The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan FOREWORD

This Local Biodiversity Action Plan has been written by the Wester Ross Biodiversity Group (listed below) with help from Rachel Horsburgh, Dee Roberts and Kenny Nelson, Scottish Natural Heritage, and Malcolm Macleod and Janet Bromham, The Highland Council.

Members: Representing:

Barry Dumughn Loch Broom Field Club (Field Club, woodland & sporting interests) Meryl Carr Mountaineering Council for Scotland & Ranger Service (Mountain interests) Fran Cree Rubha Reidh Lighthouse (Business & tourism interests) Peter Cunningham Wester Ross Fisheries Trust (Freshwater interests) Rob Dewar National Trust for Scotland (Education & ecological interests) Aaron Forsyth Scoraig Community Association (Scoraig community interests) Richard Greene West of Four Fisheries Management Group (Fishing interests) Lloyd Gudgeon (Chair) Wester Ross Alliance Tom Kilbride Crofter (Crofting interests) Kristine Mackenzie Lochcarron Business Association (Business, education & crofting interests) Ewen Macpherson Scottish Landowners Federation (Land owning interests) Sue Scott Marine biologist & consultant (Underwater interests) Karen Starr Shieldaig Export Ltd (Fishing interests) John Wilkins Wester Ross Alliance

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan forms part of a suite of Local Biodiversity Action Plans produced for the Highland Council area by the Highland Biodiversity Project, a two-year project funded by The Highland Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Caithness & Sutherland Enterprise and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. The Project receives funding from the Highlands & Islands Special Transitional Programme.

MARCH 2004

Photographs: Lucy Beattie, Laurie Campbell/SNH, Peter Cunningham, Robert Dewar, Tara O’Leary, Rachel Horsburgh, Alex Ingram, Kenny Nelson, Sue Scott Design, layout and printing: Planning and Development Service, the Highland Council Printed on recycled paper that is manufactured from 100% post consumer waste. SUMMARY

Biodiversity means the variety of life or richness of Lack of knowledge nature. It is all around us, from the top of Beinn This Plan has been very difficult to write due to the Eighe to the bottom of the Minch, from the animals lack of information available on the extent of some and plants that live in our waters, woodlands, of the less well-known species, as well as the moorlands and grasslands to the flowers, birds and impacts of local issues on them. Projects that insects that visit us in our gardens. We as humans improve our collective knowledge of the location are reliant on a robust and healthy ecosystem for our and management requirements of priority habitats food, raw materials, clean air and good health. and species would be welcome. As a start, the Plan suggests a literature and data search to make the existing information more accessible and identify gaps, and supports the development of an enhanced funding package for the Highland Biological Records Centre.

Lack of awareness The consultation exercise highlighted a lack of awareness about the biodiversity of Wester Ross, and people requested a need for more user-friendly information and interpretation on wildlife, their habitats and the surrounding issues. Further ‘Know Your Own Patch’ projects were suggested as a means of helping local communities find out more about the wildlife on their doorstep. Lochcarron and Fuar Tholl from Slumbay Island. Lack of co-ordination This Local Biodiversity Action Plan has been written The Wester Ross Biodiversity Group was set up for Wester Ross. It aims: under the umbrella of the Wester Ross Alliance to draft and consult on the Local Biodiversity Action ‹ To ensure that all habitats are managed in a Plan. However, the Group was never intended to be sustainable manner that takes account of their a permanent fixture and it is therefore suggested biodiversity interests; that an Environmental Sub Group be set up under the auspices of the Wester Ross Alliance to oversee ‹ To create more opportunities for people to the development and implementation of the Plan in take action for biodiversity; addition to other sustainable projects in the area.

‹ To raise awareness and improve access to information about important habitats and species; and

‹ To establish a mechanism to help people deliver the Plan, monitor progress and share information on biodiversity matters.

It has been divided into six main chapters, reflecting the six broad habitats of sea and coast; river, loch and wetland; croft and farm land; forest and woodland; mountain, moorland and grassland; and the built environment. For each section objectives, key issues, current projects and future actions have been identified. Where appropriate, the Plan suggests some partners that might be involved in Sand dunes, Sand. Soils on the island of Longa (beyond) taking forward the future actions. However, it are enriched with droppings of sea birds that nest there. should be noted that these are merely suggestions and no agreement has been reached on future work. The spread of invasive species, wildlife crime and Habitats and species that are important at a local or a the impacts of some forms of renewable energy are national level are listed in Annex 1. also identified as recurring themes, and the Plan goes on to identify a series of more habitat-specific In drafting the plan a number of themes emerged issues and projects in each of the six chapters. that are common to many of the chapters: The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan i GEÀRR IOMRADH

Tha bith-iomadachd a’ ciallachadh gach seòrsa math pròiseactan fhaicinn a bheireadh dhuinn beatha no beartas a tha ann an nàdar. Tha e sa h-uile barrachd fiosrachaidh mu shuidheachadh agus mu àite eadar mullach Beinn Eighe is grunnd a’ Chuain fheumalachdan riaghlaidh àrainnean is ghnèathan le Sgìth, bho na h-ainmhidhean is na lusan a tha sna h- prìomhachas. Mar thoiseach tòiseachaidh, tha am uisgeachan, sna coilltean, sna monaidhean agus san Plana a’ moladh sgrùdadh air sgrìobhaidhean is dàta fheur a tha timcheall oirnn gu na dìtheanan, na h- gus gum bi e nas fhasa faighinn chun an eòin agus na meanbh-fhrìdean a bhios a’ tadhal nan fhiosrachaidh a tha ann mar tha agus na beàrnan a gàrraidhean againn. Tha an duine an eisimeil eco- chomharrachadh. Tha e a’ toirt taic do leasachadh siostam làidir, fhallain airson biadh, stuthan amh, maoineachaidh nas fheàrr airson Ionad Clàraidh èadhar ghlan agus slàinte mhath. Bith-eòlais na Gaidhealtachd.

Chaidh am Plana-gnìomha Bith-iomadachd Ionadail Cion mothachaidh seo a sgrìobhadh airson Taobh Siar Rois. Tha e ag Nochd an obair co-chomhairleachaidh cion amas air: mothachaidh mu bhith-iomadachd Taobh Siar Rois. Bha daoine ag iarraidh fiosrachadh a bhiodh ‹ A bhith dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil gach freagarrach do luchd-tadhail agus mìneachadh air àrainn air a riaghladh ann an dòigh a tha an fhiadh-bheatha, àrainnean is cùisean co- seasmhach agus gu bheil e mothachail air cheangailte ris. Chaidh tuilleadh phròiseactan cùisean bith-iomadachd; ‘Know Your Own Patch’ a mholadh mar dhòigh air coimhearsnachdan a chuideachadh gus tuilleadh ‹ Barrachd chothroman a chruthachadh do fiosrachaidh fhaotainn mun fhiadh-bheatha air an dhaoine gus rudeigin a dhèanamh airson bith- starsaich fhèin. iomadachd;

‹ Barrachd mothachaidh is fiosrachaidh a bhith aig daoine mu ghnèathan is àrainnean cudromach; agus

‹ Dòigh a bhith ann gus daoine a chuideachadh a’ lìbhrigeadh a’ Phlana, sùil a chumail air adhartas agus fiosrachadh a sgaoileadh mu chùisean bith-iomadachd

Tha sia phrìomh chaibideilean ann airson nan sia àrainnean farsaing mar muir agus cladach; aibhnichean, lochan is talamh fliuch; talamh croitearachd is tuathanais; coilltean is coillteach; agus togalaichean. Tha amasan, prìomh chùisean, pròiseactan a tha a’ dol an-dràsta agus rudan ri View of Little Loch Broom and Annat Bay. dhèanamh san àm ri teachd a’ nochdadh airson gach roinn. Far a bheil sin iomchaidh, tha am Plana a’ Cion Co-òrdanachaidh moladh chom-pàirtichean a dh’fhaodadh a bhith an Chaidh Buidheann Bith-iomadachd Taobh Siar Rois sàs ann a bhith a’ cur rudan air adhart san àm ri a stèidheachadh fo sgèith Caidreachas Taobh Siar teachd. Ach, bu chòir cuimhneachadh nach eil annta Rois gus Plana-gnìomha Bith-iomadachd Ionadail a ach molaidhean agus nach eil aonta ann air obair a dhealbh agus co-chomhairleachadh a dhèanamh air. bu chòir a dhèanamh san àm ri teachd. Tha Ach cha robh e riamh san amharc gum biodh a’ àrainnean agus gnèathan a tha cudromach aig ìre bhuidheann seo buan agus thathar mar sin a’ ionadail no nàiseanta san liosta ann an Annex 1. moladh gun tèid Fo-bhuidheann airson na h- Àrainneachd a stèidheachadh fo sgèith Caidreachas Ann a bhith a’ dèanamh dreach dhen Phlana, bha Taobh Siar Rois gus am Plana a leasachadh agus a corra chuspair a’ nochdadh uair is uair anns gach chur an gnìomh agus cuideachd pròiseactan buan caibideil: eile san sgìre. Tha cuspairean mar ghnèathan a bhios a’ briseadh a-steach dhan àite, eucoir co- Cion fiosrachaidh cheangailte ri fiadh-bheatha agus a’ bhuaidh a tha Bha e doirbh am Plana seo a sgrìobhadh air sgàth aig cuid de lùth ath-nuadhachail a’ nochdadh tric. cion fiosrachaidh air àireamhan cuid dhe na Tha am Plana cuideachd a’ comharrachadh chùisean gnèathan nach eil cho bitheanta, a bharrachd air a’ co-cheangailte ri àrainnean sònraichte agus bhuaidh a tha aig cùisean ionadail orra. Bhiodh e pròiseactan anns gach caibideil. ii The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan TABLE OF CONTENTS

Summary ... i

Table of Contents ... iii

Habitat Map ... iv

INTRODUCTION:

Biodiversity ... 1 Wester Ross ... 2 Biodiversity Aims ... 5 Recurring Themes & Actions ... 5

THE HABITATS

Chapter 1: Sea and Coast ... 9 Sea and sea-loch Salt marsh and saline lagoon Dune and machair Coastal cliff and heath

Chapter 2: River, Loch & Wetland ... 21 River Loch Wetland

Chapter 3: Croft and Farm Land ... 29 In-bye land Boundary features

Chapter 4: Forest and Woodland ... 35 Coniferous woodland Broadleaved woodland Riparian woodland

Chapter 5: Mountain, Moorland and Grassland ... 41 Mountain Moorland Grassland

Chapter 6: The Built Environment ... 47 Gardens Outbuildings Roadside verges

ANNEXES:

Annex 1: Habitat & Species Lists ... 53 Annex 2: Contact Details ... 63 Annex 3: References ... 68 Annex 4: Glossary ... 69 Annex 5: Nature Conservation Designations ... 72 Annex 6: Ancient & Semi-Natural Woodland ... 73 What You Can Do ... 74

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan iii iv The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan INTRODUCTION

Biodiversity

Biodiversity means the variety of life or the richness fishing and fish farming all relate to the natural of nature. The word biodiversity is short for environment of Scotland, and it is also a major ‘biological diversity’, a relatively new phrase that component of the tourism industry. came into use after the UK government signed up to the Convention on Biological Diversity at the Earth The Highland Biodiversity Project Summit in Rio di Janeiro in 1992. Local authorities and others are being encouraged to This Local Biodiversity Action Plan attempts to set take local action to promote biodiversity, to out what is important and valued about the natural complement and help deliver national action environment of Wester Ross, in terms of broad programmes and projects. A plan is being prepared habitats and species, and to identify a number of for each area of Highland, focusing on the areas of actions and projects that could be undertaken to help Caithness, Sutherland, Ross & Cromarty East, protect or enhance it. Wester Ross, Skye & Lochalsh and Lochaber. Inverness & Nairn and Badenoch & Strathspey are Crucially, biodiversity is concerned with the already covered by related initiatives. relationship between nature and people, and sees the natural world as a vital asset, essential to our Funding is currently being sought for a second survival and quality of life. As a concept, it asks us phase of the Highland Biodiversity Project, which it to use our resources in a sustainable manner, i.e. in a is hoped will focus on the delivery of local way that doesn’t compromise our children’s abilities biodiversity action plans in Highland. In the to use them too. meantime, it is envisaged that the partners listed above and in Annex 2 of this report will work “Biodiversity, our planet’s most valuable resource, towards the delivery of many of the outputs is on loan to us from our children.”1 suggested in the ‘Opportunities for action’ sections.

Biological diversity is also part of our cultural heritage - the current distribution and numbers of plant and animal species is, for better or worse, a result of human management. This biological richness is a vital component in the future development of our area. Agriculture, forestry,

Sheildaig across loch.

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan

This plan for Wester Ross has been prepared by the Wester Ross Biodiversity Group, a group of local people representing a broad range of interests, set up following a biodiversity workshop held in Achnasheen in April 2003.

It aims to raise awareness of the biodiversity of Wester Ross; identify priority habitats and species; and suggest projects and actions that could be undertaken by individuals, communities & agencies Six spot burnet moth on orchid in machair by Sand River. in Wester Ross in the next five to ten years. It is non- These moths take to the wing around sand dunes in statutory, i.e. it is not legally binding, but with more summer.

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 1 and more emphasis being placed on biodiversity and Wester Ross related issues by successive governments, it is widely accepted that such plans will become Extending from Inverpolly and Achiltibuie in the increasingly important in the targeting of resources north to Applecross and Loch Carron in the south, and setting of priorities. Wester Ross is dominated by wild, rugged mountains, remote glens and long, steep sided The plan is divided into six chapters according to the straths. The area is characterised by mountain following broad habitat types: sea & coast; river, giants like Ben Mor Coigach, An Teallach, Slioch and loch & wetland; croft & farm land; forest & Beinn Eighe, and fast-flowing rivers that empty into woodland; mountain, moorland & grassland; and sheltered bays and sea lochs. the built environment. Each chapter gives a short introduction to the habitats and species present in With its long, indented coastline, Wester Ross offers Wester Ross, lists the main issues, and highlights a wide variety of marine and coastal habitats, from some projects that are already working to improve exposed promontories and islands like Rubha Reidh the biodiversity of the area. and the Summer Isles to the sheltered heads of long sea lochs such as Loch Torridon and Loch Broom. The Plan then suggests some opportunities for Many crofting and fishing settlements have grown future actions that could be undertaken to help up along the coast, cementing man’s relationship biodiversity in the years ahead. Where appropriate, with the land and sea. suggested partners are attributed to some of these projects, but it should be noted that list is not exclusive, and is merely intended as a guide for future work. As yet, these actions have not been agreed, costed or given a timescale.

Lists of the national and local priority habitats and species (identified in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and by local people) are given in Annex 1. The main partners that will be involved in the delivery of the plan, be they Council departments, agencies, organisations, interest groups, local communities or individuals, are listed in Annex 2, and Annexes 3 and 4 provide a list of references and a glossary. A Caledonian pinewood on Loch Maree Islands with Slioch map of the nature conservation designations is at in the background. Annex 5, and a map of the ancient and semi-natural woodland in the area is at Annex 6. There are numerous freshwater lochs of all shapes and sizes, of which Loch Maree is the largest, and Actions for individuals and communities are the semi-natural woodlands that grow on the banks summarised on the back page, in the ‘What You Can of the lochs and in the river valleys extend high up Do’ section. the hillsides. The high ground contains sweeping expanses of alpine heath and steep, heather-clad and grassy slopes, with blanket bog covering the floors of the upland glens and broad plateaux.

Geology and landforms

Wester Ross is made up predominantly of Torridonian sandstone and Lewisian gneiss. The oldest rocks in Scotland, the Lewisian gneisses were formed during the Precambrian period, and are thought to have been part of the Earth’s crust up to three billion years ago. A once continuous blanket of Torridonian sandstones were deposited on top of the eroded Lewisian landscape 750 million years ago, as sediment was moved from the higher ground by wide river channels. Their thickness makes them Bug hunting by Loch Maree. resistant to weathering and mechanical erosion.

Slioch, Beinn Eighe and Liathach in Torridon and An Teallach and Ben More Coigach around Loch Broom

2 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan stand out as giant masses of Torridonian sandstone, Climate & vegetation and some have caps of white Cambrian quartzite. To the west, they overlook a hummocky and rocky Around 11,500 years ago our climate switched from terrain composed of the older, Lewisian gneiss that a severe, glacial climate to a relatively warm one stretches down towards the coast. Inland lies the dominated by the Gulf Stream. Vegetation returned Moine Thrust belt, which stretches from Loch Eriboll to stabilise the soils, and an initial pioneer plant on the north coast southwards to near Kyle of community was soon replaced by dwarf-shrub Lochalsh and contains a mixture of Lewisian, tundra. A heather and juniper-dominated phase Torridonian and Cambrian rocks that were thrust then gave way at about 10,000 years ago to mixed together as continents collided. Limestone outcrops birch and hazel woodland. Oak and elm followed in at Kishorn provide interesting calcareous habitats in sheltered areas, and Scots pine had arrived around an otherwise generally acidic landscape. Loch Maree by about 9,000 years ago. Alder arrived much later, about 6,000 years ago when the climate became cooler and wetter, and much of the forest cover gave way to blanket peat.

The islands of Loch Maree are a National Nature Reserve, of importance for pine forest and breeding birds. View south over Strath Lungard to Liathach.

We owe much of the rugged and desolate beauty of Wester Ross to the glaciers that covered all but the highest peaks during the Ice Ages. The deep, ice- gouged glens are now partially filled with river sediments, while the structure of the sea lochs with The extent of woodland cover in Wester Ross has varied deep, sheltered basins and shallow tide-swept sills, over the past 5,000 years. These changes are recorded in has a profound effect on the marine life within. peat deposits as here by Loch Braigh Horrisdale.

Today, our climate is still heavily influenced by our proximity to the sea and the Gulf Stream. Strong Atlantic westerlies make for windy conditions in exposed locations, and we receive a high annual rainfall. We have relatively mild winters and cool summers, with infrequent frosts and no lengthy snow spells. However, the great range in altitude and aspect gives rise to highly distinctive plant communities including alpine shrubs, wet and dry heaths and blanket bog.

Current predictions on climate change suggest that in the next few decades we will see a shift towards warmer, wetter and windier conditions in this area. Such changes could lead to a variety of effects on the natural heritage, including the possible decline of Stocks of wild sea trout and salmon collapsed in many alpine habitats or the expansion of others, such as rivers during the 1900s. By 2003 catches of sea trout had blanket bog. A rise in sea temperatures may see an recovered substantially in the River Carron following a increase in warmer water species, while ones major restocking programme managed by Seafield Centre. preferring colder water retreat northwards.

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 3 Alternatively, if temperatures rise sufficiently, the Modern inhabitation tends to concentrate within associated melting of Arctic ice could cause the Gulf existing townships and in growing numbers on Stream to switch off resulting, ultimately, in much nearby farm or croft land. Pressures on wildlife and colder conditions. habitats close to these areas is therefore increasing.

Human impact Although a few roads have greatly helped access, much of the area remains relatively inaccessible, Some time after 4,000 BC, society began farming to with the high relief and mass of the mountains augment and replace traditional hunting and forcing roads to follow the flatter coastal and valley gathering for food. Knowledge of farming practices, areas. While the vegetation pattern around the stock-rearing and the growing of cereal crops settlements and croftland is strongly influenced by introduced more permanent settlement (the period human intervention and there is evidence that there termed ‘Neolithic’). People may have started to fell was more extensive human habitation in the past, trees and plant crops around this time, but more today much of Wester Ross is perceived to be a extensive clearance of forest probably did not begin largely natural landscape. until 1,500 years ago.

PICTISH SYMBOL STONE

This stone was discovered in 1948 when digging foundations for the new houses at Strath, Gairloch at the foot of the Manse glebe. Pictish stones are numerous in the East and North of Scotland but rare in the West and its existence here, on the most fertile tract of land in the area, testifies to the existence of a Pictish settlement here between 400 and 600 A.D.

The stone has a particularly good example of the “fish” symbol which is common to many such stones and may have had a Christian significance. Above it there would have been an eagle of which only the feet and tail remain.

Through the centuries, the people of Wester Ross have developed a strong relationship with the land and sea. The conditions are exposed and the terrain difficult to cross and cultivate, leaving the area very sparsely populated. Settlement is focused where the land meets the sea and at the confluences of major glens, as people typically make a living by combining cultivation of the flatter, less stony ground with fishing and harvesting produce from the sea. Heather moorland provides grazing for sheep and red deer.

4 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan Biodiversity Aims ‹ Undertake a literature and data search to make the existing information more accessible The following aims have been agreed for the Wester and identify any major gaps in our collective Ross Biodiversity Action Plan. More habitat-specific knowledge. (Suggested partners: Scottish objectives are given in each of the six main chapters. Natural Heritage, Highland Council, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Forestry ‹ To ensure that all habitats are managed in a Commission Scotland, Scottish Wildlife Trust, sustainable manner that takes account of their Highland Biological Recording Group) biodiversity interests. ‹ Improve the funding and resources available ‹ To create more opportunities for individuals, to the Highland Biological Records Centre. communities and agencies to take action for (Suggested partners: as above) biodiversity by promoting existing projects, securing additional support for new initiatives ‹ Encourage the collection of local records at that help maintain or improve biodiversity, centres such as the Strathcarron, Gairloch and and by publicising existing sources of funding Ullapool Learining Centre. (Suggested and advice. partners: as above, Strathcarron, Gairloch and Ullapool Learning Centres) ‹ To raise awareness of the biodiversity of Wester Ross amongst local people, visitors, funding organisations and policy makers by developing quality education at all levels, and by improving access to information about important species and habitats and their management requirements.

‹ To establish a future mechanism to help individuals, community groups, businesses and partners to deliver the Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan, monitor progress and share information on biodiversity matters.

Recurring Themes & Actions

The following themes and actions have been identified in many of the broad habitat sections, and projects to address them are crucial to the delivery of Wester Ross Fisheries Trust Tournaig trap for eels. this Plan: Lack of co-ordination Lack of knowledge There is currently no biodiversity-focused group or The drafting of this Plan has been severely forum with sufficient remit or geographical coverage hampered by the lack of information on the extent to pick up on the work of the Wester Ross and local issues facing both national and local Biodiversity Group, review the Plan periodically and priority habitats and species. Information on the less report on progress to deliver the Plan. However, the well-known species such as invertebrates, fungi, Group was set up under the auspices of the Wester lichens and underwater species is particularly Ross Alliance, and there may be scope to initiate a lacking. more permanent environmental group, with support from the Wester Ross Alliance. Projects that increase our knowledge of the location and management needed for these habitats and ‹ Initiate an Environmental Sub Group under species would be welcome. Such work would help the umbrella of the Wester Ross Alliance to us monitor the success of this and other biodiversity help deliver the Wester Ross Biodiversity plans and projects, and the results will help the Action Plan and other sustainable projects in funding bodies target their limited resources to the area. (Suggested partners: Wester Ross where they are most needed. Alliance, Scottish Natural Heritage, Highland Council)

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 5 Lack of awareness Invasive species

Many responses to the consultation over this Plan There are many non-native species naturalised in identified a lack of awareness of the biodiversity of Wester Ross that do not give rise to concern in Wester Ross, and people requested a strong need for biodiversity terms. However, some non-native more user-friendly information and interpretation species, such as Rhododendron ponticum and Japanese on wildlife, their habitats and the surrounding knotweed are invasive and causing problems for our issues. Projects such as the ‘Know Your Own Patch’ native plants. works at Strathcarron, Lochcarron Primary, Laide & Aultbea Woodland and Isle Martin have been well In some areas, native species such as ragwort and received this year, and along with the ongoing work bracken are spreading uncontrollably, threatening of the Highland Council and National Trust for local plant species and causing problems for stock Scotland Ranger Services, are very important to the management. However, pockets of bracken can delivery of this Plan. provide a valuable habitat for species such as the pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly. There is a need for an appropriate balance to be struck.

The spread of American mink is causing problems for species such as water vole and wading birds, and control and eradication programmes are needed, combined with enhanced monitoring and awareness-raising projects.

‹ Provide training and assistance to land managers in the removal of invasive species such as Rhododendron ponticum and Japanese knotweed. (Suggested partners: National Trust for Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, Lantra, landowners & managers)

Meryl Carr, the Highland Council Ranger, with children ‹ Encourage land managers to trap mink from Gairloch Primary School on the Ridge Trail on through financial assistance and the provision Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve. of free traps. (Suggested partners: Scottish Natural Heritage, land managers) ‹ Encourage further ‘Know Your Own Patch’ projects with local schools and groups to raise awareness of the biodiversity on people’s doorsteps, as well as using more formal awareness-raising tools such as leaflets, displays, a ‘Wester Ross Biodiversity’ video interpretiative trails and guided walks. (Suggested partners: Wester Ross Rangers, Scottish Natural Heritage, schools, community groups, land managers)

‹ Encourage land managers to find out more about the flora and fauna on their land, and to integrate the conservation and enhancement of local wildlife with commercial objectives. (Suggested partners: Scottish Landowners Rhododendron clearing (National Trust for Scotland) Federation, Scottish Natural Heritage, landowners & managers) Renewable energy

‹ Encourage developers to take biodiversity Wester Ross has a huge potential for renewable into account. (Suggested partners: Highland energy, and such new developments could bring Council, Scottish Natural Heritage) employment and income to the area.

However, tidal, wave, hydro and wind power are not always beneficial for local biodiversity, and new proposals should identify and address any activities

6 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan that could be potentially damaging to local habitats and species (e.g. marine life, migratory fish, freshwater pearl mussels, raptor species).

‹ Produce a review of the potential of sites for the generation of onshore and offshore wind, wave, tidal and hydro-power, which helps guide developments away from sensitive areas, including biodiversity issues as part of a wider piece of work. (Suggested partners: Highland Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, renewable energy companies)

Wildlife crime

The removal of water lilies from ponds or bluebell bulbs from woods, the collection of rare birds’ eggs and the deliberate or accidental killing of birds of prey and other protected species have been identified as key issues threatening our biodiversity.

‹ Raise awareness amongst local people and the walking and climbing fraternity, and encourage people to report any suspicious behaviour. (Suggested partners: Scottish Natural Heritage, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Northern Constabulary)

Golden eagle and chick.

1 Source: Reaka-Kudla, M L, Wilson, D E & Wilson, E O eds 1997. Biodiversity II: understanding and protecting our biological resources. Joseph Henry Press, Washington

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 7 8 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan Chapter 1: Sea and Coast

Introduction

Proximity to the sea has a huge influence on the biological richness of Wester Ross.

The area has a long, varied and very beautiful coastline, ranging from exposed headlands to deeply indented, extremely sheltered sea lochs. The Wester Ross sea lochs are true fjords, with ice-scoured basins separated from each other and from the open sea by relatively narrow and shallow sills, and in Scotland are features found only on the west coast.

Photos of: Fish farm boat with cages on horizon, Loch Torridon, Flame shell, Bottlenosed dolphins and Applecross Bay.

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 9 The coast supports a wide variety of habitats (calcareous seaweed) beds. Rich mixed sediments including coastal heaths and cliffs, rocky shores, with many burrowing animals occur in many parts sandy beaches, sand dunes and salt marshes. Our of the lochs, and seagrass beds grow in some cliffs and islands are home to large numbers of shallow, sheltered bays. seabirds, which feed at sea and come ashore to nest and rear their young, while harbour (common) seals Our sea lochs are also important nursery grounds for produce their pups on offshore rocks and skerries. cod and other commercially important fish species, and the outer lochs and open waters are frequented by whales, dolphins, porpoises and seals. Wester Ross is in a fortunate geographical position where both southern and northern marine species occur, and the overlap of these on our coasts adds considerably to the biodiversity compared with the equivalent latitude on the east coast.

Sea and sea loch

The open coasts of Wester Ross are partly sheltered by Raasay and Skye in the south, and by the island chain of the Western Isles across the Minch. The seashores are predominantly rocky, covered with barnacles and seaweeds. An offshore rock in Outer Loch Torridon is the northern recorded limit for a Turnstone and Ringed plover frequent the mouth of the spongy green seaweed, Codium adhaerens. A few Sand river in winter. Tracks of otter can often be seen in clean sandy beaches break the rocky coastline, with the sands nearby. good examples at Achnahaird, Red Point and Gairloch. Underwater, the special habitats greatly enhance the marine biodiversity of the area. Inside the quiet, Sealoch shores are mainly very sheltered and sheltered basins, conditions on the seabed are covered with dense brown seaweeds. Crofter’s wig similar to those in the very deep sea off the (Ascophyllum nodosum ecad mackaii) is a very continental shelf, especially when a layer of peaty distinctive form of the common egg or knotted fresh or brackish water floats on the surface after wrack, which lives unattached on the shore in very rain, cutting out light and insulating the water below sheltered corners where there is some regular from marked temperature changes. Here, mud and freshwater influence. This seaweed is found in west rock at relatively shallow depths support animals coast sea lochs and nowhere else in the world, and which are more typical of very deep water. has its own action plan. Another brown seaweed, moss wrack (Fucus muscoides) grows only a centimetre or two high in saltmarsh turf.

Rock face in tidal narrows with soft corals, sponges, urchins, brown crab, common starfish, featherstars and painted goby. Loch Carron. Crofters wig, North Strome.

By contrast, strong water currents in the tidal narrows and rapids nourish a wide range of animals, and communities here include horse mussel reefs, flame shell reefs, brittlestar beds and maerl

10 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan Underwater, there is often a mixed seabed in shallow water, with rock outcrops in clean sediments of coarse sand and shell gravel. Boulders and bedrock are covered with several kinds of kelp, and the rocks are often scoured by nearby sand.

In deeper water the sediments change from coarse grained sands to fine muds, which are inhabited by a variety of burrowing animals, while deep water featherstars are common on rocks. In the Inner Sound between Raasay and Applecross are some of the deepest inshore waters in Britain, at over 200m.

In the deep mud basins, commercially important Giant naked foraminiferan. Nephrops (prawn) populations live in mud burrows amongst giant sea pens a metre tall, together with Seagrass beds grow on shallow sand in a few Fries’s goby, burrowing brittlestars, burrowing locations, with clingfish, pipefish and stalked crustaceans and anemones. Loch Diabaig is the only jellyfish being some of the more interesting place in Britain where the big deepwater brittlestar inhabitants. Asteronyx loveni, which lives clinging onto giant seapens, has been seen by divers in relatively shallow water at 32m.

Great pipefish in seagrass, Loch Sheildaig.

Maerl beds are of particular importance as they are Deepwater brittlestar, Loch Diabaig. only found in 1% of UK’s inshore waters. Maerl is made up of several species of red algae, which form Deep, sheltered rock is another rare habitat found pink, branched nodules that lie loose on the seabed. only in the sealoch basins, again with a very Its white chalky skeleton is the main constituent of distinctive community on underwater cliffs of white the ‘coral’ strands in some places on the west coast. sealoch anemones, ancient shelled brachiopods, seasquirts, peacock fan worms, brittlestars, deepwater featherstars and strange sponges. This community is found on the south side of Loch Carron.

A greater variety of animals inhabit shallower mixed sediments. Here lives a curious ‘giant’ foraminiferan made of a single cell up to 5cm across, only recently described from a few Scottish sea lochs, including Loch Torridon and Loch Carron.

The rare and nationally important fan mussel has been found at the entrance to Loch Carron in recent years. There are more familiar animals in and on these sediments too – brittlestars, starfish, hermit crabs, brown crabs, squat lobsters, flatfish and many more. Maerl bed with sunstars, brittlestars & soft coral.

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 11 Maerl grows in relatively exposed places near Dolphins, whales and even turtles have been sealoch entrances, as on the south side of Loch recorded in the waters off Wester Ross. The most Torridon and in Loch Carron, as well as in tidal frequent visitors are the harbour porpoise, the minke narrows. Many small marine animals find shelter whale, Risso’s dolphin and the common dolphin, amongst its branches, including the larvae and which can occasionally be seen from the shore. The young stages of commercially important fish and bottle-nosed dolphin, northern bottle-nosed whale shellfish. A rich community of bivalves, burrowing and killer whales are also recorded. Within the sea urchins, sea cucumbers and worms inhabit the maerl lochs the most common cetacean is the harbour gravel which accumulates beneath the living layers. porpoise, while both grey and common seals come Maerl is fragile, and the beds are vulnerable to close to the shore to feed, rest and raise their pups. mechanical damage and smothering. Leatherback turtles are sometimes found swimming in our waters, brought northwards on the Gulf Tidal rapids and narrows are particularly rich Stream. hotspots of marine biodiversity, and often contain a mosaic of different communities in a small area. Particularly important habitats include horse mussel reefs and flame shell reefs. Horse mussels use strong byssus threads to bind together seabed materials such as stones and shells. Flame shells use their byssus threads to build nests with an opening at each end, making a labyrinth of chambers over the seabed. Both molluscs stabilise the mobile sediment seabed so that a wide variety of other animals can live on or in it, greatly increasing the biodiversity.

Bottlenosed dolphins in sealoch, Loch Carron.

Sea lochs are also important feeding areas for both black-throated and red-throated divers. These magnificent birds breed on the freshwater lochs of the area. Gairloch is one of several lochs of special importance with groups of 10-20+ black-throated divers present during much of the year.

Salt marsh and saline lagoon

Salt marshes are not as well represented in Wester Flame shell in opened nest, Loch Carron. Ross as they are in many other parts of the Highlands. They tend to be small patches at the Over time, ‘biogenic’ (built by living creatures) reefs heads of lochs, with those at Loch Broom, Little Loch become built up above the surrounding seabed by Broom, Achnahaird, and Loch Carron being the the accumulation of dead shells and seabed largest. materials. Horse mussel and flame shell reefs occur in Strome narrows, Loch Carron, and horse mussel beds are also present in Loch Broom and Little Loch Broom. Other important communities in tidal narrows include dense beds of brittlestars, maerl, and abundant soft corals on rock.

Commercial fishing is important in the sea lochs and open waters of Wester Ross. The waters of the Minch and the west coast of Scotland have always been rich fishing grounds. Nowadays common skate, cod, hake, herring, mackerel, plaice, saithe, sole, monkfish and ling are still caught in inshore waters, but not in any great numbers. The majority of the commercial fishing relies on prawns Nephrops norvegicus with squat lobsters, crabs, lobsters and Thrift in bloom at high tide, Loch Carron. scallops also being caught. 12 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan They are, however, a beautiful sight in late spring which nests in machair grass land and the marram when thousands of thrift flowers turn the saltmarsh zone of dunes. It is noticeable on sunny days in June turf pink, and are also very important for flowers when the bees fly in a dense carpet over the ground such as the annual eyebright Euphrasia heslop- surface visiting nesting holes and mating. harrisonii which, although very rare, has been recorded in South West Ross. Coastal vegetated shingle is of global geomorphological importance although it is also Saline lagoons in the UK are essentially bodies, only present to a limited extent, for example at natural or artificial, of saline water partially Inverasdale. separated from the adjacent sea. They retain a proportion of their sea water at low tide and may develop as brackish, full saline or hyper-saline water bodies. Only two small brackish lagoons were reported by Marine Nature Conservation Review (MNCR) surveys on this coast, at Reiff and Loch an Eisg Brachaidh, both with typical impoverished fauna and flora. Beds of tasselweed Ruppia species were reported in Loch an Eisg Brachaidh in the 1950s, but none was seen on recent surveys. Ob Mheallaidh in Loch Torridon is a fully saline lagoon with rich molluscan fauna and small amounts of seagrass.

Coast near Applecross with wind-pruned birch and maerl (‘coral’) spit.

Coastal cliff and heath

There are around 100 kilometres of coastal cliffs in the north-west Highlands. Rubha Reidh, Greenstone Point, Priest Island, the Summer Isles and Reiff are all good examples and support important bird colonies. From May to August these cliffs may be home to puffins, fulmars, kittiwakes, razorbills, guillemots, black guillemots, cormorants and shags. Ob Mheallaidh, Loch Torridon. Priest Island is internationally important for its large colony of storm petrels, and other sites such as the Dune and machair Summer Isles are heavily visited every year by keen bird watchers. Beaches are an important part of the Wester Ross landscape and they also add to the diversity of habitats. There are fine examples at Achnahaird, Red Point and Gairloch. The sand dunes at Achnahaird support the species petalwort of the ancient liverwort plant group, as well as the dune slack mosses matted bryum and sea bryum. All three of these species are very rare and only occur in a single 10km square in Scotland. Ringed plover and oystercatcher breed on pebble-cobble beaches such as at Big Sand.

Machair is very limited in Wester Ross, only found in small patches at Mellon Udrigle, Opinan and Achnahaird. These sites are all very important locally, supporting a diverse array of plant species Loch Kishorn from Bealach Na Ba, Applecross Peninsula. on the soils enriched by blown shell sand, such as tri-colour pansy, selfheal, red bartsia, hogweed and various orchid and grass species. Hogweed is an important food source for the northern colletes bee,

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 13 Maritime heath is present to a limited extent at Red Regulating Order to enable shellfish stocks in the Point, Isle Martin, the Summer Isles and Scoraig. Highland area to be managed locally, and the This lowland heath has a coastal influence but does Scottish Executive has agreed to draft the Order for not have many of the key and interesting maritime consultation. heath species such as spring squill and the Scottish primrose.

Objectives

‹ Ensure that marine and coastal habitats are managed sustainably, recognising that the natural integrity of habitats is important for biodiversity, and is therefore likely to be important in providing the optimum yield of managed resources.

‹ Ensure that future marine developments take account of biodiversity, and actively encourage developments which enhance biodiversity or which have no adverse Loch Carron / Slumbay. impacts on it. The Torridon Creel Fishing Management Plan was ‹ Raise general awareness about local marine established in November 2000, when an area closed life, coastal habitats and marine resources, to all mobile fishing gear was set up for an initial and the importance of biodiversity in period of five years, between Red Point, and the maintaining the health of these. south end of the BUTEC Range in the Inner Sound of Rona, including Loch Torridon. ‹ Include consideration of biodiversity in the formation of local coastal zone management Shieldaig Export Ltd has fitted escape panels to all plans. creels used by boats landing prawns with the company. The escape panels have been designed to Main Issues allow juvenile prawns to escape and return to their burrows, resulting in an increase in the minimum 1.1 Fishing size of prawns caught, raising the value of the catch and improving the sustainability of the fishery in the Issues: The numbers and variety of commercial fish long term. species such as herring, cod and haddock, which were once common in the area, have been greatly reduced by fishing and other factors. Over the last 20 years the seabird population has declined, linked to a reduction in the availability of the main foodstock of sandeels and young fish. Commercial fishing of sandeels for fuel and animal and fish farm feed is unsustainable, as they form the base of the food chain for a number of larger fish, bird and mammal species.

Mobile bottom fishing gear used in trawling or dredging can cause extensive damage to some types of seabed, including the spawning beds of local fish species such as cod, haddock and plaice. Ghost fishing from lost creels and nets is also an issue, and Prawn, Loch Shieldaig. thought should be given to the use of biodegradable creel materials to minimise this. An international project has been initiated in the area of Loch Broom and Little Loch Broom to Current projects: Local fishermen have set up the produce an Integrated Coastal Zone Management Highland Shellfish Management Organisation Plan (ICZMP), which will identify the key issues and (HSMO), with support from The Highland Council, work with marine and coastal users to find ways of Scottish Natural Heritage and Highlands & Islands addressing them. Enterprise. The Company is applying for a

14 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan Future actions:

‹ Lobby for a ban on the commercial fishing for sandeels, and encourage the aquaculture industry to use by-catch and fish waste from processing plants in its feed. (Suggested partners: individuals, politicians)

‹ Subject to the results of monitoring, give consideration to the extension of the Loch Torridon Creel Fishing Management Plan for inshore creel-only fishing to other areas, and a reinstatement of the three mile trawling limit. (Suggested partners: fishermen’s groups, managers, scientists) Inoculating fish at Kinloch Damph Ltd, Kishorn.

‹ Encourage research into the potential for Current projects: The aquaculture industry has made fishing species other than Nephrops, possibly improvements over the past few years to combat as part of a PhD project. (Suggested partners: problems associated with pollution and Scottish Executive, Scottish Natural Heritage) environmental impact, and discharges are regulated by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). The maximum biomass of fish that may be held on each site is determined by SEPA as part of the discharge consent application for each fish farm, and is site specific.

All new sites and expansions to existing sites are likely to be subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Local authorities and other regulators are working together to improve the quality of fish farm EIAs as one of the outputs of the Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture.

The Highland Council has produced Aquaculture Framework Plans for some areas within the Fish farm boat with cages on horizon, Loch Carron. Highland area that seek to locate developments in the most suitable sites and highlight issues that 1.2 Aquaculture would need to be considered by the applicant, such as the impact on national priority habitats and Issues: Both finfish and shellfish farming take place species. A Plan prepared in 1998 is in place for Loch in Wester Ross, and the industry is a major source of Torridon, which the Council will review in due employment for local people. Although shellfish course. farming and ranching in its current form apparently causes minimal impact on the marine environment, concerns have been expressed over the effects of finfish farming.

Pollution from nutrient enrichment and the use of fish medications toxic to other marine wildlife has been raised as an issue, particularly within the semi- enclosed environment of sea lochs. Inter-breeding of farmed stock with wild fish and the spread of sea lice and fish diseases have also been identified as issues, and there are concerns that new species such as cod and halibut will be farmed on a large scale before a proper assessment has been made of the potential impact of this change.

Fish farm salmon smolts in shore tank, Kishorn.

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 15 Loch Torridon and Loch Carron are Marine sea trout and freshwater pearl mussel with Consultation Areas (MCAs). This is a non-statutory regard to the siting of new fish farms. designation given by Scottish Natural Heritage to an (Suggested partners: Highland Council, area that is considered to be of particular value with consultees) respect to its ecological quality and sensitivity. The MCA designation is intended to increase ‹ Encourage the transfer of planning powers conservation awareness within communities and from the Crown Estate to local authorities at planning bodies and to provide a focus for the earliest opportunity. (Suggested partners: management purposes. Scottish Executive, Crown Estate, Highland Council) The Tripartite Working Group is a national body set up to resolve conflicting views between fish farming and wild fisheries interests. It consists of representatives of the fish farming industry, wild fisheries and the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department, and has recommended that Area Management Groups be set up locally to agree Area Management Agreements covering issues such as the monitoring and management of sea lice and escapes. In Wester Ross, Area Management Groups have been set up for Loch Kishorn and Loch Carron.

The Seafield College at Kishorn and commercial fish farming companies have used their facilities to assist local Wester Ross rivers to restock with farmed Tourist boat with seal colony behind, Loch Kishorn/ native stock. There are further opportunities Carron. throughout Scotland to use professional hatcheries to grow native salmon smolts and restock Scottish 1.3 Recreation & tourism rivers. Issues: As wildlife and marine tourism increases, there is a major need being expressed for better interpretation for local people which could also feed into opportunities such as sealife centres or diver facilities. It is important however that recreation opportunities are managed to avoid damaging impacts, such as the disturbance of cetaceans (e.g. porpoises) by speedboats, or the disruption of nesting birds such as oystercatcher or ringed plover by walkers or dogs in May and June. Across the whole range of habitat types there is concern over the lack of information and education currently being provided, and a major need for better interpretation for local people as well as visitors.

Fish farm tanks, Loch Kishorn. Anchoring can potentially cause damage to fragile seabed communities such as seagrass and maerl Future actions: beds, and if these areas were to be identified skippers could be encouraged to avoid them in usual ‹ Encourage fish farmers to synchronise their circumstances. production within a Management Area, and site cages away from the mouths of rivers and Current projects: The Seawatch Foundation has been streams. (Suggested partners: Members of the actively involved in the monitoring of cetaceans Tripartite Working Group, Area Management throughout Scotland. It is seeking to encourage Groups) more local involvement, and has a website where sightings can be recorded. ‹ Broaden the coverage of Aquaculture Framework Plans to the whole of Wester Ross, Seasearch is a national project for volunteer sports and ensure that they address potential divers who have an interest in what they’re seeing impacts on species such as Atlantic salmon, underwater, want to learn more and want to help

16 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan protect the marine environment. The main aim is to Future actions: record species and map out the various types of seabed found in the near-shore zone, up to about 5 ‹ Support and promote green tourism miles off the coast or 30m depth in selected locations businesses associated with the sea and coast, around the British Isles. Seasearch surveys have and encourage wildlife watching facilities to been carried out in Loch Torridon, and are planned adhere to standard codes of good practice. for Loch Carron in 2004. (Suggested partners: Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board, Tourism & the Environment Forum, Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage)

‹ Support communities wishing to help manage their marine and coastal environments, such as the Inverasdale community, which is seeking to stabilise the dune systems and improve habitats around the shoreline of West Loch Ewe. (Suggested partners: Scottish Natural Heritage, Highland Council, Ross & Cromarty Enterprise)

Lochcarron Sailing Club

The Isle Martin Trust and pupils of Ullapool High School are working together to find out more about the wildlife of the island and run guided walks for tourists over the summer.

The Loch Torridon Initiative is a partnership between organisations and local communities to Gairloch High School pupils planting marram grass on implement a series of projects. These projects Gairloch beach. include the provision of interpretation around the loch, the improvement of the marketing of shellfish ‹ Develop a hide on the shores of Loch Ewe to and the provision of electronic logbooks for data enhance education and interpretation of the analysis. area. (Suggested partners: National Trust for Scotland, local community) Local people have initiated a Wester Ross Marine Reserve Partnership to bring forward a proposal to ‹ Provide an indoor viewing platform with designate areas of Wester Ross as a Marine Reserve telescope, binoculars and spotting information or Park. The Partnership is distributing a series of at Rua Reidh lighthouse. (Suggested partners: marine postcards, which it hopes will raise Owners, Scottish Natural Heritage, Ross & awareness of the richness of the underwater Cromarty Enterprise, Wester Ross Ranger Service, environment of Little Loch Broom and Annat Bay. Royal Society for the Protection of Birds)

Ullapool Fish Week is due to take place in May 2004, ‹ Supply a close-circuit camera facility with and offers an opportunity to raise awareness of the video and computer links at a prominent marine environment. location such as Rua Reidh, which could be augmented by a lighthouse display, interest sessions for children and short interpretive walks along the cliffs. (Suggested partners: as above)

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 17 ‹ Erect an interpretative board at Shieldaig and current status of the native oyster population in other suitable locations to explain the Scotland and identify actions to help it recover. relationship between village and sea. (Suggested partners: local communities, Scottish Scottish Natural Heritage has initiated a research Natural Heritage, Ross & Cromarty Enterprise) project on the national priority habitat Zostera marina (eel grass) beds, in North West Ross and West ‹ Investigate the feasibility of a Scottish Sea Life Sutherland, to build up a picture of distribution. Restoration Centre in Gairloch. This would be a major new visitor centre to promote greater Future actions: awareness of the marine environment, its fisheries and wildlife in order to encourage ‹ Carry out marine surveys and monitoring conservation, restoration and sustainable work on national and local priority habitats management of all marine resources. and species to help fill gaps in our knowledge. (Suggested partners: local community, interest (Suggested partners: Scottish Natural Heritage, groups, Ross & Cromarty Enterprise) Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Marine Conservation Society, local ‹ Identify and map fragile marine habitats such recorders and diving clubs) as maerl beds and seagrass beds, and make this information available to sailors and boat ‹ Carry out marine audits, e.g. of Little Loch users. (Suggested partners: Scottish Natural Broom & Annat Bay, including an assessment Heritage , UK Hydrographic Office, Clyde of water quality & the habitats and species Cruising Club) present in the area. (Suggested partners: local community & interest groups, Wester Ross Marine Reserve Partnership)

Upper Loch Torridon

1.5 Climate Change

Issues: The impact of changes in sea temperatures Mellon Udrigle boardwalk and levels as a result of climate change has been raised as an issue. Temperature increases could 1.4 Lack of species & habitat information result in a loss of some species, which are currently at the southern edge of their range (for example, Issues: There is a general lack of knowledge on the northern sea fan, white trumpet anemone, stone distribution of many marine and coastal habitats and crab, wolf fish), but could also bring in southern species in Wester Ross, some of which are rare or species, which are at the northern edge of their range threatened. This is of concern because if we do not (for example, purple urchin, cotton spinner (a sea know where they are or what impacts on their cucumber), red soft coral, featherstar prawn). An health, we may lose them from our waters. alternative scenario predicts possible dramatic decreases in water temperatures in the North Current projects: A survey is currently being carried Atlantic if the present major current systems are out to establish the distribution and abundance of altered. the colletes bee in Wester Ross. Whilst there is little that can be done to counteract Scottish Natural Heritage is currently carrying out a this change, we know relatively little about the National Oyster Survey, which seeks to clarify the distribution of many of our rare and ‘indicator’ 18 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan marine species, and there is a need for further The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) underwater surveys and monitoring projects. will play the leading role, with participation from local stakeholder groups, by preparing a series of Current projects: Scottish Natural Heritage and River Basin Management Plans setting out others are monitoring climate change and modelling environmental objectives and programmes of action the implications on our habitats and species. to deliver them.

Future actions:

‹ Continue to monitor and model changes in our sea temperatures and levels, and associated impacts on Wester Ross species, and feed this information in to management plans. (Suggested partners: Scottish Natural Heritage, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology)

New sewerage system being installed, Main Street, Lochcarron.

Shore shellfish conservation

In some areas, concerns have been expressed about the potentially negative impacts of gathering shore shellfish such as cockles and winkles. Although small-scale gathering is not generally considered to be a problem, if carried out on a large and commercial scale, it can remove a valuable source of food for shore birds.

Grazing pressure

Grazing is an important factor in maintaining coastal Kelp forest habitats such as saltmarsh and machair, but excessive pressure on the foreshore can have an 1.6 Other issues adverse impact on the habitats of a range of species. Coastal grazing should be managed with Pollution and litter biodiversity in mind.

Although the local marine environment is relatively clean by UK standards, there are concerns over the discharge of untreated sewage, marine litter and fly tipping on the foreshore.

Adopted by European Union member states in 2000, the Water Framework Directive aims to maintain the quality and enhance the status, including the ecological health, of Europe’s waters. In Spring 2003 the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act (WEWS Act) was adopted by the Scottish Executive setting out key principles and instructions for how the Directive is to be implemented in Scotland. All freshwaters and coastal waters within 3 nautical miles of the shore are included. Sheep being fed on the beach at Cove/Inverasdale.

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 19 Renewable energy

As renewable energy technologies develop, there are likely to be new pressures emerging on the marine habitats, including the blocking or alteration of water currents, for solid tidal barriers, which can have drastic effects on marine life. Further research is also required into the potential impacts of undersea cables from offshore windfarms on the migration patterns of cetaceans.

Shipping disasters

The danger of a ship running aground in our waters was highlighted by the sinking of the Jambo in June 2003, with its cargo of zinc concentrate. In addition to the financial and human costs that may arise from such events, our marine and coastal biodiversity could be severely damaged by pollution from diesel, oil or the ship’s cargo.

The Highland Council and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar are lobbying for the designation of the Minches as a Maritime Environment High Risk Area with Particularly Sensitive Sea Area status, which would enable the UK Government to establish international rules and standards to control shipping in the area.

In addition, they are requesting that a number of measures be introduced for vessels carrying over 2,500 tonnes of oil as bunkers or cargo, including the prohibition of single hulled vessels, recommended routing, reporting for transit and compulsory pilotage.

Applecross bay.

20 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan Chapter 2: River, Loch and Wetland

Introduction

In such a mountainous area as Wester Ross with high rainfall, impervious rocks and shallow, peaty soils, it is no surprise that short, spatey rivers are common throughout the area, and the land is dappled with lochs and wetlands of all sizes and shapes.

These lochs and rivers are important not only for wildlife, but also for their social, recreational and economic uses.

Photos of: Otters on loch side, Loch Clair, Northern emerald dragonfly, Abhainn Gleann na Muice and Black- throated diver.

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 21 River up-stream. Adult mussels grow slowly and can live for over 100 years. The population in the River Wester Ross hosts many river systems that support Kerry is particularly large and healthy, and the River important populations of salmon and sea trout. The has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Ullapool, Gruinard, Little Gruinard rivers and River Interest (SSSI) and candidate Special Area of Ewe are of particular local importance for their Conservation (cSAC) for its pearl mussels. populations of Atlantic salmon, although numbers of adult fish have declined in recent years. Salmon have excellent navigation that helps them overcome many obstacles to reach their home ground. Salmon and trout only breed in healthy, well-oxygenated waters. Young fish feed on a wide diversity of small freshwater and terrestrial animals, particularly insect larvae.

Freshwater pearl mussel from the River Kerry. It is now illegal to handle pearl mussels without a licence.

Populations of otters and water voles, as elsewhere on the west coast, are particularly strong and healthy in Wester Ross. Although otters are more noticeable in sheltered coastal areas, where they tend to be more diurnal in habits, they are Alder trees add nitrogen to riparian soils and their roots widespread in freshwaters throughout Wester Ross. help to prevent river banks from eroding. Otters are largely dependant on the fish which occur in lochs and rivers for their diet, although The many pollution-free rivers support a rich amphibians can also be an important food item for diversity of insects. Fast-flowing headwater streams them throughout the year. are usually dominated by stonefly (e.g. large crawlers such as Perlodes and smaller Leuctra) and The water vole has been recorded throughout the mayfly larvae (e.g. flat-headed Ecdyonurus and fast- area, and the limited survey work which has been swimming Baetis). Many kinds of caddis fly (sedge carried out shows that colonies can even be found at fly) larvae make a transportable web case which relatively high altitude where there is suitable they cover in sand, small stones or plant material. habitat. Elsewhere in Britain, predation by They, together with crane-fly larvae and water introduced American mink seems to have been a beetles, are more common in slower-flowing water factor in the decline of water voles. Up to now and lochs. Wester Ross has been free of mink but recently several individuals have been recorded. The freshwater pearl mussel, Margaritifera margaritifera was once common throughout Europe but has suffered huge declines as a result of pollution, habitat changes and pearl fishing. Pearl mussels live in gravel beds in clean, fast flowing rivers, and Wester Ross rivers support populations of international importance. The adults feed by filtering out small food particles from the water, and can play an important part in maintaining water quality in these upland rivers. Their life cycle is unusual in that the tiny larvae, called glochidia, which are released into the water by adult mussels attach onto the gills of young salmon and trout, where they live and grow for over a year before dropping off and settling into the gravel. This doesn’t harm the fish, but can help the mussels move Otters on loch side. 22 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan Loch the divers breeding success it can also depend on stable water levels at the nesting time (nests are on The majority of lochs in Wester Ross are classed as loch shores so can be flooded with rapid rises in loch oligotrophic, which means acidic and poor in levels) and on a lack of human disturbance. nutrients. Despite this they are home to some very important species. Loch Maree is the largest loch and Though seldom fished for and less well known, one of the most beautiful in Scotland. Every year arctic char are also present in many of the lochs. thousands of sea trout (sea going brown trout) Char are descended from sea-going ancestral return to the loch from the surrounding seas where populations that were cut off from the sea after the they fed on young herring, sprats, sandeels and last Ice Age. They tend to remain in deeper water other fish. In this way sea trout and salmon provide during the summer months, moving to loch margins an important link between marine and freshwater in autumn to spawn, when they have a beautiful red habitats and biodiversity. Lochs and rivers are colouration. An unusual stream spawning char important in terms of recreational fishing for brown population inhabits Loch na Sealga. trout, sea trout and salmon and in this respect contribute to the local economy. Caddis fly larvae and damselfly larvae are common around the margins of many lochs. Leptophlebia vespertina is usually the most abundant mayfly. Where the pH is higher, the shrimp Gammarus may be present, providing good feeding for trout. The tiny pea mussel is also found in many waters. In deeper water, non-biting midge larvae are often present in large numbers, and during calm weather in Spring and early Summer, swarms of adults may be seen over lochs.

The marsh clubmoss can be found around the gravelly margins of some of these lochs, and some of the islands support excellent remnants of native woodland, such as the Scots pine woodland on the islands in Loch Maree.

Coulin Pinewoods, Liathach and Beinn Eighe reflected in Loch Clair in the Autumn.

The lochs within Wester Ross also support internationally important concentrations of breeding black-throated diver. This spectacular bird survives here on the southern edge of its range. Divers feed on juvenile fish such as trout that in turn require healthy populations of invertebrates for their survival. Red-throated divers breed on smaller lochs in the area, and adults tend to feed out at sea. Although availability of food is one factor affecting

Oak woods, Loch Maree.

Wetland

Lochans and bog pools are important for amphibians, water beetles and dragonflies, especially where trout are not present. Bog pools near Loch Maree support rarer dragonflies such as the Azure hawker, Northern emerald and White- faced darter. More common species include the spectacular Common hawker and Golden-ringed dragonfly. Black-throated diver on Loch Maree.

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 23 Objectives

‹ Maintain favourable water quality in all water bodies, enhance wildlife status where appropriate and keep some rivers wild.

‹ Restore riparian, flood plain, and loch-side habitats, with substantial increases in the areas of wetted alder, aspen and willow woodlands.

‹ Restore sea trout and salmon populations through habitat regeneration and the removal of unnatural barriers to fish migration. Northern emerald dragonfly. ‹ Use plants and animals (especially fish) of Reedbeds occur in localised small pockets local origin for restocking and regeneration throughout Wester Ross. These areas are important projects, and discourage the introduction of for a range of aquatic plants such as common reed, non-native fish or other species to freshwaters, bogbean, horsetails and occasionally locally scarce including garden ponds. breeding birds such as sedge warblers and reed buntings. In some areas these might be enriched by ‹ Encourage responsible recreation and raise minerals, in which case they are termed fens, and awareness of the biodiversity of lochs, rivers species such as orchids or ragged robin may grow on and wetlands through provision of their marshy edges. interpretative materials and facilities for both local people and visitors to the area.

‹ Promote a holistic approach to freshwater management and conservation, by encouraging collaboration between all land and water users, including estate staff, anglers, wildlife enthusiasts, walkers, local schoolchildren and canoeists.

Main Issues

2.1 Catchment management

Issues: The biodiversity of rivers and lochs is influenced by land use in the water catchment, and issues such as drainage, inappropriate forestry planting, modification of stream banks, overgrazing, inappropriate muirburn and pollution from domestic, industrial or agricultural sources can have an adverse effect on it.

Current projects: The Wester Ross Fisheries Trust is preparing a series of fisheries management plans for the major river systems in Wester Ross. These aim to maximise natural fish production through habitat restoration and to benefit other wildlife. Plans have been completed for the Kanaird, Broom, One of the over 500 lochs and lochans in Wester Ross. Dundonnell, Gruinard, Ewe and Balgy river systems. Following completion of fisheries management plans, riparian corridor restoration projects have been initiated on the Kanaird and Dundonnel rivers, and similar work is ongoing within the upper Ewe catchment area.

24 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan Future actions:

‹ Restore important flood plain woodlands in straths above Loch Dughaill (Achnashellach forest, River Carron) and Loch na Sealga (Gruinard). (Suggested partners: local groups, Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Native Woodlands, Trees for Life, Wester Ross Fisheries Trust)

‹ Restore semi-natural ponds and wetlands in Flowerdale Estate to tie in with the new public footpath network. (Suggested partners: Scottish Natural Heritage, Wester Ross Fisheries Trust, Gairloch Estate, local groups)

‹ Promote projects that improve the habitat for salmon and sea trout. (Suggested partners: Scottish Natural Heritage, Wester Ross Fisheries Trust, Forestry Commission, land managers) River Lair catchment above Loch Doughaill, Achnashellach. ‹ Encourage the drawing up of catchment management plans to identify issues in Crofters and farmers are required to follow the specific river catchments and agree a means of Prevention of Pollution from Agricultural Activity addressing them. (Suggested partners: Scottish (PEPFAA) Code, and Scottish Environment Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Natural Protection Agency monitors discharges into water Heritage, Wester Ross Fisheries Trust, land bodies from agricultural, forestry and domestic managers) sources. ‹ Help conserve numbers of breeding black- A burn restoration project is being carried out at throated divers by installing further artificial Slattadale, by Loch Maree, with involvement from rafts in some Wester Ross lochs. (Suggested Forest Enterprise, Wester Ross Fisheries Trust, partners: Scottish Natural Heritage, Royal Society Scottish Natural Heritage, and Scottish Native for the Protection of Birds, land managers) Woodlands. This project involves the restoration of habitats through, for example, the removal of conifers close to burn-sides and replanting with broad leaves.

Rhiddoroch Estate has successfully carried out an extensive regeneration programme of riparian alder woodlands.

Fly fishermen catch large trout and pike in Loch Bad an Scalaig.

Gorse often becomes the dominant plant on river gravel floodplains. Loch Doughaill, Achnashellach.

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 25 2.2 Decline in salmon & sea trout populations Future actions:

Issues: Salmon and sea trout migrate from inland ‹ Restore access for migratory fish into many lochs and rivers out to the sea. They are in extreme smaller river systems, including the River decline which, as described above, has knock-on Kerry, Abhainn a Mhuillinn, Allt Beithe, Allt effects on the freshwater pearl mussel populations. an t-Slagain, and Allt bad an Luig, and provide easier fish passage through Council Current projects: The River Carron Restoration and culverts (Suggested partners: Wester Ross Restocking Programme, initiated and managed by Fisheries Trust, local groups, Highland Council) Seafield College is now into its sixth year and seeks to restore prolific self-sustaining fisheries for wild ‹ Work with local angling clubs and salmon and sea trout in the river. Information from communities to manage habitats for, monitor this project is now being used to inform restoration and report any illegal incidents relating to projects in other river systems. pearl mussels (ref: River Kerry Conservation Strategy). (Suggested partners: Scottish Natural Heritage, local angling clubs, local communities)

Stripping eggs from sea trout for captive breeding project. Glenmore, Kishorn.

Many rivers and estates throughout Wester Ross, with the aid of Seafield College in Kishorn, have Juvenile trout (top) and juvenile salmon (bottom). been carrying out salmon and sea trout restocking programmes, and native fry is released annually.

The Ullapool Angling Club is seeking to restore a self-sustaining wild brown trout fishery within hill lochs through restoration of spawning habitat along a feeder stream.

Habitat for juvenile salmon in the Abhainn Gleann na Muice. View north to An Teallach. Wester Ross Fisheries Trust electro-fishing survey team.

26 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 2.3 Lack of information ‹ Investigate the possibility of a Loch Maree visitor centre to provide information about the Issues: There is a general concern that there remains fisheries, other wildlife and heritage of the a lack of information and awareness of the river and loch, and guidance to promote responsible loch systems in Wester Ross. Education in raising access. (Suggested partners: Wester Ross the profiles of the different habitats will be an Fisheries Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage, important focus. Forestry Commission Scotland)

Current projects: The Wester Ross Wild Trout ‹ Develop aquatic minibeast – terrestrial bug Project, initiated by Wester Ross Fisheries Trust aims hunt trails through habitat management and to promote understanding, greater awareness and provision of interpretative materials for local appropriate management of lochs in Wester Ross. children and holiday-makers to learn about This project has involved surveys of a number of small animals. (Suggested partners: Wester Ross lochs within the area in collaboration with local Fisheries Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage, Wester anglers. Activity days for local children and adults Ross Ranger Services) in Ullapool, Shieldaig and Gairloch have been held. ‹ Collect all available data on the numbers and As a designated conservation site, the mussel distribution of mink and if found to be on the population of the River Kerry is monitored at increase, undertake a control project linked regular intervals. Other aspects which are with awareness raising. (Suggested partners: monitored are the water quality in the river (Scottish Scottish Natural Heritage, land managers, Wester Environment Protection Agency) and the juvenile Ross Ranger Services) fish populations (Wester Ross Fisheries Trust).

A National Lamprey Survey is being carried out by Scottish Natural Heritage.

An interpretative A1 poster, commissioned by Wester Ross Fisheries Trust depicting the fisheries and other wildlife of Loch Maree has been produced for distribution to schools and visitor attractions, and is for sale to the public at local outlets.

Native trees grow on the sides of gorges where sheep and deer are unable to eat them as here along the Fionn abhainn. Poster, illustrated by Robin Ade, showing wildlife living in and around Loch Maree. Copies are available from 2.4 Renewable energy Wester Ross Fisheries Trust. Issues: The development of hydro-schemes can have Future actions: a large impact on freshwater systems. There is therefore a need to ensure that such schemes do not ‹ Develop teaching packages including a ‘trout modify the structure and patterns of water flow to /salmon in the classroom’ project and the detriment of habitats and species, and Wester ‘freshwater lochs’ activity packs for local Ross should retain some areas where the catchment primary schools. (Suggested partners: flow pattern remains natural (the ‘wild rivers’ schoolteachers, Wester Ross Ranger Services, concept). Wester Ross Fisheries Trust)

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 27 Future actions:

‹ Produce locational guidelines for renewable energy, highlighting the most sensitive habitats where new developments should be avoided and identifying rivers where it would be beneficial to retain natural flow patterns for the benefits of species such as salmon, sea trout and pearl mussels. (Suggested partners: Highland Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Wester Ross Fisheries Trust, renewable energy companies)

Regeneration of riparian alder trees may be impaired by grazing pressure. Abhainn Gleann na Muice (view north to An Teallach).

2.5 Access and recreation

Issues: Most anglers, walkers and other loch and river users are respectful of wildlife and are careful not to disturb breeding birds or wildlife. With guidance and information, disturbance of important species including divers can be minimised. Some enthusiasts may also be willing to record and monitor the status of freshwater species.

Future actions:

‹ Support and promote green tourism businesses associated with these habitats. (Suggested partners: Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board, Tourism & the Environment Forum, Scottish Natural Heritage)

28 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan Chapter 3: Croft and Farm Land

Introduction

There are over 1100 crofts in Wester Ross.

A typical croft consists of a small area of enclosed land close to the steading (in-bye land) which is or has been cultivated, and a share of more extensive, common grazing on hill land (out-bye).

There are also a number of farms in the area, e.g. at Applecross, Gairloch and Ullapool. Here, the soils are richer and the fields larger and more intensively worked. Most farms combine sheep and cattle rearing, and some fodder crops are grown.

Photos of: Highland cow, White campion, Harvesting, Sheepdog & sheep with shepherds and Machair plants.

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 29 Many crofts were created during the Highland Clearances of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, when people were moved to coastal areas to make way for sheep grazing. The coastal fringe was used mainly for subsistence, which has resulted in a belt of rich biodiversity.

More recently, much in-bye croft land has been used for extensive sheep grazing with a resultant reduction in biodiversity. In many areas, woodlands add diversity to the land use mosaic and as such, they are valuable components of croft and farm land. Woodlands are discussed in more detail in Chapter 4, and out-bye land is covered in the Mountain, Moorland and Grassland section (Chapter 5).

White campion in meadow by Sand River.

are important food for sparrowhawks and barn owls. The insect populations support birds such as skylarks and starlings, which although once common throughout the UK are now declining.

There has been a reduction in the number of lapwings and skylarks reported, perhaps as a result of changes in land management coupled with a reduction in the number of gamekeepers on surrounding estates (hooded crows have seen an increase in their numbers).

Kinlochewe Farm with Beinn Eighe in the background.

In-bye land

Livestock rearing is the main agricultural activity in Wester Ross. Sheep predominate, and cattle are less widespread. Some hay, silage and fodder may be grown in a small-scale patchwork of pasture, meadow and cultivated land, but cropping is no longer widespread in Wester Ross. However, crofting typically represents a less intensive form of agriculture, which has created and maintains valuable habitats for wildlife. It has been relatively uninfluenced by developments in agricultural technology and depends less on chemical inputs to the land than other forms of farming. Ragged robin grows in less acidic marshy areas.

Unimproved grassland is an important in-bye Extensive sheep grazing may not necessarily lead to habitat. The sward can include a variety of plants a reduction in biodiversity. Rassal, near Kishorn, is such as orchids, devil’s-bit scabious and hawkbit, a site of international importance for its waxcap and can support good populations of voles, which fungi due to high grazing levels. On parts of the site

30 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan where grazing pressure is high, the grass sward is kept very short thus creating favourable conditions for the fungi. If waxcap biodiversity is to be maintained then the grazing pressure must also be kept high.

Some of Wester Ross’ hay meadows provide a home for species such as corncrakes, which have reduced in number and now only occur in North West Scotland.

Boundary features

Hedges, walls and dykes provide a refuge for plants, insects and small mammals, and also act as corridors along which wildlife may travel to disperse or colonise new areas. Hedges can also Machair plants. provide an important source of food and cover for birds such as the linnet. Ditches and streams Main Issues provide rich habitats for flowering plants and for invertebrates such as butterflies, beetles and 3.1 Reduced management dragonflies. Issues: There are issues concerning the management of in-bye land that directly affect biodiversity. The increasing predominance of sheep on traditional in- bye land, coupled with the decline in the amount of land that is cultivated for crops, has lead to a reduction in the number and variety of different habitats present within crofting landscapes. This has a knock-on effect for the number of species that are present within in-bye areas.

Drystone dyke at Leckmelm.

Objectives

‹ Encourage and promote management on farms and crofts that benefits biodiversity through, amongst other things, enhanced access to agri-environment schemes and Harvesting, Slumbay. protection of environmental features. Current projects: The Crofters Commission is ‹ Encourage grazing patterns including beginning to address the problem of absenteeism in traditional breeds of cattle, and muirburning Wester Ross as part of its Absentee Initiative, which practices2 more appropriate to the Wester aims to have more active occupancy of croft land. Ross environment. A Wester Ross township is currently examining the ‹ Support and develop training and awareness feasibility of introducing a Cattle Co-operative, with raising opportunities for farmers and crofters. support from the Crofters Commission and the Highland Council. ‹ Promote local produce and encourage organic production. There is also a potential project at a formative stage for some of Wester Ross crofting communities,

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 31 which will help implement integrated development, opportunities for farmers and crofters from Wester incorporating environmental and heritage interests. Ross to enter the scheme.

More farms and crofts within Wester Ross are entering into the RSS and some, such as Leckmelm Farm, are hoping to link this with green tourism, waste management and recycling projects.

The new Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) attempts to link support with environmental stewardship such as increasing the numbers of cattle, but it is generally accepted that there is work needed on it, before it achieves this.

The Scottish Wildlife Trust is involved in distributing grants for works to encourage corncrakes to crofters at Achiltibuie. Highland cow, Tullich.

Future actions:

‹ Encourage crofters and farmers to rear more traditional breeds of cattle on an extensive basis, altering the stocking densities according to the habitat type. (Suggested partners: Scottish Executive Environment & Rural Affairs Department, Crofters Commission, Scottish Agricultural College, Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group, common grazings committees)

‹ Map areas of croft and farm land that are important in terms of their local biodiversity, and use this information to guide future planning decisions. (Suggested partners: Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Crofting Foundation, National Farmers Union of Scotland, Scottish Agricultural College, Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group, Highland Council)

‹ Promote the management of recently planted By late June many orchids and other wild flowers are in crofter woodlands and create or re-establish bloom in the machair by Sand. farm and croft ponds/wetlands. (Suggested partners: Forestry Commission, Scottish Future actions: Executive, Scottish Agricultural College, Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group) ‹ Raise awareness and promote the RSS through visits to small units already in the 3.2 Lack of agri-environment support scheme and training courses to highlight biodiversity and biosecurity3 issues. The Issues: There are a number of schemes and exercise would also assist the students in incentives that are available to assist land managers identifying some of the more common species to maintain or improve the biodiversity of their on their own croft or farm, give them a better farms and crofts. However, they are not well understanding of how the RSS works and publicised, poorly attuned to local conditions and point them in the direction towards improved generally offer insufficient levels of funding. practices. (Suggested partners: Scottish Agricultural College, Farming & Wildlife Current projects: The Rural Stewardship Scheme Advisory Group, Scottish Crofting Foundation, (RSS) is a competitive scheme that in the past has not National Farmers Union, Scottish Landowners been easy for crofters to enter into. However, the Federation, local farming and crofting groups) way the scheme is administered has been changed to encourage more entries, and there are now more

32 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan Future actions:

‹ Include biodiversity and wildlife management training with the existing new entrants training packages. (Suggested partners: Crofters Commission, Ross & Cromarty Enterprise, Scottish Crofting Foundation, Learning Centres)

‹ Assist crofters and farmers to reinstate species-rich grasslands by controlled grazing and / or cutting practices, linked with a long term land-use plan that will encourage wildlife and domestic biodiversity, be an Sheep & sheepdogs with shepherds, Kelso, Strathcarron. attraction to visitors and produce valuable natural / organic outputs. (Suggested partners: 3.3 Loss of traditional skills and management for Scottish Executive Environment & Rural Affairs wildlife Department, Crofters Commission, Scottish Agricultural College, Farming & Wildlife Issues: Due to the current problems facing the Advisory Group, farmers and crofters) agricultural industry, the rural population is declining and with it, we are experiencing a loss of ‹ Hold future training events in traditional traditional land management skills. In-bye croft skills such as dyke building and hedge laying. land is now likely to be left unworked, and (Suggested partners: land managers, Lantra, abandonment and a reduction in the number of Highland Agricultural Labour Supplies, Ross & small farms and crofts is leading to a spread in Cromarty Enterprise) invasive species such as bracken and rushes. Although both are good for biodiversity in small 3.4 Lack of local markets areas, blanket coverage is not desirable for agriculture or biodiversity. There is a perception Issues: The development of local produce can make that there is a lack of training in land management an important contribution to the biodiversity of the for wildlife. area in terms of increasing the number and variety of crops grown and by enhancing the returns to the crofter or farmer. If Wester Ross can develop and market good quality local produce linked to the non- intensive character of the area in the hotels, shops and other tourist outlets, there will be both direct environmental and economic benefits for local producers.

Current projects: The Crofters Commission is looking into practical ways of assisting and supporting organic crofting.

Future actions:

Harvesting, Slumbay. ‹ Undertake a feasibility study to identify which types of local produce would benefit Current projects: The Crofters Commission and Ross from such joint marketing and which & Cromarty Enterprise provides assistance for new establishments would be willing to participate crofters entering the industry through the Croft in a trial. (Suggested partners: Highland Council, Entrants Scheme. Ross & Cromarty Enterprise, Crofters Commission, Scottish Crofting Foundation, local A drystone walling course was held at Leckmelm farmers & crofters) last year, with funding from Ross & Cromarty 2 Enterprise, where 16 people were taught the skills of Further information about muirburning is given in Chapter 5. drystone walling, and two gained an official 3 qualification. Biosecurity is a set of management practices which, when followed, collectively reduce the potential for the introduction or spread of animal disease causing organisms onto and between farms (Scottish Executive, 2003) The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 33 34 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan Chapter 4: Forest and Woodland

Introduction

Forestry and woodland management are important and significant land uses in Wester Ross.

The area has some key examples of native woodland remnants, and the establishment of new native woodlands has increased over the past few years as incentives have developed and the crofting community has sought to diversify. The location and condition of woodlands has been shaped by both environmental factors such as climate, soil type and browsing pressure, and by past and present management practices.

Photos of: Oak leaf in autumn, Wooded path with bluebells, Fungi, School children looking at plants and Rowan & moss growing in fence post.

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 35 Coniferous woodland Broadleaved woodland

The area is well known for its Caledonian pinewood There are a number of important broadleaved at Shieldaig, Coulin, Torridon, Beinn Eighe, woodland habitats in Wester Ross. These include Rhidorroch, Achnashellach and the Loch Maree the oak woodlands of Letterewe and Coille Dubh at islands. Though small in total area, these pinewoods Shieldaig which were once managed to produce are an internationally important habitat in their own charcoal and have survived since that industry has right, and support other tree species such as birch declined, as well as ash woodlands, such as those at and rowan. The western pinewoods are a genetically Rassal and Dundonnell. Birch woodland is by far distinct group from those of central or eastern the most common and woods of all sizes can be Scotland. found from sea level up into the mountains where small pockets or individual trees survive on ledges The pinewoods contain a highly characteristic flora and in gullies. Small pockets of aspen occur around and fauna including several rare mosses and lichens, hill crags and coastal areas. These trees and isolated as well as important populations of insects such as stands support a particularly wide range of insects, the Scottish wood ant and the Northern ant. In fungi and lichens. addition they act as important potential habitats for red squirrel and black grouse.

In some places, a natural treeline has formed, with a transition from pinewood into montane scrub comprising juniper species, dwarf birch and dwarf willow.

Fungi, Lochcarron. Oakwoods at Kernsary. While non-native conifer plantations are not dominant in this area, they are present. In some All these woodlands have distinctive assemblages of cases they are large and dominate the landscape, e.g. lichens, mosses and liverworts (e.g. Wilson’s at Lael, and provide another habitat for wildlife. pouchwort) that thrive in the oceanic climate of the Much restructuring of these woodlands has taken West, but are unable to survive the drier conditions place recently and many will be converted to new further east. The woodlands provide important native woodlands in the future. habitats for priority species such as the spotted flycatcher, bullfinch and song thrush, as well as butterflies such as the pearl-bordered fritillary, which live in woodland glades and clearings and require bracken litter for shelter. Stands of dead and dying trees provide an important habitat for fungi and invertebrates.

Rassal Ashwood is believed to have been a site of wood pasture. Wood pasture trees in the uplands are likely to be descendants of the post-glacial natural woodland. The process of opening up this woodland would have been started by wild herbivores such as elk, deer, cattle and boar. Black cattle became the major economy for Rassal. Oak leaf in autumn. 36 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan Families would move to the hill shielings with their They benefit fisheries by reducing siltation of cattle for summer grazing, while the clearings in the spawning grounds, supplying invertebrates and woodland were used for arable crops. They would leaf-litter for food and providing cool shady areas. move back down into the woodland for the winter Riparian woodlands can be varied, and usually months with the cattle that remained after the drove consist of a mixture of birch, Scots pine, oak, and to market in autumn. This seasonal grazing alder. In places where the underlying rocks enrich provided good conditions for the development and the soils ash and wych elm can also be found. continuation of wood pasture. Cattle are about to be reintroduced to Rassal Ashwood for seasonal grazing, to keep the bracken and scrub levels down just enough to allow the regeneration of the woodland and increase its biodiversity. The grazing of a large herbivore, like a cow, is important for recycling plant material, for increasing plant biomass and for diversifying plant communities.

Wooded path with bluebells between Main Street and Croft Road (west end), Lochcarron. Beech trees, Lochcarron.

Objectives Riparian woodland ‹ Safeguard and extend areas of semi-natural Riverine or riparian woodlands, i.e. woodlands and ancient woodland, together with their found in association with fresh water, are often the associated fauna and ground flora, with the only native woodland remaining in upland areas. aim of developing a network of They play a role in maintaining the health and interconnecting woodlands. productivity of rivers, burns and lochs by helping to protect and stabilise river-banks, to capture and ‹ Extend the coverage of riparian (river bank) recycle mineral nutrients, and the invertebrates and woodland and the formation of a natural tree leaves that fall into the water help increase stream line incorporating montane scrub, and raise biodiversity. awareness of associated management issues.

‹ Promote sustainable woodland management to generate products for local commercial, craft or fuel use where possible and provide employment, education and recreation for the local community.

‹ Create more interpretation, education and recreational opportunities within woodlands.

Beech trees with unusual bark colour created by lichens, Applecross. The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 37 Main Issues Future actions:

4.1 Woodland management ‹ Secure funding for and manage broadleaved shelterbelts for their biodiversity benefit, e.g. Issues: The age structure of existing woodlands is at Leckmelm Farm. (Suggested partners: Land tending towards older trees and because of over or managers, Forestry Commission, Scottish under-grazing, is incapable of regeneration. Executive Environment & Rural Affairs Sustained overgrazing reduces biodiversity within Department) woodlands through removal of seedling trees and damage to ground flora. Conversely, some ground flora depends on a certain amount of grazing, while some ground disturbance by cattle or deer can help tree regeneration. Every site is different, and the right balance needs to be found.

There is a need for long-term management of woodland through management plans and forest design plans.

Hazel seedling.

4.2 Lack of linkages

Issues: Lack of linkages between existing woods make it harder for woodland species to broaden their range, and riparian woodlands are often used as wildlife corridors to enable animals to move between sites. Conversely, it can be argued that isolated woodlands have their own ecological distinctiveness which would be lost if joined up, and Forest harvesting, Strome. linkages can be a conduit for introduced species such as grey squirrel or sika deer.

Current projects: The Forestry Commission has Current projects: Beinn Eighe is the subject of an agreed long-term management plans that ongoing woodland regeneration project led by incorporate an element of native woodland Scottish Natural Heritage. restoration within the context of multiple use forests at their plantations at Lael and Slattadale. A number of major forest areas, including those on the Applecross peninsula, are part of regeneration The National Trust for Scotland has created a large projects funded through the Woodland Grant enclosure at Inverewe Estate to prevent grazing and Scheme (WGS). encourage natural regeneration of woodland and willow scrub, with assistance from the Woodland The Am Baile Mor Woodland Regeneration Scheme Grant Scheme. attracted major funding for the planting of 2.5 million native trees including scots pine, alder, birch, hazel, holly, rowan and willow over the next five years. Other areas of native pinewoods have been planted in Flowerdale Glen and at Bad na Sgalag.

38 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan The Isle Martin Trust has undertaken surveys of ‹ Investigate historical distribution of red birds, plants and lichens, which will appear in squirrels in Wester Ross and consider need for booklets. They are working to manage the sparse habitat management. (Suggested partners: natural woodland and the pockets of 18-25 year Highland Red Squirrel Group, Scottish Natural planted trees in order to increase native woodland Heritage, Forestry Commission) cover to the advantage of birds, insects and flora. 4.3 Recreation and lack of awareness Croft related forestry and riparian woodland schemes are supported through the Woodland Grant Issues: Increased use of woodlands for recreation Scheme, which has now been replaced by the has many associated benefits. At the same time, Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme (SFGS). negative effects including the erosion of paths, disturbance to wildlife (particularly by dogs not on Scottish Native Woodlands is encouraging the leads during Spring and early Summer) and removal planting and regeneration of riparian woodlands of species, such as plants and fungi need to be through its Catchment Riparian Woodland Project. monitored. By creating paths within woodlands, access can be managed to avoid disturbance to wildlife and damage of sensitive sites.

One of the main issues facing Wester Ross woodlands is the risk of fire, caused by inappropriate recreational use (e.g. litter, cigarettes or camp fires) and by the spread of muirburn from adjacent ground.

Fire in woodland. Oak woodland is one of the most species-rich wildlife habitats in Wester Ross. Current projects: Members of Aultbea and Laide Community Woodland Group are undertaking a Future actions: wildlife survey of their woodland. It is hoped that the results of the audit will inform future ‹ Promote the new Scottish Forestry Grant management of the wood. Scheme and encourage woodland managers to include biodiversity management within The National Trust for Scotland has felled non- new planting and forest plans, e.g. species native plantations as part of a phased management mixes, deadwood, riparian woodland, plan to restore native woodland at Corrieshalloch restoration of wetlands. (Suggested partners: Gorge. The next phase will include the creation of Forestry Commission, woodland and land footpaths and provision of new interpretation. The management advisers) Trust is also constructing a forest trail at Inverewe, with an interpretative leaflet that explains the ‹ Encourage planting of a wide range of native historical role of trees within the Wester Ross species in new native woodland schemes. environment. (Suggested partners: Forestry Commission) Forestry Commission Scotland has recruited a ‹ Develop corridor woodlands on areas such as Recreation Ranger to a new post covering the Lael the Strathain Burn (subject to approval). and Slattadale plantations. Lael Forest Garden is a (Suggested partners: land managers, Forestry biological reserve where the Ranger has held a Commission, Scottish Natural Heritage) number of interpretative recreation events.

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 39 A bird and bat box building project has been Forestry Commission Scotland has a programme of established with the National Trust for Scotland rhododendron control at Lael Forest, and are Ranger Service at Inverewe and local schools. working on eradication of rhododendrons on their land at Slattadale.

School children looking at plants in a wood on a National Nature Reserve.

Future actions:

‹ Progress the Council-owned woodland near Kinlochewe as a Community Woodland Project (management, recreation, access, raise Rhododendron clearance work carried out by the National awareness). (Suggested partners: local Trust for Scotland. community, Highland Council) Future actions: ‹ Promote the development of an environmental audit booklet in 2 additional ‹ Eradicate or control Rhododendron (ponticum) languages, comprising a very basic audit where possible, e.g. in Flowerdale, Talladale / identifying the most common species on a Loch Maree, Achnashellach and Torridon. particular forest walk. The booklet would be (Suggested partners: land managers, Forestry forwarded to all accommodation providers in Commission, National Trust for Scotland, Scottish the area and additional copies for retail sale. Natural Heritage, Highland Council) (Suggested partners: local woodland groups, Forestry Commission, Scottish Natural Heritage, ‹ Set up an exchange scheme for gardeners, Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board, Tourism & whereby Rhododendron ponticum can be the Environment Forum) replaced by an equally colourful, non-invasive species. (Suggested partners: National Trust for ‹ Develop a trail along the riverside in Ullapool Scotland) with interpretation and bracken removal. (Suggested partners: local community, Scottish Natural Heritage, Highland Council)

4.4 Spread of invasive species

Issues: The spread of invasive non-native species such as Rhododendron ponticum present a threat to biodiversity in some areas, and these rhododendrons should be controlled outwith gardens.

Current projects: The National Trust for Scotland has eradicated Rhododendron ponticum from the semi- natural woodlands on its properties at Inverewe Estate and at Corrieshalloch Gorge. Rowan and moss growing in fence post, Croft Road, Lochcarron.

40 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan Chapter 5: Mountain, Moorland and Grassland

Introduction

Wester Ross is perhaps best known for its stunning mountain environment.

The high altitude combined with the high latitude creates good conditions for both alpine and sub alpine plants. Acidic soil conditions with the associated plant communities dominate, but pockets of limestone and other mineral rich rock are exposed in places throughout Wester Ross and these areas encourage an interesting diversity of flora.

The high altitude grasslands and moss heaths grade to dry heathland dominated by ling heather, with a blanket peat / wet heath mosaic once the slopes begin to lessen.

Photos of: Red deer stags, Beinn Eighe & Caledonian pinewood, Pool systems in blanket bog, Ptarmigan and Slioch.

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 41 Mountain

The summits of the hills seem to consist of bare rock and scree, but are characterised by alpine and sub- alpine heaths which consist of a low lying mat of hardy mosses, sedges and dwarf shrubs such as alpine bearberry, juniper, crowberry, cowberry, mountain azalea and mountain sedge. Slow- growing mosses, liverworts and lichens become dominant components in these communities. Some hills can support populations of rare plants that are more commonly found in arctic areas. Norwegian mugwort, for example, occurs on frost shattered Torridonian sandstone summits. Ptarmigan.

Moorland

High humidity and the cool climate has encouraged the widespread accumulation of deep peat, particularly on the extensive areas of gently sloping terrain such as at the area west of Shieldaig forest, Gairloch and east of Redpoint, Inverasdale and the area lying to the west of Strath More across to Dundonnell Forest.

These areas support blanket bog vegetation, and a distinctive range of wildlife including colourful sphagnum mosses and breeding birds such as golden plover, greenshank and dunlin. These bogs are home to a wide range of invertebrates, which in turn provide a valuable source of food for red A snow-capped Beinn Eighe with Caledonian pinewood in grouse and other moorland birds during the dry the foreground. summer months. In the north facing corries and hillsides, where temperatures are cooler, a rich community of liverworts grows amongst the heath communities. This is known as the ‘Atlantic hepatic mat’ community, and is of international importance, e.g. on the north slopes of Liathach. The liverwort Northern prongwort Herbertus borealis has its sole UK location on Beinn Eighe, representing 75% of the known world population.

The climate at these altitudes is harsh, and birds such as ptarmigan, dotterel and snow bunting breed on and near these summits. Golden eagle, merlin and other birds of prey range extensively over these uplands.

Where nutrient enriched spring water emerges on the hillsides, species-rich flushes can occur, which can include bright green mosses such as Philotis fontana and Dicranella palustris, and less common flowering plants such as the starry saxifrage Saxifraga stellaris and yellow mountain saxifrage Glen Docherty looking onto Loch Maree at sunset. Saxifraga aizoides. In Wester Ross the proximity to the coast results in a distinctive range of plants in these bogs, including black bog rush Schoenus nigricans, pale butterwort

42 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan Pinguicula lusitanica, and white beak-sedge Rhynchospora alba. The nationally scarce brown beak-sedge Rhynchospora fusca also occurs e.g. at Inverasdale.

Bog pools and lochans are an important feature of moorland areas, providing breeding areas for frogs, newts, dragonflies, damselflies and birds such as red-throated diver (see Chapter 2). Wester Ross holds some very good examples of patterned bog, where the pool systems are orientated at right angles to the slopes, sometimes with the rare brown beak- sedge.

Where areas of limestone outcrop along the Moine Various species of tress as shelter belt on croft, Croft thrust zone, areas of alkaline fen can occur, such as Road, Lochcarron. at Rassal. Here the groundwater is enriched with nutrients supporting a greater diversity of plants Main Issues than that found on the neighbouring acidic blanket bogs. 5.1 Increased woodland cover

Whilst these moorland habitats are quite common in Issues: The character of open hill areas is changing Wester Ross, they are rare globally, and many areas with the introduction and increase of woodland have been designated as Special Areas of regeneration schemes and fence lines. Wester Ross Conservation and Special Protection Areas under the moorland is important in international terms, and EU Habitats and Birds Directives. Dry heath, wet consideration should be given to what is an heath and blanket bog are all recognised as habitats appropriate balance between woodland and of European importance under the Habitats moorland. Directive. Current projects: A number of moorland and upland Grassland sites in Wester Ross have been designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Special Areas of At higher altitudes grasses can dominate the Conservation or Special Protection Areas, which vegetation, especially where soils are wetter or affords some protection against the creation of new where snow tends to lie. These communities can woodlands. support rare grasses and vascular plants such as Mountain Scurvygrass Cochlearia micacea. Where The Highland Council is currently reviewing the calcium-rich rocks outcrop, such as at Rassal, Highland Indicative Forestry Strategy, which calcareous grassland can be found, containing categorises land into sensitive, potential or preferred plants like the beautiful mountain avens Dryas for the development of woodland. As part of this octopetala. At lower altitudes, areas of grassland process, important areas of moorland and open land form a mosaic with wet and dry heaths and these are being identified. have traditionally been important as part of hill grazings. Species-rich grassland is only found on the rare areas of dry soil.

Objectives

‹ Maintain and improve the biodiversity of mountain and moorland areas, and identify important sites that ought to be retained as open land, and not converted to woodland.

‹ Promote appropriate grazing and muirburning practices and patterns.

‹ Monitor and maintain mountain access routes, and establish appropriate codes of use for all- Downy birch seedling coming through sphagnum moss. terrain vehicles in areas where they are causing damage.

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 43 5.2 Inappropriate grazing 5.3 Inappropriate muirburn

Issues: In general, the density of deer in Wester Ross Issues: Uncontrolled and inappropriate muirburn is below the national average due to the wetter practices, often affecting large areas of hill, have a climate on the West Coast. However, habitat devastating effect on flora and fauna. Many bird surveys have identified some areas of concern, species have already started nesting within the where large numbers of deer and sheep have led to allowed muirburn period, which can extend until 15 overgrazing of some moorland and upland habitats. May for areas above 450 metres above sea level. Deer numbers vary from estate to estate and are Where burning is essential for management and / or influenced by the objectives of the owner. Wester safety reasons, it should be carried out on a small Ross is comprised of three Deer Management scale to minimise loss and injury to wildlife and Groups, each with their own Deer Management should adhere to good practice guidelines such as Plan. ‘The Muirburn Code’ (Scottish Executive Environment & Rural Affairs Department, 2001) and Sheep numbers have been kept high due to the its supplement ‘Prescribed Burning on Moorland’. nature of agricultural subsidies, which until recently have been calculated on a headage basis. Sheep Current projects: Good practice guidelines such as numbers are now falling and there are few sheep on ‘The Muirburn Code’ (SEERAD, 2001) and its the higher ground. supplement ‘Prescribed Burning on Moorland’ have been produced by national advisory groups.

Future actions:

‹ Promote The Muirburn Code through education, training and good practice demonstrations for all those involved in heather management, including the crofting community. (Suggested partners: Crofters Commission, Scottish Crofting Foundation, land managers, common grazings committees)

Red deer stags on overgrazed ground.

Current projects: The Deer Management Groups including South West Ross, North Ross and Gairloch Conservation Unit have recently produced Deer Management Plans, which seek to integrate owners’ objectives by drawing together information on deer numbers and grazing impact, while recognising the areas of conservation importance and balance those interests.

Future actions: Red deer stag on hill with Beinn Eighe in background. ‹ Promote the inclusion of biodiversity within estate management plans and deer 5.4 Recreation pressures management plans. One of the key issues for achieving the right balance between grazing Issues: At present the increase in recreational of livestock is the use of incentive or pressure on the Wester Ross mountain environment regulation where appropriate. Examples of is not as great as in other mountain areas of incentive include grants payable to reduce Scotland. This is largely due to the remoteness and livestock through the Rural Stewardship rugged nature of the Wester Ross mountain areas. Scheme, Scottish Natural Heritage’s Natural However, there are ‘hot spots’ such as Stac Pollaidh Care Programme or the Scottish Forestry and the Fannichs, which get higher visitor numbers Grant Scheme or regulation where due to the easier and quicker access, perceived sense appropriate. (Suggested partners: Scottish of security and less harsh nature of the mountain Executive, Scottish Natural Heritage, Deer terrain that these mountains appear to offer. Commission for Scotland, Forestry Commission, Erosion, degradation and disturbance to wildlife is a Deer Management Groups) problem here. 44 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan There are small areas in other mountain groups 5.5 All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) which, due to the nature of the ground, suffer spreading degradation along favoured walking Issues: All-terrain vehicles are used by estates for routes. Reinstatement by the Ross & Cromarty accessing fishing lochs and deer holding areas, and Footpath Trust (no longer in existence) helped to in many areas, the soils of Wester Ross cannot cope improve areas where path degradation was causing with any off-road use. In some areas, ATVs are loss of habitat. However, there is no maintenance causing habitat degradation, especially where they regime in place to ensure these path works are kept regularly pass through bog and peatlands and over in good order. The areas surrounding bothies are sandy areas with little depth of soil. subjected to pressures from human waste, litter, trampling and tearing out of any woody plants that Future actions: might offer fuel for fires, and an example of this is at Shenavall. ‹ Raise awareness amongst land managers of the problems associated with ATV tracks and Current projects: The National Trust for Scotland the rise of alternative routes, and promote provides for maintenance of its footpaths at alternative methods such as the use of ponies Torridon. in extracting deer carcasses. (Suggested partners: land managers, Deer Management Celtic Fringe is seeking to enhance perceptions of the Groups, Deer Commission for Scotland, Scottish natural beauty of the area and encourage Natural Heritage) development of new niche tourism products such as eco-tourism. To assist in this, the organisation is 5.6 Lack of information developing the interpretation of different routes for footpaths. Issues: There is still a lot we do not know about the biodiversity of our mountain, moorland and The Highland Council Ranger carries out a wide grassland habitats. If our climate gets warmer and range of activities throughout Wester Ross, wetter as predicted, we could lose some of our including guided walks to interpret the natural alpine and sub-alpine plant species, whilst other heritage and biodiversity of the area. habitats such as blanket bog may increase in their coverage. In addition, milder winters will lead to an Future actions: increased survival rate of red deer. To some extent, we can predict the response of our biodiversity ‹ Promote responsible access. (Suggested towards climate change using monitoring and partners: Wester Ross Ranger Services) modelling techniques, and it is important that this information is translated into management plans to ‹ Develop a leaflet to go with the Scottish ensure that these areas are managed to their greatest Natural Heritage booklet “Mountain to Sea” potential. focussing on different habitats to raise awareness of countryside access and Current projects: Edinburgh University is carrying recreation issues. (Suggested partners: Scottish out research to discover how the fascinating Natural Heritage, Wester Ross Ranger Services) patterned bog systems at Inverewe have been formed.

Future actions:

‹ Ensure up-to-date information on the response of our biodiversity to climatic changes is passed on to land managers. (Suggested partners: Scottish Natural Heritage, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology)

Pool systems in blanket bog at Inverasdale.

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 45 46 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan Chapter 6: The Built Environment

Introduction

In an area such as Wester Ross where the countryside is so important for biodiversity, it is possible to overlook the importance of the built environment.

However, buildings, gardens, roads and other man- made structures provide an important biodiversity resource, both in terms of the habitats and species that they contain and through the potential for securing an interest from the general public in wildlife and raising awareness of the related issues.

Photos of: Old bothies and fank, Kids in garden at Poolewe Nursery, Swallows, Flowerdale House, Wild thyme.

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 47 Gardens Outbuildings and other structures

Wester Ross contains a number of large gardens, Old buildings such as steadings, outhouses and which provide valuable refuges for wildlife and are bridges can provide important roosting sites for open to the public. Examples include the Arboretum pipistrelle bats and barn owls. However, new sheds at Leckmelm, where native ferns grow luxuriantly and buildings can also provide opportunities for beneath exotic trees and shrubs; Lael Forest Garden, wildlife if designed sensitively, and nest boxes can which boasts a fine collection of mature, and some be erected for many different species of birds, as rare, tree specimens; and Inverewe Gardens, which well as for roosting bats. supports 20 hectares of exotic plants and native species. In a landscape which is often treeless and exposed in many places, drystone walls provide important refuges for toads, lizards, slow-worms, small birds, rodents and insects. Walls and gravestones are colonised by many species of lichens and mosses.

Kitchen Garden, Applecross House.

The garden is probably the place where most people will have first hand experience of biodiversity, and Old bothies and fank, Arineckaig. by securing the interest of the local population in helping the wildlife on their doorstep, many of the Roadside verges aims of this Local Biodiversity Action Plan will be achieved. Local gardens provide havens for Roadside verges often retain once abundant wildlife, and if sensitively managed can attract many farmland plants such as ox-eye daisies, species of wild flowers, birds, butterflies and moths. meadowsweet and marsh marigold and, if Garden ponds can also provide a great boost to local sensitively managed, can provide important wildlife biodiversity. corridors.

Flowerdale House. A 2 km radius around Flowerdale House encompasses a wide range of habitats.

Wild thyme.

48 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan Objectives ‹ Map colonies of knotweeds and start controlling and eradicating these invasive ‹ Raise awareness of biodiversity in and around species. As a start, Himalayan knotweed settlements. occurs at Naust, Boor, Poolewe and Laide, and giant hogweed and Japanese knotweed ‹ Encourage positive action by people through occur at Lael. (Suggested partners: Scottish e.g. biodiversity gardening, school wildlife Natural Heritage, Highland Council, land owners areas, parks and recreational works. and managers)

‹ Encourage future developments to take 6.2 Roadside verges biodiversity into account at the planning stage. Issues: If roadside verge vegetation is cut before the wild flowers have time to set seeds, they will Main Issues gradually be lost in favour of rank grasses. In some instances, verges have been sown with ‘sweet’ 6.1 Invasive species grasses, which attract deer to the roadside and cause accidents. Where verges are to be sown, care should Issues: There are a number of invasive species, such be taken to select a locally appropriate grass & wild as Himalayan knotweed, Japanese knotweed, giant flower mix. In many places, roadside ditches have knotweed, ragwort, lodgepole pine New Zealand been piped and filled in for safety reasons, or holly, Rhododendron ponticum and New Zealand cleaned, often by removing the vegetation and flatworm, which it is felt important to control and topsoil. eradicate. There are of course a number of non- native species that add to the biodiversity of the Future actions: area, but these also need careful management to avoid adverse impacts on native species. ‹ Negotiate the most appropriate verge-cutting schedules, and include biodiversity issues in future road, park and woodland maintenance contracts. Raise awareness of why the management has changed. (Suggested partners: Highland Council, BEAR Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, local naturalists)

Himalayan knotweed beside the River Ewe in Poolewe.

Current projects: Projects to remove Rhododendron ponticum are already highlighted in Chapter 4.

Future actions:

‹ Raise awareness of invasive species along Wild flowers at Leckmelm. with the potential impacts on biodiversity, and support control programmes. (Suggested partners: Scottish Natural Heritage, Highland 6.3 Derelict buildings Council, National Trust for Scotland) Issues: There are a number of derelict buildings in Wester Ross which act as roosts for bats. There is however a wider issue as to whether these can be developed for human habitation before they deteriorate, with alternative roosts created elsewhere.

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 49 Future actions: A small site around the Aultbea Medical Centre has been surveyed for its flora, and was found to be very ‹ Encourage people to make provision for bats, diverse. A managed programme of grass cutting, swallows and other birds when doing up old whereby the grass is not cut until the flowers have barns, designing new sheds and building had time to set seeds, is helping to maintain this new houses. (Suggested partners: Highland species-rich area. Council) Various schools have wildlife garden projects, for ‹ Make bat and bird boxes available to people, example, Gairloch and Poolewe Primary Schools. and educate them where and how to put them up and how to maintain them. (Suggested A wildlife recording box has been established at partners: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Inverewe Garden for visitors and locals to record Bat Conservation Trust, Scottish Natural their wildlife sightings in the area. A hide is also Heritage, Wester Ross Ranger Services) planned for the future, and the box will be moved to the hide when it is open. 6.4 Cats and dogs

Issues: Domestic and especially feral cats can be a localised issue around settlements and crofting areas in Wester Ross. Anecdotal reports indicate that in the past cats have preyed upon corncrake chicks, water rails and water voles, in addition to the wider range of commoner species that may be taken.

Future actions:

‹ Neutering of cats, discouraging the release of unwanted cats into the wild, and the use of bells on domestic cats would all help to minimise any problems. (Suggested partners: Vets, cat owners)

Kids in garden at Poolewe Nursery.

Future actions:

‹ Identify a local amenity area that would benefit from a wildflower sow – local schoolchildren could monitor progress and note the species found. (Suggested partners: Wester Ross Ranger Services, Schools) Swallows on washing line. ‹ Encourage wildlife corners and ponds in 6.5 Lack of knowledge about biodiversity gardens, and produce information on appropriate local species to grow and the Issues: A general lack of knowledge about conditions they require. (Suggested partners: biodiversity has been highlighted by the Wester Ross Ranger Services, National Trust for consultation over the draft Plan, and there is a need Scotland) for awareness-raising projects within schools and local communities. ‹ Encourage the managers of public land (parks, school grounds, etc) to manage their Current projects: Lochcarron Primary School carry ground for wildlife. (Suggested partners: out field trips to local gardens including Attadale Highland Council, Forestry Commission Scotland, Gardens to investigate the flora and fauna of the National Trust for Scotland) local area.

50 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan ‹ Assist all schools to keep a nest-box directory, listing nest boxes in their area, species using them, number of chicks reared, etc, and giving advice on siting new boxes. (Suggested partners: Wester Ross Ranger Services, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds)

‹ Identify wildlife gardening resources and support facilities for each area, and publicise these. (Suggested partners: Scottish Natural Heritage, Wester Ross Ranger Services, local gardening clubs, garden centres)

‹ Involve school pupils in local projects, such as gardening for organic vegetables, woodland monitoring at Laide or woodland restoration at Slattadale. (Suggested partners: Local groups, Forestry Commission, Wester Ross Ranger Services, Schools)

‹ Run ‘Know Your Own Patch’ events for local communities and primary and secondary schools to find out more about the wildlife on their doorstep. (Suggested partners: local communities, Wester Ross Ranger Services, Scottish Natural Heritage)

‹ Raise awareness of the dangers to wildlife of litter, and organise campaigns to clear up litter on road verges and beaches. (Suggested partners: local community groups, Highland Council)

‹ Employ a project officer to deliver a Wester Ross-wide educational programme, working with the various public bodies, learning centres and schools. (Suggested partners: Wester Ross Alliance, Ross & Cromarty Enterprise, Scottish Natural Heritage, Highland Council)

‹ Produce a video about some of the less well- known species around Wester Ross, similar to Scottish Natural Heritage’s Loch Torridon video. (Suggested partners: Scottish Natural Heritage, Learning Centres, local community groups)

‹ Produce a leaflet to raise awareness of each of the ‘What You Can Do’ topics. (Suggested partners: Scottish Natural Heritage, Highland Council, Wester Ross Alliance, Learning Centres)

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 51 52 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan Annex 1: Habitats & Species Lists

Priority Habitats

The habitats listed in Table 1 below have been identified as national or local priority habitats. The national priority habitats (N) are the habitats occurring in Wester Ross that have been selected by the UK Biodiversity Steering Group. Habitat Action Plans or Statements have been prepared for these habitats, and are available on the website www.ukbap.org.uk. Additional local priorities (L), which are not covered by the national categories but are nonetheless important habitats in their own right because they support both national and local priority species, are also listed here.

Table 1: Priority Habitats

Habitat type: Distribution: Potential links & issues:

Sea & Coast

Coastal salt marsh (N) Occurs in small areas - Loch Not large areas, but now subject Carron and Kishorn, Loch Broom, to lower grazing pressure, Little Loch Broom and possibly causing change in Achnahaird. species composition

Coastal Sand Dunes (N) Red Point, Sand, Gruinard, Grazing levels and pressure from Gairloch. recreation could be issues

Coastal vegetated shingle (N) Present to a limited extent e.g. at Inverasdale. Probably several other sites could be identified by survey.

Lowland heathland (including Maritime heath present to a maritime heath) (N) limited extent e.g. Red Point, Isle Martin, Summer Isles, Scoraig.

Machair (N) Very limited in W Ross – Mellon Smaller sites associated with Udrigle, Opinan, Achnahaird maerl may be important locally. Condition dependant on correct grazing management. Erosion risk from vehicle use/recreation.

Maerl beds (N) Present in less than 1% of UK’s Live maerl beds are composed of inshore waters. Many small beds calcareous pink nodules. The throughout the area, with some bleached skeletons are washed more extensive beds in areas such ashore, known as ‘coral’ strands as Upper Loch Torridon. locally, although made by red algae, not by true corals. Important nursery areas for a range of species and susceptible to mechanical damage. Not well surveyed. Maritime cliff and slopes (N) Present in SW Ross – Rubha Reidh, Greenstone Point, Priest Island, Summer Isles, Reiff.

Modiolus modiolus beds (horse Horse mussels are widespread as Very important in increasing mussel) (N) individuals, and small beds. biodiversity, by stabilising present in Loch Broom and Little sediment seabeds, enabling Loch Broom. More extensive beds colonisation by a wide range of (‘biogenic reefs’) are present in other animals and plants. Strome Narrows, Loch Carron Susceptible to mechanical damage.

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 53 Habitat type: Distribution: Potential links & issues: Mud habitats in deep water (N) The West coast of Scotland is the Deep mud habitats are home to most important part of the UK for some animals found nowhere else this habitat , which is present to in Britain in inshore waters, e.g. some extent in all sea lochs. Loch giant sea pens, fireworks Diabaig is a particularly good anemones and giant naked example. foraminiferans.

Mudflats (N) Limited extent at Loch Kishorn.

Saline lagoons (N) Very limited Ob Mheallaidh in Some rare invertebrates and Loch Torridon, and at Eis seaweeds only found in saline Brachaidh, Enard Bay lagoons. Important for bird roosts, feeding areas and otters.

Seagrass beds (N) Present but limited in extent e.g. Zostera beds probably more Loch Carron, Loch Torridon. Also common but limited survey at least one bed present Enard information. Important nursery Bay areas.

Sublittoral sands and gravels (N) Most common habitats found Wide range of subtypes below the level of the lowest tide in the UK.

Tidal rapids (N) Good examples in Loch Carron Diverse current-swept seabed and Loch Kishorn, with deeper communities tidal narrows in Loch Torridon.

Open seas (L) Around coastline Feeding and breeding range for cetaceans, seals, otters, seabirds, occasional visitors such as turtles

Kelp forest / park (L) Extensive on open coasts, with a Major habitat for a wide range of gradation into more sheltered animals and seaweeds, providing types in sea lochs. food and shelter

Subtidal brittlestar beds(L) Present in Loch Carron, Loch In Loch Carron the crevice Torridon and Little Loch Broom brittlestar Ophiopholis aculeata is and possibly other sea lochs. unusually abundant, forming dense beds

Sea pens and burrowing Present in Loch Kishorn, Loch Typical of deep basins in fjordic megafauna (L) Carron, Loch Torridon, Loch sea lochs. Particularly dense beds Broom (poor example) and off of giant seapens in Loch Diabaig. the Summer Isles possibly other sea lochs.

Flame shell reefs (L) Loch Carron, probably other Very important in increasing sealoch headlands and narrows biodiversity, by stabilising with enhanced currents. Can form sediment seabeds, enabling dense beds – ‘biogenic’ reefs. colonisation by a wide range of other animals and plants. Susceptible to mechanical damage.

Beaches (L)

54 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan Habitat type:Distribution: Potential links & issues: Freshwater

Reedbeds (N) Limited in extent. Several examples associated with rivers and lochans throughout area.

Lochs, lochans & ponds (L) Important habitats for black- throated diver, arctic charr, aquatic plants. Small water bodies are important for a range of aquatic life

Rivers & streams (L) Important habitat for freshwater pearl mussel, salmonids

In-bye Farm & Croft Land

Lowland wood-pasture and Rassal Ashwood is an example of Appropriate grazing parkland (N) Wood Pasture. Survey work may management. reveal more sites in area.

Croft land (L) Important habitat for wading birds, unimproved grasslands and hay meadows rich in wild flowers Hedges & dykes (L)

Woodland

Native pine woodlands (N) Internationally important sites at Appropriate levels of grazing Sheildaig Woods, Coulin Pinewoods, Beinn Eighe, Loch Maree Islands, Rhiddoroch.

Upland birch (N) Birch-dominated woods occur Appropriate levels of grazing throughout the area. Eg. Gairloch, Strathcarron, Inverpolly, Dundonnell.

Upland mixed ashwoods (N) Limited in extent but does occur Appropriate levels of grazing at Rassal, Dundonnell and other small pockets on areas of richer soils.

Upland oakwood (N) Good examples include Talladale Appropriate levels of grazing Gorge, Ardlair / Letterewe, Coille Dhubh, south side of Shieldaig Bay & the Camassie valley.

Wet woodland (N) Limited in extent, but alder Appropriate levels of grazing woodland occurs at Loch Maree.

Riparian woodland (L) e.g. Dundonnell, Rhiddoroch, Riparian habitat also v. important Inverbroom for input of organic matter (terrestrial source – allochthonous) into freshwater system: leaf fall, input of terrestrial invertebrates; cover and shade.

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 55 Habitat type:Distribution: Potential links & issues: Bog woodland (L) e.g. Rhidorrich

Hazel woodland (L) e.g. Inverasdale & Applecross

Scrub (L) Containing eared sallow & aspen (coastal)

Mountain & Moorland

Blanket bog (N) Blanket bog is of international Appropriate moorland importance and is well management including grazing represented in W Ross. and muirburn.

Fens (N) Alkaline Fens on limestone at Rassal.

Limestone pavements (N) Rassal Appropriate levels of grazing

Upland calcareous grassland (N) Good example of Dryas heath at Appropriate level of grazing Rassal. required to maintain condition.

Upland heathland (N) Regarded as being of Grazing and Muirburn international importance. Extensive areas in W Ross, especially liverwort-rich communities. Eg. Torridon Forest, Rassal, Beinn Eighe, Inverpolly, Beinn Dearg, An Teallach

Mountain summits (L)

Corries and snowbed communities (L)

Crevice, ledge and boulder field communities (L)

Flushed areas (L) Areas where the minerals are washed in

The Built Environment

Gardens (L)

Old buildings (L)

Roadside verges & drains (L)

56 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Species

The following table identifies the national priority species (shaded rows) and local priority species (not shaded) that are known to occur in Wester Ross.

The ‘national priority’ species have been identified by the UK Biodiversity Steering Group, and Species Action Plans (SAPs) or Statements have been prepared for their conservation and enhancement. These Plans and Statements are available on the website www.ukbap.org.uk and further details of nationally important species are available from Scottish Natural Heritage.

Wester Ross contains a number of additional species that are rare or scarce in either Highland or Britain as a whole, and these ‘local priority’ species are also listed below. In drawing up this list, we have included a number of species that although not rare or scarce nationally, are rare or have declined in Wester Ross.

Table 2: UK Priority Species

Scientific name: Common name: Habitat:

Algae Ascophyllum nodosum ecad mackii a Knotted wrack Marine Codium adhaerens a green seaweed Marine Ants Formica aquilonia Scottish wood ant Woodland Anthozoa Aureliania heterocera Imperial anemone Marine Protanthea simplex Sealoch anemone Marine Bees/Wasps Coletes floralis Northern colletes Coast Beetles Grouped plan for River shingle beetles River Birds Alauda arvensis Skylark Farm & croft land Aquila chrysaetos Golden eagle Mountain Asio flammeus Short-eared owl2 Moorland Carduelis cannabina Linnet Farm & croft land Carduelis flavirosting Twite3 Moorland Charadrius morinellus Dotterel Mountain Circus cyaneus Hen harrier1 Moorland Crex crex Corncrake Farm & croft land Emberiza citronella Yellowhammer3 Coast Emberiza schoeniclus Reed bunting Farm & croft land Falco columbarius Merlin1 Moorland Falco peregrinus Peregrine falcon1 Moorland Gallinago gallinago Snipe Wetland Garia stellata Red-throated diver1 Freshwater Gavia arctica Black-throated diver Freshwater Haliaeetus albicilla White-tailed eagle Sea & Coast

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 57 Scientific name: Common name: Habitat: Hydrobates pelagicus Storm petrel2 Marine Muscicapa striata Spotted flycatcher Woodland Pluvialis apricaia Golden plover2 Moorland Pyrrhula pyrrhula Bullfinch Woodland Riparia riparia Sand martin Rivers Scolopax rusticola Woodcock Wet woodland Sterna hirundo Common tern2 Marine Sterna paradisaea Arctic tern2 Marine Sturnus vulgaris Starling3 Farmland Tetrao tetrix Black grouse3 Moorland Tringa glareda Wood sandpiper1 Moorland Tringa nebularia Greenshank1 Coast & moorland Turdus iliacus Redwing1 Woodland Turdus philomelos Song thrush Woodland Turdus torquatus Ring ousel3 Moorland Tyto alba Barn owl1 Farmland 1 Local priority Schedule 1 species present in Wester Ross (some are also Annex 1) 2 Local priority Annex 1 species present in Wester Ross 3 Local priority Red list species on BOCC: 2002-2007 present in Wester Ross Butterflies & Moths Boloria euphrosyne Pearl-bordered fritillary Woodland Erebia aethiops Scotch argus Hemaris tityus Narrow-bordered Bee hawk-moth Grassland Paradiarsia sobrina Cousin german Woodland Rheumaptera hastate Argent & Sable Moorland Xylena exsoleta Sword grass Moorland Crustacea Hippolyte prideauxiana Featherstar prawn Marine Dragonflies & damselflies Aeshna caerulea Azure hawker Bog pools Somatochlora arctica Northern emerald Bog pools Leucorrhinia dubia White-faced darter Bog pools Echinoderms Antedon petasus a featherstar Marine Asteronyx loveni Deepwater brittlestar Marine Leptometra celtica Deepwater featherstar Marine Mesothuria intestinalis a sea cucumber Marine Ophiopholis aculeata Crevice brittlestar Marine Fish Anarhichus lupus Wolf fish Marine

58 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan Scientific name: Common name: Habitat: Cetorhinus maximus Basking shark Marine Clupea harengus Herring1 Marine Gadus morhua Cod1 Marine Lesueurigobius friesii Fries’ goby Marine Lebetus scorpioides Diminuitive goby Marine Merluccius bilinearis a Hake1 Marine Merlangius merlangus Whiting1 Marine Merluccius merluccius a Hake1 Marine Pleuronectes platessa Plaice1 Marine Pollachius virens Saithe1 Marine Raja batis Common skate Marine Salmo salar Atlantic salmon Marine / Freshwater Salmo trutta Sea trout Marine / Freshwater Salmo trutta Brown trout Freshwater Salvelinus alpinus Arctic charr Freshwater Lamprey species Freshwater Scomber scrombrus Mackerel1 Marine Solea vulgaris Sole1 Marine Trachurus trachurus Horse Mackerel1 Marine 1 Grouped plan for commercial marine fish Flies Diura bicaudata a stonefly Mountain streams Dinocras cephalotes a stonefly Stable streams Homalaocephela albitarsis Woodland Lipsothris ecucullata a Cranefly Woodland Odinia betulae Woodland Foraminifera Toxisarcon alba Giant naked foraminiferan Marine Fungi Hygrocybe calyptriformis Pink meadow waxcap Grassland Lichens Arthothelium dictyosporum a Lichen Woodland Lecanora acharina Tarn lecanora Mountain Pseudocyphellaria norvegica a Lichen Woodland Mammals Arvicola terrestris Water vole Freshwater Balaenoptera acutorostrata Minke whale1 Marine Delphinus delphis Common dolphin2 Marine Grampus griseus Risso‘s dolphin2 Marine Lagenorhynchus acutus Atlantic white-sided dolphin2 Marine

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 59 Scientific name: Common name: Habitat: Lagenorhyncus albirostris White-beaked dolphin2 Marine Lutra lutra European otter Marine / Freshwater Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback whale1 Marine Myotis daubentoni Daubenton’s bat Freshwater Orcinus orca Killer whale3 Marine Pipistrellus pipistrellus Pipistrelle bat Built Environment Phocoena phocoena Harbour porpoise Marine Tursiops truncatus Bottlenosed dolphin2 Marine Felix sylvestris Wild cat Lepus europaeus Brown hare (reintroduction) Croft & farm land Sciurus vulgaris Red squirrel (reintroduction) Woodlands 1 Grouped plan for baleen whales 2 Grouped plan for small dolphins 3 Grouped plan for toothed whales Molluscs Atrina fragilis Fan mussel Marine Limaria hians Gaping file shell Marine Margaritifera margaritifera Freshwater pearl mussel Freshwater Ostrea edulis Native oyster Marine Mosses & Liverworts Acrobolbus wilsonii Wilson’s Pouchwort Woodland Bryum calophylum Matted bryum Coast Bryum warneum Sea bryum Coast Herbertus borealis Northern Prongwort Mountain Marsupella stableri Stabler’s rustwort Upland Petalophyllum ralfsii Petalwort Coast Reptiles Dermochelys coriacea Leatherback turtle1 Marine 1 Grouped plan for marine turtles Sea anemones Funiculina quadrangularis Giant sea pen Marine Sponges Porifera spongillidae a Freshwater sponge Freshwater Vascular plants Artemisia norvegica Norwegian mugwort Mountain Centaurea cyanus Cornflower Farm & croft land Cirsium helenoides Melancholy thistle Coeloglossum viride Frog orchid Dactylorhiza incarnata Early marsh orchid Moorland Euphrasia heslop-harrisonii an Eyebright1 Coast

60 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan Scientific name: Common name: Habitat: Goodyera repens Creeping ladies tresses Hammarbya paludosa Bog orchid Moorland Juniperus communis Juniper Moorland Listera cordorata Lesser twayblade Heathland Loiseluria Mountain azalea Lycopodiella inundata Marsh clubmoss Moorland Pseudorchis albida Small white orchid Rhynchsopora fusca Brown beak sedge Moorland Trollius europeaus Globe flower 1 Grouped plan for eyebrights

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 61 Rural Stewardship Scheme

The Rural Stewardship Scheme (RSS) incorporates a list of 30 locally important habitats and species, that have been drawn up jointly by agricultural and conservation interests. There are different lists for different areas throughout Scotland, and Wester Ross falls under the West Highland list, which is shown below. This list is not to be confused with the national and local priority habitats and species above, as it is used specifically for RSS applications and is updated by the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department on an annual basis.

Table 3: RSS 2004 LBAP Species and Habitats List: West Highland

Habitat 1. Acid grassland 2. Marshy grassland and rough pasture 3. Purple moor grass and rush pastures 4. Neutral grassland 5. Upland meadows 6. Watercourses (rivers and streams) 7. Rushes & marginal vegetation (including species-rich rush pasture) 8. Wetland margins 9. Blanket bog 10. Wet heath 11. Dry heath 12. Overwintering crops 13. Wet woodland 14. Wood and scrub pasture 15. Scrub woodland (upland scrub)

Species 16. Ragged robin 17. Yellow rattle 18. Devil’s bit scabious 19. Bird’s foot trefoil 20. Common eyebright 21. Knapweed 22. Brown trout 23. Redshank 24. Lapwing 25. Snipe 26. Curlew 27. Woodcock 28. Yellowhammer 29. Goldfinch 30. Twite

62 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan Annex 2: Contact Details

Organisation: What they can help with: Contact details: Bat Conservation Trust Information on bats, bat habitats, www.bats.org.uk bat boxes and conservation.

Biological Recording in Scotland Promote the gathering of www.brisc.org.uk environmental data, initiate projects and circulate information to help the recording community in Scotland.

Botanical Society of the British Holder of the botanical records www.bsbi.org.uk Isles for the area.

British Dragonfly Society Information on dragonfly www.dragonflysoc.org.uk habitats, training of volunteers in identification & collation of dragonfly records.

British Trust for Conservation Volunteer participation in 30 Millbank Road, Munlochy, Volunteers practical conservation activities, Inverness IV8 8ND can work with communities to Tel: 01463 811560 deliver local environmental www.btcv.org.uk projects & provide insurance for such works.

British Trust for Ornithology Investigate the populations, www.bto.org movements and ecology of wild birds, organise annual breeding and winter bird surveys locally.

Butterfly Conservation (Scotland) Encourage surveying and Tom Prescott, Kingussie(HQ: monitoring of butterflies and Balallan House, Allan Park, moths, and advise on habitat Stirling FK8 2QG management for priority species. Tel: 01786 447753 www.butterfly-conservation.org

Community Toolkit Can help organisations find www.communitytoolkit.org.uk solutions to a range of problems and issues. Specifically designed for community groups and is based on common themes identified by local voluntary groups from around Inverness and Nairn.

Deer Commission Scotland Provide advice on deer Knowsley, 82 Fairfield Road, management and welfare issues. Inverness IV3 5LH Tel: 01463 231751 www.dcs.gov.uk

Farming and Wildlife Advisory Provide advice to farmers, Fran Lockhart, Glaikmore, North Group crofters and landowners on Kessock, Inverness IV1 1XD conservation projects and agri- Tel: 01463 811072 environmental grants. www.fwag.org.uk/scotland

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 63 Organisation: What they can help with: Contact details: Forestry Commission Administer the Scottish Forestry Willie Beattie, Fodderty Way, Grant Scheme, which provides Dingwall IV15 9XB woodland management and Tel: 01349 862144 expansion incentives for private www.forestry.gov.uk woodland owners, and regulate and control works through Felling Licence and Environmental Impact Assessment regulations.

Froglife Provide habitat advice about www.froglife.org amphibians and reptiles in gardens and the wider countryside, and encourage their recording.

Gairloch & Loch Ewe Action A community-based charitable Janet Miles, GALE Office, Forum company, with the remit of Poolewe Village Hall, Poolewe, carrying out a regeneration Achnasheen, Ross-shire IV22 2LD strategy for the Wester Loch Ewe Tel/fax: 01445 781408 area, involving a number of [email protected] http:// projects which have been devised freespace.virgin.net/leaf.ltd/ by, with and for the local lochewe.htm community.

Gairloch Wildlife Group Encourage recording of animal Peter Cunninghamc/o: Wester and plant observations, and Ross Fisheries Trust organise a number of talks and Tel: 01445 712899 wildlife walks. [email protected]

Grounds for Learning Provide advice, contacts, www.ltl.org.uk/scot.html programmes, grant and award schemes tailored for Scottish schools, for the improvement of school grounds for education, biodiversity and enjoyment.

Highland Biodiversity Project Responsible for the preparation Janet Bromham, The Highland and implementation of Local Council, Glenurquhart Road, Biodiversity Action Plans in Inverness IV3 5NX Highland. Tel: 01463 702274

Highland Biological Recording Record biological information Jonathan Watt, Inverness Group individually and through co- Museum & Art Gallery, Castle ordinated atlas projects, surveys, Wynd, Inverness IV2 3EB field trips and events. Tel: 01463 237114

Highland Council Ranger Service Run a programme of Meryl Carr, 3 Badluarach, environmental education events Dundonnell and guided walks, run practical Tel: 01854 633350 conservation projects, and give advice on access and conservation issues.

Highland Council Sustainable Provides advice on sustainability Una Lee, The Highland Council, Development Officer issues and appropriate Glenurquhart Road, Inverness community action. Tel: 01463 702543

64 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan Organisation: What they can help with: Contact details: Highland Council Waste Strategy Provides information on the Ross House, High Street, & Management Team correct disposal of waste and Dingwall IV15 9RY hazardous substances. Tel: 01349 868583

Lochcarron & District Business Produced a photographic Kristine Mackenzie, The Association collection and biodiversity guide Strathcarron Centre, The Station, to the area. Strathcarron, Ross-shire IV54 8YR Tel: 01520 722882 [email protected]

Loch Broom Field Club Encourage recording of animal Barry Dumughn and plant observations, and [email protected] organise a number of talks and field visits.

Marine Conservation Society Run a number of volunteer Calum Duncan, 3 Coates Place, coastal and marine projects Edinburgh EH3 7AA including beachwatch and Tel: 0131 2266360 seasearch. www.mcsuk.org

Moray Firth Partnership Provide advice on management of 27 Ardconnel Terrace, Inverness marine and coastal habitats in the IV2 3AE Moray Firth, and run a small Tel: 01463 226495 environmental scheme. www.morayfirth-partnership.org

National Farmers Union of Provide information on www.nfus.org.uk Scotland agricultural matters and representation on behalf of members.

National Trust for Scotland A conservation charity that Inverewe Garden, Poolewe, protects and promotes Scotland’s Ross-shire IV22 2LQ natural and cultural heritage for Tel: 01445 781431 present and future generations to enjoy.

North Highland Forest Trust Provide advice and assistance on Stuart Smith, Alba House, Main woodland biodiversity and Street, Golspie KW10 6TG community woodland projects. www.nhft.org.uk

Plantlife Acts to stop common wild plants www.plantlife.org.uk becoming rare in the wild, to rescue wild plants on the brink of extinction, and to protect sites of exceptional botanical importance by practical conservation work, and influencing policy and legislation.

Ross & Cromarty Enterprise Provide advice and support for www.hie.co.uk environmental projects and community-led works.

Ross-shire Waste Action Network A community waste group RoWAN, 30 Millbank Road, involved in waste minimisation, Munlochy, Ross-shire recycling, composting, education IV8 8ND and awareness-raising. Tel: 07626 981522

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 65 Organisation: What they can help with: Contact details: Royal Society for the Protection of Provides advice and assistance on Kenna Chisholm, Etive House, Birds the conservation of wild birds Beechwood Park, Inverness and their habitats, especially Tel: 01463 715000 declining, threatened or rare www.rspb.org.uk species.

Scottish Agricultural College Provide advice to farmers, Gillian McKnight, Drummondhill, crofters and land owners on Stratherrick Road, Inverness wildlife habitat improvement, Tel: 01463 233266 and help prepare and submit www.sac.ac.uk Rural Stewardship Scheme applications.

Scottish Crofting Foundation Promotes the benefits that Old Mill, Broadford, Isle of Skye crofting brings to its communities, IV49 9AQ Tel: 01471 822529 as well as to the wider public. www.crofting.org

Scottish Environmental Protection Regularly monitor and classify Tel: 0800 806070 (24 hour Agency coastal waters, rivers and lochs, pollution emergency number) deal with pollution incidents and www.sepa.org.uk provide advice and, through its Habitat Enhancement Initiative, provides guidance and support on the creation and best management of wildlife habitats.

Scottish Executive Environment & Advises on and implements www.scotland.gov.uk Rural Affairs Department policy relating to agriculture, rural development, food, the environment and fisheries.

Scottish Natural Heritage Provide advice and assistance on Pultney Street, Ullapool protected species and designated Tel: 01854 613418 areas, grant-aid practical Kinlochewe, Tel: 01445 760254 biodiversity and awareness- www.snh.org.uk raising projects.

Scottish Ornithologists Club Brings together amateur Harbour Point, Newhailes Road, birdwatchers, keen birders and Musselburgh EH21 6SJ research ornithologists with the Tel 0131 6530653 aims of documenting, studying www.the-soc.fsnet.co.uk and enjoying Scotland’s varied birdlife. The local Club collects and collates bird records for Caithness.

Scottish Water Provides water and waste water www.scottishwater.co.uk services to household and business customers across Scotland.

Scottish Wildlife Trust Provide advice on habitat Unit 4A, 3 Carsegate Road North, management, identification of Inverness IV3 8DU areas of high biodiversity and Tel: 01463 714746 conservation volunteer activities. www.swt.org.uk

66 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan Organisation: What they can help with: Contact details: The Mammal Society Organise mammal surveys and www.mammal.org.uk work to protect British mammals, to halt the decline of threatened species.

Wester Ross Alliance A local partnership that brings Lloyd Gudgeon, Unit 2, funding to Wester Ross and helps Achtercairn, Gairloch, Ross-shire to allocate it to sustainable IV21 2BH development activities Tel: 01445 712918 undertaken by communities. [email protected]

Wester Ross Fisheries Trust A charity dedicated to the Peter Cunningham, Harbour conservation, restoration and Centre, Gairloch, Ross-shire IV21 development of freshwater 2BQ fisheries in Wester Ross. Tel: 01445 712899 [email protected]

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 67 Annex 3: References & Further Reading

‹ Scottish Executive (2003) ‘Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture’. The Stationary Office Bookshop, Edinburgh

‹ Scottish Executive (2003) ‘The Rural Stewardship Scheme’. The Stationary Office Bookshop, Edinburgh

‹ Scottish Biodiversity Forum (2003) ‘Towards a Strategy for Scotland’s Biodiversity: Biodiversity Matters! Strategy Proposals’. The Stationary Office Bookshop, Edinburgh

‹ Scottish Biodiversity Forum (2003) ‘Towards a Strategy for Scotland’s Biodiversity: Indicators for the State of Scotland’s Biodiversity’. The Stationary Office Bookshop, Edinburgh

‹ Scottish Biodiversity Forum (2003) ‘Towards a Strategy for Scotland’s Biodiversity: Scotland’s Resource & Trends’. The Stationary Office Bookshop, Edinburgh

‹ Scotland’s Moorland Forum (2003) ‘Principles of Moorland Management’. The Stationary Office Bookshop, Edinburgh

‹ Preston, CD, Pearman, DA & Dines, TD (Eds) (2002) ‘New Atlas of the British & Irish Flora’. Oxford University Press

‹ Scottish Natural Heritage (2002) ‘Natural Heritage Futures’ documents

‹ The Scottish Biodiversity Group (2001) ‘A Flying Start: Local Biodiversity Action in Scotland’. The Stationary Office Bookshop, Edinburgh

‹ Scottish Executive (2001) ‘The Muirburn Code: A Guide to Best Practice’. The Stationary Office Bookshop, Edinburgh

‹ The Scottish Biodiversity Group (2000) ‘Action for Scotland’s Biodiversity’. The Stationary Office Bookshop, Edinburgh

‹ The Scottish Biodiversity Group (1999) ‘Local Biodiversity Action Plans: A Manual and Guidance Notes’. CoSLA, Edinburgh

‹ The Scottish Biodiversity Group (1997) ‘Biodiversity in Scotland: The Way Forward’. The Stationary Office Bookshop, Edinburgh

‹ Joint Nature Conservation Committee (1996) ‘Coasts and Seas of the United Kingdom, Region 3 North- east Scotland: Cape Wrath to St Cyrus’. Coastal Directory Series

‹ Joint Nature Conservation Committee ‘Directory of the Celtic Coasts and Seas’

‹ The UK Government (1994) ‘Biodiversity: The UK Action Plan’. HMSO, London

‹ The UK Government (1994) ‘Sustainable Development: The UK Strategy’. HMSO, London

‹ The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute (1993) ‘The Land Cover of Scotland 1988’ (LCS88)

‹ UK Biodiversity Action Plan ‘Tranche 2 Action Plans’. English Nature, Peterborough Index to the Tranche 2 Action Plans Volume I: Vertebrates and Vascular Plants Volume II: Terrestrial and Freshwater Habitats Volume III: Plants and Fungi Volume IV: Invertebrates Volume VI: Terrestrial and Freshwater Species and Habitats

68 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan Annex 4: Glossary

A acoustic of sound or hearing agri-environment linkage between the rearing of crops and livestock and the surrounding environment all-terrain vehicle light vehicle with many low pressure tyres or caterpillar tracks that spread the weight and make it easier to cross boggy areas amphibian a vertebrate, such as a newt, frog or toad, that lives on land but breeds in water aquatic growing or living in water arthropod a creature, such as an insect or spider, which has jointed legs and a hard case on its body B biodegradable capable of being decomposed by natural means biodiversity biological diversity, the variety of all living things brackish slightly salty bryophyte a moss or liverwort

C calcareous of or containing calcium carbonate catchment the area of land draining into a river, basin or reservoir cetacean member of an order of aquatic mammals having no hind limbs, front limbs modified into paddles, and a blowhole for breathing, includes whales, dolphins and porpoises clearfell an area where all the trees have been felled coarse fish any freshwater fish that is not of the salmon family coastal defences natural or man-made barriers to slow down or halt erosion from the sea common grazing piece of rough grazing land shared between two or more people community a group of independent plants and animals inhabiting the same region conifer a tree or shrub bearing cones and evergreen leaves, such as pine, spruce, fir or larch crustacean usually aquatic arthropod with a hard outer shell and several pairs of legs, such as the lobster, crab or shrimp culvert a drain or covered channel that crosses under a road or railway

D deciduous a tree or shrub which sheds its leaves annually, such as birch or oak Deer Management Plan a plan drawn up by the local Deer Management Group to agree culling targets amongst neighbouring estates diffuse spread out over a wide area (diffuse pollution: no single point source) diurnal in or of day / daytime diversification to vary products or operations in order to spread risk or expand dredging the process of scooping or sucking up material from the seabed or a riverbed

E ecosystem a system involving the interactions between a community and its non-living environment electrofishing method of surveying fish by stunning them with an electrical pulse environment the external surroundings in which a plant or animal lives, which influence its development eutrophic describes lochs with high nutrient levels extensive (agricultural context) widespread, designed to spread impacts over a large area

F fauna all the animal life of a given place or time fen peatland that receives water and nutrients from the soil, rock and groundwater as well as from rainfall fence marking the act of making a fence more visible to avoid bird collisions from e.g. black grouse The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 69 fertiliser any substance, such as manure, added to soil to increase its productivity flora all the plant life of a given place or time Forest Habitat Network a concept to link forest habitats for the benefit of woodland species fry the young of various species of fish

G genetic purity where the internal characteristics of an organism come from one source alone genus a group into which a family of animals or plants is divided and which contains one or more species geomorphology the study of the shapes and processes of the earth Gulf Stream a warm oceanic current originating in the gulf of Mexico that travels north- east as the North Atlantic Drift to warm the west coast of Scotland

H habitat the natural home of an animal or plant hatchery place where fish eggs are hatched to produce fry or parr for restocking herbicide a chemical that destroys plants, especially weeds hybrid an animal or plant resulting from a cross between two different types of animal or plant

I in-bye grazing or arable land, usually close to the croft or farm steading Indicative Forest Strategy a planning tool used by local authorities and agencies to help site new woodlands away from sensitive areas insecticide a substance used to destroy insect pests inshore in or on the water but close to the shore (inshore fisheries: within 12 miles of the shore) intensive (agricultural context) designed to increase production from a particular area interpretation explanation provided by the use of original objects, visual display material, etc. invasive spreading uncontrollably, taking over, replacing natural community invertebrate any animal without a backbone, such as an insect, worm or mollusc

L ley land temporarily under grass

M mammal any warm-blooded vertebrate animal, the female of which produces milk to feed her young mesotrophic describes lochs with intermediate nutrient levels mollusc an invertebrate with a soft, unsegmented body and often a shell (group includes snails, slugs, clams, mussels and squid) muirburning the controlled strip-burning of heather moorland to create new shoots for grouse, deer or sheep to eat

N natural regeneration seeding of plants, especially trees, without direct interference by man non-native a non-indigenous animal or plant, not of local origin nutrient budgeting the allocation of nutrients (especially fertilisers) to particular areas for particular purposes, to minimise wastage and environmental impacts nutrient enrichment an increase or improvement in the substances providing nourishment to a water body, sometimes resulting in a change in the chemistry and corresponding loss in naturally occurring species O oligotrophic describes lochs with low nutrient levels, such as the dubh lochans in the peatlands out-bye rough grazing land, usually far from the croft or farm steading overgraze to graze land too intensely so that it is damaged and no longer provides nourishment or (if an area is managed for woodland) so that trees cannot regenerate or grow 70 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan P parasitic the process of one animal or plant living in or on another from which it obtains its nourishment parr the intermediate stage of a salmonid fish between fry and smolt passerine a songbird or perching bird pest any organism that damages crops, or irritates livestock or man pesticide a chemical used for killing pests, especially insects plankton organisms inhabiting the surface layer of a sea or loch, consisting of small drifting animals or plants plateau a wide mainly level area of elevated land

R raptor a bird of prey recreation refreshment of health or spirits by relaxation and enjoyment, or an activity that promotes this reedbed wetland dominated by stands of the common reed Phragmites australis, where the water table is at or above ground level for most of the year reseed a crop, especially grass, that has been sown riparian of or on the bank of a river or stream roost a place, such as a perch, where birds rest or sleep

S salmonid fish from the salmon family (includes salmon, trout & char) sea lice a fish parasite second rotation the second crop of trees grown on a plantation sessile a plant with flowers or leaves but no stalk / an animal fixed in one position sheep dip a liquid disinfectant and insecticide in which sheep are immersed siltation to fill or choke up with silt (a fine sediment of mud or clay deposited by moving water) silviculture the cultivation of forest trees Site of Special Scientific an area designated under UK legislation for its nature conservation interest Interest (SSSI) smolt young salmon at the stage when it migrates from freshwater to the sea spawning beds the location where fish, amphibians or molluscs lay eggs Special Area of Conservation an area designated under European legislation (the Habitats Directive) for its (SAC) nature conservation interest Special Protection Area (SPA) an area designated under European legislation (the Birds Directive) for its wild bird interest species any of the groups into which a genus is divided, the members of which are able to interbreed standing deadwood dead trees left standing or lying to support fungi and invertebrates

U upland an area of high or relatively high ground

V vertebrate any animal with a backbone, such as a mammal, fish, bird or amphibian

W wader a long-legged bird that lives near water or in a wetland waterfowl bird that lives on or near water, especially one that swims such as a duck or swan weed any plant that grows wild and profusely, especially one that grows among cultivated plants wildfire out-of-control fire started accidentally or through out-of-control muirburning, which can rage over vast areas and threaten woodlands, roads or even houses wildfowl any game bird woodland restructuring the process of changing the structure of a woodland to allow more internal space and diversity of tree species

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 71 Annex 5: Nature Conservation Designations

72 The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan Annex 6: Ancient & Semi-Natural Woodland

The Wester Ross Biodiversity Action Plan 73 What You Can Do

Everyone can do their bit for biodiversity and the environment, whether it is on the farm or croft, in the garden or down at the shops! Here are some examples of how you can help:

Get involved

‹ Find out about your local environment, take part in local projects and come up with more ideas to improve biodiversity. (Contact: Scottish Natural Heritage, or your local community council or association)

‹ Become one of British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) Scotland’s Highland Volunteers.

‹ Join your local Field or Bird Club, and take part in surveys or projects. (Contact: Loch Broom Field Club, Gairloch Wildlife Group, Scottish Ornithologists Club, Highland Biological Recording Group)

‹ Send any interesting wildlife records or sightings (including a six figure grid reference) to the Highland Biological Recording Group (contact: Highland Biological Records Centre, Inverness Museum)

‹ Keep biodiversity high on the political agenda by writing to your MSP, MP or MEP.

Garden for wildlife

‹ Plant native species that will provide food and shelter all year round for wildlife, leave a ‘wild corner’ - long grass, nettles and other weeds can be good for butterflies and log or stone piles can benefit insects and if you have space, dig a garden pond. (Information on gardening for wildlife in this area is available from Scottish Natural Heritage and the Flora Locale website has advice on locally appropriate seed mixes)

‹ Put up nest boxes and bat boxes in suitable locations.

‹ Grow to organic principles. (Information on organic gardening is available from the Soil Association Scotland)

‹ Compost all your garden and vegetable waste, and buy alternatives to peat-based composts and other products from local garden centres. (Further information is available from Highland Council’s Waste Management Officer, Dingwall. Ross-shire Waste Action Network (ROWAN) and Gairloch & Loch Ewe Action Forum (GALE) also have an input to waste and recycling schemes)

Shop locally

‹ Buy locally grown and / or organically produced meat and vegetables where possible. (A local box scheme operates around Ullapool)

‹ Make sure any wood products you buy carry an accredited logo, such as the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC).

Reduce pollution

‹ Pick up litter and encourage people not to drop litter. Plastic containers, tin cans and discarded fishing line & nets can cause particular damage as they are not biodegradable and can trap or suffocate birds and mammals.

‹ Use biodegradable cleaning products and washing powder, and use less bleach and harmful cleaning products at home and in the garden.

‹ Dispose of hazardous substances such as batteries, oil, turpentine and acid wisely and don’t flush non- biodegradable items down the toilet. (Information on correct disposal methods is available from the Waste Strategy & Management Team, Highland Council in Dingwall)

Don’t forget the larger, global issues such as reducing waste and using less energy. Contact details for the Groups listed above are given in Annex 2.