George Paterson George

CatchUpDee Catchment Partnership news Summer 2015

Crackdown on non-native invasive plants A three year project is underway to tackle non-native plants on the lower Dee Invasive plants are causing serious Tackling these plants is the focus Dee Trust treated plants between problems on the River Dee, where of a new three-year project led Ballater and Drumoak and will Japanese knotweed, Himalayan by the River Dee Trust. The work re-visit the area this year. A linked balsam, giant hogweed and skunk is focussing on the lower river, study by Aberdeenshire Council cabbage are the main culprits. They from Drumoak down to Aberdeen is identifying areas in the wider are spreading rapidly along the harbour, using herbicide, catchment that need to be tackled. riverbanks, out-competing native strimming and hand-pulling. The To find out what these plants look species and forming dense stands first step was a detailed survey this like and what to do if you spot them that shade out smaller plants. spring which showed that 26 miles see www.snh.gov.uk/protecting- of riverbank need to be treated. In winter, they die back completely, scotlands-nature/nonnative- Work is well underway, with leaving riverbanks bare and species/managing-problem- eradication between Lower Durris exposed to erosion. During high invasives. Report sightings to www. and Upper Drum complete. flows, soil washes into the river and nesbrec.org.uk. damages riverbed habitats. Giant Plants further upstream also need The project is funded by Aberdeen hogweed is a particular concern to be controlled as they are a City Council, Aberdeenshire Council because its sap causes severe burns source of seed that will re-colonise and Transport Scotland through the to human and animal skin; it should the banks downstream. Last Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route never be handled without proper year, staff from the Dee District offset mitigation fund. equipment and training. Salmon Fishery Board and River Volunteers needed The success of this project depends on the work of volunteers, like the group from Culter in Bloom who have recently cleared Himalayan balsam from part of the Deeside Way. There are many ways to get involved - you can be trained and certified in herbicide application or help out with strimming or hand-pulling. Your work will help to protect the river and its wildlife, and is a great opportunity to gain some new skills. If you are interested in volunteering please get in touch by email [email protected] or Volunteering is a great way to get outdoors and help the River Dee telephone 01339 880411. Out and about with the Dee Catchment Outreach Officer As Outreach Officer for the River Dee, Joanna Dick covers the whole catchment, from the Cairngorms to Aberdeen harbour, working with land owners, farmers, ghillies, outdoor groups, householders and schools. Please get in touch if you want to learn more about the river and how you can help to look after it. Tel: 01339 880411or email: [email protected].

A burning issue How you can help the Dee Do you visit Cambus O’ May The dry weather at this time of Despite the lack of a proper summer suspension bridge? year means a heightened risk of this year, warm weather and low Cambus O’May suspension bridge wildfire in areas of grass, heather rainfall combined with increased is a popular spot for walking, and woodland. Last summer, Mar demands for water can still put picnicing and swimming, but Lodge Estate suffered two wildfires, pressure on the river. You can help with so many visitors the site causing considerable environmental by taking a few simple steps: suffers from some environmental damage, significant cost to the Save water problems. Visitors are being asked taxpayer, and the diversion of Try to use water sparingly. Garden how they use the area and what emergency services resources. borders will benefit from a deep improvements they would like One fire, the consequences of mulch to hold in moisture and so to see. The results will be used to the careless use of a disposable need less watering. Restrict watering make a plan of action for the site. barbecue, led to the deployment to one good soaking every few days If you see me at Cambus O’May of eleven fire crews from as far in the evening or early morning. with a clipboard this summer, as Dundee and Tomintoul, staff Consider using a water butt to please help by completing a from Mar Lodge and surrounding collect rainwater. questionnaire. You can also give estates, and a helicopter used to Keep garden waste away from your views on our website or get water-bomb the blaze, while three watercourses in touch by email. ambulances were on standby. Never dispose of grass cuttings and hedge trimmings in or near a IntroDee: primary schools watercourse. They add nutrients to take to the riverbank the water, reducing water quality This year 28 schools and over and damaging habitats for wildlife. 280 young people have enjoyed All garden waste should be taken to hands-on trips to the riverbank a recycling centre or composted. as part of the River Dee Trust’s Use chemicals with care IntroDee education programme. Keep chemicals such as oils, Pupils have learned about the weedkillers and pesticides well river, its importance to wildlife away from watercourses and drains. and man, threats to its wellbeing See our Drain Care Guide: www. and how it is managed. Some theriverdee.org/publications.asp. mastered the basics of fishing at Raemoir Trout Fishery, with a lucky Let water drain away Mar Lodge policy is that no open few even catching their first fish. If you are planning a new patio or fires are permitted anywhere on the IntroDee will continue after the driveway, choose porous surfaces estate. Please take great care when school holidays. out and about, bear safety in mind, like gravel or permeable block and always act responsibly. Simple paving. These materials absorb Please get in touch if your measures, such as taking care that water, unlike tarmac or concrete that school would like to take part in smoking materials are disposed shed water, contributing to flooding. IntroDee next year. of properly, help to protect the Maintain your septic tank countryside and its wildlife. Summer is a good time to give See the Scottish Outdoor Access your septic tank some attention. Code for guidance on how to enjoy Strim nearby vegetation, check the the River Dee and surrounding outflow (if possible) and if in any countryside responsibly: doubt arrange for it to be emptied. www.outdooraccess-scotland.com. Replace household products with eco-friendly versions and ban the bleach! Neglected tanks can cause pollution and health risks, and are costly to put right. See www. theseptictankguide/info. Cairngorms photography posts In brief A project designed to capture long- photograph, then upload it to the New information boards for term landscape changes has been website. The picture collection Potarch set up in the Cairngorms National is creating a valuable long-term Potarch is a popular site with Park. Using pictures taken by resource, so get out there with your vistors, for walks, picnics members of the public, the project cameras, phones and tablets and and dogwalks. Information will record natural changes like the take part in this unique project. boards have been installed to growth of woodland, or the extent show the range of facilities at Register, view and upload of snow cover. Potarch, promote responsible photographs at www.cairngorms. enjoyment of the site and give a Fourteen photo-posts have been co.uk/photo-posts. little bit of the area’s history. set up in the Park, from Strathdon and Deeside, to Speyside and Rural skills training grant Glen Tilt. There are three posts on The Cairngorms National Park Deeside: Parkins Moss (Muir of Authority is continuing to Dinnet National Nature Reserve), offer financial support (30% of Morrone (Braemar) and on the road costs) for short courses in rural from Braemar to Linn of Dee. skills. Contact pennylawson@ To take part, simply locate a post cairngorms.co.uk 01479 870519. using the website, place your Banchory croy removal camera on the post and take a Croys in Banchory are due to be removed this summer to New lease of life for Torry’s East Tullos Burn improve habitat for salmon and freshwater pearl mussel. Over the last year, Torry’s East The burn has a new meandering Tullos Burn in St Fittick’s Park has course, with wetlands and ponds Yellow Fish project been transformed. The burn has planted with a variety of wild Well done to guide groups and been neglected in the past, and species. The plants are not just schools who have completed suffered from very poor water for show - special reeds filter out our Yellow Fish project, quality and litter problems. toxins from the water and so clean learning how to help the Dee the burn. There is also much better by taking care about what During 2013, Aberdeen City access, due to improved footpaths goes down household drains. Council worked with the local and a new bridge. community to produce a new Deeside Way geocaches design for the burn that would Children from St Fittick’s primary A new geocaching trail along be more natural and as a result school helped to put the the Deeside Way between improve water quality, provide finishing touches to the planting. Aboyne and Dinnet launched habitat for wildlife and create Afterwards, the site was alive with on 12 July. See www. an area more attractive to local insects and birds taking advantage geocaching.com. residents and visitors. of the new and improved habitat, and awash with colour. New Deeside Way website The Deeside Way has a new website www.deesideway.org, where you can get information about distances, read a description of the route and Aberdeen CityAberdeen Council things to see along the way, and download maps. Dee to the Sea fundraiser Thank you to staff from the ERM Foundation who, on 25 July, walked, cycled and ran the 88 miles of the Dee in just 20 hours, raising over £1100 for projects on the river. Learn more and donate at www. justgiving.com/deetosea.

The East Tullos Burn has a new lease of life following last year’s restoration work theriverdee.org/projects Conservation work for Polhollick Bridge What’s on? Polhollick Bridge will be closed Over the years the bridge has Until 3 August River of fish until October 2015 for essential deteriorated and is in urgent exhibition Over 230 ceramic salmon made by local groups, conservation works that will need of conservation work. This Braemar Castle. safeguard the future of the iconic will include a full repaint to stop 30 July Butterfly bonanza Victorian bridge. rusting, replacement decking and children’s event Church Square structural work to the towers. Polhollick Footbridge crosses car park, Ballater, 2.00pm - 4.00pm, Balmoral Estate Rangers: the River Dee just upstream During the closure there is no 01339 755059. from Ballater. Built in 1892, it alternative River Dee crossing. was commissioned by Alexander The bridge will be inaccessible to 1 August Casting instruction and fishing Crathes Castle, Gordon following a tragedy on the canoeists and kayakers most of 9.00am - 1.00pm and 2.00pm - old ferry crossing. The bridge is the time until October, but those 5.00pm. Ross MacDonald: ross@ the fourth bridge on the popular requiring access should contact riverdee.org 01339 880411. All Seven Bridges circular trail which Linda Mathieson at Aberdeenshire abilities; booking essential. takes walkers over the Rivers Dee Council: linda.mathieson@ 8 and 22 August Bat lovers and Muick and past the 17th- aberdeenshire.gov.uk, 01467 walk St Peter’s heritage centre, century Knock Castle. 628380. Peterculter, 8.30pm -11.00pm, Aberdeen City Council rangers: 01224 897400. Booking essential, The Seven Bridges walk is not possible bring a torch. until October 2015. There is an alternative 18-19 August Holding water in circular route on the north bank. Map the landscape Talks and field trip available at www.theriverdee.org/news. on land management to combat floods, droughts and soil loss, James Hutton Institute www. hutton.ac.uk/events. 26 August Marr Community Ward Forum: ‘How you can help the Dee’ talk/discussion Finzean Hall, 6.45pm. Booking: roisin@ marrareapartnership.org.uk. 27 August Marr Community Ward Forum: ‘How you can help the Dee’ talk/discussion MacRobert Hall, Tarland, 6.45pm. Booking: roisin@ marrareapartnership.org.uk. 6 September Mar Lodge Estate open day Mar Lodge, Braemar, Discover the Dee: our water supply 10.00am - 4.00pm. Contact: 01339 720164. For weekly facts about the Dee follow us on Twitter @DeeCatchment #DiscoverTheDee. 12-20 September River of fish The Dee provides domestic water for exhibition Over 230 ceramic salmon made by local groups, the whole of Aberdeen City and over

Nigel Corby Heckleburn, Blackhall, Banchory half of Aberdeenshire, supplying www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk. more than 300,000 people with around 100 million litres every day. Get in touch Water is abstracted at Invercannie Dee Catchment Partnership c/o James Hutton Institute (Banchory) and at Mannofield Craigiebuckler (Aberdeen) through large gratings in Aberdeen AB15 8QH the riverbed. 01224 395141 [email protected] www.theriverdee.org

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