Deadly crayfish close in on rare pearl mussels

By NEIL POORAN
Published on Sunday 19 February 2012 00:27

THEY have dwelt in Scotland’s waterways since the last Ice Age and were, according to Roman historians, the reason why Julius Caesar invaded Britain.

But the freshwater pearl mussel, already critically endangered, is facing a potentially terminal threat from another foreign invader.

American signal crayfish released into the wild have spread through the nation’s rivers in recent decades and now directly threaten the remaining colonies of the rare molluscs.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), the government’s countryside protection agency, says crayfish are now just 20 miles away from a prime colony of freshwater pearl mussels in the Tay.

Anglers are being encouraged to protect the mussel beds from being destroyed. The Tay Fisheries Board is urging fishermen and other river users to avoid anything which could help spread the crayfish, such as eggs which have attached to fishing gear. They also stress the need to kill any adult crayfish found and never return them to the water.

The warning follows SNH-supervised experiments which have demonstrated that crayfish will attack colonies when they eventually invade mussel habitat.

Scottish Natural Heritage’s freshwater adviser, Dr Colin Bean, said they now had evidence of a “mortal” threat to the mussel beds.

“Upstream in the River Earn, there are crayfish around Comrie,” he said. “You get mussels as far down as Perth. They haven’t clashed yet on the Tay, but there is a threat given how fast they spread. It’s not far away.”

Scotland is home to half the world’s population of freshwater pearl mussels. They have been harvested close to extinction on the off-chance they might contain a pearl, and are sensitive to pollution.

The precise location of surviving colonies is publicised as little as possible to give the mussel numbers a chance to recover.

But Bean said that after identifying the risk, SNH wanted to look into what would happen when the creatures met.

He said: “We put the two of them in tanks, looking at the behaviour of the crayfish.

Read on:  http://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/deadly_crayfish_close_in_on_rare_pearl_mussels_1_2125804

New fungal disease discovered in threatened juniper

Plantlife is extremely concerned as a serious fungal infection is found in juniper in County Durham.

February 14 2012

Phytopthera austrocedrus, recently confirmed in Britain, is a fungus infection that is usually fatal to infected trees. It has been confirmed on common juniper in northern England as well as on Lawson’s cypress and Nootka cypress in Scotland.

Plantlife welcomes the news that Natural England, the Forestry Commission and FERA are working together with the landowners to contain and minimise the damage to this nationally important population.

County Durham has already suffered a 43% loss in juniper in the period 1987-1999 and it is vital that all is done to curtail the spread of the disease. We hope that this will include warning signs to the public so that they can take action to avoid spreading the disease to other populations of this threatened species.

Plantlife has revised biosecurity advice to field staff, volunteers and contractors in line with this development and would encourage other land management organisations to do the same.

In Scotland, the UK’s stronghold for juniper, Plantlife Flora Guardians act as an early warning system at key juniper sites, using a tested methodology, suitable for volunteers, to assess juniper population health. In addition, Plantlife runs management and restoration projects throughout Britain, with the aim of restoring populations to full reproductive capacity.

“While Phytopthera species are a part of wild ecosystems, the potential impact on key plant species and habitats in wild is of great concern" says Plantlife Scotland Conservation Manager Deborah Long.

"Just as we would like to see effective action in place to prevent the spread ofPhytopthera ramorum into wild blaeberry in Scotland, we would also like to see effective, preventative action in place to prevent the spread of into other juniper populations across the UK. We fully support the action taken at Teesdale to limit spread to other sites and would ask visitors to follow all on site advice as well as sign up in Scotland as a Flora Guardian to help us monitor the health of juniper populations across Scotland.”

• Click here for further information on Plantlife’s work on juniper.
• Click here and to find out more about our Flora Guardian programme in Scotland.

http://www.plantlife.org.uk/about_us/news_press/new_fungal_disease_discovered_in_threated_juniper/

Seas around Canna rich in unusual marine wildlife

Largest area of fan mussels in UK

February 2012: The seas around the island of Canna on the west coast of Scotland are unusually rich in marine wildlife, according to a report published by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

A survey carried out by marine biologists from SNH and Marine Scotland in 2010 revealed species and habitats of high conservation value in the Sound of Canna, a steep sided channel that runs between the islands of Canna and Rum. The underwater landscape of rock walls, glacial moraines, boulder piles and sheltered areas of mud and sand provide a wide variety of wildlife habitats.

An area of rare fan mussels, first spotted in 2009, has now been confirmed as the largest in UK waters. With well over a hundred mussels covering more than 170 hectares, it was much bigger than originally expected. Once common around Britain's coasts, only a handful of scattered individuals have been recorded in the past 20 years, making them one of the UK's most endangered shellfish.

'We are surprised and excited by what we found'Northern feather stars, an animal with several feather-like arms used for swimming and catching food, were found on deep sediment at both entrances to the channel. Burrowed mud, an internationally important habitat that is home to burrowing animals and the nationally scarce sea pen, covers much of the seabed.

And excellent examples of northern sea fan and deep sponge communities were found on the cliffs around the nearby island of Sanday, on deep rock outcrops and on the floor of the Sound.

Laura Clark, SNH's project manager for the Canna survey said: ‘Until the discovery of the fan mussels during a routine survey a couple of years ago, the Sound of Canna attracted relatively little attention from marine biologists.

'It's great to see this huge variety of marine life in such a small area'‘What we found when we returned to survey the area in detail surprised and excited everyone involved, particularly the extent of the fan mussel bed. It was great to find such a huge variety of marine life in such a small area.'

The survey is one of several which have taken place around Scotland since 2010, to better understand the distribution and quality of marine wildlife in Scottish waters. They are part of an extensive programme of work carried out by Marine Scotland, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), SNH and Historic Scotland. The information gathered will be used to advise Scottish Ministers on potential locations for marine protected areas, helping Scotland meet international commitments to create a network of sites in Scottish waters.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/canna-marine.html

Threatened voles found living the high life

ONE of Scotland’s most threatened native mammals – the tiny water vole – has been found thriving more than 2,000 ft up a mountain in the Highlands.

The population of the rodent has plummeted in Scotland by 94 per cent since 1950, due to changes in their habitat and the introduction of the mink.

But Scottish Natural Heritage has now revealed that small colonies of voles, normally associated with low-level water and river systems, have been found 700 metres up a hillside on the agency’s Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve.

It is the first time water voles have been found living at such a high altitude.

Dr Lorna Brown, who led the survey team, said: “It seems that the population on Beinn Eighe is in good health.”

http://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/threatened_voles_found_living_the_high_life_1_2088816

Humpback whales off Aberdeen for 2 weeks

Humpback whales spotted off Forvie 
January 2012. Forvie National Nature Reserve is on the way to becoming a whale-watching hotspot, with visitors spotting Humpback whales regularly over the last two weeks.

Visitors to Hackley Bay on the reserve, which is managed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) watched three whales for several hours last Sunday, as they surfaced and spouted through their blow-holes. The whales were about a mile offshore, but were readily visible as they are so large; Humpbacks are 40 to 50 feet long and weigh about 40 tons. The whales were first spotted last week and are still being seen by visitors this week.

Migrated from the Arctic
Humpbacks migrate every year from their summer feeding grounds near the poles to warmer winter breeding waters. They are often found near coastlines. They feed only in summer on tiny shrimp-like krill, plankton and small fish, and fast and live off their fat reserves in the winter.

Forvie reserve manager, Annabel Drysdale, said: "It was so exciting to see humpbacks on our own doorstep, and it was wonderful to see everyone at Forvie really enjoying this incredible experience. We're hoping to see the whales back again soon! We hope people will enjoy the rest of the wildlife and beauty spots on the reserve as well. But I would like to remind visitors to keep their dogs under control to protect birds and other vulnerable wildlife."

Ian Hay, East Grampian Coastal Partnership project officer, added: ‘'The last year has been amazing for large whales with Humpback, Sperm and Fin whales being seen in the local area. If you see any whales or dolphins, please let the Sea Watch Foundation know so that we can better understand their presence in the area. If anyone has managed to get pictures, we would be delighted to see them as well."

A Humpback whale was spotted feeding in Aberdeen Harbour in 2011.  

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/aberdeen-humpbacks.html

GAMEKEEPERS URGE GOVT TO EXPLORE TAYSIDE BEAVER PROBLEM

The Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) is calling on ministers to carry out further research on Tayside’s illegal beavers, fearing a hasty decision to let them roam could cause major environmental damage.

Environment Minister Stewart Stevenson is expected to make a judgement soon on the future of the rogue beavers, which are building lodges in waterways between Aberfeldy, Forfar, Dundee and Perth.

One option put forward in an advisory paper by Scottish Natural Heritage, is to let the rodents roam free, with SNH saying the cost of trapping them could prove too costly.

However, the SGA, which represents 5300 members, is calling for Holyrood to press the pause button on this, believing legitimisation- without due research- could lead to major flooding and forestry problems.

It is estimated around 100 beavers, an illegal species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, have taken residence in the area since being allegedly released from private collections.

The SGA has evidence that these animals are now causing serious flood problems on agricultural land, rendering parts of fields unproductive.

Photographic evidence also highlights significant damage to forestry on river-banks, with potential threats to public homes due to the destruction of natural flood defences.

The organisation is asking ministers to look closer at the situation and has offered the expertise of its membership to help conduct detailed field research.

“There has to be a pause for thought on this because people have no real idea as to the long term damage that could be caused to agricultural land and to trees which are needed to bind riverbanks in many areas,” said SGA Spokesman, Bert Burnett.

“The freak rain storms we have been having recently have shown some areas to be more prone to flooding than others and, if there are beavers there, it is likely this will occur on a more regular basis.

“The genuine fear is that, if we leave things the way they are, then we could be creating a problem which may have to be solved, at great public cost, at a later date.

 “We have armies of members who are assessing rivers every day and could relay the necessary information. We also have many people well versed in trapping techniques and we would be more than happy to offer assistance.”
Some farmers, where beavers have taken up residence, are already experiencing problems with field flooding and blocked drains.

One individual in Angus is now having to fell beaver lodges weekly on an adjacent burn to prevent large-scale flooding, with the animals regularly raising the water level by over a foot.

“If I wasn’t having flood problems, I would be happy for the beavers to stay but I don’t honestly see how we can carry on with it,” he said.

“They have caused significant damage to trees and, if these were young trees planted in the last twenty years, they would more or less have cleared them all by now.

“They are very efficient and, if they damn up a small burn, the water level doesn’t need to rise very far before it covers the ends of drains, which then don’t work, causing flooding to fields.

“Our field has been flooded and, if it was harvest time, you would not get a combine harvester or heavy machinery near it. You would simply lose that productive part of the field.

“If it was Spring or harvest time, I doubt clearing the damns once a week would be enough. It is going to become a constant management issue now unless something is done.”

Unlike the trial reintroduction of imported beavers in Knapdale, Argyll,  the Tayside population has grown since individual animals were released in contravention of law.

Alternative options put forward by SNH to deal with the issue is to capture them by trapping or to wait to see the result of the Knapdale trial.

In European countries like Norway, beavers are treated as vermin due to the damage to mature birch woodlands caused by flooding, as a result of river damning.

The SGA believe there is now enough evidence in Tayside and Angus for the situation to be assessed more thoroughly.

“Before these animals are allowed to breed freely, we need to know the numbers and the facts,” added SGA Spokesman, Bert Burnett.

“There is a desire to have 25 per cent more forestry in Scotland, with one option being to plant more trees beside water courses to improve habitat.

“It seems counter-productive, then, to spend millions doing this and then allow animals that are going to undo it, to roam freely. We don’t feel that enough effort has been made to trap the animals to date and we would be happy to help,” he said.

There have been similar examples in Scotland of animals being released into the wild, causing management headaches. 

American Mink became established after escaping, or being released from, fur farms; a development similar to what has happened in Tayside and Angus with beaver.

Mink are now the subject of a heavily funded cross-agency eradication programme because of the devastating impact they have had on ground-nesting birds and fish. 


http://www.scottishgamekeepers.co.uk/content/gamekeepers-urge-govt-explore-tayside-beaver-problem

'Elusive' brainless fish discovered in waters off Scotland

A brainless and faceless fish was one of 15 rare species discovered during a series of marine surveys this year.

The prehistoric Amphioxus, described by the Scottish Government as ''elusive'', was found in waters off Tankerness in Orkney.


The fish has a nerve chord down its back and is said to be regarded as a representative of the first animals to evolve a backbone.

Giant mussels with shells measuring up to 48cm (18in), were also discovered around the Small Isles and are said to have the largest sea shells in Scotland.

More than 100 specimens of fan mussels were found around the islands, meaning the area has the largest aggregation of the fish in UK waters.

The mussels are said to have golden threads similar to human hair, which are so fine they are able to attach to a single grain of sand.

In Caithness, the country's largest horse mussel bed was found in waters near Noss Head.


The species, known as ''Clabbydhhu'' in Gaelic, which translates as ''enormous black mouth'', are slow-growing molluscs that can live for up to 50 years.



They are said to stabilise mobile seabeds and provide a critical ecosystem for other species.

Other rare finds from the marine surveys, which covered over 2,000 square miles, included Flame Shell beds in Loch Linnhe, Argyll, as well as new communities of Northern Feather Star, a brightly coloured species with 10 feather-like arms fanning out from a central disc, which were revealed off the Sound of Canna.

The Scottish Government said the findings will further the country's knowledge of the biodiversity of its seas.

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: ''In an age where the lands of the world have been mapped out and recorded, it's amazing how many discoveries are waiting to be found under the waves.

''Spanning from the weird to the wonderful, discoveries this year have included the bizarre Amphioxus and the beautiful yet elusive brightly coloured Flame Shell.

''The waters around Scotland are rich in such fascinating biodiversity and it's our responsibility to protect this fragile environment.

''That's why we have ramped up our marine survey work, with plans being prepared for new surveys in 2012 to further our knowledge of what lies beneath Scotland's seas.''

Dr Dan Barlow, head of policy at WWF Scotland, said: ''These surveys highlight that Scotland's seas and coasts are home to a truly amazing range of weird and wonderful wildlife.

''By providing vital information on what lies beneath the waves, these surveys will help inform decisions on better ways to protect this important resource now and long into the future.

''It is important that the Government builds on this survey work to further our knowledge of the marine environment.''

Susan Davies, director of policy and advice with Scottish Natural Heritage, added: ''Scotland's seas really are a fantastic asset. The findings from these surveys will help us to manage them sustainably and ensure future generations can also enjoy the benefits of a healthy and diverse marine environment.''

During the surveys, multi-beam scanners were used to create 3D images of the seabed, allowing the first marine maps of many new areas to be made.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/8981262/Elusive-brainless-fish-discovered-in-waters-off-Scotland.html

Journey's end as red kite is found poisoned

December 2011. Police are appealing for information after one of North Scotland's most adventurous red kites was found poisoned in East Ayrshire.


Shortly after fledging on the Black Isle this summer, the young bird surprised RSPB Scotland staff by immediately flying two hundred miles in just a few days. A satellite transmitter fitted to its back, made it possible to trace the young bird's journey down the west coast of Scotland.

However, staff became concerned in September when transmissions showed that the bird had remained in the same place near Muirkirk for several days.

North Lowther Hills
It was later discovered dead close to the Muirkirk and North Lowther Hills Special Protection Area (SPA), an area of moorland that receives special legal protection because of its breeding bird of prey population.

Subsequent tests by the SASA government laboratory showed it had been poisoned by a banned pesticide.

RSPB Scotland Investigations Officer Ian Thomson said "The poisoning of this red kite is just the latest incident of bird of prey persecution in and around the SPA, particularly involving hen harriers and peregrines. The populations of hen harrier in particular are declining alarmingly in this area. Only a few years ago there were 21 pairs of hen harriers in the SPA; now we are down to a mere handful".

Enquiries by the police are continuing. Anyone with further information regarding this incident is urged to contact Strathclyde Police on 0141 532 2000, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/kite-poisoned.html

Baby Seal On St Andrews Beach Rescued From Freezing Scottish Weather

Staff from an aquarium came to the rescue of a seal pup as it struggled in freezing temperatures.


St Andrews Aquarium in Fife said it was "inundated" with phone calls from members of the public telling them a small, grey seal pup, thought to be only weeks old, had washed up on West Sands beach in St Andrews.

Aquarium staff tended to the seal before the Scottish SPCA took the pup to its wildlife rescue centre in Fife.

Andrew Whiston, displays manager at the aquarium, said: "Upon assessing the situation we immediately called the Scottish SPCA to attend.

"Because of the general physical state of the young animal, who was very underweight, shivering and clearly very ill, they asked if we could capture him and administer immediate first-aid treatment pending their arrival, which we duly did.

"Time was clearly of the essence and our first task was to get the young pup warm as he was clearly struggling with the temperatures of the Scottish winter.

"We kept him off the ground on a warm vet bed until the Scottish SPCA could collect him and take him to their wildlife rescue centre in Fife."

The Scottish SPCA said the young seal, who staff named Atlantis after the space shuttle, is expected to make a full recovery.

Rescue centre manager Colin Seddon said: "Atlantis was very light and hadn't been thriving, so this was clearly a seal pup that needed rescuing.

"We'll continue to care for him until he is ready to be released back into the wild."

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2011/12/05/baby-seal-on-st-andrews-beach-weather-freezing-ice-scotland_n_1129652.html?ref=uk

Arctic seal visits Scottish nature reserve

Bearded seal at St Cyrus National Nature ReserveNovember 2011. There has been a rare visitor to the St Cyrus National Nature Reserve this autumn - a bearded seal, a mammal usually more at home in the high arctic than in Scotland.
St Cyrus reserve manager, Therese Alampo, said of the unusual visitor: "We were unsure what type of seal it was at first; it looked like a seal version of bag puss, with stunning markings and wonderful white whiskers! Seeing a bearded seal in these waters is perhaps a once in a lifetime opportunity."

Bearded seals
Bearded seals usually live along the Arctic Ocean coasts of America, Europe and Asia, spending the winter in heavy offshore ice. They grow to 2.7 metres in length and weigh from 275 to 340 kilograms.

Waders and Pink-footed geese
St Cyrus reserve is coming to life with other creatures this autumn as well, with the calls of wintering waders and the thousands of pink-footed geese which migrate from Greenland to Northeast Scotland. The bird hide at the Southern end of the reserve is a great place to shelter from the elements and watch the comings and goings of these wonderful birds. Visitors may even catch a glimpse of the reserve's elusive resident otter and kingfisher.

Mushrooms
The colourful dunes and grasslands are taking on a more subtle beauty at this time of year. In the autumn, hundreds of mushrooms burst into life with colourful waxcaps, Antler fungus and the majestic Parasol mushroom scattered around the reserve. The beach is changing daily as well, with the autumn and winter weather setting in, moving sandbars and driftwood with ease along the shore.

More about St Cyrus

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/bearded-seal.html

Chequered Skipper – Rare butterfly numbers double in Lochaber

Recent monitoring results of Chequered Skipper butterfly numbers at Lochaber’s Allt Mhuic butterfly reserve on the north shore of Loch Arkaig show that numbers have increased for the second year running.

The butterfly, which can only be found in the UK at a handful of Scottish sites, in and around Lochaber and north Argyll, is staging a remarkable come-back after several years of decline.

After reaching a low point of only 3 counted on the reserve’s butterfly transect (a standard way of monitoring butterfly populations) in 2009, new management practices were introduced at the reserve, run by Forestry Commission Scotland, in 2010 and the recorded population has now increased five fold

The reversal of fortunes is down to the Commission using 15 Highland Cattle from its 100 strong Lochaber herd to graze specific areas during the year, benefiting the habitat and the food plants that Chequered Skippers prefer.

Independent eco-consultant, Tony Millard, who has been monitoring the project since it began in 2002, said:

“These latest results are a terrific achievement for the Commission’s local team, who all show a real passion for what they are doing.

“Back in 2005 we recorded 38 Chequered Skipper along the transect and that declined year-on-year until 2009, when we only counted 3. The Commission then brought the cattle in during the winter and we’ve seen Chequered skipper numbers surge – up to 8 in 2010 and now 15 this year.

“That is a brilliant result - especially as the poor summer has generally meant fewer butterflies across the UK. The cows have done an excellent job and must take much of the credit!”

The Allt Mhuic reserve remains one of the primary sites for the development and refinement of grazing regimes for the conservation cattle herd based in Glen Garry.

Approximately 100 cattle, in smaller groups are grazing areas at the Sound of Mull (Savary), Poloch, Loch Shiel (Scamadale), Glen Loy, Cow Hill above Fort William and the original site at Loch Arkaig – and during 2011, Chequered Skipper were confirmed on all of these sites.

Kevin Peace, the local District Manager said:

“Our conservation cattle are a valuable resource, carrying out work where machines would find it impossible to function, and doing their thing 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year.

“Seeing Chequered Skipper numbers increase like this indicates that introducing cattle to Allt Mhuic – and other sites – was definitely the right thing to do. It’s great news for the butterfly, but conservation grazing is also helping the beautiful demoiselle, black grouse, and plants such as the montane or dwarf birch and juniper.”

Tom Prescott from Butterfly Conservation Scotland confirmed:

“It is great to be able to point to exemplary sites where there is practice in place to show how sites can be managed.”

Notes to Editors
1) Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the Scottish Government’s forestry directorate and manages the 660,000 hectare national forest estate. The Commission protects, manages and expands Scotland’s forests and woodlands in a way which benefits biodiversity, communities and the economy. www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland

2) Alt Mhuic reserve lies on the north Shore of Loch Arkaig approx 15 miles from Fort William and is open all year round.

3) Highland Cattle are present all year but graze different habitats within the reserve according to season. Currently there are 15 cattle as a permanent group on the site, part of the wider Garry Pinewood cattle grazing project. At least two other sites are now being grazed on a regime that we pioneered at the Butterfly Reserve, but The Alt Mhuic reserve remains the first and will be the core of the Commission’s butterfly management within the forest district.

4) Detailed monitoring of butterfly species and habitats has been carried out by Forest Research and independent consultants since the reserve was established. www.forestresearch.gov.uk

5) The Chequered skipper butterfly is one of six key species in Forestry Commission Scotland’s Biodiversity Action Plan, which aims to carry out work across the national forest estate to help conserve and enhance species numbers. The other key species are, black grouse, capercaillie, Pearl-bordered Fritillary, juniper and red squirrel.

6) Butterfly Conservation is the largest insect conservation charity in Europe with nearly 15,000 members in the UK. Its aim is the conservation of butterflies, moths and their habitats. It runs conservation programmes on over 100 threatened species of butterfly and moth as well as world leading recording and monitoring programmes. For more information, visit www.butterfly-conservation.org

7) For more information about the reserve and the butterfly species present visit www.butterfly-conservation.org/locharkaig

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/newsrele.nsf/WebNewsReleases/ACEFC41C494CA33880257934002FDF56

Radioactive lockdown on the shores of Fife

By Claire Smith

A SECTION of Scottish coastline has been cordoned off after scientists found a radioactive object ten times more contaminated than any found there before.

Particles were first found on the shoreline of Dalgety Bay more than 20 years ago and the contamination has been linked to childhood cancer.

The radiation is believed to originate from radium coatings from dials on military aircraft based at Donibristle airbase which were incinerated after the Second World War.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has said around 100 new radioactive fragments wash up at Dalgety Bay each year.

Sepa expert Dr Paul Dale said the level of contamination found recently in one fairly large piece of debris found in Dalgety Bay measured ten megabecquerels.

Previously the highest level of radiation measured in the area was 1.1 megabecquerels. “What has changed is that this particle is ten times more active than anything we have found before.”

He said the radiation in the object uncovered was of a high enough level to cause burns to the skin. Radioactive particles can also cause health problems if injested – particularly by a child.

Sepa scientists now believe the radioactive material is coming from landfill containing aircraft debris that is now eroding into the sea.

The agency’s chief executive, Dr Campbell Gemmell, said: “Over the weekend, Sepa scientists continued to investigate an area of the foreshore of Dalgety Bay. Further sources were found.

“An initial reading of activity in one of these sources has given sufficient concern for Sepa to have asked Fife Council to restrict access to the area.

“On Wednesday, Fife Council cordoned off an area of the foreshore close to the public footpath and temporarily erected further warning signs. In the short term, Sepa will continue the current investigation and ensure the removal of any further sources detected.”

Scottish environment secretary Richard Lochhead has now written to the Ministry of Defence calling for action.

He said: “We will continue to press the MoD to resolve the matter and, following the most recent survey work at Dalgety bay, I will be writing to the Secretary of State for Defence today to call for immediate action, and that the MoD meets its responsibilities.

“We absolutely must get to the root cause of this repeated contamination of Dalgety Bay, and I want to reassure the local community that we will do everything in our power to prevent, once and for all, any radioactive sources being a significant hazard to the public.”

Helen Eadie, Labour MSP for Cowdenbeath, said: “I have been pursuing this issue for a number of years and it is vital now that we get an accurate assessment of this new information. I am seeking an urgent meeting with Sepa to progress matters, as the most important consideration must be the welfare and well-being of local people.”

Fife councillor Alice McGarry, whose ward includes Dalgety Bay, said: “Something needs to be done and we need to get to the bottom of this once and for all.”

Stan Blackley, chief executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “We’ve known about the radioactive items on Dalgety Bay since at least 1990, yet we’re still getting nasty surprises on a regular basis.

“It’s highly worrying that nuclear materials are still being uncovered, that there has been little effort to actually deal with this problem over the past twenty years.

“We still have no idea of the scale and number of radioactive items present, and the potential threat they pose to public health.”

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: “The MoD has been working with Sepa and the Dalgety Bay Forum to resolve the issues at Dalgety Bay.”

http://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/radioactive_lockdown_on_the_shores_of_fife_1_1909857

New reports on the effect of Scotland’s beavers on woodland and fish

Beaver science - Not rocket scienceOctober 2011. Two reports on the Scottish Beaver Trial in Argyll, published by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), show that beavers are changing some of the woodland structure but so far having little effect on fish in streams.

Beavers were reintroduced to Knapdale forest near Lochgilphead in May 2009 as part of a five year scientific trial run by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, hosted by Forestry Commission Scotland. After an absence of more than 400 years, the effects of beavers on the environment are being closely monitored by SNH in partnership with a number of other independent organisations. The reports will help inform future decisions on whether the European beaver should be permanently reintroduced to Scotland.

Most trees affected were on the banks near the beaver lodges!
The woodland monitoring has been carried out by The James Hutton Institute, who surveyed land around the edges of the lochs where the beavers live. Nearly a year and a half after their release, about 10% of trees in the survey area were showing signs of beaver activity. Most of these had been felled, with many trees also showing signs of gnawing. As well as feeding on bark, twigs, shoots and leaves, beavers use felled trees and branches for building their lodges and dams and store them underwater for food in the winter. Beaver activity is concentrated in particular areas - the majority of trees affected (72%) were within 10 metres of lochs and streams, with the most intensive felling within 350 metres of beaver lodges.

The average size of trees gnawed or felled was 5cm across, but beavers often felled much bigger trees. Most were less than 20cm in diameter but a few were up to 30cm.

Prefer willow - avoid alder
Results to date show that beavers are showing a strong preference for willow and rowan, and that they avoid alder. One striking observation was that beavers will travel a distance from the water's edge to find willow. Other trees at Knapdale are used in proportion to their availability. Birch is one most often used by beavers but this is because it is the most commonly found tree in the survey area.

Most trees survive
However, most trees will not die when they're felled by the beavers. Of the trees affected, new growth had already been found on 44% of stumps and partially-felled trees. Trees which have been felled later on in the summer may not start to regrow until the following spring.

As well as their effect on trees around the lochs, an area of woodland has been flooded by a beaver dam at Dubh Loch. While the willow and alder may survive, other species may die but remain standing as dead wood for some time. Ultimately this particular area may change to very wet willow woodland or even wetland.

Little effect on fisheries
The second report, produced by the Argyll Fisheries Trust, showed that so far beavers are having little observable effect on freshwater fish in streams in the trial area. This is because beavers aren't using streams as much as might have been expected - most beaver activity is taking place on the lochs. However this may change as the beaver numbers increase. The streams will continue to be monitored and the fish and fish habitat in some of the lochs will also be studied.

The fish species found in the survey include brown trout, European eel, stickleback and flounder. Minnow were also found. They are probably not native to this region of Scotland but are likely to have been brought in by anglers, using them as bait.

Martin Gaywood, who leads the independent scientific monitoring of the trial for SNH said: "These annual reports are vital to the beaver trial, because they'll show us how beavers influence the environment in and around these lochs. Beavers have complex effects on other wildlife, and measuring these changes is essential. This trial will give the Scottish Government the information it needs to decide whether beavers should be reintroduced on a wide-scale in Scotland."

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/beaver-trial011.html

Muntjac deer invasion could cost Scotland £1.9m a year

The cost of managing an invasive species of deer if it was to arrive in Scotland could cost up to £1.9m a year, according to a new report.

Muntjac deer are branded "asbo bambi" by critics in England where they roam free and are blamed for causing road accidents and damage to crops.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) commissioned a report on how to deal with deer spreading to Scotland.

Managing muntjac like other deer was reported to run from £457,821 to £1.9m.

The report said eradicating an outbreak of muntjac could range from £3,683 to £60,625 per outbreak for populations of up to 200 animals.

Among the researchers' conclusions was for monitoring of the deer and killing them as soon as possible.

Muntjac could arrive by spreading through north west of England to the Solway Firth, or could head for patches favourable habitat around Kielder, Berwick-upon-Tweed and Dunbar, said the report.

Researchers asked Scottish councils for details on any zoo licences issued to keep the deer.

Only Fife Council said it had done so for animals at Fife Animal Park and at the Scottish Deer Centre.

The Highland Wildlife Park, at Kincraig; Camperdown Wildlife Centre, in Dundee; Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre, in Perthshire; Heads of Ayr Farm Park in South Ayrshire, and Jedforest Deer and Forest Park, near Jedburgh, all confirmed to having no muntjac in their collections.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-15197277

Rare snail found after 110 years in Fife

An isolated population of rare land snail last recorded in Fife 110 years ago has been rediscovered. The plaited door snail (Cochlodina laminata) sighting was received by Fife Nature Records Centre, following a report from a member of the public.

The snail, which has a distinctive corkscrew shell, was last recorded in West Fife near Oakley in 1901. The new discovery near Blairhall is thought to be the only known population in Fife.

Hebrides' successful mink project gets three-year extension

Focus shifting from trapping to monitoringSeptember 2011: A project battling the damaging effects of mink on Scotland's wildlife has just been extended for a further three years. The Hebridean Mink Project (HMP) will continue with an emphasis on monitoring until March 2014. This extension has been assisted by a contribution of £36,000 from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (CNES).

‘This extra funding from the Comhairle was vital in securing an extension to the project. The Comhairle's continuing support of the project in difficult financial times is very much appreciated,' Iain Macleod, the project manager, confirmed.

Cllr Archie Campbell, chair of the Sustainable Development Committee, said: ‘As the Comhairle has been a partner since the project started and given its success to date, we are keen to see the project meet its aims. We have therefore agreed to continue supporting the project during this final phase.'

It is hoped the population will not recoverThe HMP is one of the largest and most complex of its kind anywhere in the world. It uses thousands of traps to catch mink, which are then euthanised. It is now becoming evident that the population of mink has reduced to the extent that individuals are having difficulty finding a mate.

It is hoped the population will not recover in the face of continued intensive trapping.

The reduction in the population now means that the project strategy will change from trapping to monitoring of the area, making use of rafts and tunnels with clay tracking plates. This will allow the targeting of individual animals wherever they are found.

Mink are opportunist predators which catch and eat almost anything and pose a threat to the islands' native wildlife, particularly birds like tern, golden plover, and red/black throated divers.
Almost 1,530 mink have been caught so far.

Arctic tern colonies increasedAreas like the Outer Hebrides rely on wildlife tourism which is reckoned to be worth around £2.5million a year to the local economy. And the mink project helps underpin the economy by creating and retaining 14 full-time trapping jobs.

Monitoring work by RSPB Scotland on local populations of Arctic tern - which fly thousands of miles to migrate to the Western Isles where they raise young - has found some evidence that colonies have increased from six to 26 around Lewis and Harris.

Martin Scott, the local RSPB officer stated: ‘I found 26 colonies of varying size around Lewis and Harris and I have been informed that terns bred again on some of the islands in the sound of Harris. Until recently, we had been down to just five or six colonies. The evidence shows that this species is showing a positive response to mink removal.'
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/mink-scotland092011.html

American Sandhill crane st RSPB Strathbeg

From America to Aberdeenshire, re-routed rare crane arrives at RSPB Loch of Strathbeg September 2011. It may be playing host to thousands of wintering geese but it is a rare American arrival that is attracting attention at an RSPB Scotland nature reserve in Aberdeenshire. An adult sandhill crane, only the fourth ever to be recorded in Britain, has been spotted at RSPB Loch of Strathbeg.

The species normally breeds in North America and Canada, migrating south in the Autumn months. Staff believe this bird may have been blown off course by Hurricane Katia.

Diana Spencer, Visitor and Publicity Officer at RSPB Loch of Strathbeg said: "We've had a few ‘lost' American birds on the reserve recently, but we've never had one as large as this. It's quite unmistakable, similar in size to a heron with a bright red forehead, and long dark pointed bill. Despite having 12,000 geese on the reserve, all eyes, binoculars and telescopes have been on this new arrival. We're expecting it'll attract a lot of interest over the weekend from birders across the country."

Staff are also keen to hear from a visitor who reported a crane on the reserve on Saturday. It was presumed at the time this was a common crane but it's now thought this may have been the first sighting of the new arrival.

Birds like the Sandhill crane, which turn up miles from where they are supposed to be, are called vagrants. There is no way of knowing where this bird will go next. It has been seen preening itself, which suggests it is moulting. It is therefore likely it will remain at Loch of Strathbeg until it is in perfect condition to continue travelling south.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/strathbeg-sandhill.html

Could a sea eagle mistake young child for prey, ask gamekeepers

By Frank Urquhart

A FURIOUS row has erupted between Britain's leading bird charity and Scottish gamekeepers over claims that sea eagles could mistake young children for their natural prey.

The Scottish Gamekeepers' Association (SGA) called for a public inquiry into the impact of the controversial reintroduction of the huge birds of prey in Scotland after a Perthshire clergyman reported last month that he had been attacked by one of the raptors while trying to protect his prize-winning goose.

The SGA said yesterday that the incident had fuelled fears of further aggressive behaviour by the birds and prompted the association to raise concerns about the safety of reintroducing the species.

Bert Burnett, an SGA committee member, has written to Stuart Stevenson, the environment minister, warning that the attack on Mr Farquharson "may well be the first of many" and asking for the formulation of an "exit strategy" if the sea eagles turn out to have an adverse effect on social, economic or leisure activities.

The Very Rev Hunter Farquharson said he was "traumatised" after the sea eagle left him with a head injury and a slashed shirt during the attack at his home in Abernethy.

He claimed that when he tried to tried to scare the eagle away when it went after his champion gander Bertie, the bird jumped on his back, tore his shirt and caused a 4in wound below his shoulder and cuts to his head.

In his letter, Mr Burnett writes: "These creatures are being released into what is a comparatively densely populated area so they will come into contact with humans on a daily basis. That will instil habituated behaviour and remove what should be a healthy fear of humans. There are reports of buzzards which have obviously undergone this desensitisation and this has resulted in them attacking people. This could pose a serious threat in the future.

"Will these very large creatures differentiate between a small child and more natural quarry?"

Sea eagles, as well as being scavengers, feast on live small mammals, such as rabbits, as well as fish and birds. There are reports of sea eagles eating lambs and piglets.

Mr Burnett warned there would be inevitable increases in the sea eagle population once they started to breed in the wild.

He added: "Is the government intending to compensate all those who lose stock or suffer other financial losses through the behaviour of these birds?

"At the moment some raptors have exclusion zones round their nest sites encompassing several acres in an effort to reduce disturbance. Presumably sea eagles will also require these zones, so how will that affect farming or recreational activities and will there be compensation for this?"

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/scotland/Could-a-sea-eagle-mistake.6830072.jp

Mull of Galloway walk highlights kittiwake decline

Nature enthusiasts are heading to the Mull of Galloway in a bid to help raise funds and awareness of the decline in sea bird numbers.
They are walking to help support the work being carried out at the local RSPB Scotland nature reserve.

Thousands of birds including kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills and fulmars make their home in the area.

However, numbers have been falling with the UK kittiwake population now half its 1986 level.

The sponsored walk on Saturday hopes to help study and tackle that situation.

RSPB Scotland information officer Hannah Doyle said: "The dramatic failure of seabird colonies all around our coast has been really shocking, and even this year, I can see so many empty nests, and adult birds that haven't even attempted to breed.

"The problem for kittiwakes is thought to be shortages of food, in particular sandeels which they're really dependent on because they can't dive deeper to catch other fish like herring - something birds like puffins can do.

"These sandeel shortages are thought to be driven by declines in their own food supply, zooplankton, caused by increasing sea temperatures brought on by climate change."

The walk is scheduled for Saturday starting at 11:00 from the RSPB visitor centre at the Mull of Galloway.

Participants will be informed about the work being done to assist seabirds like the kittiwake.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-14680220

Sea eagle attacks reverend and his flock....of geese

God may have made "all creatures great and small" but one leading churchman admitted yesterday he had been left traumatised by Britain's biggest bird of prey after it attacked him and killed one of his geese.

The Very Rev Hunter Farquharson, who breeds and shows birds as a hobby, returned to his cottage to find his prize-winning goose Beatrice dead, and a white-tailed sea eagle perched on a fence post nearby.

The giant raptor, with a wingspan of up to 8ft, was one of 16 released recently in the east of Scotland as part of a controversial reintroduction programme.

Mr Farquharson, Provost of St Ninian’s Cathedral in Perth, said he was "horrified" to find the goose, worth about £300, "ripped to shreds".

He went inside to phone the RSPB, a partner in the reintroduction project, but then heard a "terrible noise" as the eagle chased his champion gander Bertie.When he tried to intervene the raptor jumped on his back, tearing his shirt, leaving a 4in wound below his shoulder and cutting his head.

Mr Farquharson said: "It was very, very frightening. The geese have been traumatised by it. They have not laid since. And I'm traumatised too. I'm 6ft 5in, but it was such a shock."

When the young eagle tried to fly away it bumped into a shed and he managed to trap it by throwing wire netting over it while it was on the grass.

RSPB staff then came to his cottage in Abernethy, Perrthshire, and took the sea eagle away before releasing it to the wild again.

It was the second time Mr Farquharson's birds had been attacked by young sea eagles. Two years ago four of his bantams were killed.

He now believes they should not be reintroduced to Scotland, particularly in a populated part of the country.

Dozens of birds have been released in previous years from Wester Ross in the north west Highlands, but the RSPB is now feeding Norwegian chicks in enclosures in Fife, an hour's drive from Edinburgh, before releasing them in the east of the country. The bird involved was freed ten days ago.

"This part of the world is far too populated to be releasing sea eagles," said Mr Farquharson. "I have nothing against sea eagles at all. They are magnificent birds but around here there are far too many people and domestic animals.

"If this had been a dog that attacked livestock or a person, the dog would have been destroyed.
"But the RSPB has been quick to point out that these eagles are protected and that to harm them may result in a custodial sentence."

A spokesman for RSPB Scotland said the incident on Friday was regrettable and it would be visiting Mr Farquharson again to ensure his birds were safe.

He added: "In our experience sea eagles will only defend themselves and attack humans if they feel cornered and threatened. The sea eagles just introduced are young and naive birds.

"There are a tiny number of incidents of this sort every now and again, but these birds will soon disperse as they grow in confidence and wish to explore the wider countryside.

"It is worth noting that when this first happened with Mr Farquharson in 2008 we visited his property and afterwards paid for the installation of heavy nylon netting affixed to fence posts driven into the ground so that the poultry pen and all Mr Farquharson's birds were safe from predation.

"When we visited again on Friday it was apparent that, for whatever reason, these measures were no longer present.

"It is of course unfortunate that the bird scratched Mr Farquharson, but we believe it was simply trying to escape and resist capture."

Sea eagles were persecuted to extinction in the early 20th century and the first attempt to bring back the species began with a release project on Rum in 1975.

The scheme has previously been criticised by farmers and crofters in the west Highlands who claim they have lost hundreds of lambs to the sea eagles. There are now more than 50 breeding pairs, mostly in the north of Scotland.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/8718155/Sea-eagle-attacks-reverend-and-his-flock....of-geese.html