training for teachers, outdoor learning in accordance with the Curriculum for Excellence, and Citizen Science.

To fi nd out more contact Jenny Adams tel: 0141 552 5294, email: [email protected]

Keep abreast of all BTCV Scotland’s training initiatives through the revised monthly training eBulletin.

This includes details of forthcoming courses being run as part of the Environmental & Community Leaders Training Programme (alternatively go to www.feva-scotland.org).

The eBulletin also includes news of other events, campaigns, funding opportunities etc, of interest to the voluntary and environmental sectors.

l To subscribe to the eBulletin go to www.btcv.org/scotlandtraining

The Network Bulletin is published by BTCV Scotland. Views and opinions expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily refl ect those of the editor or BTCV.

Editor: Graham Burns e-mail [email protected] tel 0141 552 5294

©BTCV 2011. BTCV is a Registered charity in Scotland SC039302, and England 261009.

Green Gym is a Registered Trade Mark of BTCV

Printed on recycled paper

BTCV SCOTLAND HEAD OFFICE

Balallan House, 24 Allan Park, Stirling FK8 2QG

tel 01786 479697 fax 01786 465359

e-mail [email protected]

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Sedum House, Mallard Way, Doncaster DN4 8DB

tel 01302 388883 fax 01302 311531

e-mail [email protected]

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