It’s a start of another year – and it will be a challenging and potentially testing one!
Firstly there is the Year of Natural Scotland to celebrate. This is stacking up to be something special and certainly RSPB Scotland will be offering a warm welcome to visitors young and old at our nature reserves and many events across the country. But we want it to be more than just a celebration – we must have a legacy. The Natural environment needs care and investment – resilient though it is it does not come free. We will be watching to see how the Scottish Government responds to this closely.
One of our flagship event is the 2nd Scottish Bird fair, which is being held on the 11th and 12th of May. It’s already stacking up to be bigger and better than last year with more exhibitors and more of our conservation partners attending. Do come along and join in the fun! And we are also celebrating the wildlife and conservation champions who go the extra mile to look after our famous wildlife and beautiful landscapes. Why not nominate somebody or your local group for an award? The Nature of Scotland Awards are open for nominations.
But what of the practical work we hope to do in 2013? There are so many exciting projects and we could spend our budget five times over on plans to restore habitats, create wetlands or open new visitor facilities, but a few of my highlights are :-
The Flow Country of Caithness and Sutherland
RSPB Forsinard situated in the Flow Country by Eleanor Bentall
One of the world’s most amazing deep blanket peatlands extending to over 500,000Ha – and in the heart of it are special areas offered European protection for their wildlife. RSPB Scotland is leading a partnership of community, forestry and conservation bodies to restore a huge area for its wildlife and for its carbon storing qualities. A Phase 1 pass has been awarded by the HLF for which all the partners are very grateful. Work now starts in earnest to win the crucial 2nd stage pass – and with it the financial support to invest in education, research and practical conservation work restoring even more of this beautiful and remote area.
Further front edge science in the Marine Environment
Adult shag fitted with GPS tracker by Andy Hay
The RSPB is part of the FAME project, which is using new technology to monitor where the sea birds which nest around the coast of Scotland go to feed. Our sea bird colonies contain some 45% of all the sea birds found in the EU – but many are in steep decline. Knowing the causes of this, and where the birds are foraging for food to feed their young is essential if conservation measures are going to work.
Look at these maps showing where nesting razorbills and fulmars go to find food – Quite extraordinary stuff which is changing the way we think about sea birds and thus the way we do marine conservation. It’s costly work to do, but the results are quite simply stunning.
Management for breeding waders – lapwing, redshank, snipe and curlew.
Young lapwing on farmland by Andy Hay
These lovely birds are declining across much of the farmed landscape. Either areas are becoming undergrazed and rushy, or they are being drained and re-seeded for more intensive agricultural use, often as early cut silage fields. Add to that the blocks of forestry planted near suitable wet meadows (waders avoid forestry) and grasslands – and you can understand why this group of birds need help.
On our reserves we have been trialling a range of techniques to help waders – numbers have responded well at a number of sites. At others problems with spring flooding or predation from foxes or badgers have thwarted us. But RSPB Scotland reserves are now amongst the best places to watch a Lapwing displaying eg at Loch Leven or Insh Marshes.
We plan further habitat improvements – cutting and grazing rank vegetation, improving water control and where necessary either fencing out ground predators or where that’s impossible and necessary,controlling foxes by shooting.
We are also working with many farmers and crofters via our Wader Friendly Farming Initiative (WFFI). I am pleased the SRUC, NFUS,SNH and Crofting foundation back this – but we desperately need more farmers and crofters to sign up for a free advisory visit – if you know anyone who has waders on their farm or croft and may be interested please contact Chris Bailey at chris.bailey@rspb.org.uk Alternatively have a look at our wader management web pages using the WFFI link above.
So these are just some of the exciting projects that we are working on in Scotland. It’s important to remember that Scotland’s wildlife needs investment and the practical support of land managers, farmers, foresters and decision makers if it is to thrive. You can all help with that, by joining the RSPB, supporting the many local groups who are working across the country getting their boots muddy, campaigning to protect wildlife sites,volunteering at a nature reserve, or leading a group of youngsters into the outdoors to show them the wonderful wildlife on our doorstep. Make that your resolution for 2013!