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CAITHNESS AND SUTHERLAND BIODIVERSITY
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Highland Biodiversity Newsletter October 2007
25 April 08 An individual animal was spotted in the Milton of Leys housing estate on the outskirts of Inverness Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has confirmed. Grey squirrels can carry the squirrelpox virus which is lethal to native red squirrels but does not affect the greys. The red squirrel is a conservation priority species for the UK and Scotland, and was one of the first species identified for conservation action under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan in 1995. It also features in the Scottish Red Squirrel Action Plan, a national initiative which aims to reverse the current decline in the distribution and numbers of red squirrels in Scotland. Ron Macdonald, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) head of policy and advice said: "This confirmed grey squirrel case in a red squirrel refuge is deeply concerning as non-native greys can carry the virus squirrelpox which can kill our native red squirrel. "Along with this threat, the most serious for our native red squirrel is competition with the more robust greys. "It is the first confirmed sighting in the red squirrel stronghold of the Highlands and we would urge people to be vigilant and to report any sightings of grey squirrels. "The red squirrel is an important and iconic species. It features in the SNH Species Action Framework for conservation action due to the population decline over the past 50 years. Its conservation remains a top priority for SNH and our partners." Once widespread across the UK, the red squirrel is now largely restricted to the north of England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, which has around 75% of the estimated UK population. It is a Priority Species on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) and is included on the Scottish Biodiversity List. Anyone who thinks they may have seen a grey squirrel should inform http://www.scottishsquirrelsurvey.co.uk/
25 February 08 The "lever and mulch" method of Rhododendron control requires no power tools, no fires and no herbicides, just an understanding of the inherent strengths and weaknesses of Rhododendron ponticum and lots of elbow grease. Branches are cut in strategic places to form effective levers (and to disentangle them), then the stumps are either levered out the ground in their entirety, overturned and left to dry, which kills them, or, if part of the stump is left in the ground it is covered (mulched) with the cut branches and leaf litter from other bushes. This kills almost all of the plants but if some re-sprout they can be removed relatively easily. This project will involve local volunteers to clear an area of Rhododendron, the equivalent of four full-size football pitches in the Movern Community Woodland in Lochaber. In addition it will produce a guidance document and demonstrate and train others in this method of removal. Rhododendron can be a real problem in native woodlands where it can shade out the forest floor plants and rare mosses and lichens. It is also highly invasive and has proved extremely expensive and difficult to control using other methods. This is just one of 24 local projects running from 2008 until 2010 that follow on from the Highland Biodiversity Action Plan Implementation Programme that ran from 2004 to 2007. During this time £90,000 of funding was provided to help 37 community led biodiversity projects. The funding is being provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund, The Highland Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and RSPB Scotland.
The projects in Caithness include - Councillor Isobel McCallum, Chairman of The Highland Biodiversity Partnership, and Vice Chairman of The Highland Council's Planning, Environment and Development Committee, said: "As a region, Highland is extremely lucky to have a tremendous variety of habitats and richness of species that is unequalled anywhere else in the country. The Highland Council is committed to ensuring that our wildlife and environment is protected and properly looked after. Volunteers working on these biodiversity projects are all actively helping with conservation and doing their bit to enhance the natural heritage of their local communities." Anyone who would like to find out more about how to get involved in local biodiversity projects should contact The Highland Council's Biodiversity Officers Janet Bromham or Jonathan Willet on 01463 702274.
11 February 08 As part of the development of a three-year management plan for the LNR, consultations are taking place to find out what locals and visitors think is special about the area and what their aspirations are for the site. Councillor Drew Hendry, Chairman of The Highland Council's Planning, Environment and Development Committee said: "It's particularly important that local people with knowledge of the area contribute this consultation on the Merkinch Local Nature Reserve. This local involvement will help to determine how the site is used and managed in the future" Three local consultants; Toni Clark, Bill Taylor and Phil James will produce a plan that looks at the past, present and future of the Merkinch LNR. As well as speaking to people on the site and in Merkinch, they are keen to hear from anyone with any information on the site's history and any records of plants or animals that have been seen on the site. By the end of March this year the plan will be completed and all those involved with Merkinch LNR are looking forward to see what it will come up with, and where funding could be found to take forward the suggested works.
In addition to the development plan two,
seven foot (two metre),
Anyone with information on Merkinch LNR's
history or flora and fauna can contact Jonathan Willet, Highland
Biodiversity Officer on 01463 702274 or
jonathan.willet@highland.gov.uk
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