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Spring 2011
Lend a hand
Its the year of
the volunteer
Plant
connections
Using plants to
bridge cultures
Fatal attraction
The lure of litter
for wildlife
Contents
Features
8
10 Making a difference
Three cheers for volunteers
30
25
27
28 Lasting impressions
Plants project works across ages
and cultures
40
61
Regulars
Where we are
SNH contact details
Welcome
50 Scotlands finest
The qualities that make a
landscape special
Wild calendar
Where to go and what to see
this spring
52 Black watch
Boosting black grouse numbers
in the Borders
16 Dualchas coitcheann/
Common heritage
Linking language and environment
54 Well connected
Communities project draws to
a close
18 News
60 Gravel let it be
Gravel bed rivers are best
left alone
24 Inspired by nature
Show and tell whats inspired
you?
36 Reserve focus
Discover Ariundle NNR
42 Area news
Reports from round the country
46 Events diary
Guide to what's on
49 Print out
Our latest publications
58 Kids only!
Activities for younger readers
64 Mailing list
Make sure you always receive
a copy
www.snh.gov.uk
Credits
The Nature of Scotland
The Magazine of Scottish Natural Heritage
Issue Number 11 Spring 2011
Published quarterly
SNH 2011
ISSN 1350 309X
Where we are
Area offices
Cover photo: This male hare was part of a group of males that had been
following a female around. He kept licking his upper lip as he'd been
kicked in the mouth by the female. Sometimes these rebuffs by females
can result in the males losing the sight of an eye or they can even prove
fatal.
Photographer: Danny Green
Inside cover photo: Boxing hares. Courtship involves boxing, and this
well-known mad March hare behaviour actually involves unreceptive
females fending off passionate males.
Photographer: Mark Hamblin
Welcome page: Rainbow over the coast at Kintradwell, north of Brora in
Sutherland.
Photographer: Lorne Gill/SNH
Corporate
headquarters
Photography all images by Lorne Gill/SNH other than: David Whitaker 7b,
38t, 39t, 40b; Terry Andrewartha/Nature Picture Library 9; Laurie Campbell
7a, 7c, 17, 18, 20; Graham Burns/BTCV 12, 14; JM Roberts 19; apply pictures/
Alamy 21; Dougie Barnett/SNH 22, 45a; Mike Lane/Alamy 23; Kishor Dangol
28, 30, 31, 32, 33; Andy Rouse/ naturepl.com 34; SSPCA 35; Steve Moore/
SNH 42a; Nathan McLaughlan 42b; Donald Rice 42c; Ewen Cameron 43a;
43c; Max Wilson44a; Jonathan Swale 44b; Dougie Barnett/SNH 45a; Tess
Darwin 45b; Liz Douglas 45c; Mark Hamblin 52, 63; Sulwath Connections
Project 54, 56, 57; Trevor McDonald/NHPA 61.
Map, 37 Ashworth Maps and Interpretation Ltd 2011.
Based on Ordnance Survey mapping. Crown copyright
and database right 2011. All rights reserved.
Ordnance Survey Licence number SNH 100017908.
To share your views about The Nature of Scotland or suggest articles for
future issues please contact the editor:
SNH Magazine
Great Glen House, Leachkin Road,
Inverness IV3 8NW
Email: editor@snh.gov.uk
The views expressed in this magazine do not
necessarily reflect those of SNH.
Printed by: J Thomson Colour Printers, Glasgow
JTCP32k0311
When you've finished with this magazine, please recycle it. Pass it to
another reader or dispose of it at your local waste-collection point.
Welcome
Sid Patten
Deputy Chairman
Scottish Natural Heritage
www.snh.gov.uk
At the end of last year I was delighted, and perhaps just a little surprised, to
learn that I was to be appointed deputy chairman of Scottish Natural Heritage. I
responded to the ministers invitation by saying that I was not only delighted but
also felt privileged to take on the role.
Certainly, I have always been acutely aware of the fragility of our natural
heritage and the absolute need to protect it. But I was surprised at the invitation
because I have also, for many years, acted on behalf of business and industry in
challenging what many of my members and customers perceived as a barrier to
development.
So you see, it came as a bit of a shock to me that, at least in terms of
perception, this nuisance from the other side should be asked to come on board!
Was this a sign that things were changing? I asked myself. And, of course, the
answer was that things are always changing.
You only have to look at the major programmes of work with which SNH are
involved to see that managing change is becoming one of our top priorities. From
dealing with whats happening to our climate, and how that impacts on our natural
world, to having an influence on how we safely and responsibly generate new and
cleaner energy our potential remit is huge and vitally important.
Change can be both exhilarating and frightening. It can provide us with the
momentum to progress and it can paralyse us to the point where we feel helpless.
In a recent issue of The Observer, there was an article that set out 20 wideranging predictions on how the world could change in the next 25 years. They
included a more varied energy system thats still reliant on fossil fuels, the growing
importance of nanotechnology, and a redefined concept of nature and close
interactions with people.
Now, Ive no idea how accurate these predictions might be, and theres a fair
chance that Ill not be around to find out. But if were willing to accept that change
is a big part of our personal and professional lives, perhaps we can be even more
influential in how that change happens.
Spring
4
1
White streaks along
the high-rise
sandstone ledges of
Orkneys Marwick
Head show where
guillemots and other
seabirds nest,
beneath clifftops
coloured by sea
pinks and sea
campion.
Wild
calendar
Kenny Taylor gives
some seasonal
tips for savouring
Scottish wildlife and
landscapes
This is the time of unfolding, as flowers emerge,
birds sing, the ground grows green and daylight
extends. Wherever you are, you could notice a
sign of change each day. It could be a scent, a
sound. It could be the way the lengthening days
give a sense of new possibilities. So throw those
curtains wide, as the song goes. Days like these
each year will see you right.
3
Glen Roy NNR is a
great place for learning
to read evidence of
landscape changes
since the Ice Age,
revealed in features
such as shorelines,
terraces and channels.
4
Its not all sweetness in
the light of a spring
woodland floor.
Ramsons (with white
flowers) give a healthy,
garlic-rich reek to clear
the nostrils as you
walk.
Parallel lines
Borders bouquets
Mention spring flowers and many
people will picture a haze of bluebells.
Bonny, without doubt, but you dont
always need to get the blues to be
impressed by the new seasons colours.
Both broadleaved and mixed woods
can have impressive displays of early
blooming flowers, before overhead
greenery shades the woodland floor.
Woods from the North Isles to the
Solway can hold floral surprises at this
time of the year, including the primroses
that quite literally have popped up
beside a path where you didnt expect
to see them.
In the Borders, many woods where
ash and elm are distinctive trees
have been boosted by recent work
to conserve and expand them. This
means that each spring can bring
fresh floral bonuses. Whitlaw Wood, a
Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve beside
Hawick, is one of these ash-elm woods.
Harts-tongue fern, with shiny green
leaves, gives gloss to Whitlaws floor,
in contrast to the soft tones of its
wood anemones or windflowers. Herb
Robert, with small, beautifully simple
flowers, is another of Whitlaws plants
to savour.
Web tip:
www.swt.org.uk/visit/reserves/
WHW/Whitlaw%20Wood/
4
www.snh.gov.uk
1
Scotland is one of the
best places in Europe
to watch whales,
dolphins and
porpoises, but boat
users need to bear in
mind that it's an
offence to recklessly
disturb or harass them.
2
Hares don't dig
burrows underground,
unlike their cousin the
rabbit. Instead, they
create a nest or 'form'
in long grass. The lack
of a safe bolt hole
makes them a target
for illegal hare
coursing.
By following a simple checklist when reporting a wildlife crime, it might be possible to establish a true
picture of wildlife crime and help to stamp it out throughout Scotland. The purpose of better reporting
is to reduce the time spent by officers searching the countryside after receiving a poor lead or
inaccurate information. So, if you suspect a wildlife crime is taking place or has occurred, you should:
Do
Dont
Never
www.snh.gov.uk
Making a difference
10
1
Action Earth
volunteers on a spring
clean at a wildlife
garden in Niddrie,
Edinburgh.
www.snh.gov.uk
11
Path builders
12
2
Getting to grips with
a patch of invasive
Himalayan balsam at
Corstorphine Hill in
Edinburgh.
3
Urban Roots volunteers
working at Malls Mire,
a community woodland
in the Toryglen area of
Glasgow.
www.snh.gov.uk
14
4
BTCV volunteers
clearing vegetation
from an overgrown
section of the moat at
Lochmaben Castle in
Dumfries & Galloway.
15
Dualchas coitcheann
Common heritage
St Brigid, or Bride, is remembered in
many Scottish place names, as well as in
three of our wildlife species. Its all to do
with the date of her feast day, explains
Ruairidh MacIlleathain, unless you believe
the stories
Thathar a danamh an
t-samhlaidh cho
elach s a tha am
Bridean san trigh. Is e
seo an rainneachd
anns an do shbhail an
t-eun seo beatha
Brde, a rir beulaithris.
A Gaelic simile says as
well acquainted as the
oystercatcher is with
the shore. This is the
environment in which,
according to oral
tradition, St Brigids
life was saved by the
oystercatcher. From
that point on, it has
been Brigids bird in
Gaelic Scotland.
www.snh.gov.uk
Saintly species
Many places in Scotland called Kilbride (Cille Brde, the cell or church of Brigid
or Bride) are named after the famous saint who lived in the 5th to 6th century and
was associated with Kildare in Ireland. Shes also remembered in Lhanbryde
(Lann Brde, the enclosure of Brigid) in Moray and in the dedications of a number
of churches around Scotland. In pre-Reformation times, Brigid (who shared her
name with an earlier pre-Christian goddess) was a very significant religious figure
nationally. In the communities that kept their original Catholicism, notably in the
Western Isles, she has held on to her significance.
Three species are linked to the saint in Scotland, owing to their being in flower
or becoming active at the time of her feast day in February, the earliest of the
calendar. The dandelion the English name of which came from the French dentde-lion (lions tooth) is known as bernan-Brde in Gaelic or the gapped one of
Brigid (referring to its leaf shape). Its yellow flowers are said to be suggestive of
the fire that burned constantly in her monastery. Two birds carry the saints name
the bigein-Brde (Brigids little bird) or linnet, and the Brdean (Brigids bird)
or gille-Brde (Brigids servant), which is the oystercatcher. The formers reddish
breast is supposed to represent Brigids fire, while a group of the latter is said to
have saved the saints life by covering her with seaweed to hide her from a band
of men who planned to kill her. She blessed the oystercatcher on that day and, for
the last millennium and a half, it has been Brigids bird to Scotlands Gaels.
17
NEWS
18
Wild red deer on Rum are rutting earlier in the year because of climate change,
scientists have suggested.
Research has indicated that the annual rutting season on the NNR could be
changing because of warming spring and summer temperatures. The rut takes
place in the autumn and involves the males competing for a mate.
Scientists from Edinburgh and Cambridge universities showed that the
deer rutting and calving seasons are now up to two weeks earlier on average
compared with 30 years ago. The research was based on a 38-year study of the
relationship between red deer and the environment on Rum and used annual
records of breeding success in more than 3,000 deer.
The scientists say this provides rare evidence that warming temperatures
are affecting the behaviour of British mammals. Although many kinds of plants
and animals are known to be reproducing earlier, evidence of early reproduction
in large mammals is very unusual. More work is needed to understand whether
similar changes are taking place in deer populations elsewhere, and what the
implications will be.
NEWS
Click on corals
Scottish scientists have set up a new website to raise awareness of cold-water
corals (such as the ones shown above) and their conservation.
World renowned naturalist Sir David Attenborough has given his support to
the site www.lophelia.org and recorded a short film for it.
Scientists from Heriot-Watt University are behind the website, which sets
out to publicise the importance of cold-water coral conservation in Scotland and
around the world.
The university team discovered the only known inshore coral reef in Scottish
waters the Mingulay reef complex in 2003. The reef was discovered in the
Sea of the Hebrides when the area was mapped using modern sonar techniques.
Were now discovering that cold-water corals are probably more abundant
and widespread across the oceans of the world than tropical corals, commented
Sir David.
Theyre certainly very remarkable. For instance, one cold-water coral is 4,000
years old, probably making it the oldest living organism on this planet. The more
thats being discovered the more we realise how precious, diverse, important and
endangered these cold-water corals are.
www.snh.gov.uk
19
NEWS
20
NEWS
Fight against wildlife crime continues
The fight against wildlife crime has been strengthened by a dedicated grant
scheme that has been supporting a range of projects.
Funding under the Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime (PAW)
Scotland has been used for new and innovative schemes. Examples under the
170,000 committed so far include:
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland received 20,000 towards a
wildlife DNA forensic testing laboratory. Work included the testing of
samples for Scottish wildlife crime investigations in its first year.
The University of Strathclyde used 5,000 for its work in linking the recovery
of human DNA from animal parts to provide evidence of contact. This includes
the linking of poison baits with vehicles, guns, containers and suspects.
The Morvern deer poaching initiative received 8,000 to trial and develop a
model to appoint and support a seasonal deer watcher to tackle locally
intense deer poaching issues.
Wildlife crime takes many forms, commented minister for the environment and
climate change Roseanna Cunningham, from badger persecution and illegal
poisoning of wild birds, to illegal fishing of freshwater pearl mussels and bat
persecution.
This funding signals the Scottish Governments clear and continuing intention
to tackle the root causes of wildlife crime and address the often harrowing
suffering caused by wildlife crime to Scotlands native wild animals.
21
NEWS
Woodland favourites
The arrival of spring has seen the Woodland Trust launch a VisitWoods website
to help people find their nearest accessible woodland.
VisitWoods aims to encourage more people to get out and enjoy all that our
woodlands have to offer. At the heart of the project is www.VisitWoods.org.uk, a
new interactive website showcasing all the woods you can visit in Scotland and
across the UK.
The project is part of a unique partnership between all the major woodland
owning organisations in Scotland. It will give people living in Scotland the chance
to discover the woods on their doorstep and enjoy the outdoors more often.
The website is packed with everything you need to plan a great day out,
including searchable maps, inspiring ideas and free activities, plus theres space
for visitors to share their photos and tips.
The project needs enthusiastic people to share their stories, comments,
photographs, ideas and even rate their favourite woods on the website, explained
Carol Evans, Woodland Trust Scotland director.
Sharing personal experiences of the woods we love to visit and what they
have to offer will make a real difference to people who have never been before.
Personal content will hopefully encourage more people to get outside and enjoy
the wonders of Scotlands woodland through the seasons.
MSPs have backed an order to license the keeping of muntjac deer in Scotland.
Muntjac (pictured below) are originally from Asia but have become an
invasive species in England and Wales. They cause widespread damage
to farming and the natural heritage, as well as being a major source of road
accidents. Theyve even been branded asbo bambis by some critics.
Theres no known wild population in Scotland, but there are two collections
kept securely in deer parks in Fife. Under the new legislation, muntjac can only be
kept with a licence that sets out the minimum standards for enclosures.
The legislation also means that owners of captive muntjac will have to report
any escapes within 24 hours. SNH will have powers to enter onto land to control
these animals if the owners cannot recapture or control them.
NEWS
Goose management
Changes to Scotlands goose management schemes are being considered with a
view to making them more responsive to conservation needs.
It follows a fundamental review suggesting that the current schemes have
been very successful in protecting and sustaining many important goose
populations. However, the review also suggests that the help available is
inconsistent.
As a result, the Scottish Government are working with SNH and the National
Goose Management Review Group to target funds accordingly. The aim is to
concentrate on protecting those species of higher conservation status, such as
the Greenland white-fronted goose.
The proposals would continue to allow farmers and crofters to organise the
control of geese locally, but will re-balance the focus of payments made under
local goose management schemes.
"It's encouraging that some populations of these birds are thriving thanks
to the goose management schemes, some of which were put in place over 10
years ago, commented minister for environment and climate change Roseanna
Cunningham.
This is the result of the collaborative effort to protect them. We have to build
on this success by concentrating our efforts on species that aren't doing so well.
This will allow us to target the money available where it's needed most.
www.snh.gov.uk
23
Inspired by nature
1 Cove Bay
The location lies to
the east of Hopeman,
which is a little village
on the Moray coast,
near to Lossiemouth.
I never moved anything
and just composed
around what was
there. Its a beautiful
and unspoiled area of
coastline, composed
mostly of sandstone,
and is an area that
never fails to impress
me. Jim Robertson,
Lossiemouth
2 Out of the
ordinary
This beautiful bird
appeared in my garden
this winter. Its either a
partial albino blackbird,
or a leucistic thrush or
fieldfare. It visited every
day while there were
holly berries on the
tree. It used to chase
the other blackbirds
that it fed alongside
away from the titbits
that I put out for them.
It has now disappeared
completely. Shirley
Milne, Archiestown,
Aberlour
3 Fruit feast
4 Not so sleek
5 Early frosts
6 Colour rush
We spotted this
peacock butterfly along
the northeast coast at
Lunan Bay. The four
stunning eyespots on
the wings designed
to frighten away or
divert predators
actually helped us to
make quick and easy
eye contact with this
stunning insect before
it fluttered away on the
gentle breeze. David
Elder, Cheltenham
www.snh.gov.uk
27
1
Picking hawthorn
berries.
28
Lasting
impressions
Its been a good experience for me because for the first time ever
in my life I have visited and checked the wonder of the trees and
plants. I learned the mystery of the plant world.
So wrote Keshab Timsina, of Edinburghs Nepalese community, after one of
his visits as part of the Healing in the Fields and Forests project. The year-long
project gave members of the community the chance to discover the traditional
medicinal and cosmetic uses of Scotlands native plant life.
The project was developed through Forestry Commission Scotland and SNH
funding, and designed by Joanna Boyce of Creative Art Works working with the
Gurkha Association Scotland and herbalist Monica Wilde. It brought together a
group of Nepalese Scots, botanists from the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh
(RBGE), medical herbalists and community educators. Together, they explored
forests and rural areas to experience Scotlands variety of plants and their uses.
Being outside and connecting to the countryside is very much part of
Nepalese culture, explained Joanna Boyce, so it was important to their
community in Edinburgh to find a relevant way to discover their local Scottish
woodlands. They also wanted to inspire in their children a life-long interest in
nature and love of the great outdoors.
The project set out to acheive this using nature and plants as a common
theme. The aim was to exchange knowledge and understanding about the
medicinal and cosmetic uses of plants, both in the UK and in Nepal, and also
encourage the use of woodlands and green space by the Nepalese community.
The folk who took part went on guided walks to learn about the plants and
their uses, with links made to related plants in Nepal and how theyre used
there. The walks were followed up with workshops that used a selection of plants
for practical sessions preparing medicinal tonics, creams, ointments, soaps,
perfumes, tinctures and syrups.
www.snh.gov.uk
29
30
3
Two Bangladeshi
women joined the
Nepalese community
for the day and made a
spring detox tonic from
cleavers.
4
Working together to
clean and sort
hawthorn berries for
use in a tincture to help
lower blood pressure
and strengthen the
heart.
www.snh.gov.uk
All ages
The project ran across four seasons and involved a total of eight day-long trips
to the woodlands and forests. The enthusiasm and interest was so great that the
first winter workshop was over-subscribed, with 55 people appearing on the first
day. Numbers had to be more carefully managed down to about 30 a day for the
spring, summer and autumn sessions.
Those taking part included all ages, and involved the usually difficult-to-reach
teenager group. While the adults and older children experienced the workshops,
younger children explored the woods, enjoyed woodland activities and created
nature-inspired artworks.
The format of the day worked well, Joanna continued. To begin with, the
group went for a walk of about two hours where we identified, collected and
talked about the plants we saw. The areas we explored included a community-run
walled garden with surrounding woodland, a council-run country park with visitor
centre facilities, and the fields and hedgerows near a community-run village hall.
Afterwards, we ran workshops making simple medicinal or cosmetic items
using the materials we gathered. This helped those taking part to relate the plants
to the end products that are often similar to those they see around them in the
shops in the city. They found this really interesting and we think it helped them to
remember the plants better. Storyteller Alasdair Taylor also joined us on some of
the walks and his memorable stories from Gaelic and Celtic folklore added some
forest magic to our walks.
Monica Wilde from Napiers, the herbalists in Edinburgh, ran the practical
workshops. Her main reason for getting involved was to help preserve and pass
on the knowledge of British herbal medicine and the practical applications of it
that are easily accessible to everyone.
31
Making links
Many modern drugs are still discovered from plant and
fungi sources that have been known locally for centuries,
and its important to make that collective knowledge widely
available. There was also a genuine pleasure in seeing
people discover or rediscover the open spaces and forests
around our cities, knowing that they will pass on this
pleasure to their families and communities.
Two other important partners in the project were Bhaskar
Adhikari and Mark Watson of RBGE, who were able to make
the links between plants in Scotland and Nepal.
Nepal is one of our major research areas, explained
Mark, and RBGE have a long-term commitment to working
with our colleagues over there to document their plant
biodiversity. Engaging with the UK Nepalese community
is part of that work, and we were very pleased to use our
knowledge of British and Nepalese plants to help people
learn more about the nature around them and make links
back to familiar plants in Nepal.
Scientific outreach is an important part of the work of
RBGE, he continued, and we have an active programme
of educational events and exhibitions. The Nepalese
community based in Edinburgh, like many ethnic minority
urban communities, dont often venture out of the city to
explore the countryside. Were keen to engage more with
local communities, especially groups that are traditionally
hard to reach, and this project was a wonderful opportunity
to do that.
The Healing in the Fields and Forests project has now
been selected as a case study for the Science for All
32
5
Using a dock leaf as a
traditional remedy for
nettle stings.
6
The children made
their own masks after
hearing the story of the
Green Man, the
mythical figure often
shown as a mask made
entirely of leaves.
www.snh.gov.uk
33
Litter remains an
unsightly problem
in Scotland,
costing millions of
pounds every year
to clear. It can
also prove to be
a fatal attraction
for wildlife
1
This hedgehog was
lucky a vet was able
to remove the plastic
rings without serious
injury. But others have
ended up being
strangled in similar
incidents.
Deadly nylon
The sort of danger that litter can present for
wildlife was made plain last July when the
SSPCA were involved in a cliff-top rescue
operation to recover a young peregrine falcon
in Dumfries & Galloway. When they got to the
nest, they discovered that the bird's feet had
been amputated after becoming tangled in
nylon string (pictured left).
This incident only occurred as a result of
rubbish being discarded and washed up on the
shoreline. Both of its feet had been tragically
cut off after its legs had become snared in
plastic wire and netting, which the parents had
used to build the nest. Due to the extent of its
injuries, the only humane option was to put the
falcon to sleep.
Its a sad fact that discarded rubbish is now
a feature of our coastlines and countryside,
explained local SSPCA inspector Janet
Proudlock, and birds are commonly building
their nests from materials that they wouldnt
naturally find in the wild. The birds dont
know the difference between nylon string and
grasses, and this is the reason why tragedies
like this occur. If people just cleaned up after
themselves, we wouldnt have to deal with this
sort of issue. To lose a magnificent bird such
as a peregrine falcon in this way is very sad
indeed.
www.snh.gov.uk
35
Reserve focus
36
Ceann a
Chreagain
The Croft
A Chroit
Ariundle
irigh Fhionndail
Anaheilt
th na h-ilde
Capall
5
6
ver n
R i- S t h e i
n t
i a a n An Torra Bn
t
n n
i nne
t n
a
All
A Mhinn
Allt Coire na n
Waterfall
Scotstown
Hut Circle
r o Sr
S tinn
Abh
Reserve boundary
Trail
h
nF
ta
Al
l
Car park
Tea room and craft shop
aid
Surfaced road
Track
To Strontian
Gu Srn an t-Sthein
kilometre
mile
1
1
1
Ariundle oakwood is
clothed in a green
carpet of mosses,
lichens and liverworts.
www.snh.gov.uk
The Gaelic name of this place is irigh Fhionndail, meaning the shieling of the
white meadow, perhaps because the summer pastures amongst the trees had
a carpet of white-petalled wood anemones. The oakwoods have been central to
local history and culture in Sunart, surviving because local people have valued,
carefully managed and nurtured the woods. Today, the Sunart Oakwoods
Initiative aims to restore and expand these native woodlands to improve the areas
biodiversity and support rural development.
SNH and Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) care for this important
woodland reserve, which lies 3 km northeast of the village of Strontian,
approximately 38 km from Fort William via the Corran ferry. To reach Ariundle from
Strontian, cross the bridge over the River Strontian and take an immediate right
hand turn. Follow the FCS signs for Airigh Fhionndail car park.
This walk takes in the wooded slopes of Ariundle oakwood and then follows
the east bank of the Strontian River as it meanders downstream through the
glen. The loop trail is approximately 5 km. Visit in spring and summer when the
woodland is alive with birdsong, butterflies and dragonflies, while spring colours
unfold on the woodland floor.
37
38
3
Most of Ariundles trees are sessile oaks, so-called because
their acorns sit close to the fresh shoots. Below the trees
are the early flowers on Ariundles woodland floor, including
lesser celandine, wood sorrel, wood anemone and primrose.
The glorious unfolding of spring colours is matched by the
richness of the birdsong in the forest canopy. Summervisiting redstarts, wood warblers and tree pipits join the
resident tits, chaffinches, robins and wrens in a grand spring
chorus. As you continue along the path, youll pass through
an area of open ground past a ruined croft, abandoned in the
early 20th century.
4
Higher up the hill, a spur from the path leads you to a large
mound, thought to be the site of an Iron Age round house.
Continue down the hill to rejoin the main track, then walk a
short way along this track away from the car park until you
come to a branch on the right. Turn right onto the track that
leads down to the Strontian River.
www.snh.gov.uk
39
6
This stone dyke once
stopped grazing cattle
from entering the
woods, as the trees
were highly valued as a
source of charcoal for
the iron smelting
industry.
Ariundle is one of
over 50 national
nature reserves in
Scotland. Find out
more at www.nnrscotland.org.uk.
40
7
Scotland is the last
stronghold of the pine
marten in the UK. Pine
martens favour
well-wooded areas
where they can nest in
hollow trees and old
animal homes.
8
The Ariundle trail leads
you through the
oakwood and then out
onto more open
ground alongside the
Strontian River.
Essential information
To reach Ariundle, follow the signs for FCS Airigh Fhionndail
car park 3 km north of Strontian. You reach the reserve and
the loop trail via a track, which also forms part of the FCS
Strontian River Trail.
OS maps
Landranger 40 (Mallaig & Glenfinnan)
Explorer 391 (Ardgour & Strontian)
Trail length
5 km (3 miles)
Terrain
The start and end of the walk are on a level, wide forestry
track. The paths are narrower and steep in places. They're
often wet, with loose stones, tree roots and sections of
narrow boardwalk.
Dogs
Please follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and local
guidance at the reserve. Take extra care to avoid disturbing
birds, especially between 1 April and 30 June, when many
birds nest on the ground. Please keep your dog(s) under
close control or on a short lead in forests and grassland.
A short lead is taken to be two metres, and under close
Further information
www.snh.gov.uk
41
42
Centre of attraction
Wildlife records
www.snh.gov.uk
43
Seal surveys
Viking revival
44
Plateau of beans
www.snh.gov.uk
45
Friday 1
Mire
Harestanes Visitor
Centre
Ancrum
Jedburgh
Thursday 7
Thursday 7
Friday 15
Badger Watch
Taynish NNR
Argyll
46
Thursday 21
May
www.snh.gov.uk
47
48
Thursday 9
Area Evening
Reception
Galashiels
Print out
New guidance promoting good environmental practice in wind
farm construction has won a Scottish Green Energy Award. The
publication is intended to share good practice across the industry
and to demonstrate what can be achieved on windfarm sites in
Scotland.
The guidance draws on the experience gained to date through
building and operating more than 60 windfarms already operating
in Scotland. It focuses on preventing pollution and conserving
nature, as well as landscape, drainage and related issues.
The guidance takes what all the partners have learned in
recent years about building windfarms and shares it with all those
involved in the industry, remarked Brendan Turvey, SNH policy and
advice manager for renewables. I believe it will be a real boost to
the responsible development of the renewable energy sector in
Scotland.
You can order copies of SNH publications via the SNH website. You can also buy our publications in person from the shop in the
reception area of our SNH Battleby office or tel: 01738 444 177. The vast bulk of SNH publications are free, but the Naturally Scottish
and Landscape Fashioned by Geology series do carry a cover price. Hard copies of our research and report series, as well as the annual
calendar, are also priced items.
www.snh.gov.uk
49
50
Scotlands
finest
There are 40 National Scenic Areas
(NSAs) in Scotland, representing the
finest landscapes in the country. These
iconic places are important for both
their natural and their cultural heritage
and cover 13% of the land area.
NSAs range from Shetland to the
Solway Firth. They include spectacular
mountain areas such as the Skye
Cuillins, Ben Nevis and Glen Coe, as
well as the unique island landscapes of
the Hebrides and Northern Isles. They
also embrace some of the more gentle
landscapes of Perthshire, the Borders
and Dumfries & Galloway.
Recently, SNH have surveyed all
the NSAs and produced an up-to-date
list of the landscape qualities that make
each one special. The work was carried
out along with Historic Scotland and
the Royal Commission on the Ancient
and Historical Monuments of Scotland,
with the report of over 300 pages being
published last year.
This extensive publication provides
detailed maps of the NSAs and gives
individual descriptions. You can find it
online at www.snh.gov.uk/protectingscotlands-nature/protected-areas/
national-designations/nsa/specialqualities
Listing the qualities is only the first
stage in safeguarding the landscapes
of these areas. SNH are now
developing short NSA Statements
identifying whats required to make
sure the special qualities of each NSA
are maintained or improved. SNH
hope that identifying these qualities
will help safeguard the NSAs for future
generations to enjoy.
www.snh.gov.uk
51
Black watch
The sight and sound of black grouse in the hills is an experience
youre unlikely ever to forget. Indeed, the black grouse lek where
males display in order to attract a mate is regarded as one of the
great showpieces of birdwatching theatre.
However, the black grouse is also one of the fastest declining birds in the UK. It
was once widespread across the country, but theres been a serious decline in
numbers over recent decades and populations have become fragmented. The
species is now mostly confined to parts of the Scottish uplands, with only a few
surviving strongholds in areas of Wales and the north of England.
Since 2004, the Southern Uplands Partnership have been working to increase
black grouse numbers in the central Scottish Borders. Recently, SNH, RSPB and
the Scottish Borders LEADER programme came up with the funding to employ a
project officer. Chris Land works with other organisations and land managers to
raise awareness of the problems that black grouse face and to improve conditions
for them.
52
1
The key period for the
black grouse lek is
April and May. The
males gather at dawn
to compete for females
by inflating their necks,
raising their tails and
making a bubbling
sound.
2
Black grouse are
generally found on
moorland edges,
where the moor meets
grassy fields used for
rough grazing and
areas of scrubby
willow, birch and
conifer woodland.
www.snh.gov.uk
53
Well
connected
The acclaimed Sulwath Connections Project
draws to a close this year, leaving behind a fine
legacy of imaginative projects and volunteering
experiences, as well as an impressive example of
partnership working.
Sulwath Connections is a landscape partnership project
covering the coastlands and river valleys of the Scottish
Solway between Langholm and Stranraer. In 2007 it was
awarded grants totalling 3.9 million from Heritage Lottery
Fund, SNH, Dumfries & Galloway Council (through its
Quality of Life Fund), the National Trust for Scotland and
RSPB.
Led by Dumfries & Galloway Council, the project has
been a hugely successful group effort that has inspired
communities and achieved many significant results that will
benefit the region for years to come.
Among the 23 projects progressed under the Sulwath
Connections umbrella have been:
the popular Annandale Way, a new long-distance walk
from the Solway coast along the River Annan to the Devils
Beef Tub in the Southern Uplands;
the development of a former farmhouse into a centre for
fieldwork teachers and home for residential volunteers at
the Mersehead Nature Reserve near Castle Douglas;
fishing platforms for wheelchair users on the River Nith;
the Robert the Bruces Trail, which encourages people to
explore right across the region;
In my View, a year-long digital photography competition
that has prompted over 600 people to get out into the
countryside with their cameras.
1
The Annandale Way
is the new 88 km
long-distance walking
route following the
River Annan from
source to sea.
www.snh.gov.uk
55
Successful projects
Whats in a name?
56
2
Johnstone Primary
School from
Kirkcudbright won
the environmental
challenge competition
for their design of a
wildlife garden. They
then helped create it
at the Allanton Peace
Centre in Nithsdale.
3
A local community
group are creating a
bog garden at Castle
Hill Park in Whithorn.
The enthusiasm,
dedication and hard
work of community
partners, volunteers
and local residents
have been really
motivating.
57
Kids only!
Make a day of it ... get the whole family to come along, plan a
bike ride or go for a walk. Make a picnic to take with you, stop off at a burn
and have a paddle, or explore the woods. Take a camera and photograph your
day what you see and who you are with. Print out the pictures when you
get home and make a collage of your day. The possibilities are endless...
itll be fun, and good for you all, so get out and enjoy the longer, warmer days.
58
Gravel let it be
Our knowledge of how rivers work is a lot better now than it used
to be. As a result, we have a much clearer understanding of how
effective some flood defence operations are likely to be in the long
term.
A good example is where land managers remove gravel to deepen and widen a
river channel to get the water away from their land more quickly and reduce the
chance of flooding. They may put the gravel theyve removed at the sides of the
river to create higher banks or use it on tracks and paths across their ground.
However, this type of flood defence frequently needs ongoing and often costly
maintenance for it to be successful. The gravel thats removed may quickly be
replaced by material from farther upstream, particularly if theres a period of heavy
rainfall.
And even more frustrating is that the work carried out may actually have
significantly less effect on whether or not land is flooded than was expected.
Its not uncommon for the removal of even large quantities of gravel to have little
effect on the likelihood of land flooding. This is because the amount of water
coming down the river in flood is simply too great to be affected much by the
localised removal of gravel.
60
1
Gravel movement
creates a varied river
bed with deep pools,
shallows and exposed
areas of gravel. These
provide habitats for
fish and other species
under drought, normal
and flood conditions.
2
Female salmon, prior
to spawning, in the
River Dee.
The other thing to bear in mind, explained Angus Tree, a freshwater adviser
with SNH, is that when change happens in one area, its likely to have knock-on
effects for some distance both downstream and upstream.
Unforeseen and unwanted side effects often occur some distance from the
area where the river engineering is taking place. That may be costly for both
neighbouring landowners and the natural heritage.
Scotlands gravel bed rivers are certainly a significant feature in the
landscape. Many are virtually household names and some are known the world
over, particularly for the quality of their salmon fishing.
They range in size and energy, depending on where they are and the local
climate and underlying geology. Short, steep rivers, such as the Kerry and Nevis,
flow to the west coast. Larger, more varied ones, such as the Dee and Tay, flow to
the east.
No matter what size they are, each of these rivers supports wildlife thats
specially adapted to an ever-changing environment. The Atlantic salmon, for
instance, depends on clean gravel with plenty of oxygen for its eggs to incubate.
And the complex lifecycle of the freshwater pearl mussel requires not only a
healthy salmon or trout population, but also clean gravel with lots of oxygen in
which to develop and live.
There have been some big impacts on Scotlands gravel bed rivers
through people altering them to try to provide flood defences, added Angus.
Land managers have widened and deepened rivers by removing gravel to
accommodate higher flows, theyve straightened them to increase the speed with
which they carry water, and theyve built up banks to protect roads and buildings
on floodplains.
But if you remove gravel, for whatever purpose, it changes the shape of a
rivers channel, and you may end up with unexpected and sometimes alarming
results. And climate change predictions of more frequent and larger floods
suggest that battling against nature instead of trying to work with it will become
increasingly futile.
If youd like to find out more about river management, then SNH and
the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) now have a number of
publications on the subject. These are available through their websites and
include SEPAs Good Practice Guide Sediment Management and Floods,
Dredging and River Changes, as well as SNHs Gravel Working in the River Tay
System A Code of Good Practice.
2
www.snh.gov.uk
61
www.snh.gov.uk
63
Spring 2011
Lend a hand
Its the year of
the volunteer
Plant
connections
Using plants to
bridge cultures
Waste product
Fatal attraction
for wildlife
Organisation
Organisation
Name
Name
Previous address
New address
Town
Postcode
Town
Postcode
64
www.snh.gov.uk
Spring 2011
Lend a hand
Its the year of
the volunteer
Plant
connections
Using plants to
bridge cultures
Fatal attraction
The lure of litter
for wildlife