Tay Reedbeds supports some amazing species, but it also has other benefits for nature and people
Know your auks
Use our handy guide to species identification
Step back in time
Experience ancient forests at Loch Garten
Welcome!
This is one of my favourite times of year – the long days and mild weather make it easy to get outside and enjoy time in nature, noticing the changing of colours from summer to autumn.
We’ve just been a part of another successful Outer Hebrides Wildlife Festival, a celebration of everything that’s possible when you bring people together with the common goal of cherishing and saving nature.
You might have noticed this issue of Scotland News is slightly shorter. We have reduced the number of pages for financial and sustainability reasons. Don’t worry, we’re still bringing you all the top stories from across Scotland, taking a behind-the-scenes look at our nature reserves and sharing some of your fantastic nature sightings.
Get to know some of our summer seabirds a little better (p4), and find out how nature conservation links to an Iron Age village (p5). We’ve been working hard on and off our nature reserves to improve habitats for wildlife, climate and people.
As I write, all eyes are on the Scottish Government as we await its decision on Berwick Bank offshore windfarm, which is hugely significant for Scottish wildlife. To keep up to date with this and all the work we’re doing, follow our social media, blogs, videos and podcast. See the back page for where to find them.
Anne McCall Director, RSPB Scotland
Follow Anne on @stranyannie
Action for nature
Get involved
Tell us why Nature Matters
Our latest campaign asks why Nature Matters to you, and you’ve shared some truly inspiring thoughts. Here are some of our favourites:
“Nature is fundamental to everything – we need it to produce food, for mental health, for preventing floods and so much more. Nature should be at the heart of policymaking so that politicians are forced to tackle the nature crisis head on, instead of avoiding it.”
Andrew, Glasgow
“Scotland’s nature and wildlife is an integral part of its heritage, culture and history. If we lose this, we’re losing part of Scotland.”
Claire, Kentallen
“It is the core of our happiness. It helps with food production, mental wellbeing and just the joys of being alive. I couldn’t contemplate a world without nature.”
“Nature matters MORE than the other things; it underpins them all! Without it, everything else becomes more difficult and the world’s problems just escalate.”
Mae, Killearn
Places
Anonymous, Lochgilphead
“As a species we have been making a mess of our planet for too long. It’s time to give back.”
Duncan, Orphir
“Unless humans start to understand that they are only one part of the planet’s ecosystem, there will be no future worth living. Targets need to be set for the long term, not the shelf-life of a parliament. Every young person now needs to grow up with some appreciation of the natural world.”
Anonymous, Methven
“No nature –no future.”
Anonymous, Garve
Let us know why Nature Matters to you, and what you’d like to see Scottish Government do for nature and climate at action.rspb.org.uk/naturematters
Connect with nature this summer
Did you know we have almost 80 nature reserves across Scotland? If you’re in the mood for a quiet wander through the forest, spectacular cliff-top views or a stop at a loch-side café, plan your day out with RSPB Scotland. Find your perfect place to feel inspired by nature and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Falcons return to Glasgow
Peregrine Falcons have nested on Glasgow University’s Gilbert Scott tower for the third year in a row. RSPB Scotland, the Scottish Ornithologists’ Club and the university are working together as the Glasgow Peregrine Project to study how the pair have adapted to city life and raise awareness about these wonderful birds of prey. Cameras installed on the tower provide close-up images of the nest, and the laying, hatching and rearing of four chicks
Places
Saving Morvern’s rainforest
An important area of Scotland’s rainforest is set to be restored for the future, thanks to generous assistance from The Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund (NRF), which is managed by NatureScot.
The Morvern peninsula, in the West Highlands, is rich in temperate rainforest, a globally scarce habitat that’s overflowing with rare mosses, liverworts and lichens, and supports threatened wildlife such as the Wood Warbler and Chequered Skipper butterfly.
Temperate rainforests only make up 2% of Scotland’s woodlands, and many of these are under threat, the biggest threats being over-grazing by deer and the spread of non-native invasive plants, particularly a rhododendron called Rhododendron ponticum
This NRF grant will fund the first phase of a partnership project, led by RSPB Scotland, to clear rhododendron from Morvern’s rainforest. Five new local roles
will contribute to this landscape-scale work, as well as managing traineeships and opportunities to volunteer. This up-skilling of the local community will ensure work can continue beyond the lifetime of the funding, which is particularly important for tackling rhododendron regeneration.
The funding is in addition to grants from the Garfield Weston Foundation and others, which have helped to support the wider project, including the creation of a local tree nursery.
The work will also complement rainforest restoration already under way at RSPB Scotland Glencripesdale nature reserve, located in the north of Morvern, as part of a long-term vision to return this area’s spectacular woodlands to their former glory.
Connecting wetlands
At our Baron’s Haugh nature reserve we have successfully completed an ambitious four-year project to renaturalise the connection between the River Clyde and the wetland, by breaching the surrounding bund (banks of earth). This means the river is now connected to its floodplain, allowing water to flow in during flood conditions, and, more importantly, to leave the site when flood water recedes.
The site is now able to adapt to the changing climate and increased flooding this brings, as well as delivering a natural solution to many of the challenges we were facing with increased severity and regularity of flooding. In addition, we have improved the wetland habitat by building small internal bunds to flood new parts of the nature reserve, transforming dry, lifeless areas into thriving dynamic wetlands that will provide habitat for a range of species including dragonflies, amphibians and many wading birds.
This project was made possible by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot, with further support from Seacology.
Places
Above: Adult Peregrine Falcon
Left: Glencripesdale nature reserve
Right: Baron’s Haugh before and after the habitat work
Species
Projects Working for waders in Orkney
It’s good news for wading birds in the North Isles of Orkney. Through funded projects we have been working with private landowners to restore 20 wetland sites. We wanted to reintroduce light grazing to each site, carry out additional vegetation management where required, and create substantial amounts of wetland features, such as scrapes (shallow pools) for wading birds to forage and nest on.
The main priority species were Lapwing and Curlew, which have declined by over 50% in Orkney since 2007. Our scientists monitored 20 sites in the
North Isles before and after the work. Lapwing increased from 17 pairs to 79 pairs (a 365% rise). Curlew increased from 21 pairs to 54 pairs (up 157%).
The results suggest that habitat restoration work can lead to a significant positive response for struggling populations. This shows that it’s key we continue targeted conservation work to help these species in Orkney now, before populations fall too low and we’re no longer able to bring them back.
Scan the code below to watch a video of this work being done.
Species
Know your auks
This summer, thousands of seabirds will flock to Scotland’s shores. This is an internationally important place for them, so it is vital that we protect our seas and coasts from threats such as the climate crisis, overfishing, invasive non-native species and harmful development.
The smallest of the three, at around 30cm, its most recognisable feature is the colourful bill, which is bright orange and yellow, and its bright orange feet.
If you’re visiting one of our seabird colonies this summer, use this ID guide to tell some of our visitors apart. These species are all members of the auk family: monochrome, torpedo-shaped birds designed for speed in the air and water, but pretty clumsy on land.
They are dark brown rather than black, with longer, more pointed beaks. Some have a white stripe and ring around the eye and are known as ‘bridled’.
Their beaks are short and chunky, with white stripes from the eye. If you’re lucky enough to get a peek inside their bill, you’ll see a pop of bright yellow!
Projects
Life rafts for birds
Artificial nesting rafts can support a variety of species. At our Lochwinnoch nature reserve, four new rafts were put in this year, funded by SUEZ Communities Fund – Scotland, through the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund, bringing the flotilla up to 11. Black-headed Gulls are one species that chose to breed on the rafts and vegetated islands, known as ‘biohavens’. Over on the east of Scotland, RSPB staff have been working on the large tern raft at Port Edgar Marina. Host to a colony of over 200 Common Terns, storm damage has meant that Otters have gained access to the raft in recent years and predated many chicks. A project funded by the Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund (SMEEF) has seen the raft repaired and larger barriers put in place to protect the colony from predation.
Places
Opening up Loch Lomond
We’ve been improving accessibility at Loch Lomond and are now ready to welcome more people than ever to this special place.
We’ve upgraded the portaloo toilets to three indoor cubicles with ramp access, including one Changing Places toilet, and the extended car park has additional accessible bays. We hope these new facilities will allow more people to enjoy the nature reserve. See you there!
Photos: Paul Turner, Aidan McCormick, Chiara Ceci, Sam Turley
(rspb-images.com);
Tom Wells, Toby Wilson
Puffin
Guillemot
Razorbill
Left: A large pool at Breval and Whitehall, in Rousay, July 2023
Right: A raft at Lochwinnoch
Making the most of reedbeds
The Tay Reedbeds, the UK’s largest continuous reedbed, are home to some amazing wildlife. But there’s more to the reeds than meets the eye
Along the banks of the River Tay lies a very special wild space. The UK’s largest continuous reedbed supports a number of special species. This is one of the few places to spot Bearded Tits in Scotland, as they flit over the reeds making their distinctive ‘ping’ calls, and elusive Water Rails skulk about among the vegetation. You might also spot Marsh Harriers hunting over the reedbeds in the summer, where several pairs choose to nest.
Delve a little deeper into the reeds, however, and you’ll find they’re also contributing to local heritage and sustainable building methods, as well as conservation.
Prior to 2005, the reedbeds were harvested at a commercial scale with large, extensive blocks cut each year. When commercial cutting was no longer financially viable, due to cheaper reed imports from elsewhere, RSPB Scotland took on part of the site. We retained elements of the cutting, but in a way that sustainably produces thatch and benefits nature.
This involves cutting in smaller blocks, creating a mosaic of structurally diverse reed at different ages and heights. The combination of younger, more open reed and older, denser patches is beneficial for a range of species. For example, Bearded Tits use old reed for nesting and younger areas to feed on insects.
The reed is harvested by a specially adapted low-impact machine and formed into bundles. Each bundle is cleaned and tied, leaving only the long undamaged reed, ready for use by thatchers.
On the shores of Loch Tay, a replica Crannog and Iron Age community has been built at the Scottish Crannog Centre, including a Celtic roundhouse.
Many of the buildings have thatched roofs, all using Tay reed. It provides an authentic, local material and is a sustainable alternative to importing reed from faraway places such as Turkey or China.
So, if you are visiting the Scottish Crannog Centre, take a moment to look up at the stunning craftmanship of the roofs, which have travelled just a few miles from where you are standing.
If you are looking to buy thatch, get in touch! We are the only producer in Scotland, and can transport it throughout the UK and Ireland. Buying from us means you’ll also be helping to fund our conservation work.
Thanks to the Carman Family Foundation for supporting this work.
See thatch in action
Watch a video to see the thatch being installed at the Crannog Centre earlier this year.
The Tay Reedbeds stretch from Perth to Dundee
11 miles vantage points used to monitor Bearded Tits from the bank
13,120
33 bunches of reed were cut from the bed in winter 2023/24
Above: Tay Reedbeds
Left: Aerial view of a replica Crannog and Iron Age community at the Scottish Crannog Centre
Walk through time at RSPB Scotland Loch Garten
From ancient woodlands to spectacular wildlife, come and lose yourself in nature
Loch Garten is steeped in history. Walking through the forest, you can appreciate why Scotland has inspired generations of artists. From ancient trees dating back nearly 300 years to the epic return of Ospreys in the 1950s, this nature reserve has seen it all.
But it is also looking to the future, with accessible trails and new facilities giving more people than ever the opportunity to experience one of Scotland’s wildest landscapes.
The Nature Centre is the perfect place to begin your visit. Here, you can learn about the history of the landscape and the wildlife that you can see from our friendly team, and maybe even spot Ospreys nesting in the nearby Scots Pines. If you
want a closer view, check out the live video feed from the nest itself. To make the nature reserve welcoming to more people, there is also a Changing Places toilet and the option to book our Paratreker, a specially designed wheelchair that can take on the rugged terrain of the Cairngorms. Once you’ve stocked up on information and refreshments (and some Cairngorms Connect Venison to take home), it’s time to hit the trails. At almost 14,000 hectares, the nature reserve is vast, encompassing deep forests, sparkling lochs and mountain plateaux. However, you don’t need to venture far to see some of Scotland’s most spectacular wildlife. Red Squirrels and Crested Tits frequent the woods right
outside the Nature Centre, while the trails open onto breathtaking views of the foothills of the Cairngorm mountains from the moment you leave the car park.
Top tip: if you see or hear any pinecones dropping to the forest floor, cast your gaze upwards as fast as you can! Red Squirrels and Scottish Crossbills drop the cones once they’ve finished snacking on the delicious seeds inside, so keep an eye out for these iconic species relaxing in the canopy.
Another thing you’ll notice about the trees here is their sheer variety in size and shape. A forest as old as this one is full of deadwood, providing refuge for thousands of insects and the birds that feed on them. It’s also home to a rare habitat known as bog woodland. The trees growing in these wetter patches can’t draw as many nutrients from the ground as those on drier soils, which leaves them stunted in comparison to their towering neighbours. That’s no bad thing, as this mixture of habitats just means more varied homes for wildlife – dragonflies such as the Four-spotted Chaser and Whitefaced Darter are among the many species drawn to the bog pools. Walking around Loch Garten really feels like a walk through time, and with your support we hope to maintain this special place for people and nature for generations to come.
species 1. Four-spotted Chaser 2. Scots Pine 3. Osprey 4. Red Squirrel
Photos: Sam Turley, David Chandler, Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com); Ian McNab, Jess Tomes
Above: The new Nature Centre, which has been part funded by the European Regional Development Fund in partnership with NatureScot
RSPB Scotland Loch Garten
Seasonal highlights
Late summer is a fantastic time for fungi. The nature reserve is home to 14 species of tooth fungi, several of which can be seen on the walk to the Nature Centre! Perhaps the highlight is Hydnellum peckii, its red and white colouring earning it the nickname ‘Strawberries and Cream’.
rspb.org.uk/lochgarten
Our people Five minutes with Jess Tomes, Site Manager at
RSPB
Scotland Loch Garten
What’s the most interesting part of your job?
I’m really enjoying developing the accessibility of the facilities, not just for wheelchair users but for other access needs too.
Do you have a top tip for anyone visiting?
Remember there’s more to Loch Garten than Ospreys! Try not to fixate on seeing individual species; immerse yourself in the forest and focus on the huge network of species that make up this captivating habitat.
What’s your favourite species to see at the reserve?
So many species here stop me in my tracks every time I see them, from the impossibly delicate Twinflower to the wild majesty of a Golden Eagle. I also get a kick out of seeing really old, sculptural Scots Pine trees.
Scan me
And tell us something about the reserve we might not know. The trees at Abernethy may be ancient, but there are signs of human activity here which are much older! Mesolithic flints have been found, which indicate people were temporarily living in the Strath and travelling through the Cairngorms more than 6,000 years ago!
