North Ayrshire Local Group Newsletter

Edition 102 RSPB Scotland Centenary Spring 2004 In 2004, RSPB Scotland is celebrating 100 years of working for Scotland's wildlife. The last century has seen many conservation successes, but we Contents know that threats and challenges to wildlife are ever present and our work RSPB Centenary ...... 1 must continue. Chairman’s Message ...... 2 Diary Dates ...... 2 Scotland is amazing for of Scotland's wildlife and its 2004 Today with the help of Ailsa Craig ...... 3 wildlife. The variety of habitats. We have ambitious RSPB members, supporters Lochwinnoch News ...... 4 species and habitats is ideas to help birds, wildlife and volunteers we now Nigg Bay ...... 5 outstanding – from golden and places across Scotland manage more than 70 nature Volunteers’ Day ...... 5 eagles to otters, red squirrels and look forward to another reserves and 62,000 hectares Galloway Delights ...... 6 to wintering geese and huge 100 years of action. across Scotland, from Kites Poisoned ...... 7 seabird colonies – all set Shetland to the Solway. Bullfinch Limed ...... 7 among rugged mountains, Timeline LIPU News ...... 8 moorland, ancient 1904 The RSPB starts work Future challenges Eagles and Harriers ...... 9 Caledonian pine forests and in Scotland protecting • To reverse the decline of Nature Conservation Bill . . .9 miles of coastline. peregrines at Craigleith, the capercaillie Calmac Sailings ...... 10 Edinburgh, and seabirds on • To bring back the many Centenary Cruise ...... 10 There is also exciting wildlife Orkney and Shetland. once common farmland Wind Farms ...... 11 closer to home – in our 1924 Launch of first RSPB birds such as corn More Centenary Events . . .11 gardens, parks and urban local group in Scotland. buntings Cruise Poster ...... 12 green spaces: from 1954 Ospreys returned to • To continue to seek blackbirds and butterflies to Scotland (Loch Garten) after solutions for house www.narspb.org.uk bats. With your support, the 50 year’s absence. sparrow decline Photos: RSPB will provide a better 1959 Osprey hide at Loch • Fighting for investment Top: Loch Ken - Stuart McMahon future for Scotland's wildlife Garten opened, welcoming to improve many of our Below: Robin – Tony Barr for us – and our future 14,000 people in the first six protected sites for generations – to enjoy. weeks of opening. wildlife 1967 Vane Farm opens as • Working for greater We hope you will join the RSPB nature reserve and protection and better RSPB celebrations this year – Europe's first environmental management of seas and and help us shape the future education site. coastlines.

RSPB Scotland announces Ailsa Craig as its newest STOP PRESS nature reserve - full details on p3. Chairman’s Message

As the AGM of our RSPB Group approaches and in an attempt to keep it brief as is our custom, this writty may serve as my report or ‘View from the Bridge’.

One hundred years of the RSPB in Scotland! Fifty golden years since the Scottish Ospreys return and the current success of the Red Gled reintroduction make for an optimistic celebration of our Scottish Centenary but we must not be complacent, the Forthcoming Capercaillie is at serious risk of extinction, the Peregrine falcon and Sparrowhawk are under threat from the racing pigeon lobby. Events

Action is required on behalf of the raptors. Write or email today to your local MSP Black=Indoor meeting Semper vigilis! In short, the pigeon fanciers are trying to table an amendment to the (Ardrossan Civic Centre at 7.30pm) final Stage 3 debate of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Bill which would allow the Blue=Outdoor Trip culling of peregrines and sparrowhawks. More information on this topic is on page 9 Saturday 27th March of this newsletter. Culzean Castle - Meet at Park Centre for a ranger-led walk. Minibus Our North Ayrshire Group has had another good year with increased attendances on available. field trips to see many superb birds and excellent attendances at indoor meetings. My thanks to our speakers who have maintained the accustomed high standard of Friday 23rd April Annual General Meeting, followed by presentation. The use of our digital equipment funded by “Awards for All” both in- Dr Rupert Ormond - The History of house and externally has been steady and a most effective tool for talks and teaching Millport Marine Research Station. about birds and conservation up and down the county and beyond from Galloway to Lanarkshire and Perthshire! Stuart has instituted its use at our tea-breaks as Saturday 24th April “Forthcoming attractions and recent highlights” most professionally. He also Trip to Big Cumbrae / Marine conducted a Powerpoint workshop at the Volunteers’ Day at Battleby this year. Research Station. 9.45am ferry dep. Largs. Cost £3.95 Adult return.

That epithet “professional” is justifiably applied to all of the committee (one notable Friday 4th - Sunday 6th June exception : moi) most have attended the RSPB’s Volunteers’ days regularly. These Weekend Trip to Farne Islands. stalwarts have been the true engineers who have maintained the level flight of our FULLY BOOKED. Starship (oh no, not again) in spite of the doubtful stability of the Captain! (Ed - from next season I’m banning Star Trek references in your letter!!!) My thanks to them and to Saturday’s July & August you all for confident support throughout the year. While still looking forward to more Showing People Seabirds on board the Arran Ferry. See p10 for details. meetings and field trips including Culzean and the Farne Islands, we already have a good programme pretty much in place for next session with a couple of very special Saturday 14th August attractions: A chartered sail to Lochranza aboard the MV “Cruiser” this summer and Centenary Cruise from Largs to hopefully a chartered sail on the PS “Waverley”, around Ailsa Craig of course, in 2005 Lochranza. See p10 for details.

The numbers at our Christmas Party were down due to the snowbirds’ flight to warmer Friday 17th September Opening meeting for the new season climes, who could blame them! We will invite local camera club members (they support the Paisley CS exhibitition every year) to augment our festivities this year and to show us some of their work... we have several members in common, good old symbiosis! New Group Website Duncan Watt Group Leader The Group now has it’s own website containing information about the 28 Greenbank Group and our events. Please give us Dalry a visit at: www.narspb.org.uk Tel: 01294 832361 [email protected]

Photo: Black throated diver - RSPB

[2] Ailsa Craig A Treasured Isle

Main picture: Ailsa Craig and PS ‘Waverley’. Photo: Davie Law Bottom l-r: Gannets, Manx Shearwater, Puffins. Photos: rspb-mages.com

Its silhouette is one of the UK’s most rats have since been eradicated in a many years. Under RSPB management, recognised. It is also renowned as unique operation and the puffins are now any further activities or developments can being amongst the most important returning. It’s believed there are only be closely monitored to prevent causing breeding sites for northern gannet in between 10 and 20 pairs on the island, harm to the wildlife or habitat, which tens the world and granite from the island where once there were tens of thousands. of thousands of birds rely upon. has been used for curling stones for centuries. Now, Ailsa Craig off the RSPB Scotland’s Regional Reserves “RSPB also hope to work in partnership west coast of Scotland in the Firth of Manager Alan Lauder said, “Establishing with other groups and organisations to Clyde has become the newest RSPB Ailsa Craig as a reserve is a real coup for give visitors the opportunity to see the reserve after an agreement was the Society as the island is internationally island and its spectacular seabird colonies reached with its current owner, the renowned for its wildlife and raw beauty. by boat. Perhaps the Waverley paddle Marquis of Ailsa. We can now continue the work started by steamer could offer occasional others to make sure the puffins and other birdwatching tours around the island?“ The 104-hectare island sits only 12 miles seabirds re-colonise the island, and the Alan went on to say. off the south Ayrshire coast, at the mouth gannets continue to thrive when they of the Firth, and is home to more than return from northwest Africa. It gives us a Stuart Housden, Director for RSPB in 40,000 pairs of gannet. This makes it the fantastic opportunity to tell the UK and Scotland said, “The RSPB is very grateful third most important site in the UK for the world about our amazing wildlife“. to Lord Ailsa for this exciting opportunity this species behind St. Kilda and Bass in our Scottish centenary year. It is a real Rock. Ailsa Craig is a haven for various The island is also famed for its high quality boost to establish a reserve at a place with other seabirds as well, including guillemot granite. This has been used for fashioning such an interesting history. We hope that and razorbill. It was once, however, a the stones used by the winter Olympic under our stewardship, we can look fierce wildlife battleground, where the curling team champions. Quarried granite, forward to more seabirds returning and puffin population was decimated by an removed in the past, should continue to opportunities for people to see the introduced marauding rat population. The provide users with high quality stone for colonies”.

[3] Lochwinnoch Lochwinnoch RSPB in springtime Photo: rspb-images.com Reserve News

Jen Walker, Visitor and Publicity Officer, RSPB Lochwinnoch [email protected]

Life at Lochwinnoch has been ticking BIG GARDEN BIRD WATCH WILDLIFE HIGHLIGHTS along nicely over the winter. Events The number of people taking part in the The regular sightings of a kingfisher sitting are held all year round and we have RSPB’s national Big Garden Birdwatch really close to the visitor centre, fishing in now produced our new 2004 events broke all records this year with so far the pond nearby was a great attraction to program, which runs until Dec. Please 400,000 results submitted! visitors, volunteers and staff alike. Many pick up a copy the next time you’re at people seeing a kingfisher for the first time the reserve or you can subscribe to our At Lochwinnoch reserve, we spent an and were thoroughly excited by this monthly events reminders by emailing hour on both days watching our feeding stunning bird! [email protected]. area alongside visitors and counted the birds there. I wonder how many people The redhead smew has also been putting OPTICS DEMONSTRATIONS have a kingfisher on their lists?? (well it in regular appearances, moving between If you’re interested in trying out was right in front of the windows...) the Aird Meadow, Castle Semple and Barr binoculars and telescopes then we are Lochs. You may have already read about now holding demonstrations on the third WILDLIFE ART ‘Bubble and Squeak’ the two 6 week old Sunday of every month. This has been a popular theme since the otter cubs that were found at the end of beginning of the year. We held a Wildlife the trail after their mother was knocked AREN’T BIRDS BRILLIANT! Art Exhibition in February with paintings over on the road. Both are alive and well We will be watching sea birds at by local artists; Gavina Reid and Duncan at Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre. Lunderston Bay every month throughout Watt brightening up our walls. Duncan Thankfully, several of us saw three otters the summer season, starting with Sunday also gave the Lochwinnoch Wildlife swimming around in the Aird Meadow 25 April, if you fancy a breath of fresh sea Explorers Group a teaching session on Loch after all this happened so there’s a air and a chat with us do come along! drawing birds, which has inspired many of happy ending! (Just turn up sometime between 1-3pm). the group to try various techniques. We just recently found out that every year, I think I’ll finish there, although there’s TALK-TIME pupils of Linwood High School draw birds always so much to say. I must thank The talks that we’ve had so far in 2004 with the theme of designing a carrier bag Hessilhead Wildlife Trust Centre for their have proved very popular and everyone for the RSPB! So they will be bringing their help with finding and looking after the has said that they’ve been extremely work down to the reserve to exhibit this otters and especially to all of you who enjoyable! In January, Vanessa year to let us all see (from 27 March to 18 help us at Lochwinnoch throughout the Collingridge entertained us with wonderful April). year! images of her expedition to the Antarctic to research climate change (Ed - we are If you’re more into photography then we JUST ARRIVED hoping to have Vanessa as one of our now have a photography hide overlooking The first of the summer migrants have speakers next season!). In February, Chris the feeding area, please ask for further arrived at Lochwinnoch with sightings of Rollie passed on his wealth of knowledge details at the reserve. Maybe you could try some Sand Martins. about Rabbie Burns in relation to birds – and get some good shots and enter the as always with much enthusiasm! ‘Talk Goldeneye Centenary Photo competition Below left: Kingfisher - Photo: John Molloy time’ then ended in a climax with Duncan to help celebrate 100 years of the RSPB Below right: Andy Christie and Alan, a work and ‘A Celtic Adventure’ this month. A working in Scotland, entry forms are experience volunteer with ‘Bubble and Squeak’. wonderful adventure it was indeed! available here too. Photo: Dave Mellor

[4] Knot And so the birds returned Photo: rspb-images.com

RSPB Scotland, Edinburgh

Inter-tidal wildlife is beginning to thrive, 'When the tide comes in, it brings through 'However, every year in the UK, we revealing Scotland's first coastal re- fine layers of mud, which brings with it lose 100 hectares of salt marsh alignment project as a major success one many invertebrates, and they have now because of rising sea levels. There year on from the dramatic breaching of a colonised the site in large numbers over the is an urgent need for more funding seawall on the Cromarty Firth near last year. This is ideal for wading birds such and government support for this Inverness. as redshank and curlew. In fact, last month kind of project in Scotland to claim we saw an astonishing flock of up to 200 back these critical habitats, which The ambitious project has involved digging redshank feeding at low tide'. are also vital for the national and out two holes in a sea defence wall to allow internationally important numbers seawater back in an area formerly claimed Aerial photographs show the stunning of wading birds and wildfowl that from the sea. This took place early last year affect the pioneering project has had on the use the Scottish Firths during the at RSPB Scotland's Nigg Bay nature reserve. land. It is clear that saltmarsh plants are winter'. rapidly re-colonising the site that was only It was hoped that, over time, mudflats claimed from the sea 50 years ago. RSPB In England and Wales, the would be re-created and native salt marsh Scotland is interested in identifying other Environment Agency has vegetation would take hold. This would sites to carry out similar projects. responsibility for flood warning and then encourage various wading birds and flood defence. In Scotland, no wildfowl such as redshank, bar-tailed RSPB Scotland's Project Manager Kenna single coordinating body has godwit, knot, wigeon and pintail to return. Chisholm said: 'This was Scotland's first responsibility for coastal protection managed coastal re-alignment scheme, and or flood defence. RSPB Scotland ecologist Neil Cowie said: has been a fantastic success. At Nigg, we 'Already, only a year since the seawall was have demonstrated for the last 12 months Unlike England & Wales, there is breached, there are six species of salt marsh that we can create and protect this precious also no government funding for plants growing within the site at Nigg Bay, habitat and people can now see the coastal realignment, which is including sea aster and glasswort. Another immense benefits. slowing efforts to introduce this major change is how the area of mudflat pioneering measure to combat the habitat is expanding. loss of coastal wildlife in Scotland.

Some of the North Ayrshire delegates at the conference. Volunteers’ Conference Photo: Tony Barr

Battleby Centre, Perth, Saturday 28th February 2004 Stuart McMahon

Once again, this year’s RSPB Scottish Following a break, Graham Wynne, Chief Volunteers’ Conference was attended by executive of the RSPB, gave his first ever talk several members of the Group. to the Volunteers’ Day entitled “Past Successes and Future Challenges”. rounded off by Ken Shaw talking The programme as always, was extremely about the story of Vane Farm. As a varied and started with Stuart Housden, Lunch was it’s usual high standard and left farewell a short video clip entitled Director, RSPB Scotland, giving a talk about everyone feeling extremely full up. Then it “Scotland’s Amazing Wildlife” was 100 years of working for Scotland’s wildlife. was on to a series of workshops, covering played - all being well we hope to The basis of his talk was given to Groups as the topics of Recruiting Members, Wildlife show it at the AGM - it truly is part of a ‘centenary toolkit’ - it will be well Explorers Centenary Challenge, Renewable excellent. worth seeing. Following Stuart, was Stewart Energy and one run by myself on Taylor who talked about 50 years of Powerpoint for Perfect Presentations! Congratulations to Tony, Bobby and Operation Osprey – a nice golden Question Time for a panel of RSPB Duncan on being presented with anniversary to celebrate this year as well. personnel was followed by yet more tea, their silver badge awards from coffee and cream cakes, and the day was Graham Wynne.

[5] Galloway Delights . . . Striding along the path at Loch Ken RSPB Reserve. Stuart McMahon Photo: Tony Barr

Nearly 30 members of the North Ayrshire station near Laurieston. Because of the Group visited Loch Ken on Sunday 29th good weather most of the kites were February, on what turned out to be an away foraging elsewhere, but after a while absolutely glorious day. a few put in an appearance overhead, along with some buzzards and ravens. Tony, at the helm of the minibus, and Highlight though was the sight of a In the meantime, some of our several cars gathered at New Galloway distant goshawk having a good mid-air group had walked about 100 yards before making our way down to the RSPB tustle with a raven before going into an in the opposite direction towards reserve at Loch Ken. And it wasn’t long amazing dive before dropping out of sight. another house and were admiring before the first red kite was seen - just the wonderful slate sculptures outside Mossdale and only a few yards Our final port of call was to Milton Loch, when the lady came out and asked away from the wonderful wooden red kite a short drive along the A75 towards what we were doing. She was totem pole! Crocketford. Our quest here was to locate delighted that we were two rare ducks that had been reported. birdwatching and invited us to put At the reserve a couple more kites put on On arrival we met a couple of other our telescopes up in front of her a display beside the car park whilst birders who quickly put us on to a house. We relocated the cars and scopes were quickly assembled to look at stunning male ring-necked duck. minibus 100 yards further along the flocks of geese - soon we had picked and soon we got views of our 2nd out the Greenland white fronted geese Our views were interrupted though by a target here - a lovely drake lesser along with the greylags and some pink rather unpleasant and irate young lady scaup. The houseowner was feet. In the field immediately in front of us who told us in no uncertain terms that delighted to have it pointed out to fieldfares hopped about searching for we had to move from our location down a her. She also made reference to her bugs. muddy track claiming it was private land less than enthusiastic neighbour! (although there were no signs indicating The pleasant walk along to the new hide this) and that she had ‘had enough of all Before we knew it the clock was didn’t turn up much but nice views of the birders last year’. After some protests showing 5.30pm and the sky was reed bunting and treecreeper were seen. her wishes were respected to avoid still wonderfully light, but it was The downside to the clear blue skies further confrontation. certainly getting cold! meant that overnight there had been a hard frost and part of the loch in front of So ended our trip down to the hide had frozen over. Despite this Galloway. A nice range of species some snipe were seen along with were seen along with a few rarities, cormorant, canada geese and goosanders. made all the better by the wonderful weather. Returning back to the carpark for lunch another kite put on a wonderful display sitting closeby at the top of a tree. Soon it Left: Greenland White Fronted Geese was time to head for the kite feeding Below: Kite Feeding Station at Bellymack Farm. Photo: Stuart McMahon

[6] . . . but more Red Kites poisoned RSPB Scotland

Tragedy, as two more of Scotland's red Scotland. They are a valuable asset to the kites have been confirmed as illegally local community and have already boosted killed by poison in Dumfries and Galloway. local tourism.’

These birds were part of the joint project Red Kite Photo: Tony Barr by RSPB Scotland and Scottish Natural 2003 had been planned as the final year Heritage (SNH) to bring back this rare and for red kites to be released in the area, beautiful species to the area. however, as a result of these recent RSPB Scotland Investigations deaths, another 20 young birds will be Officer Dave Dick said, 'We are The two red kites were found near introduced later this year in an attempt to working with police in the area to Laurieston and sent away for scientific help the birds build up a healthy assist them with enquiries in this testing by the Scottish Agriculture Science population in the area. These birds will particular case, and in others. It's Agency to determine their cause of death. come from the north Scotland population tragic that a blatant disregard of It was confirmed that both birds died as a on the Black Isle as well as chicks from the the law by a few land managers is direct result of eating the banned pesticide Chilterns in England, where the still jeopardising this amazing bird's carbofuran. These deaths now take the population is doing extremely well. success. The forthcoming Nature total number of birds killed from the re- Conservation (Scotland) Bill, will introduction scheme in Dumfries and Red kites are already becoming a major help further protect wild birds as it Galloway to 11. This represents 12% of tourism earner for the area, with the includes tough regulations on the the 90 birds released in the area so far. recently opened kite trail around Loch Ken use and storage of chemicals and attracting more than 1,000 by Christmas pesticides. We welcome this. RSPB Scotland's Dumfries and Galloway after opening in October. Groups from as Giving more power to the police Area Manager Chris Rollie said, 'This is an far afield as Northern Ireland have even will be a great asset in the fight absolute disgrace. These birds are started making the trip to the area just to against wildlife crime'. struggling to gain a foothold in Dumfries see this remarkable bird. At the feeding and Galloway because of senseless acts station, visitors can enjoy the spectacle of such as this. These birds pose no threat to several red kites circling overhead, an anyone and are amongst our most experience that until recently was not beautiful birds and threatened species in possible at all.

Bullfinch limed Chinese RSPB Legal Eagle, Dec 2003 laundering helps In December 2002, the RSPB and the SSPCA caught John Duncan Mair setting up conservation lime twigs next to a live decoy to catch RSPB Legal Eagle, Oct 2003 finches at a trapping site in Scotland. A bullfinch was trapped while they filmed The SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Mair. The next day, a search warrant was Syndrome) outbreak has had a positive executed by the police, with assistance result for conservation. Because it is from the RSPB and the SSPCA, at Mair’s possible that it started with a virus leaping address in Whitecraig Avenue, Whitecraig, between animal species, the Chinese Musselburgh, East Lothian. Mair’s garden authorities have cracked down on the sheds contained birds including bullfinches smuggling and eating of endangered and greenfinches. A tube of 1talian non- species. hardening glue was seized, along with other items relating to finch-trapping. Mair Some 170,000 forestry officers raided appeared at Haddington Sheriff Court on 20 14,900 animal fairs and 67,800 hotels and August 2003. He pleaded guilty to taking a restaurants, and found a staggering bullfinch using birdlime, and was fined 838,500 endangered animals. These Cranes were among a staggering £400. He was admonished for possessing included cranes, snakes, pangolins, amount of endangered species found glue, lime twigs, chardonneret traps, bags anteaters and turtles. More than 1,428 in raids on restaurants and hotels in and seed heads for trapping birds. people have been arrested as a result. China. Photo: rspb-images.com

[7] European news – supplied by LIPU UK

Survey on hunting The result of a survey by Abacus, requested by LIPU, revealed that 72% of Italians would like hunting abolished and that 82% would cast a vote, in a referendum. If only the politicians would listen more to the people. . .! Operation safe flight Intense lobbying by voluntary LIPU anti-hunting wardens in Petition against hunting Campania. In collaboration with Naples Environment officials LIPU has launched a petition to stop parliamentary proposals and local carabinieri LIPU has urged action to prevent that would threaten wildlife. We wish to block the proposed poaching along the coastal pools in the Domizia bay area increase in the number of huntable species in the protected (north of Naples) The LIPU president Giuliano Tallone has areas, the extending of the hunting season into migratory and written to the authorities responsible for the region requesting breeding periods. the depenalisaion of crimes associated with law enforcement along the Domitian littoral. Supporting the hunting, and more. See www.lipu-uk.org for more information. request was a petition signed by over 6000 people. The Prefect of Naples has called a meeting of law enforcement personnel, Naples: 500 goldfinches with a view to effecting the destruction of the ambush hides. released About woodlands A blitz by LIPU wardens and Carabinieri on the illegal Gianturco market in Naples They impounded about 500 Since October LIPU has given support to the Italian FSC Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, and Siskins. A dealer (Forest Stewardship Council). Members must respect certain was arrested for violence. To avoid having his avifauna environmental guidelines. Good woodland management can impounded he launched himself against a policeman and a bring about an increase in the number of different species. LIPU warden.

Carabinieri and European Union - Lombardy - Sparrows LIPU Rangers in proceedings have and Starlings been filed against The Regional Tribunal in Milan has Action in Salerno ordered the suspension of hunting 200 small birds, 11 nets and many traps Italy sparrows and starlings that the Regional have been confiscated by Carabinieri Following reports presented by LAC authorities had put on the list of and LIPU volunteers. One person has (League Against Hunting) in 2002, the huntable species. Killing these species is been charged with trafficking in European Commission has opened forbidden with immediate effect protected birds. The birds had been proceedings against Italy for various throughout Lombardy. Offenders can be destined for illegal collections and were infractions of the directives on taken to Magistrates court and have immediately set free. The LIPU delegate conservation of wild birds in Sardinia firearms confiscated. Action against the for Salerno has commented that the and Puglia. The charges concern the two regions was brought by illegal trade in wildlife is still deeply illegal lengthening of the hunting season organisations including LAC and WWF. rooted in the area. for some species.

Chaffinches in Tuscany Sicily: More funds Chaffinches in Tuscany have been saved. available for Parks The Regional Tribunal in Florence has suspended with immediate effect all and Reserves hunting of chaffinches. Such activities Almost €5 million, in addition to had been allowed by a Regional amounts already allocated, are going to variation in national law. Without parks and reserves in Sicily. Mario recourse to the court by environmental Parlvecchio, the Regional Councillor for organisations there would undoubtedly Land and Environment, made the have been a real slaughter of these birds. announcement. He has met the The Regional authorities had authorised Presidents of the four Parks in Sicily, the killing of 10 chaffinches each for up Nebrodi, Etna, Madonie and Alcantara, to 47,000 licensed hunters in Tuscany. and representatives of reserve managers.

[8] Coming soon . . .harriers and eagles Zoe Clelland, RSPB South and West Scotland, Glasgow

For anyone who hasn’t already Live CCTV viewing of hen harriers at the experienced this wonderful initiative, nest will also be available during the nesting can I recommend the Hen Harrier season on the Isle of Arran at Island Viewing Project at Clyde Muirshiel Porcelain, Kilmory. Photo: Hen harrier rspb-images.com Regional Park, a beautiful area of open moorland a short distance to the West We are very keen to hear from volunteers of Glasgow. Here, during the early who would like to help us with the Clyde summer, you can see live footage of hen Muirshiel project. Your role would be to a nest site and visitors join harriers at a nearby secret nest site on greet visitors and explain what’s happening programmed visits, accompanied by CCTV screens in the Park’s Muirshiel on the monitors, answer general questions, an experienced guide, to watch these Visitor Centre. A guide is on hand to and/or assist the Hen Harrier Project Officer spectacular birds as they tend their lead programmed walks up onto the with guided walks. You don’t need to be an chicks. Close-up views of the nest moors, where visitors may be lucky expert as training will be given. If you’re are also transmitted to the hide via enough to see this rare raptor hunting interested or would like further information, CCTV. over the moors. please contact Zoe Clelland at the RSPB Glasgow Office on 0141 331 0993. Both the hen harrier projects and the Depending on the birds’ own schedule, the sea eagle project are obviously cameras normally start transmitting images In addition, those who love raptors will be dependent on the respective birds from the nest in late May. The project interested to know that the celebrated Sea successfully establishing nests, so attracted almost 4,000 visitors last year and Eagle Viewing Project will again be running visitors are urged to ring RSPB was particularly popular with families. Many through May, June and July on the Isle of Scotland’s Glasgow office on 0141 people even made return visits to follow the Mull off the coast of Argyll this year. 331 0993 for further information progress of the chicks. Here a hide is established close to when planning their visit.

Nature Conservation Bill Julia Harrison, Advocacy Officer, RSPB Scotland

You may have read in the media that the and/or peregrines. This was an ‘evidence- Scottish Parliament’s Environment based’ approach to policy, with decisions Committee have been considering based on scientific fact rather than public amendments to the very important Nature pressure. However, in response to pressure Conservation (Scotland) Bill. I am therefore from MSPs with pigeon racing constituents writing to update you on a particular issue of the Executive agreed to look at this issue great concern to us. again before Stage 3. This will be done in the light of as yet unpublished research by SNH measures. If you decide to write, time Some of the amendments that MSPs put on the issue. If this new work confirms is of the essence. It would be best for forward related to the concerns of some previous findings, which is a very strong letters to be sent by mid-April, pigeon fanciers who believe that possibility, there will be no justification for before the Stage 3 debate in sparrowhawks and peregrine falcons should allowing a cull. Indeed, under European law, Parliament. be culled, because they occasionally take efforts to try alternatives must be tried pigeons. These amendments were ultimately before any control measures could be used. The MSP for Cunninghame North is withdrawn. However, the issue will arise Allan Wilson, and for Cunninghame again at the next stage. We are very worried I’m sorry to have to write to you again on South is Irene Oldfather. about this as this is the final stage before the the subject of the Bill - but this is of great bill is passed and becomes law. It is crucial concern to us. It represents a significant A full briefing on the issue of pigeons that such amendments are not passed. A threat to Scotland’s birds, as well as our and birds of prey will be available at legal cull would undoubtedly prove to be the reputation in Europe. If you share these your indoor meetings. It contains the thin end of the wedge for birds of prey, concerns, please ensure your MSPs are main points but if you express these setting a precedent for other interest groups aware. If you would like to write to your in your own words you are more to follow. MSPs on this issue, it would be useful to ask likely to make an impact. I hope you them to confirm whether they would oppose find the briefing useful, but if you At Stage 2 the Scottish Executive resisted such amendments and to inform the have any questions please give me a calls to introduce a cull on sparrowhawks Executive that they do not support such call on 0131 311 6538.

[9] Horse Island and the Showing People Seabirds MV ‘Caledonian Isles’ Photo: Tony Barr

Stuart McMahon [email protected]

Would you like a day out sailing the high In addition to birds, mammals can also be The only date which we will not be seas (well, the Firth of Clyde), soaking up seen from many sailings including the attempting this year is the 14th August. the glorious sunshine and Showing People increasingly common harbour porpoise. This is the date of the Brodick Highland Seabirds? Games and is always fully booked Tickets and lunch are generously provided resulting in several hundred folk usually Well, all you need to do is pass your name by CalMac for the volunteers and we being unable to board. to myself and I shall add your name to this supply the information and materials to year’s rota for the Arran ferry sailings. All the public. If the sailings are full, then we However this will be the date of our being well, we hope to run them in the will be able to set up our stall in the ferry Centenary Cruise. Full details are given same successful style as in previous years, terminal at Ardrossan. below. on Saturday’s during July and August.

MV “Cruiser” Centenary Cruise Photo: David Ritchie

Stuart McMahon [email protected]

Make a note in your diaries. board of the RSPB’s new film to celebrate SATURDAY 14th AUGUST 2004. the centenary “Eagle Odyssey” - all about the life of a pair of Sea Eagles. To mark RSPB Scotland’s centenary the North Ayrshire Group is organising a We should arrive in Lochranza at about 12 Tickets costing £17 Adult and £10 special Centenary Cruise, sailing from noon and will have 2 hours ashore, giving Child (under 16) are available by Largs to Lochranza, on the Isle of Arran. everyone plenty of time to go in search of filling in the slip below and returning Arran’s Golden Eagles! it with your remittance to the Departing Largs at 10am on board Clyde address listed below. Tickets are non- Marine’s mv “Cruiser”, we will sail down Departing Lochranza at 2pm we will return refundable. the Clyde past the Cumbraes before heading to Largs via the scenic Kyles of Bute and west past Garroch Head at the southern tip Tighnabruaich, arriving back at Largs for Further details are available at our of Bute towards Lochranza on the Isle of approximately 5pm. Numbers for this trip new website: Arran. During this outbound leg of the are strictly limited to 180 people, so it will www.narspb.org.uk/cruise cruise, we will have a special showing on be a case of first come, first served. $ RSPB Centenary Cruise, Saturday 14th August 2004 - Booking Slip

Name: ...... Address: ...... Postcode...... Tel: ...... Email: ......

I would like to purchase ...... Adult tickets @ £17 each ...... Children’s (under 16) tickets @ £10 each Total amount enclosed £...... NB Tickets are non-refundable

Cheques should be made payable to “North Ayrshire RSPB Local Group”. Please return this slip, along with your payment to Stuart McMahon, 93 Montfode Drive, Ardrossan KA22 7PH. Tel: 01294 603848

[10] Wind Farms and Birds Ardrossan Wind Farm - Nigel Wood & Paul Lewis, RSPB, The Lodge Photo: Stuart McMahon

The announcement on Thursday 18 December decisions. The RSPB expects Government to by the Crown Estate detailing the locations of stick to its stated commitment to resolving successful bids for the second round of uncertainties about potential impacts upon offshore windfarms, raises serious concerns birds before going ahead with consents. about their potential impacts upon birds and Equally, developers have a responsibility to important marine wildlife habitats. ascertain the use of these areas by birds as part of their environmental impact the age, experience and skill of the While the RSPB supports renewable energy assessments. birds themselves. Although the including the large-scale development of incidence of birds being killed in offshore wind power, as part of a range of “While we are keen to see more energy these cases is distressing, generally it measures to reduce the extent of climate generated from renewable sources we does not have a significant effect on change, the Society is calling upon certainly don’t want this to be done at the overall numbers. There was a case in Government to take urgent steps to ensure expense of large numbers of birds and Spain, however, where the survival that the location and scale of individual important wildlife sites.” rate of Imperial eagles in the first six windfarms that are eventually consented months of their lives was increased under Round 2 do not pose a significant There has also been recent publicity substantially by removing a power threat to birds. The RSPB has objected to 26 about the danger of wind turbines to line. wind farm proposals (on and offshore) since birds and I thought that it might be 1998 and has raised concerns about a further useful to try to put some of this into the As far as wind turbines are 29. Currently the Society is objecting to a context of RSPB Energy. concerned, the RSPB have proposed wind farm at Shell Flat off the established that the main problem Lancashire coast as it is home to England’s First, only about 3% of the electricity seems to be on migration routes or most important flock of wintering common generated for RSPB Energy is from wind. where raptors hunt, rather than scoters. As you will know, the RSPB is very thoughtful where birds breed, as birds breeding about the uses to which land is put and locally appear to become accustomed RSPB Conservation Director, Dr Mark Avery, regularly opposes development plans where to such features. At a wind farm in said. “An initial analysis of the proposed sites they think that these might have an adverse Minnesota, an estimated 3.5 million suggests there could be serious problems for effect on migration or breeding sites. birds pass over annually but the birds We already know that large numbers of fatalities average fewer than three per red-throated divers congregate in the Greater But why do birds fly into objects? Many of us turbine each year. This is far fewer, Thames and off the north Norfolk coast in late have experienced birds flying into our for example than in the case of winter. Given that most of the earmarked windows, but the reason for this is clear: they communication towers. sites are in areas identified by English Nature simply do not see them. However, there has Of course, any bird deaths are as potentially being of international been research into power lines, pylons, regrettable and the RSPB shall importance for wildlife, it is quite possible communication towers and wind turbines, all continue to monitor closely where that detailed surveys could reveal conflicts. of which are involved in bird strikes. Various these occur, continuing to oppose factors affect the numbers of birds flying into the installation of wind turbines if we “It is vital that Government collects more these, including visibility, especially at dawn believe that these are in unsuitable detailed data about bird numbers and and dusk, the size and speed of the birds, places. movements this winter to inform any final concentrations of species and, interestingly,

Centenary events RSPB South and West Scotland, Glasgow

The RSPB is organising one or two special Those not wishing to take part in any some of the important conservation work events in the South and West as part of practical activities could still come along to achieved during the last 100 years. In the centenary celebrations, and whilst the barbeque. particular, we are currently seeking dates and details still have to be finalised nominations for the ‘Golfinch Award’ you might be interested to know that we Following the success of last year’s Garden (for local conservation projects), which is hope to have at least two showings of Party in the Botanic Gardens in Glasgow, open until 30 June. RSPB’s new Sea Eagle film on Mull and in we will be running the event again, on 29 Oban, in May and July respectively. The August this year, with a centenary flavour. You can also enter our ‘Goldeneye Award’ Society is also hoping to arrange a local As before, we will be encouraging local for wildlife photography, which is open groups’ and staff ‘get together’ in early groups to come along and bring a stand, or until 30 September. September. The current idea would be to assist with other activities on the day. have various activities, including practical Full details are in Scotland News (the conservation work and surveying, during As part of the centenary year we are also Scottish Newsletter as was) and on the the day and a barbeque in the evening. running an awards programme to highlight website at www.rspb.org/scotland.

[11] North Ayrshire RSPB Local Group Centenary Cruise RS WO EA RK Y IN 0 G 0 1

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Photo: David Ritchie on board mv ‘Cruiser’ Largs to Lochranza Saturday 14th August 2004

Depart Largs 10am Special on-board showing of RSPB Scotland’s Centenary Film about Sea Eagles - “Eagle Odyssey” Tickets: and seabird commentary Adults £17, Child £10

Arrive Lochranza 12 noon Cheques should be made 2 hours ashore with a payable to “North Ayrshire RSPB Group” and sent to: chance of seeing Arran’s Stuart McMahon Golden Eagles 93 Montfode Drive Ardrossan KA22 7PH Tel: 01294 603848 Return to Largs via Tighnabruaich and the Kyles of Bute F Arriving back ull information at: approximately 5pm www.narspb.org.uk/cruise

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds RSPB Scotland, South and West Office, 10 Park Quadrant, Glasgow G3 6BS Newsletter produced by Montfode Design, 93 Montfode Drive, Ardrossan [12] T: 01294 603848 E: [email protected] www.md93.co.uk Tel: 0141 331 0993 www.rspb.org.uk/scotland Registered Charity No 207076