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Home , Blackford Hill, Cammo, Craiglockhart Hill, Harperrig Reservoir, Threipmuir Reservoir

City of Council Forestry and Natural Heritage Nature Conservation Report 2019

City of Edinburgh Council Forestry and Natural Heritage , 69a Braid Road Edinburgh, EH10 6JF [email protected] www.edinburgh.gov.uk/naturalheritageservice www.pentlandhills.org

Page No: Contents 2 Introduction 3 Actions undertaken in 2019 3 ▪ Planning and strategy 3 ▪ Survey and monitoring 4 ▪ Summary of survey results 8 ▪ Wildlife recording 12 ▪ Species and Habitat management 12 ▪ Community Involvement, Education and Interpretation 18 Plans for 2020 20

Front Page Photo – , Hermitage of Braid All pictures are copyright of City of Edinburgh Council Forestry and Natural Heritage except where stated.

Black Springs Local Biodiversity Site

Introduction

This report is a summary of all the work carried out by the City of Edinburgh Council Forestry and Natural Heritage and our partners in relation to nature conservation for the period January to December 2019 on the sites we manage:

▪ Burn Valley Park (BBVP) Local Nature Reserve (LNR) ▪ Estate LNR ▪ and Dells ▪ Hill LNR ▪ Castle Park ▪ Easter LNR ▪ Wester Craiglockhart Hill ▪ Foreshore ▪ Hermitage of Braid and (HOB) LNR ▪ Meadows Yard LNR ▪ Woods Local Nature Reserve LNR ▪ River Walkway ▪ Water of Walkway ▪

The service also manages land owned by The City of Edinburgh Council and Council within the Regional Park

▪ Country Park ▪ Hillend Country Park ▪ ▪ including Bavelaw Marsh (part of Site of Special Scientific Interest) ▪ ▪ Quarry and works with other landowners within the rest of the Regional Park to conserve and enhance habitats.

Nature conservation work for the service is guided by the Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAP) for the City of Edinburgh, Midlothian and Councils and management plans for individual sites.

The service works in partnership with a range of individuals and organisations including Friends groups for each site, farmers and landowners in the Regional Park, the Pentland Hills Voluntary Ranger Service, voluntary wildlife surveyors, conservation groups and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

Forestry and Natural Heritage (FNH) has undertaken practical habitat management, surveying and monitoring of biodiversity action plan species and wildlife recording during Natural Heritage Officer site inspections. Officers have produced biodiversity-related interpretation.

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Actions undertaken in 2019

Planning & Strategy

▪ Attended meetings of the Edinburgh Biodiversity Partnership Steering Group and the Local Biodiversity Sites Steering Group ▪ Attended meetings and inputted into the new Midlothian Biodiversity Action Plan ▪ Responded to planning applications with nature conservation issues ▪ Natural Heritage Officers have been involved with the planning and implementation of a new Natural Heritage site in the east of the city, Little France Park ▪ Burdiehouse Burn Valley Park: working closely with the St. Crispin’s School development to increase biodiversity with native introductions during and after development ▪ Undertaking to minimise effects on current biodiversity – surveys underway for amphibians and species of interest

Survey and monitoring

The City of Edinburgh Biodiversity Action Plan and individual site management plans direct the surveys that are carried out. Surveys are completed by Forestry and Natural Heritage staff or volunteers. Members of the public were invited to help members of staff on ten of the surveys.

Plants ▪ A Phase One Habitat Survey was carried-out by The Wildlife Information Centre at Bonaly Country Park. The results will help to direct the future management of the Country Park ▪ Wildflower meadows on the banks of the were surveyed by volunteers from the Water of Leith Conservation Trust ▪ At Craigmillar Castle Park a Natural Heritage Officer carried out surveys for common spotted and northern marsh orchids

Northern Marsh Orchid

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▪ Wildflower meadows were surveyed to monitor the success of habitat management at Hillend Country Park and Bavelaw Marsh Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) ▪ Bonaly Reservoir Dam was surveyed for Moonwort

Invertebrates ▪ Bee Walk surveys were undertaken on the Water of Leith Walkway/National Cycle Network Route 75 between and Woodhall Millbrae ▪ Five days of surveying as a Wildlife Week event during Summer 2019 were held at Little France Park ▪ A moth trap was set up at Dean Park Primary School over 2 nights which trapped 15 moths with 7 species ▪ Seasonal butterfly surveys were carried out at Cammo Estate LNR ▪ Graham Checkley (volunteer) completed the butterfly transect at Craigmillar Castle Park and Meadows Yard LNR

Why we carry out Butterfly Transect Surveys – As butterflies have a short life-cycle they react to changes in habitat and climate quickly. This helps us see the affect our management is having on our sites. The method used is part of Butterfly Conservation’s national scheme to monitor butterflies and their habitats. A fixed-route walk (transect) is established at a site and Orange Tip butterflies are recorded along the route on a regular (weekly) basis under reasonable weather conditions. Transect routes are chosen to sample evenly the habitat types and management activity on sites.

Fish ▪ As part of a student project at the University of Edinburgh, a trout spawning habitat survey has been carried out along the Water of Leith between and . The Water of Leith Conservation Trust are assisting with field work surveys

Birds ▪ Breeding Bird Surveys were carried out in April, May and June on Bonaly Country Park Moorland, with average numbers of red grouse, skylarks and meadow pipits

Why we carry out Breeding Bird Surveys – We carry this survey out to monitor the effects of our management on Bonaly Moor, including sheep grazing and muirburn. Run by British Trust for Ornithology, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Joint Nature Conservation Council, this is the major monitoring scheme for land birds. The Breeding Bird Survey is based on around 3,000 1-km squares, within each of which birdwatchers count and record birds in a standardised manner along a 2-km transect. Because the survey squares are chosen randomly, the results are representative of all habitats and regions and provide long-running and ongoing population monitoring for many common birds.

▪ Wetland Bird Survey undertaken monthly along the Edinburgh Shoreline (Cramond – Newhaven section). This year is was noted there were good tern numbers all summer

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Why we carry out WeBS - The Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) count takes place from Cramond Foreshore to Newhaven Harbour, taking in some of the large field areas at . The count is done around high tide once per month. The data is collated at a national level giving indications of trends in bird numbers around our coastline. At a more local level, it means there is officer time and attention given across the route once per month in relation to general maintenance but more importantly the activity (roosting and foraging) hotspots are learned and advice can be given to other departments or stakeholders in how best to manage such areas.

▪ We continue with our Avian Influenza monitoring at Bavelaw Marsh and Threipmuir Reservoir. This is part of the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) national monitoring programme. 63 patrols were carried out for bird flu during winter 2018/19. No dead birds were found ▪ Nest boxes for birds of prey are erected, maintained and monitored by volunteers in the Pentland Hills Regional Park. This year the following birds were ringed – 3 adult long- eared owls and 4 chicks, 2 adult short-eared owl, 7 tawny owl and 1 chick, 2 adult barn owl, 52 kestrel chicks, 2 buzzard chicks and 5 merlin chicks

Checking a tawny owl

▪ The Friends of the Pentlands on their annual check of bird boxes in Erraid Wood Nature Reserve found that 20 out of 32 appeared to be occupied (63% occupancy). On the same day a tawny owl was seen leaving the Scottish Wildlife hut there

Mammals ▪ All badger setts on Natural Heritage Sites are monitored ▪ Bat box checks carried out in the Slateford Area of the Water of Leith, Colinton and Craiglockhart Dells and at Harlaw Reservoir. All results were sent to Lothians Bat Group ▪ Graham Checkley (a volunteer) put out a bat detector at various sites in the Pentland Hills Regional Park - Hillend Country Park, Harperrig Reservoir, Loganlea Reservoir, Glencorse Reservoir, White Hill Wood in Bonaly Country Park, Clubbiedean and Torduff

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Reservoir. They all produced good numbers of bats, mainly common and soprano pipistrelle and a third species which was probably Daubenton's bat ▪ Over winter, Graham Checkley also deployed a trail camera at several sites, see below for results of the mammals seen

Checking bat boxes

▪ As part of a student project at the University of Edinburgh, a study of otters on the Water of Leith is taking place. The Water of Leith Conservation Trust are involved in surveying, collecting spraints and recording signs of otter usage

Ad hoc wildlife sightings are reported by Natural Heritage Officers while they carry out site inspections. 340 records were made this way, including an otter at the Hermitage of Braid.

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Summary of survey results

It is not practical to include all the results of the above surveys. Below are extracts of results from some of the surveys. If you would like to see further information, please contact us.

Plants

Wildflower Meadows

Location of Number of species of forb (flowering plant excluding grasses wildflower sedges and rushes) meadow

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Burdiehouse Burn 25 26 38 Not 30 29 Valley Park LNR surveyed

Hermitage of 22 Not 26 Not 22 28 Braid and surveyed surveyed Blackford Hill LNR

Hillend Country 32 32 39 33 33 46 Park

Bavelaw Marsh 18 18 24 22 18 27 SSSI

Moonwort

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Bonaly 65 9 8 33 0 1 0 64 0 0 0 Reservoir Dam Moonwort dies back at the end of summer; and can frequently lie dormant for several seasons before re-appearing. The cutting of vegetation on the dam at the end of the year continues. This will provide light for the moonwort.

Insects Butterflies

With the generally warm weather during summer, this was a good year for butterflies. It will be particularly remembered as the year of the painted lady, which is a species that migrates through mainland Europe. The small skipper, a relatively new species for Edinburgh, was in abundance at Little France. August and September at Cammo Estate LNR, saw unprecedented numbers of painted ladies and red admirals, especially once the knapweed was in flower.

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Painted Lady

Green hairstreak butterfly

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Castlelaw 3 12 2 0 5 Poor 14 2 37 30 Enclosure weather Kirk Burn 5 3 6 1 1 Poor 2 0 2 0 Enclosure weather Bonaly 43 8 8 3 7 6 0 0 17 23 Country Park Another good year for this butterfly due to the warm, dry April weather. Gorse cutting has been carried-out at Kirk Burn to improve the habitat there.

Small pearl-bordered fritillary butterfly

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Bavelaw 4 9 0 (poor 1 11 0 (poor 22 39 45 26 Marsh weather) weather) Red 18 2 3 3 6 4 8 6 3 4 Moss Healthy numbers helped by the good weather. A single specimen was found at Harperrig Reservoir and a new colony was found at Crosswood Reservoir, just outside the Pentland Hills Regional Park.

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Butterfly Transect Results

Craigmillar Castle Park

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Small Skipper 0 0 0 0 0 0 2

Large White 2 4 3 0 0 2 4

Small White 48 9 19 6 4 14 13

Green-veined White 18 40 18 17 6 8 15

Orange Tip 15 22 0 26 8 13 20

Small Copper 1 2 0 1 2 3 0

Red Admiral 3 16 5 15 11 7 21

Painted Lady 0 0 0 3 0 0 18

Small Tortoiseshell 9 6 8 4 2 3 10

Peacock 9 19 4 5 3 15 20

Comma 8 7 2 2 3 7 4

Speckled Wood 0 0 1 6 7 26 97

Meadow Brown 26 78 77 14 9 34 59

Ringlet 83 194 150 24 43 60 63

Meadows Yard LNR

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Large White 4 0 1 2 2 3 0

Small White 88 28 17 16 20 48 35

Green-veined White 27 27 11 14 4 7 24

Orange Tip 7 7 8 19 11 14 30

Small Copper 4 1 4 0 4 2 3

Red Admiral 0 6 8 5 17 3 6

Painted Lady 0 0 2 4 0 2 82

Small Tortoiseshell 5 6 11 16 1 4 5

Peacock 5 6 4 1 5 3 2

Comma 3 3 2 0 4 0 1

Speckled Wood 0 0 3 30 13 54 147

Meadow Brown 12 12 9 10 17 1 3

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Ringlet 14 31 39 14 6 14 21

Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill LNR

2013 2014 2015 2016 2018 2019

Large White 5 8 7 4 42 28

Small White 3 6 13 4 29 30

Green-veined White 16 7 18 16 34 25

Orange Tip 0 4 19 17 17 42

Small Copper 0 5 0 3 26 1

Red Admiral 0 1 0 0 5 6

Small Tortoiseshell 15 22 35 16 11 6

Painted Lady 0 0 0 0 0 12

Peacock 4 7 20 12 4 18

Comma 0 0 9 4 1 6

Grayling 3 0 0 0 7 0

Small Heath 3 0 0 0 4 0

Meadow Brown 39 96 27 3 3 0

Ringlet 91 144 6 14 37 7

Birds

▪ Osprey were seen at some of the reservoirs in the Pentland Hills Regional Park ▪ Two tracked young golden eagles were seen using the south-western area of the Regional Park during Spring

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Mammals ▪ Otters continue to be spotted on the Water of Leith and at many of the reservoirs in the Pentland Hills ▪ Volunteer Graham Checkley put out a trail camera on various sites and recorded seeing several species of mammals. These are some of the results

Site Badger Fox Rabbit Grey Wood Roe Otter Tawny Squirrel Mouse Deer Owl

Hermitage of Braid Yes Yes Yes

Water of Leith The Dells Yes Yes Yes

Hillend Country Park Yes Yes

Flotterstone Yes Yes

Harlaw Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Harperrig Reservoir Yes

Wildlife Recording The data from our wildlife records is exchanged with The Wildlife Information Centre (TWIC), who collate it and pass it onto interested parties.

Habitat and Species Management

Moorland Management

Heather burning was carried out on Bonaly Moor

Why we carry out heather burning - If done at the correct time of year and under the right conditions, heather will re-grow after being burnt. Setting fire to different patches of moor each year creates a variety of ages of plant. Animals particularly red grouse prefer the mosaic of habitat this produces.

Dune management

▪ At Cramond Foreshore Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh assisted with planting up grown on enrichment species in three erosion control bays. They also helped with an end of season survey of these areas

Meadow Management

The following actions were carried out on our wildflower meadows:

▪ Cammo Estate LNR: enrichment of grassland through dominant sward removal followed with seeding and plug planting. Two honey bee colonies in have been placed in Cammo Walled Garden ▪ LNR: enrichment of grassland through dominant sward removal followed with seeding and plug planting. There has been involvement with the B-Line project and Buglife

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▪ Water of Leith: wildflower meadows were managed by volunteers from the Water of Leith Conservation Trust ▪ Colinton and Craiglockhart Dells: wildflower meadows managed and surveyed by volunteers from the Water of Leith Conservation Trust ▪ Criaglockhart Dell: a new wildflower meadow area is being created by the Water of Leith Conservation Trust and their volunteers ▪ Little France Park: an area of approximately 150m x 7m pollinator strip prepared and seeded with Scotia Mavisbank mix. Initial works completed 6.8 hectares of enhanced meadow grass. Approximately 4 hectares were identified and converted into enriched grassland habitat with removal of self-seeded scrub. Preparation of the ground over Winter 2019/20 with cut, lift and harrow and seeding with Scotia seed mix. An ongoing annual cut and 2 yearly lift regime introduced from Spring 2020 will support continued grassland diversity. Approximately two hectares have been identified as low nutrient species rich grassland, this area was cut and over seed of yellow rattle seed. An ongoing cut and lift regime every 2 years from 2020 will support continued grassland diversity ▪ Craigmillar Castle Park: approximately 20 hectares of grassland annually cut as per previous years. Enrichment with yellow rattle across a hectare with evidence of this establishing ▪ Ravelston Woods LNR: glade area square metre sections cleared by corporate volunteers and seeded up with Scotia Mavisbank mix and plugs. 500 bluebells bulbs paid for and planted by corporate volunteers ▪ Harlaw: Dean Park Primary School led by Friends of the Pentlands, planted approximately 75m2 with wildflower plugs and seeded 150m of verge with wildflower seed mix. They also took part in pond dipping and the biodiversity trail. Up to 72 children were involved ▪ Bavelaw Marsh Meadow: October cut ▪ Hillend Country Park: Wildflower Meadow, 2440m2 cut by Estate Team, arisings removed by Voluntary Rangers

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Cammo Estate LNR Wildflower Meadow

Wetland Management ▪ Friends of the Pentlands carried out more willow spilling at Baddinsgill by Lyne Water, to protect the path being washed away by the river, the previous willow is working remarkably well ▪ On the River Almond barriers to fish migration improvements made – Fairafar weir complete with some snagging issues, there are delays with Dowies Mill Weir as another option is being considered for a costing exercise

Shrub/Tree/Woodland Management

▪ Cammo Estate LNR: hedgerow trees planted in gaps throughout ▪ Corstorphine Hill LNR: copse planted up on western flanks of approximately 60 native broadleaves ▪ Meadows Yard Local Nature Reserve: 12 Fruit Trees were planted by Shoreline Wildlife Watch kids’ nature group ▪ Little France Park: 3 hectares of new native woodland in deer fenced block in North slope. Approximately 100 tree standards planted on boundary of active travel route North and South. Ash die back strip removed and replanted with 800 mixed deciduous trees on the boundary of Edmondstone. 12 gean / cherry planted in boundary of active travel route towards Danderhall. Approximately 35 City of Edinburgh Council forestry nursery specimen trees planted out across the site. Area beyond the informal double track is scrub and will be preserved. Additional scrub areas are to be bulked out over Winter 2019/20 in this area including addition of Apple, Pear, Cherry, Yew, Rowan, Hazel, Whitebeams and Wild Service tree. Gaps in an existing hedge have been planted with mixed hedge species to create wider and denser hedge with addition of widely spaced trees to mark out the boundary line. This links across cycleway to green corridors. Ash

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die back remaining compartment on SE boundary that had been previously thinned by corporate volunteers was fully removed in 2019 and will be replanted early 2020 with 500 mixed deciduous trees working with Trees for Cities and Woodland Trust ▪ Craigmillar Castle Park: Woodlands In and Around Towns deliverables including thinning and active management to juvenile woodlands covering approximately 19 Hectares ▪ Threipmuir Reservoir: 350 willow trees were planted on the shore by Youth Vision, the Friends of the Pentlands and Pentland Hills Voluntary Rangers

Youth Vision tree planting at Threipmuir Reservoir

▪ Flotterstone: 30 trees planted near the Disused Filter Beds (oak and Scots pine) ▪ Edinburgh and Lothian Green Spaces Trust organised tree planting: Council Leader and CGI planted 300 trees at Bonaly Scout Camp. 400 trees in the deer fenced area in Bonaly Country Park with Trees for Cities volunteers. The Conservation Volunteers corporate volunteer group planted 200 ▪ Friends of the Pentlands did various woodland work in the Regional Park including planting 200 trees at Sanctuary Wood, Bonaly Country Park. They thinned out regenerated birch in Redford Wood, Threipmuir and filled in the gaps in a beech hedge at Swanston. Annual general maintenance is carried out on a regular basis at their 5 arboreta ▪ Wester Craiglockhart: Transfer of new woodland “Craighouse” and “Meadowspot” woodlands complete. Plans to expand LNR to include these is underway ▪ Hermitage of Braid: Extensive gorse management undertaken by volunteer groups. Gorse will be replaced by blackthorn/hawthorn/other high biodiversity supporting species over time

Green Hairstreak

Volunteers from Butterfly Conservation and the Pentland Hills Voluntary Ranger Service cut and burnt areas of gorse at Kirk Burn to help the green hairstreak butterfly. The caterpillar feeds on blaeberry, which has been increasingly shaded-out by the encroaching gorse.

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Clearing gorse at Kirk Burn, Glencorse Reservoir

Juniper

▪ The Juniper that has been planted in the Regional park over the last eight years has been monitored. Most of the plants are doing well ▪ Another 30 junipers were planted at Hillend Country Park

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Building for Wildlife ▪ Cammo Estate LNR: new habitat boxes installed – jackdaws, starling, owl and kestrel ▪ Little France Park: a Bee Bank built with the assistance of Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust engagement officer and corporate volunteers

Wildlife Crime ▪ Worked with Police Wildlife Crime Officers on species protection issues

Invasive Species

▪ Corstorphine Hill LNR: huge numbers of people involved removing invasive species ▪ River Almond Walkway: Invasive non-native species removal ▪ Cramond Woods: Invasive non-native species removal ▪ The Water of Leith Conservation Trust continue to work with Napier University to map and treat the giant hogweed plants along the river between Slateford and Currie. This is part of an ongoing study to see if other methods of control could be realistically adopted as an alternative to spraying glyphosate. They also continued the big battle with Himalayan Balsam ▪ Ravelston Woods LNR: Yellow Archangel removed by corporate volunteers from margins of driveway east of bluebell woodlands. In a glade area rosebay willowherb was removed by hand to suppress continued dominance ▪ Cramond Foreshore: The following groups spent time assisting with removal of Japanese rose - Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh spent two days, corporate volunteers spent three days and The Conservation Volunteers corporate groups 3 days ▪ Hermitage of Braid: rust fungus introduction to combat Himalayan balsam licence approved by Scottish Natural Heritage. Species was found to be only mildly susceptible therefore, there was no introduction. However, Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International are still searching for virulent strain using submitted seed. The project will continue if/when found

Hermitage of Braid Community Wildlife Garden

▪ Friends of the Hermitage of Braid continue to maintain this area

Harlaw Wildlife Garden

▪ Annual pond vegetation removal with Forestry and Natural Heritage ▪ Friends of the Pentlands managed the nectar border, sensory border, composting and herb gardens ▪ 150 new wildflower plug plants were added to the meadow section

Corstorphine Walled Garden

▪ Friends of Corstorphine Hill continue to manage this walled garden

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Community Involvement, Education and Interpretation

Forestry and Natural Heritage has an important role to play in raising awareness of nature conservation issues amongst visitors, partner organisations, communities and stakeholders. This is done through producing publications and displays, organising and attending events, responding to requests for information and advice and getting individuals involved in our work.

Community Involvement

Below is a list of some of the groups and volunteers who have carried out biodiversity work on Natural Heritage sites. The list is not comprehensive • A massive 2506 hours of volunteer time was spent by Royal Bank of Scotland Corporate Volunteers led by The Conservation Volunteers tackling invasive non-native species (mainly salmonberry) on Corstorphine Hill LNR • Other Corporate groups e.g. Sainsburys Bank, Baillie Gifford, Morrison Construction and Conservation Groups e.g. Lothian Conservation Volunteers, Dirty Weekenders also worked on clearing salmonberry from Corstorphine Hill LNR • As usual the Water of Leith Conservation Trust and their volunteers have done a great amount of work along the whole length of the Water of Leith. Around 875 people have been involved with clean-ups and conservation tasks, totalling an impressive 2939 hours. Including their volunteer time, it comes to a total of 8768 hours! See their website www.waterofleith.org.uk/community-action/ for further information • The public were invited to 10 biodiversity surveys in the Pentland Hills Regional Park. These were attended by 38 people. This number is rising year on year • 125 hours of volunteer time was given over the five days of Little France Wildlife Week • Volunteers carried-out Butterfly Transects at Meadows Yard LNR, Craigmillar Castle, Burdiehouse Burn Valley Park LNR, Cammo Estate and Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Pond LNR • Friends of Cammo worked on tree planting and maintenance and wildflower meadow management, totalling 304 hours • 330 hours were spent by various groups tackling Japanese rose on Cramond Foreshore • Butterfly Conservation volunteers, Friends of the Pentlands and Pentland Hills Voluntary Rangers assisted in gorse burning, Kirk Burn near Glencorse Reservoir to improve habitat for the green hairstreak butterfly

Activity Type of volunteer No. of Total time in hours Volunteers

Biodiversity surveys Public 43 201

Invasive species Corporate Groups 720 5184

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Salmonberry clearance on Corstorphine Hill LNR

Interpretation

▪ We now have a Pentland Hills Regional Park Facebook page as well as the Edinburgh Outdoors Twitter page. These are used to publicise our work and interesting wildlife sightings ▪ PHRP visitor centre at Harlaw displayed panels on “Butterflies”, “Mushrooms” and “Birds”. The wildlife garden notice board gets updated with what to see in the wildlife garden during the different seasons ▪ Two new interpretative signal posts installed in Harlaw wildlife garden ▪ The Hermitage of Braid Visitor Centre has displays on the conservation work in the Walled Garden and a bird feeding station where visitors can watch woodland bird’s close- up ▪ Bird hides managed at Bavelaw Marsh and Harperrig Reservoir. Information about what has been seen from the hide at Bavelaw is regularly updated

Education This is not a comprehensive list as many of our sites are used informally by educational groups.

▪ The City of Edinburgh Council Forest Kindergarten is run on several of our sites - Cammo Estate LNR and will be rolling out during 2020 at Corstorphine Hill LNR, Craigmillar Castle Park and Hawkhill Wood ▪ A group of 30 from Fettes College spend a day clearing salmonberry and doing environmental education at Corstorphine Hill LNR ▪ 120 children from The City of Edinburgh Council Active Schools used Cammo Estate LNR ▪ Ravelston Woods LNR is used by Forest School Trainers to teach others in running Forest School Sessions ▪ The Green Team carried-out various tasks at Cammo Estate LNR, Ravelston Wood LNR, Cramond Foreshore and in the Pentland Hills Regional Park ▪ At Harlaw, Dean Park Primary School planted approximately 75m2 with wildflower plugs and seeded 150m of verge with wildflower seed mix. They also took part in pond dipping and the biodiversity trail. Friends of the Pentlands led up to 72 kids on this

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Plans for 2020

The plan relating to nature conservation projects for 2020 will be guided by statutory requirements, local biodiversity action plans and site management plans. The objectives for City of Edinburgh Council Forestry and Natural Heritage 2020 include: -

Nature Conservation & Biodiversity

Objective 24: To support Local Biodiversity Action Plans by: attending Steering Group meetings, carrying out survey work as agreed, and delivering site based projects.

Objective 25: To engage with community groups and volunteers in carrying out biodiversity surveys and works.

Objective 26: To collate and maintain species and habitat data that is helpful to the management of sites.

Objective 27: To provide specialist advice on biodiversity matters including statutory and licensing requirements throughout the City of Edinburgh Council.

This will be achieved by:

Natural Heritage Actions for the City of Edinburgh Council Biodiversity Action Plan 2020

Topic/site/habitat/species Description type Grasslands and meadows Through active management, continue to increase diversity within meadow habitats at the following CEC Natural Heritage sites: Meadows Yard LNR, Craigmillar Castle Park, Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill LNR, Easter Craiglockhart Hill LNR, Wester Craiglockhart Hill SSSI, Burdiehouse Burn LNR, Cammo Estate LNR and Bavelaw Marsh SSSI. Invasive species Monitor and control invasive plant species on CEC Natural Heritage managed sites. Invasive species Continue to enable community involvement and volunteer participation in the control of INNS on Natural Heritage sites. Moorland Implement a heather management, grazing and muirburn programme in Bonaly Country Park. Parks, Greenspaces and Manage Local Nature Reserves and other natural heritage parks to Cemeteries benefit biodiversity. Parks, Greenspaces and Liaise with Parks Events team and event organisers to ensure that Cemeteries events are well managed and do not damage any valuable habitats on Natural Heritage Sites.

Blue networks - Investigate and implement recycling opportunities for litter campaigns Marine/coastal Blue networks - Act to conserve the coastal sand dunes (a UKBAP Priority Habitat) at Marine/coastal Cramond, focussing on the control of invasive species (Japanese rose, bracken, Japanese knotweed, sycamore). Identify any other threats to this habitat such as visitor pressure, fly-tipping and erosion.

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Blue networks - Carry out WeBs counts on CEC Natural Heritage sites to help monitor Marine/coastal coastal habitat and bird populations. Blue networks - Riparian Manage River Almond woodlands in partnership with Friends group.

Blue networks - Riparian Manage Harperrig, Harlaw, Bonaly and Threipmuir Reservoirs within Pentlands Hill Regional Park in conjunction with Flood Prevention to improve biodiversity where appropriate. Blue networks - Riparian Encourage student research projects on otters. Blue networks - Riparian Management of Water of Leith corridor in partnership with Water of Leith Conservation Trust Blue networks - Riparian Deliver the River Almond barriers project by identifying the best solution for improved fish passage on the river, either removal of obstructions or construction/repair of fish passages.

Blue networks - Riparian Identify sites suitable for riparian woodland creation or enhancement.

Blue networks - ponds Manage and enhance ponds and wetlands at Cammo canal, Blackford Pond, Easter Craiglockhart Hill to include the investigation of water quality

Birds, butterflies and plants Continue to encourage members of the public to join Natural Heritage Officers on surveys - Breeding birds, green hairstreak, small pearl- bordered fritillary and wildflower meadows. Birds: Breeding birds Continue breeding bird survey on Bonaly Moor at Bonaly Country Park as a way of monitoring heather management and contributing to national monitoring scheme. Birds: Breeding birds Encourage student to research data collected from the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). Invertebrates: Butterflies Continue to carry out butterfly transects to build an understanding of changing populations and monitor habitats at the following Natural Heritage sites: BBVP LNR, Cammo Estate LNR, Meadows Yard LNR, Craigmillar Castle Park and Hermitage of Braid & Blackford Hill LNR.

Invertebrates: Butterflies Continue to utilise volunteers in the surveying of butterfly species on Natural Heritage sites. Invertebrates: Green Continue to monitor the known populations of green hairstreak in the hairstreak butterfly PHRP via butterfly transects. (Callophrys rubi) Invertebrates: Bees Increase knowledge of bee populations by undertaking bee transect recording at Natural Heritage sites. Invertebrates: Bordered Undertake annual survey for bordered brown lacewing to establish brown lacewing ecology and distribution on Blackford Hill and other suitable habitats (Megalomus hirtus) on Natural Heritage sites.

Invertebrates: Small Pearl- Continue to monitor the known population of small pearl-bordered bordered Fritillary (Boloria fritillary at Balerno Common SSSI via butterfly transects. selene)

Invertebrates: Small Pearl- Encourage research into identifying habitat improvements to help bordered Fritillary (Boloria species spread of Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary selene) Mammals: Bats Continue to work with the Lothian Bat Group to monitor bats on CEC Natural Heritage sites

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Mammals: Otters Continue to pass all sightings and records to TWIC Plants: Maiden Pink Attempt to establish new populations of Maiden Pink at historical sites around the city.

Plants: Sticky Catchfly Establish new populations at sites where Sticky Catchfly occurred in the past. Plants: Juniper Work with Forestry Tree Nursery on growing new plants and replacement of failed plants where appropriate. Plants: Juniper Investigate additional locations for new plantings e.g. Bonaly, Hillend Country Parks and work with landowners for new locations within PHRP.

Plants: Juniper (Juniperus Continue to monitor juniper in the Pentland Hills Regional Park. communis) Plants: Rare Plants project Review rare plants list and scope future monitoring and habitat conservation work. RZSS to support with interpretation and re- introductions where appropriate. Plants: Sticky catchfly Establish more colonies on Wester Craiglockhart Hill and Blackford (Silene viscaria) Hill. Plants: Sticky catchfly Monitor and manage populations of Sticky catchfly (Silene viscaria). (Silene viscaria)

Natural Heritage Actions for Midlothian Council Biodiversity Action Plan 2020

ACTION Description

1. Restoration and Manage and monitor wildflower meadow at Hillend Country Park Creation of Flower Rich Habitats 4. Pond Creation & Encourage landowners and farmers to manage or create wetlands or Maintenance ponds on their lands 6. Tackling INNS in Monitor for INNS in the Pentland Hills Regional Park (PHRP) and Rivers, Streams and provide action if required Ponds 10. Promoting Citizen Continue to invite public along to wildlife surveys and encourage visitors Science to PHRP to send in their wildlife sightings. Continue to train PHRP voluntary rangers in wildlife identification and recording. 12. Local Priority Species • Monitor present population of juniper and encourage further Prepare strategies for the planting in PHRP protection and support of • Provide advice and encouragement to students carrying out local priority species. wildlife projects in PHRP. • Continue to search for Large Heath in the PHRP

Additional Actions include:

Planning and Strategy

▪ Attending and providing input into relevant Local Biodiversity Action Plan meetings and working closely with the Biodiversity Team in the City of Edinburgh Council

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▪ Continuing to work with partners, neighbouring landowners, stakeholders and other agencies to ensure nature conservation is included in decision-making process ▪ Working with Police Scotland on species protection issues ▪ Responding to planning applications with nature conservation issues ▪ Convening and administering the Harperrig Management Group ▪ Convening and administering the Bavelaw Marsh Management Group ▪ Attending and inputting into the Water of Leith Action Group ▪ Convening and attending the Cammo Estate Advisory Group

Survey and monitoring

▪ Fixed point photography will continue at Bavelaw Marsh SSSI, Redford Wood and The Howe SSSI to monitor vegetation changes ▪ Craigmillar Castle Park continuation of common spotted and northern marsh orchid populations ▪ Carry out analysis of data collected and use it to influence management of habitats

Wildlife recording

▪ Collect records of wildlife sightings and continue to data swap with The Wildlife Information Centre ▪ Investigate the use of mobile apps such as iRecord to improve the number of wildlife recordings made on site

Habitat management

▪ Implementing management plans for parks as appropriate ▪ Manage our wildlife gardens ▪ Continue to manage our wildflower meadows

Community Involvement, Education and Interpretation

▪ Working with local community groups on projects that benefit their local parks ▪ Engaging corporate groups to carry out practical conservation tasks ▪ Working with the universities to assist with surveying and research ▪ Continue to engage local users in surveys on our sites ▪ Continue to support engagement with third party social inclusion programmes looking for conservation tasks on our sites ▪ Use Twitter to promote our work and wildlife conservation

Common Toad

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