CRUACHAN : BIODIVERSITY INFORMATION

Key facts: • Opened by HM the Queen in 1965 • Located at , near Oban, • 440MW capacity, one of only four • The turbine hall is constructed within the pumped storage stations in the UK hollowed out mountain of Ben Cruachan

Site Description Priority Habitats and Species Cruachan's boundary encloses Cruachan and its landholdings are home to a range of a wide range of habitats. From habitats, birds, mammals, plants and insects that are the reservoir (right) high on the listed for action as part of the UK Biodiversity Action slopes of Ben Cruachan to the Plan (UK BAP). The plan was created in 2005, offices by the banks of , its stressing the station's commitment to work in catchment area includes almost 23km2 harmony with this special environment and to of upland moor and bog, sparkling streams, and further understanding its local biodiversity, the scattered areas of natural woodland. station also commissioned a wildlife survey in spring Loch Awe, the longest 2009. freshwater loch in , is a noted The area is one of the most important for butterflies in Pearl Bordered trout fishery while Ben Scotland, with a healthy population of the vulnerable Fritillary Cruachan, at 1,126m, is the Pearl-bordered Fritillary. Scrub clearance operations, to highest peak in Argyll and attracts maintain the powerline connection to Cruachan, helps the Cruachan is a stronghold for this ramblers and climbers. black-and-orange butterfly to thrive by creating woodland threatened butter fly – a UK Biodiversity The station is also adjacent to glades that support its main foodplant, the Common Dog-violet. Action Plan (UK BAP) species. The fritillary the Coille Leitire Site of Special Other UK BAP butterflies that occur include the Small Pearl-bordered has declined severely in the British Isles, Scientific Interest (SSSI) – a large Fritillary and Small Heath. leaving Argyll home to some of the most area of mixed broadleaved The 2009 survey found 45 species of birds at Cruachan, 20 of which Loch Awe important sites in Europe. woodland that runs along the north edge of Loch Awe. Coille were confirmed as breeding on site while a further 12 species may The colonies on Ben Cruachan's south­ Leitire is also a component in the have nested. Among the UK BAP birds that were found in facing slopes and the wayleave along larger Woodlands spring/summer 2009 were Cuckoo, Skylark, Tree Pipit, Dunnock, the route of Cruachan's grid Special Area of Conservation, Song Thrush, Wood Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Twite and connection, were only considered to be one of the finest Lesser Redpoll. Another priority species, the Blackthroated Upland Oak Woodland discovered in 1996. old Sessile Oak woodlands in the Diver, was seen fishing in Loch Awe at Cruachan Visitor The banks of Loch Awe and slopes of Ben United Kingdom. Centre. Cruachan have one of the finest examples The survey also noted several invertebrates that have of Sessile Oak woods in the UK. The woodlands Public Access apparently never been recorded in Argyll before. These comprise mostly Oak and Birch with an included the micro moth Pyrausta purpuralis and the underlayer of ferns and bracken that thrive in Cruachan Visitor Centre is a popular tourist attraction that welcomes 50,000 macro moth Common Heath. A further ‘new’ species for the high humidity. members of the public each year. The Centre is the starting point for a tour of the Argyll Mainland, Sicus ferrugineaus, a station's turbine hall in the heart of Ben Cruachan, and features an exhibition about Numerous burns and gullies dissect the site, cone-headed fly, appears genuinely rare in Scotland. the station and other forms of production. such as the Falls of Cruachan, while the There is a cafe and shop while visitors can enjoy views over scenic Loch Awe from a Otters live and breed in the clean freshwater habitat by wood supports bird and invertebrate picnic area. For more details, visit: www.visitcruachan.co.uk the banks of Loch Awe and Common Lizards occur in the communities. upland area near Cruachan Reservoir. The upper reservoir also plays home to a population of Brook Lampreys making the station one of its most northerly sites in the UK. The eel-like lamprey is UK BAP listed and one of the oldest living creatures on the planet. Contact: , Lochawe, , Argyll Tel: 01866 822 618 Web: www.spenergywholesale.com CRUACHAN POWER STATION: BIODIVERSITY INFORMATION

Our Biodiversity Action Plan A Teaching Role The Cruachan biodiversity action plan (BAP) was established in 2005 to A key element of the site biodiversity action plan is to bring information on formalise the continuing good work done by station staff to promote local biodiversity to a wider audience and Cruachan Visitor Centre, on the conservation and biodiversity and to protect and encourage the special banks of Loch Awe, is ideally placed to inform its thousands of customers habitats and wildlife species found in the station grounds and about the wealth of wildlife on the doorstep. surrounding area. The action plan also stresses the station's commitment to minimising the impact of its operations on the landscape, and sets The Centre, which attracts 50,000 visitors each year, underwent a major out a timescale for future positive actions. refurbishment in 2009. New displays were installed focusing on the station, energy production, sustainable forms of electricity production The station and its employees have maintained a close interest in the and how to reduce energy in the home. environment since the late 1960s when gardens around the offices were laid out with a variety of trees and shrubs. These have proven attractive Information boards have been erected in the grounds of the Visitor to wildlife and efforts have continued to encourage the spread of native Centre giving details about mammal and bird species. viewing opportunities, while six nestboxes have In 2003, an area of garden ground was fenced off near the site's been erected around the site administration block to allow the natural colonisation of plant species, and and a programme of wild bird many have emerged including Oak, Rowan and Willow seedlings and wildflowers. feeding is enjoyed by both To encourage further floral diversity, the wild garden has been seeded with Bluebell Cruachan Reservoir has staff and visitors. and Wood Anemone. Where possible, garden waste is composted while the its own special ecology station strives to minimise the use of chemical herbicides and weedkillers. The Centre also continued to provide visitors with Native hardwoods such as Alder, Hawthorn, Willow and Sloe have been planted on the west slope above close-up views of breeding the tailrace compound, and in 2008 two large Spruce trees Ospreys. were removed and replaced with Hawthorn, Blackthorn The pair, which first nested and Yew. In 2005-06, to mark the 40th anniversary of at Loch Awe in 2008, the station's opening, staff planted 40 young raised one chick in native trees which have been placed along summer 2009. A CCTV the access road to the upper reservoir, to camera trained on the nest further improve the landscape. relayed live images to the The upland areas of Cruachan Reservoir centre, giving visitors a and its catchment have their own glimpse of the birds of prey as special ecology, reflecting the area's they raised a family. high rainfall. Heathers, sedges and mosses give way to tundra like conditions as the elevation increases. Sundew and Butterwort, two native Cruachan Visitor Centre ‘flesh eating’ plants, are common attracts 50,000 visitors a year around the dam, the water level of which can fluctuate by up to 10 metres per day due to the station's operations. Removing Invasive Species Staff are made aware of the ongoing Since 2000, considerable effort has gone into removing Rhododendron efforts for biodiversity through a station Ponticum, a non-native species that can be particularly invasive if left to spread newsletter. ScottishPower is also a member unchecked. Cruachan staff have been concerned at Rhododendron’s of the Biodiversity Partnership, potential impact on the nearby area of old Sessile Oak forest. To halt its spread, a group set up to produce action plans for station staff cut back new growth of the shrub annually and are replanting the priority species in the region - and attends its twice­ site with native fruit and berry-bearing trees, including Apple, Plum, Rowan and yearly meetings. Blackthorn. The reservoir and access road