Why Record? Pages 4-5 Clean up scheme
Amphibians
Aliens Out!
January 2018
East Lothian Council Countryside Ranger Service
Green Dog Walkers Scheme
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Why Record
4-5
Amphibians in Spring
6-7
Aliens Out!
8-9
Eider Monitoring Project
10-11
Of cattle, countryside and safe access
12
Forth to Farne Way
13
Otter surveying
14
Volunteering
15-16
Green Dog Walkers Scheme – an update Launched in 2017, East Lothian’s Green Dog Walkers scheme has gotten off to a quiet start. The scheme is designed to be run by dog walkers for dog walkers in their community, with the aim of encouraging all dog walkers to be responsible for ensuring they look after their dog, and encourage positive practice. In essence this means having spare dog waste bags to give to other dog walkers and encouraging them to ‘sign the pledge’ of responsible dog ownership. So far, schemes have been launched at Yellowcraig, Gullane, with the most success being in the Port Seton. Plans are underway to launch a scheme in Pencaitland, but we (the countryside section that is) really need local people to help us launch and operate the scheme in their area to make it work.
If you are interested in finding out more about the Green Dog Walker scheme, please email us at gdw@eastlothian.gov.uk
Welcome to the 35th Edition of ‘Mud In Your Eye’ We’d love to hear from you! Email: ranger@eastlothian.gov.uk or follow us... @ELCrangers
East Lothian Countryside Ranger Service
Cover photograph Volunteer recorders at work.
Published by East Lothian Council’s Countryside Ranger Service
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Why Record?
Why Record? (continued) One of the best internet sites is www.ispotnature.org. Submit a photograph and a team of on-line experts will name it within a day. You will have provided a record and you will have learned a new species. A lot of natural science now relies on records collected by local people, and this has become known as citizen science. You may not wear a white coat and safety goggles, but you can be a scientist while out walking the dog. Please send your records to The Wildlife Information Centre (TWIC) www.wildlifeinformation.co.uk They collect records for all species and make them available for nature conservation. Here are just 3 of the ways that wildlife information is used: • Monitoring changes to populations of wild species • Informing conservation plans for nature reserves
Kidney vetch.
Volunteer recording.
We are still in winter, but spring is just around the corner. Even if we still feel cold, wildlife can sense change in the season. Days are longer and some plants are in flower already. It will not be long before bumblebees start to hum and early birds build a nest. From now on, nature will move at pace. Plants will bloom and then go to seed, as new flowers take over. Migrating birds will return from warmer places, or will leave to nest in northern places. Such changes have been happening for an eternity, with subtle differences every year marking a slow progression in our ecology. Changes in the modern day can be quicker and more dramatic. Climate, invasive species, development pressure can all affect wildlife that is struggling to cope already. Some species that were really common are now rare, or have become extinct. Which species will suffer next? We must monitor wildlife so that future environmental problems can be discovered and resolved. We do this by watching and recording what we see. Many people record wildlife. It is fun, and gives an added interest to a walk in the countryside. A rural walk becomes like walking with friends, if you know the names of some plants, butterflies or birds. Mosses, beetles and fungi are just as important. Whatever your wildlife interest, all records that you make are useful. Whether you go for wilderness hikes or short regular dog walks, here are some easy steps to recording:
• Influencing planning applications and strategies. TWIC is involved in all three activities and also organises recording trips to very attractive places. You are welcome to go along, and mingle with some of the more experienced recorders from that area. To find out more, contact natalie@wildlifeinformation.co.uk. Above all, enjoy yourself. Recording is rewarding, gets you out exploring different places and learning more about familiar spaces. Science, meditation and exercise in one simple activity.
We must monitor wildlife so that future environmental problems can be discovered and resolved.
• Take a notebook and pencil, or smartphone, whenever you go out • Keep your eyes open and look with purpose • When you see something interesting, note its name, the date and location • Start recording what you know, and don’t worry about the ‘difficult’ stuff • Try and learn one new species every week. That’s it. What could be easier? There are even apps and websites to help you, such as www.brc.ac.uk/apps and www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/. 4
Bumblebee, bombus terrestris.
Citizen scientists at work.
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Amphibians in Spring Early spring brings with it a cue for the amphibians of the county to recommence activity.
Amphibians in Spring (continued) And speaking of construction, it is encouraging to see that developers are starting to install ‘amphibian-friendly’ drains, as each year, thousands of animals can be washed down or fall into drains from which escape is impossible. In East Lothian we have only one species of toad and frog. Frogs have smooth slick skin whereas toad have a warty skin. Frogs also look skinny whereas toads are definitely chubby in appearance. Both are in decline and need our help. Closely related, we have 3 newt species in the county – smooth, palmate and great-crested. They, too, re-commence activity in February – March, crawling out of hibernation to a pond of choice to breed.
Telling each species apart is not easy, but if you have a pond with any newts in it this is good news and they’ll be fine so long as the pond is kept fish-free and as long as Mr Heron doesn’t set up stall! Palmate pair.
Frog.
By February, ponds will already show signs of frogs, with individuals emerging from the mud at the bottom to commence the courtship cycle. For a couple of weeks favoured waterbodies will be a mass of croaking males. Toads, on the other hand, hibernate not in the pond, but in dry hollows, often far away. They hibernate until a warm, wet March night – often linked to the full moon – compels them to awaken and make the hazardous journey to their local pond to begin their own breeding cycle. Unfortunately, their journey frequently involves crossing roads – dangerous enough, but all the more lethal as males frequently wait on road crossing points to 6
pick up females (and yes, I am still talking about toads!) As you can expect, casualties are high. Toad crossing points, however, are re-used year after year, so if you know one, you could help, by setting up your own ‘toad crossing team’. There are obvious safety considerations to consider as you are working in the dark next to a road, but with due preparation, these schemes can dramatically help the species success, especially at a time when more houses and roads are being constructed. If you are interested in joining an existing crossing scheme or to set up a crossing point contact froglife. www.froglife.org/
Smooth and palmate newt.
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Aliens Out!
Aliens Out! (continued)
This is not a xenophobic feature about Brexit, rather a scheme to co-ordinate understanding and control of non-native species present within East Lothian.
The plan is to select certain species / habitats, survey the extent of each and subsequently commit to delivering programmes of control. Would you like to help them in their work? They would be especially keen to tie-in with groups who already have an interest in the countryside, for example, angling associations, farmers, landowners and individuals.
American mink.
Signal crayfish.
Himalayan balsam.
Do you know how many and varied they are? Well, for several reasons you should. Some of them are physically harmful – such as giant hogweed. Others will hit your wallet – try selling your house if you have a garden full of Japanese knotweed. Others could destroy your crops – New Zealand flatworms eat earthworms and thereby destroy soil quality. Others will ruin a day’s fishing – signal crayfish eat fish larvae. And this is just the start of a long list. It can seem overwhelming as to know where to start. 8
If you would like to register your interest please email ELCV at invasives@elcv.org.uk As to how one species is deemed alien and why, when and whether it is apt to intervene, this is discussion that I shall explore further in the next issue.
There are a few brave souls who have been on the case here for many years to limit the spread of some of these malicious species. Now though, East Lothian Countryside Volunteers are seeking to throw their weight behind leading on a co-ordinated approach to limiting the effects of these species.
Japanese knotweed.
Giant hogweed.
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Eider Monitoring Project, Report on 2017 Results
Eider Monitoring Project, Report on 2017 Results (continued) An eider creche.
A project to monitor eider duck populations is now into a 10th year in the North Berwick area. The project started in 2007 in response to a Scottish Natural Heritage report about decreasing populations of some ground nesting bird species along the East Lothian coastline.
Year
The Countryside Ranger and volunteers monitor eider populations between April and July each year and consider factors that may be causing declines including human disturbance, weather and nesting habitat. The 2017 data suggests this year was a successful eider breeding season with high numbers of adult birds counted early
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in the season, 43 nesting attempts, low predation evidence and good numbers of duckling recorded along the coastline. However the data collected over the last 7 years has started to show fluctuating populations and shifting breeding times as shown in the table opposite.
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Total males recorded 574 1312 950 1269 1074 2176 2644
Total females recorded 466 999 747 883 568 989 1052
Peak number of males seen at one time (date) 69 (12 May) 100 (11 May) 65 (6 May) 65 (13 May) 70 (11 May) 101 (3 May) 88 (29 April)
These changes may be related to fluctuations in climate, food availability and increasing human disturbances on the coast so the project will continue in 2018 to collect more data for this research. New volunteers to help are always
Peak number of females seen at one time (date) 34 (28 June) 70 (11 May) 44 (10 June) 33 (10 June) 21 (16 & 26 June) 47 (15 June) 41 (27 April)
Total ducklings recorded 28 1 26 93 48 19 13
First- Last ducklings seen 25/05- 13/07 13/07- 13/07 03/06 - 08/07 03/06 - 27/07 29/05 - 06/07 10/05 - 10/06 22/05 - 26/06
Eider nesting attempts 30 12 39 3 44 49 43
welcome – no experience or knowledge is required and training and support is provided. To get involved or find out more, please contact Countryside Ranger Samantha Ranscombe by emailing sranscombe@eastlothian.gov.uk or phoning 01620 827847.
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Of cattle, countryside and safe access
Forth to Farne Way
Good news from Garvald, where thanks to grant funding, the core path linking to Donolly Reservoir has now been upgraded. As part of the work, the route through the field has now been fenced out, so no longer do walkers have to navigate between occasionally over-interested cattle. • Sheep are scared of dogs. Even if you are keeping your dog under close control, the sheep do not know this. Pregnant sheep in spring can miscarry if worried by dogs. Best practice, put your dog on a short lead in any area with sheep, at any time
However, the cattle are perfectly entitled to be there and this serves as a reminder to us all – do you know how to react if you access an area of land with cattle in it? Certainly, as spring approaches, pastures will once more see the return of all creatures great and small. So, if you are a little rusty, here are some do’s and don’ts as to how to access fields containing animals. • Cows with young, especially when first in the field, can be aggressive, particularly if you have a dog. In these circumstances, keep as far away as possible, with your dog under close control. If the cows become threatening, let your dog go and take the quickest exit possible • Any field with an animal that a farmer knows to be dangerous (e.g. a bull) should have clear signage informing people of this. Such animals should not be located on fields that form part of a core path route
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• Ponies are worried by dogs too, but can kick back! For the safety of your own dog, please keep it controlled and away from horses Better to be over-cautious I always say. And note that the route heading W beyond Donolly reservoir, passes through a further field where there are also cattle that have full access to the field. We are always happy to receive examples of good and bad practice. Just email us with an image and some information. Email: outdooraccess@eastlothian.gov.uk
Late in 2017 a new long-distance path was launched in East Lothian. Known as the Forth to Farne Way, this is a new pilgrim path that runs from North Berwick to Lindisfarne. Although no new paths as such have been built, the route follows existing quiet lanes and established paths for 72 miles. The idea was the brainchild of Athelstaneford Parish Church’s Minister, Rev Joanne Evans-Boiten, who is passionate about pilgrimage. A leaflet accompanies the routes along with a web site www.forthtofarne.org The route is divided into 11 stages, each described on the web site, (still under construction), but will eventually also contain information about the history and wildlife along the route. The coast between Dunbar and Berwick is one of my favourite places to walk and I can only imagine that the Northumberland coast is just as interesting. I think this will become a very popular route.
The next step is to waymark the route and then produce a guidebook. It all goes to show how much can be achieved by a few willing people! For further information on your access rights and responsibilities, see the Scottish Outdoor Access Code website: www.outdooraccess-scotland.com East Lothian Council’s Outdoor Access Officers: Nick Morgan (east), tel. 01620 827671 Jennifer Lothian (west), tel. 01620 827419 Email: outdooraccess@eastlothian.gov.uk
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Otter surveying With the help of other East Lothian Countryside Volunteers I have decided to start an otter survey scheme.
Conservation volunteers Our volunteer contingent continues to grow from strength to strength. Volunteers come from all walks of life and volunteer for many reasons – to learn about the countryside, to meet like-minded people and to get some fresh-air exercise. If you would like to join our merry band, or just to find out more please contact me at dpriddle@eastlothian.gov.uk or telephone 01620 827459. Duncan Priddle, Countryside Officer
Tyne Team install bench
This is because; • Little is known about otters in East Lothian • They used to be a rare but the population has recovered in the last 15 years • We want to ensure the population continues to grow to full potential
Otters occur across East Lothian. We will look for signs, keep records, and are keen to receive any sightings of otters. If you see or know of otter sightings or would like to help in the project please contact me, Thomas Bower at tom@tbower.plus.com.
Beach litter picking
• We are keen to ensure that otter habitat is understood and protected
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volunteer diary dates Where
Day
Date
Time
Who to contact
Aberlady
Sun
11-Feb
09:30-1500
jharrison@eastlothian.gov.uk
Thurs
22-Feb
09:30-1500
Wed
07-Mar
09:30-1500
Sun
18-Mar
09:30-1500
Wed
04-Apr
09:30-1500
Sun
22-Apr
09:30-1500
Path
Thurs
15-Feb
09:30-14:00
wardens
Thurs
15-Mar
09:30-14:00
Thurs
19-Apr
09:30-14:00
North
Tues
13-Feb
10:00-12:30
Berwick
Tues
13-Mar
10:00-12:30
Tues
10-Apr
10:00-12:30
Thurs
01-Mar
09:45-15:00
Thurs
05-Apr
09:45-15:00
Dunbar
Wed
28-Mar
10:00-12:30
and area
Sat
08-Apr
10:00-12:30
Wed
25-Apr
10:00-12:30
Yellowcraig
Levenhall
Tues
27-Feb
10:00-12:30
Musselburgh
Tues
27-Mar
10:00-12:30
Tues
24-Apr
10:00-12:30
dpriddle@eastlothian.gov.uk
sranscombe@eastlothian.gov.uk
dwild@eastlothian.gov.uk
dcv@eastlothian.gov.uk
naitken1@eastlothian.gov.uk