Scottish Wildlife_Issue 073_Mar 2011

ScottishWildlife March 2011 Number 73 £2.50

Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

Wild woods Keeping Scotland’s woods wild

our woods

What woodlands mean to us

Bitten by ants

The fascinating world of wood ants

aspens

Scotland’s forgotten tree

Out and about

Ayr Gorge Woodlands

Inside this issue Features

Wild woods

13

Enjoying our woodlands

18

Bitten by ants

22

Aspens: Scotland’s Cinderella tree

25

Kenny Taylor explains how and why woodlands should be managed for wildlife.

Registered office: Cramond House, 3 Kirk Cramond, Edinburgh, EH4 6HZ. tel: 0131 312 7765; fax: 0131 312 8705 email: enquiries@swt.org.uk The Scottish Wildlife Trust is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland (registered number SC040247).

Ida Maspero examines our relationship with Scotland’s woodlands.

It is also a Scottish registered charity (charity number SC005792).

www.swt.org.uk

Jamie Grant delves into what triggered a lifelong passion for wood ants.

Scottish Wildlife magazine is published by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. © Scottish Wildlife Trust.

No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the express permission of the publisher.

Peter Ranscombe highlights the importance of Scotland’s forgotten tree.

All photography © Scottish Wildlife Trust unless otherwise stated.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust accepts no liability for omissions or incorrect data in advertisements and letters. Views expressed in Scottish Wildlife are not necessarily those of the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

Regulars

Scottish Wildlife Trust and wider news 4 Wild ideas

Number 73: March 2011

The latest round-up of news from the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the world of conservation

Charity number: SC005792 ISSN: 0143 1234 Patron: HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay Chairman: Allan Bantick Vice-Chairs: Jean Barr, David Grundy, James Ivory Chief Executive: Simon Milne Editor: Jo Pike editor@swt.org.uk Production Editor: Angela Yates Design: Lucy Boyd Design www.lbd.uk.net Advertising: Daniel Evans 0131 226 5364 or 07733 223 210

Project news

Updates on our landmark beaver and red squirrel projects

Reserve profile and top spots

30

Ayr Gorge Woodlands

Woodland conservation has been a focus for the Scottish Wildlife Trust throughout its history, and continues with recent and extensive work on reserves such as Carstramon and Shewalton woods; a very ambitious regeneration project planned for Rahoy Hills; and our work advocating woodland-friendly government policy.

Scottish Wildlife is published three times a year: March, August and November. Deadlines for news and letters: 1 January, 1 June, 1 September.

No unsolicited articles please.

£33 (£18) £46 (£24)

Family

£53 (£48)

Watch

£18

Life (joint)

£800 (£1,200)

Senior Citizen Life (joint)

£500 (£700)

© Scottish Wildlife Trust

Scottish Wildlife is free to members.

Joint (concession)

34

Over the centuries Scotland’s native woodlands have been grossly over-exploited, with the remnants of our mature woods becoming isolated and often limited in their capability to regenerate and to support biodiversity. In this edition we explore the beauty, value and biodiversity of some of our native woods, reinforcing the need to continue to re-establish ecologically robust and coherent woodland across Scotland.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust is affiliated to The Wildlife Trusts, a UK-wide network of 47 Trusts with over 2,500 wildlife reserves.

discounts for paying by direct debit):

Readers’ comment on the last Scottish Wildlife and other wildlife issues

In focus

Cover photo: Ancient Scots pine in Black Wood of Rannoch © Jonny Hughes

Individual (concession)

Letters 11

How YOU can make a difference

32

Reviews 33 9 Must-have books on wildlife and conservation

Taking action

Printing: Garnett Dickinson

Membership rates from 1 April (excluding

Fun-filled family activities

Why not visit one of our fine woodland reserves this spring? For details of all our reserves, visit www.swt.org.uk/visit/reserves/. And don’t forget to mark in your diaries this year’s Members’ Day and AGM which will be held on 24th September 2011 in Dundee!

Simon Milne MBE Chief Executive

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

3

Scottish Wildlife Trust news Bringing aspen back from the brink

Puffin sculpture that set sail in August, waved off

by Scottish Wildlife Trust member, Eddie Hallam, and People’s Postcode Lottery Street Prize presenter, Angus Purden © Scottish Wildlife Trust

A new project to restore a rare type of aspen in Ben Mor Coigach, our largest estate in the north-west Highlands, is already reaping tremendous results.

Over 100 new trees will be planted this spring, after being cultivated from the few remaining aspens found on the exposed upland cliffs. Mark Foxwell, our Highland Reserves Manager, said: “Sadly, aspens are struggling on the exposed cliffs of Ben Mor Coigach due to a reduction in woodland connectivity.

“Work to avoid or repair fragmentation in our woodlands is part of our Living Landscapes vision: a move towards ecosystem-scale conservation underpinned by partnership working. In the United Nations Year of Forests, this message could not be more pertinent.

“To save these aspen, we took on a complex breeding process, with expert help from Trees for Life. Aspen does not produce viable seed, so we had to propagate with root cuttings to allow new stems to sprout. Stem cuttings were then taken to be rooted to make new plants.”

Adding to this success, we plan to launch a new flagship project in Coigach and Assynt later this year in partnership with the local community. Check out the next issue for details.

New project protects Puffin sculpture water voles, salmon and birds goes under the hammer On 4th March, the Scottish Wildlife Trust will launch an eBay charity auction, giving you the chance to bid for a very special bronze puffin.

The puffin, named Amber by competition winner Christina Kennedy, featured in the last edition of Scottish Wildlife and is a unique work of art created by Scottish Wildlife Trust member Eddie Hallam.

Donated to us last year to help raise funds, the life-size sculpture has been on an unusual sea-faring adventure. Travelling on a ferry between Aberdeen and the Northern Isles for the last six months, this was intended to mimic the habits of its real-life counterparts and bring the sculpture to life.

Eddie Hallam said: “I wanted to give something back to wildlife and I thought the idea of the puffin sculpture going on such a novel journey might add authenticity and make it more attractive to wildlife enthusiasts.”

The person with the highest bid when the auction closes at 5pm on Sunday 13th March will win the sculpture.

To bid, visit www.eBay.co.uk/charity and search for Scottish Wildlife Trust under the ‘Favourite Charity’ link at the bottom of the page. For more information email whill@swt.org.uk or call 0131 312 4772.

4

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

The Scottish Wildlife Trust is a partner in a new project to protect nationally significant and economically important populations of salmon, water voles, and ground nesting birds like greenshank and lapwing, by controlling the population of American mink.

Paul Gallagher, our Habitats and Species Officer, said: “Working in partnership with the Rivers and Fisheries Trust Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, and the University of Aberdeen, our aim is to create and maintain a control zone free from American mink in the north.

“This initiative combines economic concerns with ecological responsibility. It will help to protect communities dependent on angling, shooting or wildlife tourism, as well as our native wildlife.

“The American mink is a non-native predator which, through its hunting of water voles, salmon, and bird eggs and chicks, contributes to the loss of Scotland’s biodiversity.”

Starting in April, the project covers the Highlands, rural Aberdeenshire, rural Tayside, Moray and the Cairngorms. The team hopes to encourage many volunteers, including networks of ghillies, water bailiffs and gamekeepers, to get involved. Visit Water vole © Darin Smith www.swt.org.uk/news for more details.

Training for our future Thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Skills for the Future project, we are investing £398,000 to mentor ten trainees to become Scotland’s next ecological surveyors.

Over the next 18 months the trainees will develop skills to determine the value of wild places and landscapes, helping to fill a growing gap in the environmental jobs market.

Eric Coull, our Head of Conservation Teams, said: “By working on our reserves, the trainees will collect data to help us make decisions on how we manage our reserves in future.

“A recent members’ appeal raised £30,666 towards our £40,000 funding gap for this project. Thank you to everyone who gave their support.”

Scottish Wildlife Trust news Members’ Day and AGM The Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Annual General Meeting and National Members’ Day 2011 will be held on Saturday 24th September in Dundee. Further details will be included in the next magazine.

Council nominations New wildlife hide at Loch Fleet © Scottish Wildlife Trust

Bespoke bird hide built at Loch Fleet

Nomination forms for election to the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Board of Trustees (Council) at the AGM can be requested from Simon Milne, Company Secretary, Cramond House, 3 Kirk Cramond, Edinburgh, EH4 6HZ. Completed forms must be received by 30th June 2011.

Information on nominees will be available in the next magazine. There will be a minimum of two vacancies on Council.

A project to build a bespoke wildlife watching hide on the shores of Loch Fleet is now complete.

Set against the dramatic Sutherland hills, the new hide provides a perfect shelter to watch birds feeding on the Loch Fleet mudflats.

Mark Foxwell, our Highland Reserves Manager, said: “Large numbers of shelduck, redshank, curlew and graylag geese are almost guaranteed to be seen here, making the new hide a fantastic facility in a prime birdwatching location.

Led by Highland Birchwoods – in partnership with SNH, Sutherland Estates and the Scottish Wildlife Trust – the building was designed by Neil Sutherland Architects, and is constructed from home-grown Scottish timber to demonstrate how this material can be used in interesting ways.

More family fun with new-look kids’ magazine Have your kids seen our new magazine? Part of our junior membership for wildlife lovers between five and 12, Wildlife Watch Scotland has been given a new name and fresh design. It aims to engage and educate children while providing fun activities to get them outdoors and enjoying nature.

As part of the overall redesign, Echo the Bat – the magazine’s cartoon mascot – was given a make-over by Gemma Grant, a young person working with our charity as part of the Future Jobs Fund. This UK Government initiative gives young people paid work experience placements for six months.

Donna Mathieson, our People and Wildlife Officer, said: “We hope the new design modernises the magazine and brings families together to enjoy wildlife and have fun.”

Barn owl © Darin Smith

Boost for barn owls Our Feoch Meadows Wildlife Reserve in South Ayrshire is a favourite breeding spot for barn owls. With the old nest box having seen better days, Scottish Wildlife Trust member and barn owl expert Jim Thomson recently stepped in to provide and install two new boxes. Jim monitors hundreds of boxes throughout Ayrshire to help this iconic and endangered bird, which is thought to have struggled during the severe winters of the last two years.

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

5

Scottish Wildlife Trust news SNIPPETS

New celebrity ambassador

Small increase in subscriptions

Stephen Jardine, one of the most recognised faces on Scottish television, recently became our latest celebrity ambassador.

Known for co-presenting STV’s The Hour, the most watched teatime show in Scotland, we hope Stephen’s support will help us raise our profile even further.

Stephen said: “Earlier this year I was lucky enough to spot my first otter in a forest in Galloway. That precious moment made me realise the wealth of our surroundings and I’d like to do whatever I can to ensure they are protected and enhanced.”

Simon Milne, our Chief Executive, said: “Stephen’s personal experiences of the outdoors and his appreciation of wildlife will be great assets to us.”

There will be a small increase in membership subscriptions this year following agreement at the last AGM. Annual subscriptions will increase to £33 for individuals, £46 for joint membership, or £53 per family.

However, there will be no increase for anyone paying by monthly direct debit, or paying a concessionary rate. A letter will be sent to annual subscribers before your membership’s expiry date.

Look out for ants!

The importance of wood ants will be spotlighted in a new campaign we plan to run in June. ‘Look Out for Ants!’ aims to raise public awareness of wood ants and encourage efforts to protect them. Visit our website in June to find out more.

Visitor treats at Fife reserve A two-year project to upgrade facilities at our Cullaloe Wildlife Reserve in Fife is now complete. With a new ponddipping platform, two new bridges, an informal footpath, and car park improvements, this reserve is better than ever for visitors. Thanks go to Fife Environment and Communities Fund who funded the project.

Spotted…

2837 km away!

An adult greenshank, which was caught and ringed at Montrose Basin in August 2009 by Grampian and Tay ringing groups, has since been spotted in Porto Santo, north-west Africa, marking a massive 2837 km journey in just over one year.

Reporting sightings of ringed birds can provide vital information about their movements.

6

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

Stephen Jardine © Stephen Jardine

Volunteers pave the way at Spey Bay 27 volunteers clocked up over 150 hours upgrading 300 metres of eroded pathway at our Spey Bay Wildlife Reserve, a coastal wildlife haven in Moray.

Delivered in partnership with the Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society, the upgrade to part of a short circular walk, popular with visitors, was made possible thanks to funding from Moray Firth Partnership and Tarmac Ltd – a local quarry and a corporate member of the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

The new path is fully accessible and provides scenic views of wildlife at the mouth of the River Spey. Guided walks will be held here from spring. Contact our Spey Bay Ranger on 01343 820339 for more details.

Carbon tax helps peatland management An eco-conscious tourism operator is supporting our work by committing to offset their carbon emissions through a self-imposed carbon tax of £10 per tonne of carbon used.

Rabbies Trailburners donated £956 from this fund towards peatland management on our Din Moss Wildlife Reserve, a lowland raised bog in the Borders.

Lucy Graham, our Head of Development, said: “Peatland restoration is a fantastic and appropriate use for funds raised from carbon tax. As well as benefiting wildlife, peat bogs are carbon sinks valued for their retention and capture of carbon.

“Rabbies should be applauded for their responsible and sustainable approach.”

Falls of Clyde ranger ready for peregrine season A new full-time ranger is now in post at our Falls of Clyde Wildlife Reserve and Visitor Centre in New Lanark. Laura Whitfield joined our staff four months ago, and is looking forward to meeting members visiting the reserve.

Operation Peregrine, a manned 24-hour watch over the birds and their nest, will run from April to June. Falls of Clyde is one of the best sites in the UK to watch breeding peregrines.

Peregrine © AD Johnson

Wider news Wildlife paparazzi descend on Scottish Highlands Twenty of the UK’s most celebrated nature photographers have teamed up with partners, including the Scottish Wildlife Trust, to undertake a project which marks the first of its kind in UK wildlife photography.

By pointing their lenses at Scotland’s wildlife, 2020VISION aims to inspire the general public and highlight the benefits of repairing, restoring and reconnecting Wildlife Paparazzi © Mark Hamblin our natural environment.

Communicating the importance of restoring Scotland’s biodiversity by using the emotional power of visual imagery, the project’s first Scottish assignment took place in January in the north-west Highlands, an area which includes the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s largest estate, Ben Mor Coigach.

Visiting the remote and mountainous area of Coigach and Assynt, north of Ullapool, a team of professional photographers aimed to capture the essence of the Scottish uplands and the communities that live and work there. You can see some early results at www.swt.org.uk/2020VISION and learn more about the project at www.2020v.org

Lights out for climate change By simply turning out your lights between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on 26 March, you could be part of a growing global phenomenon aiming to take a stand against climate change.

Now in its fourth year, WWF’s Earth Hour is an annual event hoping to send a clear signal to decision-makers that there is strong public support for action on climate change.

In 2010, hundreds of millions of people took part in 128 countries, including at some of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks like Edinburgh Castle and the Wallace Monument.

While switching off the lights for an hour isn’t on its own going to save the planet, it is an easy way for us all to show we care. Visit www.wwfscotland.org.uk/earthhour for more information.

Celebrating sustainable forest management The United Nations has named 2011 the International Year of Forests, a time dedicated to raising awareness for sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests around the world.

Launched on 2 February at the General Assembly Hall in New York City, the organisers hope to provide a global platform to celebrate people’s action to manage the world’s forests sustainably, and ask you to tell them how you plan to celebrate ‘forests for people’ during 2011.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust begins its celebration with this magazine, an issue dedicated to Scottish woodlands. For more information, visit www.un.org/forests

Sustainable wood for charcoal © Dietmar Nill

IN BRIEF Biodiversity begins with a B is the name of a new short animation released online by SNH. Presenting a dark, comic look at the importance of bees in our environment, the film encourages people to take a few simple actions to help, like using fewer pesticides or planting more wild flowers.

See the video on www.facebook.com/ scottishwildlifetrust The Scottish Land Use Strategy will be presented in Parliament this March.

Earlier drafts received strong criticism from a number of environmental NGOs, including the Scottish Wildlife Trust. Hopes that the strategy builds in principles of ecosystem-scale conservation continue to run high.

A new report suggests that invasive non-native species cost £1.7 billion every year, including £251 million in Scotland. The Economic Cost of Invasive Non-Native Species to the British Economy was carried out by the Centre of Agriculture and Biosciences International.

166 breeding pairs of red kites were located by RSPB Scotland and SNH in 2010, 17 more than in 2009. 291 young fledged, an increase of 75% over the previous year; however, six birds have been confirmed by the government as poisoned.

Hundreds of Japanese larch trees are being felled in a forestry plantation in Argyll, after Phytophthora ramorum was confirmed.

About 1.25 hectares of trees will be felled to prevent further spread of the disease.

Forestry Commission Scotland is asking for volunteers to help assess woodland bird species this year, as part of the Breeding Bird Survey organised by the British Trust for Ornithology. To get involved, contact bbs@bto.org Ecological networks were the topic of a powerful presentation given by Professor Sir John Lawton CBE FRS, Chairman of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, when he visited the Scottish Parliament recently at the invitation of the Scottish Wildlife Trust. His report for DEFRA, Making Space for Nature, contains important lessons for Scotland such as the value of functionally connected habitats to supporting ecosystem health.

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

7

Wider news Hunting for oil beetles

Hunting for oil beetles © John Walters

The hunt is on to find out more about an invertebrate with one of the most extraordinary life cycles of any British insect.

Oil beetles, so called because they secrete oil from their joints to deter predators, are in serious decline. As nestparasites of solitary bees, their existence is under threat due to the disappearance of wildflower-rich grassland and the resultant struggle of bee populations. Land use for forestry and farming reduces the number and quality of available nest sites.

With three species still remaining in Scotland – the Black oil beetle (Meloe proscarabaeus), Violet oil beetle (Meloe violaceus), and Short-necked oil beetle (Meloe brevicollis) – there’s a lot to look out for. Most likely to be seen in late March to early June, keep your eyes peeled for oil beetles around wildflower-rich grasslands, heathland, moors and coastal areas such as cliff tops.

Visit www.buglife.org.uk to download an identification guide to help your search this spring, and please report any sightings and photographs on the Buglife website too.

For more information on Buglife’s work in Scotland visit www.scottishinvertebrates.org.uk

Is the cinnabar moth spreading?

Have you seen this moth? Scottish Wildlife Trust members are being urged to contribute to a Scotland-wide survey of the cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae) by reporting sightings of the species.

Early results issued from the survey, which started in 2009 run by Butterfly Conservation volunteers, may point to a northwards expansion of the species’ range, possibly as a response to climate change.

This colourful species has declined greatly in numbers in England over recent years and is now regarded as vulnerable.

The current survey aims to map sightings to find out more about this moth’s movements. Records have been received from the Isles of Lewis, Mull and Skye, and widely across the Central Belt and the Borders but there are many gaps.

Send your sightings from the past two years and especially for 2011 to project organiser Barry Prater on barry@prater.myzen.co.uk You can find this moth at some Scottish Wildlife Trust reserves including Gailes Marsh (near Irvine) and Hare Moss (near Selkirk).

Cinnabar moth © Barry Prater

8

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

Studying the Summer Isles An exclusive programme of ecological courses is set to get underway on the stunning island of Tanera Mor in the Summer Isles this May. The classes, which will be tailored to meet the needs of individual participants, will provide a unique opportunity to explore a wild island and its habitat, and learn from a knowledgeable local expert about the role plants and animals play in shaping people’s lives.

Viv Halcrow, course organiser, said: “We hope to provide people with a special experience of island life and its wildlife by spending time studying plants and animals found on the Summer Isles and enjoying the outdoors.

“We will also enjoy local cultural traditions, like seashore soup – a delicacy made from foraged plants – and try our hand at local trades like yarn dying.”

Tanera Mor is part of a new conservation restoration project set to be launched in June. Other partners include the Scottish Wildlife Trust, the Assynt Foundation, Culag Community Woodland Trust, Eisg Brachaid and the John Muir Trust.

One weekend course will run from 6 to 8 May. One full week course will run from 11 to 17 September. For more information, visit www.summer-isles.com/ flora-fauna-foraging.asp

Project news

Year three brings red squirrel boost for Tayside Dr Mel Tonkin, Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels Project Manager, shares stories of success and future plans Dr Mel Tonkin

Red squirrels seem to be increasing in number in eight different areas across Tayside, according to new feedback from landowners in the region. We’ve been surveying locals to ask whether they’ve noticed any change in squirrel numbers since our project began two years ago.

With different land holdings in Dunkeld, Meigle and Alyth all observing that red squirrels were on the increase in their area, the results could provide further evidence that the removal of grey squirrels allows local red squirrel populations to recolonise habitat from which they have long been absent since grey squirrels moved in. This is tremendous news and I can’t think of a better way to see in our project’s third year in operation.

Last year saw our team achieve a wide variety of successes. In the last update, we told you about ‘Text-a-Squirrel’, a new initiative to encourage residents and visitors in Aberdeen to text their sightings of red and grey squirrels in the city over two weeks. As far as ideas go this one was fantastic, so it’s no surprise that the trial was a huge success. With over 200 records texted in, we gained some valuable information about squirrel distribution in and around Aberdeen. Thanks to 905 squirrel sightings reported via www.swt. org.uk/wildlife/squirrelsightings and others from external sources, we have processed 8,000 records this year, allowing us to be even more strategic in where we

Red squirrel © Darin Smith

focus our efforts to control grey squirrel movements and protect existing red squirrel populations.

There’s a growing groundswell of support for our project now. This is so important to us as the success of our project depends on support and participation from the public and particularly landowners, local communities and volunteers. Last year our project officers helped 36 landowners access SRDP funding to provide them with the resources to contribute to grey squirrel control efforts on their land. In addition 2,160 people across Scotland

attended talks and events put on by our team. And there’s still time for you to get involved! If you live in Tayside and would like to become a feeder box monitor please contact Project Officer Ken Neil on 01382 611028.

This year our project will continue to work hard to secure a future for red squirrels in Scotland. We are already testing our field survey techniques to ensure they are robust enough to measure our effectiveness. In Aberdeen we hope to develop a schools’ education pack to teach children about the importance of our work and biodiversity. And that’s just the start!

www.scottishsquirrels.org.uk Project partners:

With thanks to our supporters including: The Dulverton Trust

H D H Wills 1965 Charitable Trust

J & J R Wilson Trust

The Robertson Trust

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

9

Project news

Beaver spring in Scotland Simon Jones, Scottish Beaver Trial Project Manager, tells us about the latest events he hopes will boost visitors to the trial.

Simon Jones

It’s been another freezing winter across Scotland, and Argyll – home to the Scottish Beaver Trial – was no exception.

Usually damp and wet, this year the stunning scenery became a white-out of thick snow and ice. Our beavers, professionals in coping with extreme winters, remained unfazed. While frozen lochs prevented us from tracking them by boat, signs of their activities were abundant. Collections of stripped branches continued to appear at their nearby feeding stations and breathing holes were punched out of the thick ice.

With their food caches diminishing, the beavers will be looking forward to spring and summer – the seasons of plenty! And this year the Scottish Beaver Trial team hopes food isn’t the only abundant thing in Knapdale as we gear up to welcome even more visitors to the trial site.

So far many visitors from across Scotland (and beyond) have made a special trip to see the trial area and take their chances at spotting a wild beaver.

With four groups of beavers now well established in Knapdale, your chances of seeing beavers without disrupting the animals have never been better –

Dubh loch in winter © Scottish Beaver Trial

Breathing holes punched in frozen loch in Knapdale © Scottish Beaver Trial

especially when visiting at dusk or dawn during the lighter nights of spring and summer.

As well as the Barnluasgan Information Centre and the Beaver Detective Trial (a signposted walk which directs you around a loch inhabited by one of our beaver families), a new path with a floating boardwalk has just been completed with our host partners, Forestry Commission Scotland. This allows visitors to see the first beaver dam built in the trial area.

From here you can see the beaver pond, an area flooded by the beavers to allow them to benefit from prime habitat and food supplies.

To kick off the visitors’ season, the Scottish Beaver Trial will be participating in a European celebration called ‘Beaver

Spring’, the first event of its kind and one which will see beaver projects across Europe come together to organise a weekend of fun and educational events.

Taking place between Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 March, our team will host a guided walk in Knapdale and I will give a beaver talk at a Central Belt location (to be announced). To book your place, contact pphillpot@rzss.org.uk Full details of these and other events can be found on our website, so keep checking www. scottishbeavers.org.uk/news/events Knapdale Forest is west of Lochgilphead, only a two-hour drive from Glasgow. From the A816, follow B841 towards Crinan.

Turn left at Bellanoch and onto the B8025 towards Tayvallich – taking you into the heart of Knapdale Forest.

The Scottish Beaver Trial, a project partnership between the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, is a time-limited trial reintroduction of the European beaver in Knapdale, Mid-Argyll.

Project partners:

With thanks to our supporters including:

10

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

Taking action

Tell us what you think!

Please spare a few minutes to complete the enclosed Members’ Survey 2011 (also available at www.swt.org.uk/survey).

We really value your views and you could even win a luxury weekend in Edinburgh!

The Scottish Parliament © LBD

Help us ensure wildlife’s voice is heard in Holyrood YOU can make a difference in the run-up to the Scottish Parliament election on 5 May Scottish Wildlife Trust members can help to ensure that whoever is in power after May, wildlife’s voice is heard. You can do this by asking candidates: • • • • •

What will they do personally to protect Scotland’s wildlife for the future?

Will they work for more urban greenspaces rich in wildlife?

Will they argue for farming to be more wildlife-friendly?

Will they ensure there is adequate funding for biodiversity projects?

Will they make sure we get the promised National Ecological Network?

Already, Scottish Wildlife Trust members have had an influence in a number of important areas. Together we have been working hard to secure improvements in the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill and to influence Scotland’s first ever Land Use Strategy. I would like to say thank you to our members for writing to MSPs to urge them to put wildlife first. Scottish Wildlife Trust members also made a vital contribution to the Marine (Scotland) Act that came into force last year.

We are making a difference now. Please help us make a difference in the future.

Tony King, Head of Policy

Donate through your payroll How does it work?

Payroll Giving is a tax-efficient scheme that allows you to make regular donations to the Scottish Wildlife Trust straight from your salary. As the donation is made before tax is deducted, a monthly £10 donation will actually only cost you £8 if you’re a standard rate tax payer (or £6 if you’re a higher rate tax payer).

For higher rate tax payers, Payroll Giving is the only way to ensure that the Scottish Wildlife Trust automatically receives all of the tax that you would have paid on your donation – so if you earn over £44,000 pa then this is the best way for you to support us tax effectively.

What do I do now?

All you need to do now is visit www.swt. org.uk/payrollgiving and sign up today using our new online processing service.

Tell us how much you would like to donate and we’ll do the rest.

Want to know more about Payroll Giving?

Please see our FAQs at www.swt.org.uk/ payrollgiving/faqs, contact Wendy Hill on 0131 312 4772 or at whill@swt.org.uk

Did you know you can support the Scottish Wildlife Trust every time you buy or sell on eBay? Or why not take part in our special charity auction to win a unique bronze puffin?

Visit www.eBay.co.uk/charity and search for us under the ‘Favourite Charity’ link at the bottom of the page

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

11

© Scottish Wildlife Trust

© Steve Gardner

A Will for Wildlife An Aberdonian who finally settled in St Andrews, Donald Stewart was a quiet man, one who took life seriously but who had a wonderful sense of humour.

A member of the Scottish Wildlife Trust for over 30 years and an active supporter of his local Members’ Centre, Donald had a particular interest in birdlife and was always willing to encourage younger or less experienced members of a group to share his identification skills, especially those for bird song.

That was why Donald chose to leave a gift in his Will to the Scottish Wildlife Trust. We work with local communities to manage wildlife habitats across Scotland for the benefit of our native species and provide opportunities for people to connect with their natural environment.

Donald’s legacy will enable us to continue and build upon this work.

Gifts of this kind are a vital means to sustain the work of the Scottish Wildlife Trust – with 12% of last year’s funding coming from legacies – and we are grateful to everyone who elects to include a legacy to the Scottish Wildlife Trust in their Will. © Scottish Wildlife Trust

Although fortunate enough to travel widely and see many exotic species, there was always a special place in Donald’s heart for his local wildlife reserves in Fife and Angus, especially Montrose Basin, Loch of Lintrathen, Kilminning Coast and Bankhead Moss.

His widow, Jean, cherishes fond memories of early summer evenings sitting together in the hide at Bankhead Moss listening to the call of water rail, reed buntings, willow and sedge warblers and watching the swooping dance of swallows feasting on the abundant insect-life.

If you are considering including a gift to the Scottish Wildlife Trust in your Will (or have already done so) please let us know. Doing so is by no means legally binding, but we would like the opportunity to thank you and to acknowledge your support by inviting you to become a member of the Scottish Wildlife Trust Foundation – a grouping for whom we hold regular events.

12

Please contact Wendy Hill on whill@swt.org.uk or 0131 312 4772.

Alternatively you an online form at www.swt.org.uk/donate/legacy Scottish wildlife | Magazine of thecan Scottishcomplete Wildlife Trust

WILD WOODS Kenny Taylor explains how and why woodlands should be managed for wildlife

T

ABOVE Oakwoods (and other trees) in Knapdale © Kenny Taylor Below Scots pine cones, Moncreiffe Hill © Kenny Taylor

here’s a glade I know in a western oakwood where a particular kind of magic is worked each May. I’ve seldom been there at precisely the right time. But on those few occasions when I have, the sound and the sight of it is unforgettable.

The song begins with a few whistled notes, each one clear, separate and rounded. Then comes the cascading small waterfall of sound, with notes falling on and over each other as they pour from the trees.

Craning my neck, I see a small warbler, high in branches where oak leaves, looking delicate as dragonfly wings, have newly unfurled. His chest is the yellow of celandines; his body could fit in my palm; his passion could span the Highlands.

Wood warblers and their brief, beautiful period of early summer song are just one of countless reasons why the wilder side of Scotland’s native woods is valuable beyond price. I could never pin down that diversity and say why, precisely, these woods are so important; why I reckon their preservation and expansion is so crucial to the nation. To do that would be to try and bottle a free spirit.

For who could choose between a bluebell wood by the banks of the Cree, where redstart calls are soft above a fog of blooms, and a crag where three bright aspens cling, their leaves shimmering gold and yellow and green, as an eagle glides by? Or between the heart of a Caledonian pine forest, in stillness so deep you can hear the wood ants rustle on their nearby nest, and a wood within a city where you can seek and find green shade and hope to glimpse a roe deer?

According to Forestry Commission Scotland, there are various different woodland ‘priority habitat types’ in Scotland: native pinewoods; upland oakwoods; upland mixed ashwoods; upland birchwoods; wet woods; lowland mixed broadleaved woods; wood pasture and parkland.

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

13

Together, ancient and ‘semi-natural’ woodland covers less than 4% of Scotland

LEFT (FROM TOP) Elm leaves, Moncreiffe Hill; Spangle galls on oak leaves, west Highlands; Backlit polypody in oakwood; Hazel leaves © Kenny Taylor

14

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

Much of the country’s biodiversity is held within those native woodlands, so each of these types has national targets for expansion, restoration and conservation. That’s the official way of looking at them, and it’s an important means for government to channel funds and for foresters to plan and carry out action to benefit those woodlands.

But how would you think of the list? Read it again, and picture a species or image suggested by the woodland type. My thoughts turned to the Scottish crossbill; spangle galls; fifty lichens I can’t name; patterned bark; beavers; the scarlet and ochre of fallen autumn leaves; hazelnuts and woodpecker calls.

And I’d wager a king’s ransom that most of you that have tried that mental exercise will have produced your own, unique list. Memories and possibilities are contained in such thoughts, and that’s part of why the amazing variety of life in our woods matters.

Not surprisingly, the Scottish Wildlife Trust is active across the sweep of woodland types just mentioned and many more besides. That includes work in some of the country’s ancient woodland strongholds, such as the ravines cloaked in ash-rich woods in the Clyde Valley and Borders. It also takes in some of the most recently established native woods, in the very heart of urban areas such as Cumbernauld and Irvine.

There’s not space here to itemise the full scope of the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s work for trees and

LEFT Fir curtain, Moncreiffe © Kenny Taylor RIGHT Scots pine branch © Kenny Taylor

woodland wildlife (several magazines would be needed to come close). But some current activities and achievements catch the eye.

Led by Mark Foxwell, work at the Rahoy Hills Wildlife Reserve (scene of those wood warbler encounters) has a vision to boost scarce plants and butterflies over the next 20 years. In a post-industrial landscape between Livingston and Bathgate, Julian Warman is co-ordinating a 30-year programme at Addiewell Bing Wildlife Reserve to expand native tree cover.

This heap of old mining spoil is now being graced by oak, hazel, cherry and rowan from the Lothian Conservation Volunteers and Lothian Members’ Centre tree nursery.

In the heart of Burns Country, Gill Smart is helping to restore native broadleaves in Ayr Gorge Woodlands Wildlife Reserve (something that would

have gladdened the heart of the bard and whatever female companion he might have taken there to view the charms of nature). And in the Clyde Valley, four woodland reserves that form a National Nature Reserve have just become part of the Clyde Valley Living Landscape Partnership. Together with key partners, the Scottish Wildlife Trust will now help to use a £3 million award from the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore ancient woodland. Badgers and bluebells are among the many forms of life that will benefit.

These are a few of the current star turns within the Scottish Wildlife Trust portfolio. But work for woodlands, however small the stand of trees, can also have a host of unseen advantages. Scientists differ in their ideas about carbon storage in woodland, but some other benefits are not in doubt. Regulating flow of water is one of those, where forested uplands, for example, can reduce the risk of flooding downstream.

In turn, that helps to conserve soil cover.

Native woods are just part of the picture, of course.

Together, ancient and ‘semi-natural’ woodland covers less than one-twentieth (around 4 per cent) of Scotland. So it’s time to acknowledge the elephant in the room. Non-natives rule, when it comes to woodland cover.

Take the case of old-growth pinewood. Around 16,000 hectares survive. Multiply that roughly 55 times over, and you reach the total area of Scotland covered in conifers. Most of these are of North American origin and most are destined to be cut in rotations that span decades, rather than the many centuries you might expect from a native Scots pine in an unharvested wood.

In large measure because of those conifers, Scotland is now a modestly wooded country. More than one-sixth of the total land area (17 per cent) is covered in trees. That’s a fair expanse. To put it in context, Wales has slightly less, England has under

LEFT Woodland warbler © Oliver Smart

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

15

one-tenth of its surface wooded and Northern Ireland barely one-twentieth.

The conifer-swelled Scottish coverage is a massive increase from the early 1920s, when our tree cover was down at Northern Irish levels. But times, and forestry priorities, change. I remember a conversation with a friend, the now-retired forester, Bob Dunsmore, a few years ago.

“Forestry must be one of the only professions where the current generation spends so much time taking in the dirty washing left out by previous generations,” he said, smiling. Bob recalled how, as a young forest worker not long qualified, he was asked to ‘ringbark’ hundreds of birch and other native trees. This killed them, allowing the non-natives in the plantations where he worked to thrive without unwanted competition.

Bob spent much of his later career promoting the expansion of ‘new’ native pinewoods and supporting other large-scale projects (of European importance) to help map, understand and expand native woods.

The results of such perseverance are emblematic of an attitude change within national forestry that, to me, has rendered easy talk of ‘blanket’ plantations outmoded.

Now thoughts are turned more to future possibilities, which will be good for both wildlife and people, than to past mistakes. Projects at a landscape scale will re-shape the look of wooded areas (it has happened already at Glenmore, for example) and bring trees to places where few trees have grown in recent centuries. Helped by digital mapping and remote-sensed data, such as in the current Native 16

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

Woodland Survey of Scotland, knowledge of national forest cover is now better than ever.

Such data will help woodland managers, including the Scottish Wildlife Trust, to plan ahead on a foundation of good information. Greatly expanded woodland habitat networks, linking once-isolated areas of trees and helping wildlife to disperse across the country, are among the initiatives that will reap the rewards.

So there’s every reason to be optimistic about the future of Scottish woodlands and their wildlife. And our government is committed to keeping the national forest estate, north of the border, intact.

“The Scottish government views our forests and woodlands as a national asset which should be protected and treasured,” ran the Scottish Environment Minister’s statement in the news feed I read while completing this article.

It’s enough to make a wood warbler burst into song.

Glasgow-born writer Kenny Taylor was our Northern Officer for many years and now chairs Trees for Life and the Cairngorms Local Biodiversity project.

TOP Cladonia lichens on old pine stump © Kenny Taylor ABOVE Lungwort and polypody © Kenny Taylor

WILDLIFE AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT (SCOTLAND) BILL: KEY PROVISIONS OF THE BILL, AS INTRODUCED (PART 2) In the previous edition of Scottish Wildlife, Lauren Grant, Trainee Solicitor with Morton Fraser summarised the existing regime of wildlife protection in Scotland. In this, Part 2 of the same article, the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill (“the Bill”) is considered.

The Bill is designed to make provision in respect of wildlife and the natural environment in Scotland and to strike a balance between encouraging economic stability in rural communities and the welfare of the animals affected by rural pursuits such as hunting and shooting. The Bill was introduced to the Scottish Parliament on 9 June 2010 by Richard Lochhead, MSP and completed Stage 1 of the parliamentary process on 2 December 2010. It has since proceeded to Stage 2 and faces amendment prior to submission to the Parliament for enactment.

Muirburn Subject to licence provisions, muirburn would be permitted during the muirburn season only (from 1 October in any year to 15 April the following year), although the Bill proposes that landowners could make muirburn in the “extended” muirburn season (16 April to 30 April the same year).

As currently drafted, the Bill proposes to change various pieces of legislation which protect wild birds and other wildlife species.

A brief look at the provisions of the Bill would suggest that, as drafted, it generally balances the rights to conduct outdoor and rural pursuits and to build economic stability in rural areas with the rights of the animals involved.

Birds If passed as currently drafted, existing protection afforded to protected species of bird would be extended to include prevention from poaching. Close seasons for some species of bird would be implemented. Other species could be taken outwith the close season without criminal liability ensuing and would be protected from killing or taking on Sundays and Christmas Day. The offences would be subject to a limited number of defences.

Other Animals The provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 would extend to wild hares, rabbits and badgers. A close season for mountain hares and brown hares is proposed by the Bill. It will also be a criminal offence to possess any live or dead animal if the animal was taken unlawfully. Wild hares and rabbits would also be protected by existing poaching provisions.

Some limited defences would be available to the unlawful killing, taking and injury of wild hares and rabbits where the animal is severely disabled and has no reasonable prospect of recovery.

Non-Native Species Additionally, the Bill makes provision in respect of non-native species including offences of keeping, possessing or controlling nonnative plants and animals. The Bill allows Scottish Ministers to make further provision in respect of invasive plants and animals by way of order or regulations.

Deer Scottish Natural Heritage would be required to draw up a deer management code of practice to be approved by Scottish Ministers.

The killing or taking of deer would be lawful in some circumstances.

The Scottish Ministers would also be empowered to create a register of those competent to shoot deer in Scotland.

Snares The Bill also seeks to more heavily regulate the use of snares and requires those setting snares to have an identification number and to have completed the necessary training. Requirements as to tagging and inspection of snares are also proposed.

The Bill also provides for delegation of licensing powers and repeals various pieces of legislation.

Following publication of the Stage 1 report, the Scottish Parliament appears to support the general principles of the Bill. Concerns have been raised by rural groups over the Scottish Government’s reservation of powers to make relatively major changes by secondary legislation such as the licensing of estates and the banning of snaring.

Concerns have also been raised by public authorities that the Bill may be insufficient to enable a criminal conviction to be secured in the event of a criminal breach of the law.

Whilst the Minister for Environment, Roseanna Cunningham, has confirmed that the reservation of powers for the licensing of estates is not sought by the Scottish Government, she has confirmed her intention to proceed with an amendment to include an offence of vicarious liability to increase the ease with which a conviction could be secured. Generally speaking, vicarious liability could make rural employers, for example, liable for the criminal acts of their employees.

The Bill may strengthen animal welfare provisions, but care must be taken not to overburden rural communities and stakeholders, nor to create a legal and policy framework which discourages investment in the rural economy or rural pursuits. The Bill was further debated on 12 January 2011 and is scheduled to complete Stage 2 by 28 January 2011, although at the time of writing nothing has been published on the debate. An anticipated timescale for presentation of the Bill to the full Parliament has yet to be released but will no doubt follow shortly.

For more information please contact Lauren Grant, Trainee Solicitor on 0131 247 1042 or email Lauren.grant@morton-fraser.com Morton Fraser has offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow & London. For details of our seminar programme please visit our website where you can enrol online: www.morton-fraser.com/events

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust www.morton-fraser.com

17

ENJOYING OUR WOODLANDS

What do woodlands mean to us, and what benefits do they bring for Scotland’s people? With 2011 being the United Nations International Year of Forests, Ida Maspero examines our ever-changing relationship with the country’s forests and woods.

A

s I write this, across the border in England, the heat is on in the fight for the public forest estate – while Westminster considers disposing of up to 2,500 square kilometres of Forestry Commission (FC) land into private hands through long leases, campaigners express outrage at the possible consequences of such a momentous move. Whatever the eventual outcome, these current events have certainly drawn the attention of the wider public to some fundamental questions they might not have given a second thought to before – what are our forests and woodlands for, and what benefits do they bring to people? How have we used them down the years, and how do we wish to use them in future?

In March 2009, a Scottish Government proposal to lease off up to a quarter of public forests in Scotland was abandoned after widespread opposition. Though the plans differed to those presently on the table down south, the effect was the same – for once, the value of publiclyowned, accessible woodlands and forests was contemplated in the mass media, for unlike the economic recession and social ills such as knife

18

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

crime, it’s simply not a subject that gains regular headline coverage. It leads to the question of how forests have been used in Britain, and Scotland in particular, and how that is changing.

The public forest estate is owned and managed by the Forestry Commission, established in 1919 to provide the UK with its own dependable supply of timber after over-exploitation in the 19th century and before had virtually wiped out Britain’s native tree cover, leaving only pockets of woodland. Following the First World War, facing the reality of having to import its timber in unstable times, growing our own timber was of strategic importance to the country. “From the inception of the Forestry Commission through to the 1960s, supplying timber was the primary objective of forestry, and economic considerations were paramount,” says James Ogilvie, Social and Planning Policy Advisor with Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS). During this time, vast monoculture plantations of fast-growing, non-native conifers such as sitka spruce were established to meet timber needs, often with little regard for their impact on the environment or communities.

ABOVE Walkers on The Bin White Walk, Aberdeenshire © FC Picture Library / John McFarlane

ABOVE RIGHT Family walking through the forest at Ardcastle, Argyll © FC Picture Library / John McFarlane RIGHT © FC Picture Library / Isobel Cameron

Woodlands for mental health In Scotland, woodlands and forests provide income and employment for rural communities. They offer muchneeded and well-loved green spaces for leisure activities and recreation – walking, mountain-biking, holidays and the like – but increasingly, they also have a vital role to play in helping overcome the nation’s health problems.

Several research studies and projects have indicated a link between access to green space – woodlands, parks and so on – and better human health. In Scotland, several programmes and initiatives aim to help tackle the particular problem of obesity by encouraging outdoor activities in woodlands. Near Lochgilphead in Mid-Argyll is a woodland being run specifically for the benefit of users of mental health and social services in the region.

Owned by the NHS and managed as a partnership social enterprise, Blarbuie Woodland is unique in that it is adjacent to two hospitals – Mid-Argyll Community Hospital and Argyle & Bute Hospital, a mental health facility.

“Besides providing space for physical exercise, health professionals are increasingly recognising the positive effect of contact with nature in raising the spirits,” says Hugh Fife, Blarbuie Woodland Coordinator. Organised weekly walks in the company of volunteers and clinical staff give many mental health patients at the hospital a chance to experience Blarbuie’s woods, while others are more involved, working in the woodland and helping to maintain it.

The positive impact on both groups is clear to see, reckons Hugh. “Some might express the benefit they are getting from the woods as the obvious physical advantage of walking and of breathing fresh air. Some use the word ‘therapy’ or ‘therapeutic’ themselves, saying they feel less anxious after a walk than they were beforehand. For some patients, the strong social interaction with others and the chance to talk informally to staff and volunteers is the main help.

“The positive effect is most noticeable in those patients working in the woods,” Hugh continues. “Mental health patients working in the woodland all say they’re improving. They look fitter and trimmer, and you’ll see them smiling and talking to others more. At the heart of this is improved confidence and greater selfesteem; that is the real key to health, mental and physical. We have seen people get away from alcohol dependency, severe depression, and more.”

A number of projects around Scotland aim to harness the healing powers of woodlands, with positive results. “Green prescribing is nowhere near as prevalent in conventional medicine and psychiatry as it ought to be, though it is gradually picking up,” reckons Hugh. “In my own experience, walking and working out of doors should be seen to be just as important as any other treatment.”

However, by the latter decades of the 20th century, that had changed quite dramatically. “In the 1970s and the 1980s recreational use of public forest estate gained momentum,” says James, “and forests became ever more popular places for recreation, leisure, learning and outdoor activities”.

These days, forestry contributes an estimated £670 million per year to the Scottish economy, and income from timber still accounts

for a significant proportion of this. However, forest tourism – including walking, mountain biking and wildlife watching – is an increasingly important source of revenue (along with biomass for heat and power, and land use for green energy sources such as wind and hydro). In 2008, it is estimated that forests contributed around £209 million to Scottish tourism.

The focus of forestry has now shifted towards a more integrated approach, taking into account leisure use of forests, community interests, and ecology and biodiversity. The Scottish Forestry Strategy, published in 2006, lays emphasis on access and social inclusion, and the benefit of woodlands and forests to communities and human health. Scotland in particular has seen a surge in recreational activities in woodlands and forests, bringing employment and other economic benefits to rural communities.

Here in Scotland, mountain biking is a particular success story. The country has been put on the world mountain biking map by the 7 Stanes project, which has seen biking trails being developed at seven FCS forest sites around southern Scotland since its inception in 2001. Mountain biking centres like Glentress near Peebles are now major attractions for bikers from around the world, and together the 7 Stanes sites rank among Scotland’s top 20 visitor attractions. Phase two evaluation of the project in 2007 found that 7 Stanes had created the equivalent of 205 full time jobs in southern Scotland, and had brought £9 million in visitor spend that year. No doubt that figure is now even larger.

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

19

A resurgence in woodland culture The story of the changing relationship between woods and people in Scotland goes beyond their renewed enjoyment and importance as places for leisure and relaxation. Now, at the start of the second decade of the 21st century, there is much talk of a resurgence of woodland culture as ever more people become disillusioned with the prevailing urban, consumerist lifestyle and seek a simpler way of life, closer to nature. The surge of popular interest in foraging and bushcraft testify to this.

Ian Edwards, editor of the recently published book Woodlanders: New Life in Britain’s Forests, which profiles a number of individuals making a living in and from woodlands, says, “There’s a dream people have to get away from their city lives in front of TV and computer screens, to get out there and reconnect with nature. About half the people we feature in Woodlanders have made a complete change of direction in their lives. There is plenty of evidence that in making that change, their lives have greatly improved. On the most simple level, their health has improved. No doubt they are a lot happier and making others happier; they are living their dream.”

Though Ian believes that woodland-based craft businesses are destined to remain cottage industries that will never quite gain a mass market, he believes greater business potential lies in holidays and courses. “Nearly all the successful craftspeople also do some element of teaching and training, selling the dream through courses. Ultimately, the greatest woodland-based business opportunities lie in holidays and in offering recreational activities and woodland craft courses, a new woodland economy centred around leisure and lifestyle.”

He also identifies woodfuel as a candidate for business growth: though more and more Scottish homeowners are making the switch to woodfuel for heating, Ian reckons there seems to be a shortage of suppliers who harvest, process and season wood.

“When it comes to finding jobs for young people or those getting back into work, or landowners looking for cash income, the one thing Scottish woodlands could be providing more of, sustainably, is good quality, seasoned woodfuel. There is no need to fell trees especially – dead trees and waste from forestry operations and coppicing can be used.

20

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

Beyond considerations of income generation and employment, the real value of forests and woodlands in modern-day Scotland is the positive impact they have on people’s well-being.

“Woodlands offer the opportunity for people to come together and share things,” Ian points out. “Community woodland groups and voluntary work in woods are just blossoming as an antidote to the loneliness and isolation of modern living. I believe the real reason why woodlands contribute to well-being is that they offer a chance to meet other people who share a common interest, and be part of a community. People come together to do something jointly.”

aBOVE LEFT Walkers in Achray Forest, Queen Elizabeth Forest Park © FC Picture Library / Isobel Cameron aBOVE RIGHT Owen Jones – Oak swill basket maker © Paul Felix

STOP PRESS On 17th February the UK Government followed the Scottish example and scrapped its plans for forest disposal. Forestry Commission job cuts remain, however.

Further information Blarbuie Woodland Enterprise www.reforestingscotland.org/projects/blarbuie.php 7 Stanes www.7stanes.gov.uk Woodlanders: New Life in Britain’s Forests, edited by Ian Edwards. Published by Saraband, www.saraband.net Woods & People: Putting Forests on the Map, by David Foot.

Published by The History Press, www.thehistorypress.co.uk

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

21

Bitten by ants Jamie Grant learns what triggered a lifelong attraction to wood ants

J

onny Hughes, the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Director of Conservation, decided what to do with the rest of his life when he was just 10 years old. He still remembers the exact moment, standing in a stretch of ancient woodland by the river Lyon in Highland Perthshire thirty odd years ago. He was with Cedric Collingwood, a family friend and renowned ant expert. At their feet was a mound of earth and pine needles, crawling with ants.

Cedric explained how special these ants were to the woodland ecology. He showed Jonny how they spray formic acid at any threat, including a hand held over the nest. He picked up one of the ants and showed Jonny how to note the subtle differences between the Northern wood ant (Formica lugubris) and the Scottish wood ant (Formica aquilonia). A whole new world of myrmecology (the study of ants) opened up to the boy as he stared through the hand lens.

And what a strange and wonderful world it is.

Wood ants have incredibly complex social structures

22

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

that in many ways mirror human society. They divide their labour between foraging and more domestic roles in the nest, such as tunnel maintenance and tending to their queen.

They are also highly developed in the dark arts of exploitation. Blood red slave-making ants (Formica sanguinea) go on raiding missions to steal the pupae of their smaller, common black ant (Formica lemani) cousins. Although born to a life of exploitation the slaves still think that they are part of the nest. Wood ants also run a protection racket with the aphids. Aphids feed them with a sugary elixir called honey-dew in return for protection from other predators.

Ants also have something to teach us about sustainability. They selectively cull insects around their nest, rather than kill everything within their reach. “Perhaps this is something human kind can learn from,” Jonny commented. “It is far better to harvest a resource sustainably than exploit it until it’s lost, yet so often as a species we fail to apply this simple logic.”

Learning about ants helped Jonny decipher the story of the whole woodland. “Being shown how to identify different species of ants was a little like learning a language,” he explained. “As I learned the words for individual species I found I could start to construct sentences about the ecology and history of habitats and even entire landscapes.”

Ants play a ‘keystone’ role in their woodland setting.

They benefit the growth of trees by controlling the population of insect grazers such as caterpillars.

Ants are an important prey species themselves,

ABOVE Wood ants (Formica lugubris) tending aphids (Symydobius oblongus) in Glen Affric © Alan Watson

LEFT Wood ant (Formica lugubris) carrying caterpillar to nest © Laurie Campbell

LEFT Wood ant (Formica lugubris) harvesting honeydew from aphid (Symydobius oblongus) © Alan Watson BELOW Nest of wood ants (Formica lugubris) on Dundreggan © Alan Watson

particularly for birds such as woodpecker and woodland grouse like capercaille and black cock.

Birds have also been observed rubbing ants under their wings to release the formic acid that acts as a natural protection against parasites, a process known as ‘anting’.

Wood ants are a good indicator of the age and health of the woods they live in. In Scotland their distribution has been largely restricted to the fragments of native woodland that have survived centuries of deforestation. Stumble on a wood ants’ nest and you are more than likely looking at thousands of years of living history. Many of the mounds have survived uninterrupted since the end of the ice age some 10,000 years ago.

Cedric gave a bleak prognosis by the river Lyon for Scotland’s last stands of ancient woodland. “I remember him explaining that what remained of the Caledonian pine forest was dying on its feet because it was being neglected,” Jonny said. “It was almost as though the penny dropped in my mind.

I thought about how tragic this was and decided to actually try and do something about it.”

After studying the social biology of wasps at university Jonny started a career with the Scottish Wildlife Trust as a seasonal warden at the Loch Fleet Wildlife Reserve, north of Dornoch. He kept his boyhood passion for ants alive on his weekends by mapping Scottish wood ants in remote corners of Sutherland and Ross-shire.

On one of these trips he was lucky enough to see the ‘marriage flight’ of thousands of winged wood ants swarming over the trees. It is a phenomenon that very few have ever witnessed.

Much has changed since Jonny’s seminal introduction to ants and nature conservation in Glen Lyon. While wood ants may not have expanded their range much in the past thirty years, their woodland habitat is now much more valued. Many of Scotland’s ancient woodlands have been protected and forestry grant schemes have encouraged the expansion of native pine, birch and juniper.

But there is still much to do. “This is really just the beginning. The resource is tiny in comparison with what it should be,” commented Jonny. “The huge challenge ahead is to expand and reconnect the

remaining woodlands that we have.” The Scottish Wildlife Trust advocates that where commercial plantations need to be grown for timber, they should be of native tree species such as Scots pine, rather than exotic such as Sitka spruce which can literally ‘shade out’ wildlife. “Our vision is of a connected Caledonian forest that is sensitively managed for timber, biodiversity and recreation,” he added.

Although in recent years much of Jonny’s focus has been on conservation policy, he hasn’t lost any of his enthusiasm for field work. He is even concerned that the old Victorian approach of patiently observing flora and fauna is being lost to an academic world of ‘statistical methodologies.’ In January the Scottish Wildlife Trust announced that it plans to recruit ten trainees for a new course in ecological surveying. The programme, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, is specifically designed to boost practical, field-based skills.

Jonny recently visited his old mentor Cedric Collingwood and was delighted to find him still looking at ants through his microscope: “As ever, he was at the kitchen table with ants from Saudi Arabia preserved in endless tubes of alcohol, mounting them on bits of card to identify them for researchers around the world. He is still working at the age of 93!”

Jonny made another small pilgrimage this winter.

He went back to the same spot of his first encounter with wood ants in Glen Lyon all those years ago. To his delight they are still there, a lasting reminder of both Scotland’s deep past and one boy’s awakening to the natural world.

What remained of the Caledonian pine forest was dying on its feet

Jamie Grant is a freelance writer and photographer dedicated to environmental issues. He lives in Glen Lyon, Perthshire.

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

23

24

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

Aspens: Scotland’s Cinderella tree Peter Ranscombe highlights the importance of Scotland’s forgotten native tree

A

spens, as tree writer Archie Miles puts it in his Hidden Trees of Britain book, are ‘Scotland’s Cinderella native’ species because they so often seem to be forgotten. Although aspen (Populus tremula) is one of the most widely-distributed trees, with its range spanning from the Arctic Circle to North Africa and from Europe to Japan, it has never been an important timber species in Scotland and so has often been overlooked.

Yet when we do notice aspen it can be among the most spectacular trees in the Scottish landscape; the autumnal colours of Deeside and Strathspey are enriched by the stunningly-rich red and yellow shades of dying aspen leaves.

Aspen was once common across much of Scotland as a key component in the ancient Caledonian forests but deforestation and overgrazing has left the tree with only a few strongholds in the Highlands, where most of the trees grow in isolated stands or groups.

In contrast to most species of tree, on which both male and female flowers can occur, aspen is ‘dioecious’, meaning that individual trees are either male or female. Aspen flowers in March and April before its leaves emerge, with both female and male trees producing catkins. After pollination, female catkins ripen during the early summer months and produce seeds, each of which weighs only one tenthousandth of a gram; it would take 10,000 seeds to reach the weight of a single raisin.

Aspen trees in Scotland, however, very rarely produce seeds; instead the main form of reproduction is vegetative with new suckers, called ‘ramets’, growing off the roots of mature trees. Ramets can be found up to 40 metres away from their parent tree due to aspen’s extensive root system and, with each ramet remaining connected to the root system, each tree is a clone of its parent.

“Aspens are among some of the oldest and biggest living organisms on the planet because of the way the root systems of one individual tree can cover hectares and hectares and survive for thousands of years underground,” explains Jill Hodge, who runs a tree nursery at Plodda Lodge near Glen Affric for conservation charity Trees for Life.

ABOVE Aspen & scots pine in autumn with stormy sky © Alan Watson

LEFT Various colours of aspen leaves © Alan Watson

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

25

ABOVE Aspen female catkins with seeds © Alan Watson

RIGHT European beaver eating aspen © Laurie Campbell

BELOW © Alan Watson

26

Experts are unsure why aspen trees do not flower regularly but some believe their fragmented distribution in Scotland may be one factor, whilst the absence of the right climatic conditions may also have a role to play.

One factor that has undoubtedly contributed to the decline of aspen in Scotland is our nation’s high number of red deer (Cervus elaphus), which are attracted to the tree’s sweet-tasting bark. Whilst aspen is a pioneering species and so can grow in many different types and depths of soil, overgrazing has severely restricted its distribution in most areas.

Aspen is also a species favoured by the European beaver (Castor fiber) but unlike those browsed by wild deer, aspen stems gnawed by beavers often coppice vigorously, sending up new succulent shoots which provide more choice food for hungry beavers.

If the Scottish Beaver Trial at Knapdale (run by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland) results in beavers being reintroduced to Scotland then Hodge believes the demand for aspen from landowners would increase.

Other creatures that benefit from the species are the endangered aspen hoverfly (Hammerschmidtia ferruginea), one of the largest hoverflies in the UK; the newly identified fly species Ectaetia christiei and two other endangered fly species, Homalocephala biumbratum and Strongylopthalmyla ustulata.

The great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) is also known to nest in the trunks of aspens.

But why should the focus fall on aspen when other trees such as oak or hazel arguably support more wildlife?

“Aspen doesn’t regenerate well on its own and so needs some help along the way,” says Jill.

Jill and her Trees for Life colleagues and volunteers have been lending a helping hand to aspen since 1991 and can now produce up to 3,000

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

young trees a year from their dedicated aspen production facility at Plodda Lodge.

But their method of collecting suckers from root cuttings and bringing them on to form new trees is both time- and labour-intensive and results in far fewer trees being produced than for other species.

So over the past two years, Jill and her team have been looking at a technique used to propagate a similar species in Finland whereby stock cuttings are kept on site and then harvested for their suckers.

As well as growing more aspens, Trees for Life has been extending the range of the species, especially around Glen Affric and at the charity’s Dundreggan Estate in Glen Moriston.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust is also working hard to extend the range of aspen at Ben Mor Coigach, the largest wildlife reserve owned by the Trust. Mark Foxwell, the Trust’s Highland Reserves Manager, and his colleague Glen Campbell have been taking aspen cuttings from the reserve, growing them into trees and then planting them again.

“We’ve also been bringing together local landowners to develop an exciting new initiative: the Coigach and Assynt Living Landscape,” explains Mark.

“By working together to restore woodland networks over a large area of north-west Scotland, we will be able to put aspen and other native species on a more secure footing and allow the myriad creatures that depend on these trees to once again move through the landscape”.

Peter Ranscombe is a business correspondent for The Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday newspapers and writes about science and wildlife on a freelance basis. He is a member of the Scottish Wildlife Trust and a former reserve convenor.

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

27

The Scottish Wildlife Trust is grateful to those green tourism businesses listed below for their support through its Working for Wildlife programme.

Balbedie Farm Cottage, on the Fife/Kinross border near the Loch Leven Nature Reserve.

The cottage which sleeps 4/6 is on a working farm and is fully equipped for a relaxing holiday.

Easy access to Edinburgh, Perth & beyond.

Contact: Jane Turnbull Tel: 01592 882242 Email: jane@vturnbull.freeserve.co.uk Boots n Paddles, 14 Cabrich, Kirkhill, Inverness IV5 7PH Nature-based activity days and holidays. Explore the Highlands with us by canoe, mountain bike, and on foot. Leave No Trace awareness and training courses available.

Tel: 0845 6125567 Email: mike@bootsnpaddles.co.uk See www.boots-n-paddles.co.uk Cloverknowe Cottages, Pathhead Farm, Cockburnspath TD13 5XB Situated conveniently for the beautiful Berwickshire and East Lothian coast with their lovely beaches and great places to walk. Ideal for visiting St Abbs Head, John Muir Country Park and Bass Rock. We offer detached 3* and 4* VisitScotland accredited self catering cottages. Well behaved dogs welcome.

Tel: 01368 830318 Email: mlauder@supanet.com See www.cloverknowecottages.co.uk C-N-Do Scotland, Stirling Scotland’s premier walking operator – inspiring adventures since 1984. Guided, self-guided and bespoke holidays throughout the Highlands, Islands and wild, hidden places. Quality, safety and fun are the hallmarks! Get out there! Get in touch!

Tel: 01786 445703 Email: info@cndoscotland.com See www.cndoscotland.com East Lochhead Country House, Largs Road, Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, PA12 4DX B&B & Self-catering. A warm welcome to East Lochhead awaits you. An excellent base for visiting Ayrshire, Clyde Estuary, the Trossachs and the islands of Arran, Bute and Cumbrae.

Thistle Award winners for Sustainable Tourism and Gold members of the Green Tourism Business Scheme.

Tel: 01505 842610 Email: admin@eastlochhead.co.uk See www.eastlochhead.co.uk

Glenloy Wildlife, Banavie, Fort William Fully inclusive holidays based in Glenloy Lodge along the Great Glen, offering guided exploration of the wildlife of the Western Highlands. See visiting pine martens, eagles, deer, otter, black grouse, divers, cetaceans, seals, seabirds, rare butterflies, orchids & more.

Tel: 01397 712700 Email: info@glenloylodge.co.uk See www.glenloy-wildlife.org.uk Letter Farm B & B, Loch of the Lowes, Dunkeld, Perthshire PH8 0HH We are adjacent to the SWT Loch of the Lowes Reserve, just a mile away. Enjoy a peaceful and relaxing break in our comfortable farmhouse on a family run stock farm. Watch Osprey while taking your tea on the patio!

Tel: 01350 724254 Email: letterlowe@aol.com See www.letterfarm.co.uk Mingarry Lodges, The Old Chapel House, Mingarry, Acharacle, PH36 4JX Find time for nature by taking a holiday in Moidart, the gateway to Ardnamurchan. Our two log cabins provide a perfect Highland retreat, combining rustic charm with home comforts.

Great walking, wildlife, bird watching, beaches and castles nearby.

Tel: 01967 431532 Email: info@mingarrylodges.com See www.mingarrylodges.com Rabbie’s Trail Burners , Edinburgh and Glasgow Escape to Europe’s last great wilderness with Rabbie’s award winning small group tours to the Highlands and Islands. Hosted by one of our passionate driver/guides we promise to get you in touch with the people, places, history and legends of Scotland.

Tel: 0131 226 3133 Email: tours@rabbies.com See: www.rabbies.com Rhian Guest House, Tongue, Sutherland IV27 4XJ Hidden away in the wild Sutherland landscape, Rhian provides first class B&B accommodation.

Set in over 30 acres of private grounds, there are ample opportunities for watching birds and other wildlife nearby.

Tel: 01847 611257 Email: wildlife@rhiancottage.co.uk See www.rhiancottage.co.uk

Rusko Holidays, Gatehouse of Fleet, Castle Douglas DG7 2BS Wonderful wildlife and birdwatching self catering holidays in South West Scotland. Lovely large house and 3 charming cottages with open fires set amid magnificent scenery, near the coast and wildlife reserves, on the edge of the Galloway Forest Park. From £234pw Tel: 01557 814215 Email: info@ruskoholidays.co.uk See www.ruskoholidays.co.uk Stein Inn, Macleod’s Terrace, Waternish, Isle of Skye, IV55 8GA A traditional 18th century inn in the northwest of Skye, with breathtaking views of the Minch and within easy access to the Cuillins and the wild beauty of Skye. Comfortable accommodation with good food, real ales and malt whiskies.

Tel: 01470 592362 Email: angus.teresa@steininn.co.uk See www.stein-inn.co.uk The Life Science Trust, Gifford, East Lothian, EH41 4QU Close to several SWT reserves and as owner of Pishwanton Community Wood, a 60-acre biodynamically managed ecological educational project in S.E. Scotland, The Life Science Trust offers simple, comfortable accommodation with organic food in community houses.

Tel: 01620 810259 Email: lstrust@gn.apc.org See www.pishwanton.com Whitchester Christian Guest House, Borthaugh, Hawick TD9 7LN Comfortable Victorian country house in the beautiful Scottish Borders, woodlands and gardens. Enjoy the peaceful ambience and our home cooked food.

Tel: 01450 377477 Email: enquiries@whitchester.org.uk See www.whitchester.org.uk Wilderness Scotland, Edinburgh EH3 6SW Explore the Highlands with Europe’s Leading Adventure Company – National Geographic 2009.

From kayaking in the Summer Isles to walking and wildlife in Shetland or a sailing journey to the magical St Kilda – whatever your interests are, your extraordinary adventure starts here.

Tel: 0131 625 6635 Email: info@wildernessscotland.com See www.wildernessscotland.com

For more information on this small business supporters’ scheme, a benefit of which is a free listing in Scottish Wildlife magazine, please contact Wendy Hill on 0131 312 4772 or email whill@swt.org.uk

Our Working for Wildlife programme is a great way for green tourism businesses to engage with the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

Becoming a member demonstrates your commitment to protecting Scotland’s unique wildlife and habitats for the future.

In return, we offer a range of benefits including a listing in our membership magazine, Scottish Wildlife (circ. 17,500 households), information materials for your guests and clients, and a link from our website to yours.

For further information, please contact Wendy Hill on 0131 312 4772 or email whill@swt.org.uk

28

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

ST KILDA WHY NOT TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT? Imagine every day in a different location. Sheltered, peaceful sealochs with miles of coastline and no roads in sight. Bustling little villages, brightly painted ready to welcome you. Historic castles, home to clan chiefs for generations.

Tropical gardens where exotic plants flourish in northern climes.

These delights with the accompanying seabirds, dolphins in the bow waves, seals lazily watching from their reefs and passing whales are waiting for you.

Take a break on M.V. Kylebhan when we visit a number of Islands on each trip, including St Kilda. Sailing from Oban through the Western Isles, enjoy the ever changing scenery and freedom to explore at your own pace. Send for details to: Kylebhan Charters, 3 Barclay Court, Old Kilpatrick G60 5HX tel/fax: 01389 877028 mobile 07775 508242 e-mail: kylebhan@aol.com

Luxury Self Catering Holiday Cottages and Apartments near St Andrews in the Kingdom of Fife

The grounds are home to a variety of wildlife, magnificent trees and wildflowers, ideal for rambling, cycling and exploring the East Neuk of Fife, with its sandy beaches and picturesque fishing villages.

Pitcairlie House , Auchtermuchty, Fife, Scotland, KY14 6EU • 01337 827418 07831 646157 • www.pitcairlie-leisure.co.uk • reservations@pitcairlie-leisure.co.uk

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

29

RESERVE PROFILE

Ayr Gorge Woodlands – water, rocks, trees and tranquillity This is widely recognised as one of the best woodlands in Ayrshire. It is part of a large Site of Special Scientific Interest designated in 1983, around the same time as the reserve was created. The woodland is noted for its abundant invertebrate life, supporting at least thirty Scottish rarities, and is especially good for spiders and beetles. Rare plants and fungi can also be found here.

THE ROUTE From Failford, enter the reserve at the west end of the village and follow the path to the steps. At the top of the steps, keep the river on your left and follow its bank to the junction with a waymarker indicating a dead end. Turn right up the gradual slope until you reach the big beech trees. Do not pass between the beeches as this will take you on an extended walk. Instead take the path back along the reserve boundary, past the cairn, to a point where it turns back sharply on the right to re-join the route you took from the top of the steps.

POINTS OF INTEREST Almost immediately on entering the reserve you are in the gorge, looking up and downstream at looming wooded cliffs.

Water levels fluctuate with the seasons offering an ever-changing scene, including botanically interesting sandstone shelves during dry spells. This is a good spot to watch for dippers – those small, dark, white-breasted birds that bob up and down on rocks and walk along the river bed in search of food.

Among the tall larch trees on the right of the path are a few small sections of low wall that are all that remain of an old sawmill. Its date is unknown but it illustrates a time when the wood played a more active part in the rural economy.

Across the river, the red and white sandstone cliffs are clearly visible.

The rich insect life provides an excellent food supply for bats for which breeding sites are numerous among the cliffs, old trees, bridges and nearby buildings. Five species of bat have been confirmed as present, including the water-specialist Daubenton’s bat, which can be seen in large numbers on summer evenings, swooping over the river in search of its prey.

30

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

The two huge beech trees are estimated to be between 200 and 250 years old. This means they could have been here when Robert Burns was walking these woods around 1786. While beech trees are not naturally part of this type of woodland, they represent the oldest specimens on this site and are appreciated for their value to bats, insects and fungi. Well grown oak and ash are currently being recorded as the ancients of the future so that young beeches can gradually be removed.

Top spots for wildlife Pease Dean

Just off the path to the right, clearings have been created in the larch plantation. This is part of an ongoing and very gradual process of re-establishing woodland of the type meant to grow in this place. If you look carefully you will see many small seedlings of rowan, some of holly and even a few oaks.

The area on the right was cleared of larch approximately 20 years ago. The abundance of broadleaved trees illustrates how effective this sort of woodland management can be. Birches have done so well that we have had to thin them out to allow good specimens and other tree species enough space and light to reach their potential.

Pease Dean © Scottish Wildlife Trust

(OS Landranger 67 NT790704) Pease Dean is one of four deans and is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its oak woodland and rare mosses and lichens, 40 of which have regional or national significance.

Spring is a lovely time to visit for bluebells and wild garlic. The reserve is usually entered from the caravan site at Pease Bay and is the eastern point of the Southern Upland Way.

Cumbernauld Glen

Doocot at Cumbernauld Glen © Ida Maspero

(OS Landranger 64 NS777763) The Glen links the original village with the new town, and has several marked paths and a recently completed mountain bike trail. Once in the Glen you are surrounded by towering oak and ash woodland, with willow and alder scattered along the Red Burn. Over 200 species of plant can be found in the reserve along with 65 bird species and nine dragonfly species.

Abernethy Forest

Crested tit © Darin Smith

(OS Landranger 36 NH978183) Located beneath the Cairngorm Mountains, this National Nature Reserve is jointly managed by RSPB and SNH. The reserve has one of the largest remnants of the Caledonian pine forest and is home to iconic Scottish species such as breeding ospreys, red deer, pine marten, capercaillie, and crested tit. There are numerous trails throughout the reserve from Strathspey into the Cairngorms themselves.

Queen Elizabeth Forest Park

All images © Gill Smart

Red squirrel © Jimmie Reid

FURTHER INFORMATION

(OS Landranger 57 NN520014) One of five forest parks in Scotland managed by Forestry Commission Scotland for both recreation and timber production. Straddling the Highland Boundary Fault and only 30 miles from Glasgow, the park includes Loch Lomond, The Trossachs and Ben An. Osprey, peregrine, merlin and golden eagle are some of the birds of prey to be spotted and the woodland is frequented by red squirrels.

Getting there: On the A743 Ayr/Mauchline road at Failford village where there is a layby for parking.

Thurso

Nearest town: Failford Start & finish: Failford Distance: 2km Time: 1 hour Map: OS Landranger 70 NS457349 Terrain: Surfaced path

Ullapool

Pease Dean Inverness

Cumbernauld Glen

Aberdeen

Abernethy Forest Queen Elizabeth Forest Park Glasgow

Grade: Easy with some steep slopes and steps Accessibility: Pedestrian only

Perth

Oban

Edinburgh

Ayr

© Crown Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100028223. Shaded Relief Copyright: © 2009 ESRI

Scottish Scottishwildlife wildlife| Magazine | Magazineofofthe theScottish ScottishWildlife WildlifeTrust Trust

3131

Wild Ideas

fun for all the family At this time of year birds are busy gathering materials together to make a nest. These nests are extremely important for birds to lay their eggs in and rear their young. When you are walking through woodland and countryside, look up at the trees to see any nests in the branches. How many can you spot?

Here are a few ideas for nesting materials:

• • • • •

A challenge for you and your family: Before you start to build, stop for a moment and imagine you are a bird.

What must you consider when building a nest?

© Darin Smith

Your nest must be...

STRONG to take the weight of you and your young © Alan Laing

SAFE and HIDDEN to protec t

your eggs from predators

and your eggs cosy

© Ron Bury

WARM to keep you © Darin Smith

Congratulations to Ingrid MacMillan for winning the prize 32

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

Watch out for your new-look Wildlife Watch Scotland Packed with fabulous features, wildlife facts, puzzles and wildlife watching tips, it’s free with Scottish Wildlife Trust Family Membership three times a year.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust has 26 Wildlife Watch groups throughout Scotland where young people get stuck into environmental activities. To find out if there is a group near you visit our website www.swt.org.uk/kids/watch © Scottish Wildlife Trust

SOFT in places to make sure you are comfor table sitting and sleeping

in the last issue, a signed copy of Nick Baker’s British Wildlife.

Feathers Twigs Bark (from the ground, not taken from a tree) Moss Leaves

Once you have finished your nest, test how comfortable it is by sitting in it for a few minutes!

Before leaving the wood , always make sure you lea ve no trace behind that you were ever there. Gather up your nest materials and scatter them around the area.

Remember this importa nt phrase when visiting the countryside: “TAKE only pic tures and LE AV E only footprints”

Can you build a nest on the ground large enough for you to sit in?

Willow warbler attending young © Mike Thrower

“Watching wildlife is great! It’s amazing what you can see when you start looking – during our birdwatch we even saw a white stoat.”

Charlie Forsyth, Edinburgh

Reviews

PRIZE

BOOK

Ribbon of Wildness: Discovering the Watershed of Scotland Peter Wright Luath Press Ltd, 2010 ISBN: 9781906817459; Paperback £14.99

As someone who has not done as much walking in my native Scotland as I have in Nepal, I was keen to read this book by Peter Wright. Most people can find something of interest as it skips through each of the five Marches of the Watershed of Scotland, running from Peel Fell on the English border to Duncansby Head, near John O’Groats.

This illuminating account describes the writer’s challenging personal journey of 745 miles along the Watershed line. This line or “artery of nature” separates east from west and divides river basins that drain to the North Sea from those that flow into the Atlantic. Wright cleverly manages to weave geology, literature, walking, history, geography, mountains and nature together in an entertaining way to take his and the reader’s mind off the struggle. We can all enjoy the trip and feel satisfied with the result. Ultimately this man and book could raise the profile of the Watershed and encourage others to view at least a few of the wondrous landscapes of Scotland whilst basking in their wildness.

Eric Coull Readers’ offer: Readers can order a copy at the special price of £9.99 (free p&p on UK orders). Call 0844 576 8122 and quote code LP0001.

Woodlanders

Ian Edwards Saraband Publications, 2010 ISBN: 9781887354691; Hardback £25 As we become more aware of the fragility of our environment and the importance of sustainability, I have no doubt that this book will become a firm favourite for anyone who expresses an interest in woodlands.

Woodlanders is one of those books that never quite makes it onto your bookshelf. Each time you pick it up you will be compelled to delve back into its enchanting pages. It is a treasure trove of information and inspirational pictures and contains personal accounts from people across the country and draws on their experiences and knowledge of woodlands.

Whether you are interested in learning about buildings made from wood, foraging for food in your local forest or are looking for ways to be enriched by nature, this book has it all. It is a celebration of our woodlands and of our achievements. Woodlanders is an uplifting, heart-warming read and I recommend it to all.

Laura Whitfield Readers’ offer: To buy a copy of Woodlanders at a special rate of £16.95 (plus £3.95 p&p via Paypal), visit www.saraband.net, click the Woodlanders cover and look for “Scottish Wildlife offer”.

iPhone and iPad: British moths app Available through the UK Moths website, this new app for iPhone and iPad users provides an online identification guide to over 2,000 species of UK Lepidoptera. Illustrated with great photos, text and distribution data, identifying species couldn’t be easier. Available from UK Moths (http://ukmoths.org.uk/) and the iTunes store, £14.99.

www.wildlifetrusts.org This busy one-stop website tells you everything you need to know about the UK-wide Wildlife Trusts movement. With links to all 47 Wildlife Trusts and updates on the latest UK campaigns, this website gives an excellent overview of their work.

www.highlandtiger.com Everything you ever wanted to know about the Scottish wildcat. With as few as 400 Scottish wildcats left in the wild, this wonderfully informative and visually appealing website gives you all the facts and shows you how to get involved in helping conserve this magnificent animal.

www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/wild/ A great site for young children, this welldesigned and interactive site provides CBBC viewers with plenty of online fun.

Content includes wild facts, animal A-Z, games and a section on how to help wildlife and get involved, plus links to BBC Nature programmes.

Would you be interested in reviewing a book? If so, then get in touch by emailing editor@swt.org.uk Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

33

Your letters You can contact the Editor at editor@swt.org.uk or by writing to Editor, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Cramond House, 3 Kirk Cramond, Edinburgh, EH4 6HZ *Please note that the Scottish Wildlife Trust reserves the right to edit letters. Submitted letters should be no more than 150 words. To be eligible to receive the prize of Balvenie whisky, submissions can only be accepted from those aged 18 years and over. The Scottish Wildlife Trust reserves the right to request age confirmation. Deadline for receipt of letters: 1 January (March issue), 1 June (August issue) and 1 September (November issue).

R

PR

LET TE

E IZ

The star letter wins a copy of Peter Wright’s Ribbon of Wildness: Discovering the Watershed of Scotland and a bottle of The Balvenie Signature 12 Year Old – an outstanding handcrafted single malt with The Balvenie’s trademark honeyed character.

Sounds of wildlife

A recent addition of high tech hearing aids has regenerated my interest in the wildlife surrounding me. The advance hoink hoink warning of a skein of pink feet passing high overhead, the mew of a circling buzzard, the rustle in the undergrowth of a rabbit or a hare making a bolt for it, the roaring in a distant glen of red deer in the rutting season, the gentle wind sounds of a conifer forest, snapping sticks underfoot, approaching a waterfall, even the squelch of a foot on sphagnum moss.

The sounds are now fuller, wildlife encounters are more rewarding – perhaps more like they used to be when I was younger.

John Marshall, Cupar

There are quite a few red squirrels at my home but unfortunately I have been finding more of them dead on the road. We have no caution signs on the road advising motorists to be careful and slow down. Do you think this is worthwhile and how would I go about doing this?

Alison (by email)

Red squirrels will come to ground when foraging for food, dispersing or looking for a mate. Unfortunately they do not have road sense and many are killed each year on the roads. Road signs may be a useful tool for informing people that red squirrels are in the area and may raise awareness of the problem. If you wish to erect a roadside sign permission is required from both the County Council and the Department for Transport. Letters should be sent to Gordon Thompson, Transportation and Infrastructure, Aberdeenshire Council, Gordon House, Blackhall Road, Inverurie, AB51 9WA.

Gentle warriors I was pleased to see Jamie Grant’s article in the November issue of Scottish Wildlife. Ayrshire members have long been active in opposing or commenting on planning applications that could be harmful to local wildlife. However, in the article I think I have received too much of the credit for local opposition to the proposed coal-fired power station at Hunterston. As chairman of the Ayrshire Members’ Centre I was on hand to show Jamie the site; however, it was Marco McGinty who provided the detailed knowledge of the birds of the area that allowed the inadequacies of the EIA to be demonstrated and Bob Yates who liaised with Maggie Keegan at HQ to help produce the Trust’s formal objection to the proposal. We should also praise Marco, a former member of the Trust, who has bravely put his name forward for a legal challenge to the Scottish Government’s eleventh hour inclusion of the Hunterston power station in the National Planning Framework. By the time this is published we may know how he has fared at the Court of Sessions.

Roger Hissett

Webcams I really enjoy watching your webcams, but I have noticed that they are no longer available on Wildlifetv.com. Where can I view them?

Dorothy McPhillips We have switched the hosting of our webcams, and you can now access all our live streams directly from our website: www.swt.org.uk/wildlife/webcams/

SEND US YOUR PHOTOS! Mr and Mrs Cameron managed to capture some wonderful images of a mother otter and her three young pups in the snow by Gadie Burn, Aberdeenshire. You can see the young otter on the left with a trout from his mother. They remained in place for around five minutes eating the fish and it was really great watching them.

Please send your photos to editor@swt.org.uk and your image could be published in the next issue!

34

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

© Bridgette Watts & Peter Booth

Red squirrels crossing!

Scottish wildlife | Magazine of the Scottish Wildlife Trust

35