I've recently discovered that South Lanarkshire council- who I have had occasional run- ins with previously- has been granted permission to turn an old quarry, and surrounding land, into a nature reserve. YES!! I said, pumping the air in delight, and drawing bemused looks from my co- workers. On reading the small print, however, it appears that the existing pond, albeit a bit manky, has an otter holt in it, there is also an obviously in- use badger's sett.
What defies belief, though, is the plan to have a mountain bike course running through this reserve. Maybe I'm going native in my old age, but I can't see how a mountain bike track is at all compatible with the whole purpose of a nature reserve. Not least given that a mountain bike track will become a dirt bike track by nightfall. Add to this the belching engines of vehicles parking in the 'reserve', imagine 4x4s with bike racks at the back.
Of course, the council's plans were approved by....the council. And the 'consultation' is closed. I've yet to see where they were advertised or public comments solicited- I only found out when I queried why native trees and hedgerows had been felled, and asked whether it was going to continue into the breeding season. (birds and animals breeding, that is, not the council's)
so close to a great idea, but so far, far away in the end.
I even love magpies
Hi,
yes I'm just wondering how a mountain biker on a track is going to react when coming around a bend on a track to find three birders with tripods walking towards him- I guess he'll get impaled on the tripod legs and sue the council... I wonder if they thought of that :)
S
For advice about Birding, Identification,field guides, binoculars, scopes, tripods, etc - put 'Birding Tips' into the search box
If it stays a mountain bike track I don't see a problem, there are mountain biking trails and other trails that are used by mountain bikers all over around here and they are fine, and they have as much right to use the trails as anyone else. Nature reserves aren't just there for birders to use afterall and there is no need to ban other recreational activities that don't cause disturbance, and mountain biking certainly doesn't cause more disturbance than other physical activities such as running. The question will be what will happen if dirt bikes and their kin end up on the trails as these will cause problems, not least the noise pollution and damage to the trails and surrounding habitat however the council should have powers to react to that.
Why not ask the council what measures they have in place to prevent dirt/quad bikes becoming a problem on the reserve and maybe speak to a few mountain bikers to see what their concerns would be - e.g. would there be any health and safety risks for them should dirt bikes start using the trails? I would have thought the council would consult with mountain bike users when designing the trails but you never know with councils, they might think they are the mountain biking experts when they never do any mountain biking at all!
Mountain bikes are not the same as dirt bikes, so please don't class them the same and assume the presence of one means the presence of the other, or one should be banned because of the threat of the other, as this is unfair.
Millie & Fly the Border Collies
Hi Kat good conclusion fully agree,go on have a giggle.
michael s said: Hi Kat good conclusion fully agree,go on have a giggle.
Awww I'm sad now we are agreeing :-(
Have to find something to disagree on now lol
Mountain bikes are good for birding from. On Majorca some of the hotels rent them out- ideal for riding around the Albufera reserve. :)
Hi Seymour
Yes, been tempted to hire bikes for riding around Albufera Reserve though i have to say it is very uneven ground to ride over and slippery in the heat - maybe not.
Mountain bikes are a must for the conditions in the Albufera Reserve. i will be visiting there this year as we are going on holiday to Spain once more to sail in dinghies and bird watch at the same time.
Regards
Kathy and Dave
seymouraves said: Hi, Mountain bikes are good for birding from. On Majorca some of the hotels rent them out- ideal for riding around the Albufera reserve. :) S
Hi Johnny
I think that the bike track will not affect the area too much - Motor Bikes yes, Cycles no.
A few years ago I lived in Aberdeenshire and there was a place I would visit often called Kirkhill Forestry. It had facilities for all types of sports especially cycling at all levels, and horse riding {in certain areas with the horse riding}
I walked around the forest a lots of time and I have to say no bike ever worried me on my walkabouts.
The bike tracks where divided form the main pathways. So bikes and walkers where kept seperated from each other.
Link to show you area:
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/recreation.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/ScotlandMorayandAberdeenshireNoForestForestsofMorayandAberdeenshireKirkhill
owned by The Foresty Commission
So have read and see what you think {smile}
Evening folks and thanks for your replies.
I'm still waiting on the council to respond, but have done some digging on their website. The mountain bike trail, complete with 'jumps' was suggested by a pupil in one of the local primary schools during what was laughably called the consultation period. Luckily, their suggestions of a rock climbing facility and archery range weren't taken forward, but they do plan to have a canoeing facility in the river. This is the river with otters, kingfishers and herons.
The area this involves, at first sight, didn't appear that large and I was worried it would be too cramped, with the bike tracks intruding on the tranquility of the nature areas. It wasn't that I had anythign against mountain bikers myself, it was a possible lack of space that concerned me.
By way of reference, I hike the area occasionally, and spent considerable time playing there when I was a kid- it seemed a lot bigger 25 years ago, but then most things did. However, having seen the plans in greater detail, it doesn't look that bad. Still not convinced that a mountain bike track won't be at least partially disruptive (and other bodies have noted concerns over illegal motorbike use at night) but the plans allow for birdwatching hides, nature paths, and areas for kids to go pond dipping and other messy stuff. SO, looks good overall.
The plan is to install gates to prevent illegal use overnight- as long as they're re- opened at dawn for birdwatchers to trail bleary eyed along the path.....
In saying this, I have no confidence that the council can be trusted to ensure that it is properly maintained, and given their apparent policy of turning South Lanarkshire into a post- industrial North Korea, I have zero faith that the work will be carried out with reference to the Wildlife & Countryside Act.
However, my excitement that it might just work out alright- local gangs permitting- is back, and I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, and can look forward to a brand spanking new facility close to home.
Oh, and at no point did the council ask either RSPB Scotland or the SCottish Wildlife Trust- who have some experience with the whole wildlife reserve thing- for their opinion. Read into that what we will.