Eider June 2004

The Eider is the Quarterly Newsletter of the Argyll Bird Club: Scottish Charity Number SC 008782 Editorial sections and add new sections. While the June 2004 committee can rally round to help, we are also dependent on members’ ideas and he birding must be good - as this is input. So, don’t be afraid to make sugges- Editor the smallest issue of The Eider for tions. quite a while. So, I’m hoping there T Finally, I would like extend the club’s Steve Petty, Craigielea, Kames will be some good stories for the Septem- ber issue! Some digital photos would help appreciation to Bill Staley for the excel- Tighnabruaich, Argyll PA21 2AE too. I’m sure you will all agree that the lent job that he has done as Membership photos have greatly added to the attrac- Secretary. Bill has recently decided to step Phone: 01700 811235 down. Fortunately, Sue Furness has tiveness of the newsletter. Just look at E-mail: [email protected] Mary Gregory’s sparrowhawk photograph agreed to take over the job - thanks Sue! on page 6 to see what can be achieved For help and contributions to this issue, I with a digital camera! would like to thank Paul Daw, Bob I spent the first half of May in Poland Furness, Mike Gear, Mary Gregory, David Inside this issue visiting Bialowieza Forest, a large temper- Merrie, Linda Petty (proof reading), Alan Spring meeting account 2-3 ate forest on the Belarus border renowned Spellman, Margaret Staley and Michael for its large size and the pristine condition Thomas. of some parts, and the Biebrza valley with Last committee meetings 3 its extensive marshlands. The birds (and mammals) were excellent, but the weather Autumn Meeting Sound of Gigha trip report 4 was awful–cold, windy and very wet. So, To be held at the Cairnbaan it was great to get back to the warmth and Field trip to Scarba 5 sunshine in Argyll, midges included! Al- Hotel, near Lochgilphead on though we saw many unusual and interest- Saturday 6th November 2004 Quiz answer 5 ing birds, the highlight of the trip for me was the high density of breeding Haw- The programme is on page 5 Autumn Meeting Programme 5 finches around some of the villages in ___________ Bialowieza. One morning, before break- fast, we located 5-6 pairs along a 400m Book reviews 6-7 track, including finding two nests! Mull of Kintyre Field The Fruin Hills—40 years ago 7 Some of you may have tried to access the Trip—6th June club’s new website and failed. It’s not your fault! The website was finished in Contact David Merrie (01250 The Shelduck 7-8 mid April, but there have been complica- 884273) if you are interested in tions with the service provider. So, I Black Grouse on Mull 8-9 apologise to all of who have tried to log this trip (see details in the onto the site. It is now accessible, so March Eider) Leucistic Willow Warbler 9 please try again at: http://www.argyllbirdclub.org Recent bird reports 10-12 Spring meeting account There are still many sections of the website to complete and some of the current RSPB press releases 12-13 text needs revising. This is going to be an he Spring Meeting was held at the ongoing project, and I have volunteered to Royal Marine Hotel, Hunters ing off to a great start with a fascinating update and improve the site over the next T Quay, Dunoon on Saturday 27th account of the Red Kite re-establishment year, or until most of the sections have March. With around 70 folks present, it programme. Almost the entire world been completed. This is already providing was a very well attended gathering with population of Red Kites breed in Europe. a steep learning curve for me. However, if quite a few new faces. Thanks are due o In countries with the largest populations anyone is out there with experience in Bob Furness for arranging such an inter- (Germany and Spain) numbers are declin- managing websites – the club needs you! esting and varied programme and to the ing. In Britain, Red Kites have declined I would appreciate any feedback about the hotel staff for helping to make the day from being abundant in medieval times to site—design, contents etc. Websites are such a success. near extinction, when the remnant population in Wales was reduced to about 10 very flexible, so its easy to update existing Duncan Orr-Ewing (RSPB) got the meet- To receive the electronic version of The Eider in colour, members should send their e-mail address to the Editor (contact details above). Past issues (since June 2002) can be downloaded from the club’s website (address on back page). The Eider Razorbills establishing colonies along boulder beaches. Ten years after the rats had been eradicated, Puffins reappeared. A few birds were seen in 2001, but in 2002 two pairs bred – the first in almost 100 years. With the RSPB recently taking over the management of Aisla Craig, let’s hope this success story continues. The final talk before lunch was about owls in Argyll by Cristina McAvoy (SNH). She first described some of the characteristics that enable owls to catch prey, such as acute hearing, excellent eyesight and modification to the feathers that enable silent flight. Four species of owl breed in Argyll. From the commonest to the scarc- est these are; Tawny Owl, Barn Owl, Short-eared Owl and Long-eared Owl. Long-eared owls can be particularly elu- sive. It was highlighted that we know little about the distribution and abundance of these species throughout Argyll, although Red Kite at nest with chicks (photo—RSPB Images) some detailed studies have been under- taken on Barn Owl and Tawny Owl. All pairs in the 1930s and 1940s. Most of ing rat population, which was supported four species are dependent on rodent these declines were linked to persecution by a super abundance of food. For exam- populations for successful breeding. The (shooting, trapping, poisoning etc). Thus, ple, around 600-800 Gannets per annum Field Vole is a particularly important prey there were valid reasons why kites should die naturally on the island. The predation species that inhabits rough grasslands. So, be re-established in areas they once inhab- problem was highlighted by Bernie’s own how such habitats are managed in the ited, including Scotland and England. research on Fulmars, where many other- future will influence owl populations. The wise healthy chicks were killed by rats. Duncan’s talk concentrated on the three Barn Owl is perhaps the only species re-establishment programmes in Scotland, After careful consideration, it was decided where a lack of nest sites limits the popu- but mentioned similar projects in England. to attempt an island-wide rat eradication lation size. They need large cavities in The first release site was on the Black Isle, programme with warfarin; a rodenticide which to nest, because they can rear large where around 20 birds per year were im- that degrades quickly in the environment. broods and have a nestling period that is ported from Sweden. In total, 90 birds Five tonnes of warfarin were airlifted onto twice the length of the other owl species were released over a 5-year period. This the island by a Royal Navy helicopter (two months instead of one month). Build- population has increased to 35 pairs pro- from HMS Gannet. Warfarin was distrib- ings and cavities in crags provide the most ducing 70-80 young. The second release uted by hand throughout the island in rock important nest sites in Argyll. However, site was in Central Scotland, using birds crevices, under boulders and in specially breeding numbers can be increased by the from the old East Germany. This started in designed bait boxes; all in sites that only use of suitable nest boxes, both in build- 1996 and the first breeding was recorded rats could reach. The effectiveness of the ings that lack suitable sites and along in 1998. By 2002, the population had operation was measured with chewsticks – forest edges with suitable foraging habitat grown to 18 pairs that produced 34 young. similar to lollipop sticks coated with mar- nearby. This was Cristina’s first attempt at The most recent site is in Dumfries and garine - which the rats relished! If rats public speaking. Nevertheless, she pro- Galloway, where a further 15-20 birds will were present they gnawed the sticks. The duced an impressive 15 minute Power- be released later this year. Here, the first operation was dramatically successful! Point presentation to everyone’s enjoy- successful breeding attempt was recorded Prior to the deployment of warfarin, 100% ment – congratulation Cristina! last year. The project has been highly of the chewsticks were gnawed. In con- After lunch, Neil Forbes gave a thought- successful, but worryingly, persecution is trast, three weeks after deployment, 100% provoking talk. Although advertised as the main factor reducing population of the sticks showed no sign of rat activ- being about Merlins at risk, it was far growth in all three areas. It has been possi- ity. Subsequently, the recovery of the more wide-ranging. Neil is a well known ble to show that illegal poisoning is by far island’s wildlife has been impressive. vet with a vast knowledge of diseases in the most important cause of mortality, as Interestingly, not only birds responded. birds of prey. His grandfather was the first many of the birds had been either radio- Masses of flowers carpeted the island, person to breed Merlins in captivity, and tagged or wing-tagged.

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