Where there is a will there is a way! With no new agri-environment funding currently available and some management that benefits waders not being funded anyway, I have set up a volunteer group so we can start to make a difference now. The Cairngorms Futurescape Volunteer Network had its first official activity last Tuesday- working on non-conservation farmland to improve the area for breeding waders. It is absolutely key to the Futurescape initiative that we work with farmers throughout Badenoch and Strathspey within the constraints of their existing farming operations and business. After all, breeding waders are wet farmland birds and without the farming there is no farmland. The group of 5 enthusiastic volunteers, me (Hebe Carus from RSPB Futurescapes) and Duncan Macdonald from Highland Council Ranger Service, made a significant difference to an area of farmland as a breeding wader area – see the before and after photographs attached. Areas or lines of trees, or even short hedges, which split an otherwise wide open area put off waders. It is probably because they associate tree cover with predators, whether that is there are any predators or not. Only time will tell whether nesting is more common at that end of the farm as a result of our work, but we welcome the opportunity to work with any farmers
that are interested in enhancing their land for breeding waders. We are also keen to hear from any potential volunteers – many activities will be considerably less strenuous than sawing and dragging trees around. Our next activity is a training evening to skill-up potential breeding wader surveyors to find out if the great things that farmers and volunteers are doing on their land throughout the Strath are having the desired effect, and starting to turn around the decline in the population. If you are a Badenoch and Strathspey farmer with an idea or a potential volunteer, get in contact for a chat with Hebe Carus (Cairngorms Futurescapes Officer) on hebe.carus@rspb.org.uk or 01540 661518.