Issue 100, Spring 2020

Highland Birds The Newsletter of RSPB ’s Local Group

Photo: Ptarmigan, Steve Austin (RSPB Highland Local Group) Inside this Edition:

Indoor Reports: Field Trip Reports:

• Saving the Hen Harrier • Easter Ross • RSPB Scotland Conservation • RSPB Scotland Corrimony Work Reserve • What Bird Ringers Get Up To • The Black Isle • Conservation in the Cairngorms • Christmas and New Year Trips National Park • Strathspey • Dornoch Firth Special Report from Italy: Giving a wetland back to birds

From our Organising Team Alan Jones, Hilary Rolton and Maureen MacDonald

Hello everyone – welcome to the 100th edition of the RSPB Scotland Highland Local Group Newsletter! We are coming to the end of our 2019 - 2020 programme: we hope you have enjoyed the indoor talks and the field trips. Our AGM will be on Thursday April 23rd, followed by a talk by Chris Bingham (RSPB Reserves Ecologist, North Scotland) on “RSPB Corrimony – Black Grouse and Beyond”.

Our final Field Trip of the 2019 - 2020 season will be to RSPB Scotland Forsinard Reserve, on Saturday May 23rd. All the seats on the minibus are now Hilary Rolton, with Alan Jones, receiving her gift booked. Although we had hoped that members who voucher. Photo: Bob Shannon (RSPB Scotland wished to drive themselves there could join us for Highland Local Group) the tour of the reserve, the Forsinard wardens have now told us that all the available 4x4s will be full with the last three editions of “Highland Birds”. To those members travelling on the minibus. thank her, at the January Indoor Meeting we presented her with a voucher for a wildlife tour With regret, we have to inform members of the death and travel firm and wished her well for the future. of Richard Prentice. He passed away in Raigmore Hospital on Friday February 7th. Although Richard For some years now, the Group has made an had had health problems for some years, his death annual donation to LIPU, the Italian League for was quite sudden; he was only admitted to Bird Protection. LIPU is Birdlife International’s Raigmore on the Wednesday prior to his death. partner organization in Italy. We have included a recent article written by LIPU’s Press Officer, Richard was our Group Leader from 1999 to 2008, Andrea Mazza, to give you an idea of the kind of and was a regular contributor to the Newsletter work the Group is supporting in Italy. during that time. He was also a member of the

RSPB Committee for Scotland for several years. His In our Autumn 2019 Newsletter, we included a funeral service was held at Fraser’s, Culduthel piece by two members of the group who had Road, on February 15th. His remains have been moved from Strathnairn to Switzerland, and the cremated, and his ashes are to be scattered in North birdlife they found there. Much of the focus of Uist, an area he loved. He is survived by his wife their article was on storks, and they have sent us Catriona, a son and daughter, and two a brief follow-up. grandchildren.

th One of our Organising Team members, Hilary In recognition of this being the 100 edition of Rolton, will be stepping down at the end of this “Highland Birds”, we had planned to include a season. She has served the Group for six years brief retrospective piece on the Newsletter, - as a trip leader, as a member of this Team, and looking at how it has changed, and at what has as a member of the preceding Committee. With remained the same, over the 100 issues. the aid of Helen Cromarty at the RSPB North Unfortunately, for various reasons, it was not Scotland Regional Office, Hilary also produced possible to do so in this issue – perhaps we will be able to include this in our next edition.

Official Notification Finally, we thank you all for your support over the RSPB Scotland Highland Local Group past year. We are currently arranging the Annual General Meeting 2020 Group’s indoor Meetings programme and Field Thursday 23rd April at 7.30pm Trips for the 2020-21 season. at Greyfriars Free Church of Scotland Balloan Road, Inverness Alan Jones

Hen Harriers – the fight to save a threatened Because of this, she had to spend so much time species off her nest looking for food that the chicks died. Indoor Meeting: Thursday 26th September So these three video clips showed a variety of reasons for breeding failure in hen harriers other Brian Etheridge, of the Highland Raptor Study than human persecution; however, since finding Group, explained that his work in this field began the nests and positioning the cameras all in 1980 when he was employed by the RSPB to required the landowners’ permission, the run a national survey on hen harriers, because chances of showing any breeding failure as a of concerns about declining numbers. result of human interference were pretty slim!

Hen Harriers have three main habitats – grouse moors, open moorland and new plantations. The early research showed that 60% of hen harrier chicks which were bred in open moorland fledged successfully, 40% of those which were bred in new plantations fledged successfully, but on grouse moors, the figure was down to 20%.

The percentage of females from each type of breeding site who returned there the following year was equal across all sites. However, in the second year, only 10% of the females who had returned to their grouse-moor birthplace as first- years turned up again as mature birds of breeding age – whereas the return rates for mature second-year females in the other types of breeding sites were unchanged from their returns as first-years. This, as Brian put it, suggested that grouse moors were a hostile habitat for hen harriers. The results raised such concern that government agencies commissioned five further studies into hen harriers. Hen Harrier, Steve Knell (rspb-images.com)

The second project which Brian described The final study he described was the RSPB’s involved finding nests in different habitat types, Hen Harrier Life project. This involved satellite- including managed grouse moorlands, and tagging a large number of hen harrier chicks putting beside them motion-activated video across the northern UK – from the Bowland Fells cameras which would show exactly what goes on to the Isle of Man, through the Borders to at the nest sites, to give a clearer idea of what Perthshire and Aberdeenshire. There was a might be causing breeding failure. great deal of public involvement in this project, with schoolchildren being invited to name Brian showed us three fascinating - yet often individual chicks who could then be tracked via heart-rending - videos from this project. The first the RSPB website. was from Moray, where having hatched 5 chicks, the hen spent 80 hours on the nest sheltering the Most of the chicks didn’t survive their first year. chicks from constant rain. They had no food in all Some were found with tags intact – but many this time; the male brings food to the nest, and were not, and “78% of the tagged birds the rain meant that there was no prey to be ‘disappeared’ over driven grouse moors”. If a bird found. The second was from Ross-shire. It dies naturally, the tag will show a lack of showed a fox trying to take chicks from a nest, movement, and a declining body temperature. but the mother and fledglings managing to fight it Sudden “disappearance” of a tag suggests its off! The third was of a female who was the instant destruction, where the bird has been second mate of a male who devoted all his killed and the tag destroyed so that the bird can’t attention to feeding the chicks in his other nest. be found and its cause of death identified. It’s not just hen harriers that are the victims of elderberry trees along with song thrushes and a human persecution. Brian showed several horrible mistle thrush. We walked along the shore to the photographs of wildlife crime, all taken on bridge at the mouth of the River Sgitheach where managed grouse moors: poisoned bait, illegal four dippers were seen, all in the water diving from traps, and their protected species victims – as well the surface looking for food. Tree sparrows and as hen harriers, red kites, short-eared owls, and yellowhammers were around the churchyard. a golden eagle. Pink-footed and grey-lag geese were flying over to nearby fields. Brian then moved on to more political issues. He criticised the claims of the grouse-shooting As the tide was high we drove to Balintore where community that their “sport” preserves and groups of cormorants, shags, oystercatchers and enhances the Scottish landscape and wildlife turnstones were on the harbour wall. Nearby rocks which draws tourism here, showing photographs had redshanks, ringed plovers and a late of hillsides devastated by muirburn and with common tern amongst the black-headed, access tracks bulldozed across them. He common and great black-backed gulls. One red- discussed the economic drivers of the industry, throated diver, several common guillemots and describing the disparity between the wealth of razorbills were found on the sea. the landowners and those who can afford to take part in shoots, and the low agricultural wages of the gamekeepers who rely on huge tips if they can provide a big “bag”. And yet, he pointed out, the whole system is supported by multiple public subsidies, based on the supposed benefit of the industry to local communities.

So how do we save the threatened hen harrier? Official RSPB policy (currently under review, however) is to press for managed grouse moors to be “licensed” – whereby, if any evidence of wildlife crime were to be obtained, the licence to shoot could be revoked. Brian’s view is that years Lapwing, Steve Austin (RSPB Highland Local Group) of attempting to limit the destructive effects of On the way to Nigg we saw skylarks in the fields managed grouse moors have led nowhere. and a magpie on a wire by Chapelhill. The tide was Instead, he argued, the only way of protecting the receding fast as we had lunch in the hide at Nigg hen harrier and other threatened species, and of watching the wader flocks flying around disturbed by limiting the environmental damage caused by a sparrowhawk. Knot, golden plover, bar-tailed managed grouse moors, is to mobilise public godwits, curlew, lapwing, redshank and opinion and call for an outright ban. oystercatchers were seen. A large flock of

wigeon, teal, mallard, shelduck and two brent Roy Nelson invited a number of questions, which geese were quite distant on the sea. Brian succinctly answered. Roy then gave a vote of thanks and presented Brian with a cheque for Our final stop was at Dalmore where we walked to £50 for his work with the Highland Raptor Study the pier. A few Canada geese were with the Group. greylags and linnets and reed buntings on the marsh. The light was poor and rain on its way so Alan Jones we decided to finish here. 63 species were recorded. Easter Ross th Field Trip: Thursday 10 October Rosie Barnes

A small group of members gathered in Dingwall for RSPB Scotland Corrimony Reserve the first autumn field trip. We drove along the north Field Trip: Saturday 26th October side of Cromarty Firth and parked at Kiltearn Church. A few redwings were feeding in the On this brooding overcast morning, on the drive to Corrimony we already began chalking up birds for our list including wood pigeon, carrion and We paused by Loch Comhnard and hunkered down hooded crows and common gulls. We also for lunch. The waters were being whipped into spotted a buzzard and a flock of greylag geese waves by the wind and once again we were feeding in a field. thwarted in our attempts to spot any of the star species of the reserve – such as black-throated Upon arrival we set off on the path to the RSPB diver or curlew. In fact, we didn’t see anything on reserve, skirting around a field where Corrimony the turbulent waters! Nevertheless, spirits remained farm were hosting a pumpkin patch event. With all high and we were all enjoying the chance to be out the noise and excitement going on there wasn’t and about and experiencing the diversity of habitat much to see along this path, although we did stop to that Corrimony has to offer. look at the outflow from the Corrimony Hydro. It is the mosaic habitat of Corrimony that makes it Moving on, we came out onto the main track through such a stronghold for black grouse, which require a the reserve. Here we walked in the shelter of range of habitats for their survival and reproduction. coniferous forest, keeping a keen eye out for the Open upland areas are necessary for lekking; while crossbills – a weird and wonderful member of the young open woodlands with a mixed understorey of finch family whose crossed bill allows them to heather, grasses and other food plants such as extract seeds from pine cones. Although we did not blaeberry are important year-round for food and spot crossbills or crested tits (another rarity found shelter; and wet boggy ground provides both the in Corrimony), we did enjoy sightings of other protein-rich cotton grass that helps get females into woodland species including long-tailed tits and a good breeding condition in the spring, and the robin. invertebrates essential to the survival of chicks. The occasional fluttering birch tree signaled the Since the reserve was purchased in 1997, transition from coniferous to broadleaf woodland as management efforts to enhance its mosaic of we walked further into the reserve. We then habitats have contributed to a significant increase in black grouse, with the number of lekking males up emerged out of the shelter of the trees and onto the bare upland habitat favoured by the black grouse from only 16 in 1997 to 58 this year. for their leks. Here, between September and June, The weather had begun to settle by the return leg of male black grouse perform their lekking rituals to our journey, and we managed to see redwings in attract a mate (lekking is a Scandinavian word flight, and then more long-tailed and coal tits in meaning ‘to play’). one of their typical mixed roving flocks, as well as a wren and a tree-creeper! Even at the final moment arriving back at the car we were ticking off birds as a grey heron soared overhead. Everyone seemed pleased to have blown away some cobwebs (almost literally) and to have enjoyed some of the natural spectacles that Corrimony has to offer, even if the count for the day only stood at 15 species. Many thanks are due to Maureen, Hilary and Alan for organising the outing and to everyone who attended for making it such a great day out!

Molly Harvey

Black Grouse, Nigel McMillan (RSPB Scotland “Where The Birds Are” th Highland Local Group) Field Trip: Thursday 14 November

The males display by fanning out their tail feathers The Black Isle was the choice for today’s trip, while posturing, performing flutter jumps and beginning on this cold, icy morning at North producing a continual burbling call. However, there Kessock. Several herons were on the shore with a were no black grouse to see on this occasion, and few redshanks and curlews. On the sea was a due to the biting wind and stinging rain we solitary guillemot, one red-breasted merganser unfortunately didn’t see much of anything else and a goldeneye. As we headed onto the Black Isle either. a jay flew over and two red-legged partridge were in a field with a group of pheasants. At Munlochy bay, two greenshanks were feeding on the mud Triumphs and Troubles – a Look at RSPB with the oystercatchers and redshanks, along with Scotland’s Conservation Work. many teal and wigeon. Across the road in the trees Indoor Meeting: Thursday 28th November was a small flock of fieldfares and at the back of the field pink-footed geese were feeding. Anne McCall, the Director of RSPB Scotland, gave a very interesting talk to a very well-attended We then drove to Udale bay, stopping occasionally meeting. She reminded us that the RSPB is the en route, but it was very quiet bird wise. The tide largest conservation charity in the EU and is was high at Udale, a small flock of ringed plovers currently managing about 158,000 hectares of land, were feeding in the nearest mud channels and we of which approximately 73,000 hectares are in had a close view of a splendid snipe. Other waders Scotland. The RSPB now has very important and added to the list were bar- and black-tailed well-developed links in place with other godwits, lapwing, knot and dunlin. Out on the firth organisations, (e.g. BirdLife International) which was a flock of scaup and in the bay many wigeon, help to more successfully petition governments for shelduck, and five Canada geese. A female changes in environmental policies. shoveler was located and then two tufted ducks with another duck, which caused some thought and RSPB Scotland has now been streamlined into just we eventually decided it was a female pochard. As the North and South regions. This enables a more we watched a female stonechat in a field, a bird of efficient approach to the main areas of operation. prey perched in a tree was spotted, which, after a Policy development, which includes forestry, while, flew across towards the bay and disappeared. agriculture and land management, entails meeting It was definitely a large accipiter and after much and co-operating with interested bodies and discussion we decided it was probably a male showing how land can be better managed for the goshawk. environment and for wildlife. The crime investigation team is now based in Scotland, sadly because this Driving towards Cromarty we stopped at is where most of the crime takes place. Finally, Jemimaville and scanned the sea. Long-tailed- public affairs includes marketing and public relations duck, eider and Slavonian grebe were added to but also encompasses encouraging young people to the list. Pink-footed geese were flying overhead. get more involved and more aware of the changes Returning to Rosemarkie, we had a short walk along needed to protect the environment and wildlife. the stream and found a dipper and a grey wagtail. The main areas of concern with the running of the RSPB are currently:

• Brexit and its possible impact on funding, research and European co-operation;

• General Data Protection Regulations which now make it more difficult to approach possible members and to target campaigns to raise funds;

• A general distrust of the charity sector following recent scandals. People are now more reluctant to join and to get involved; Tree Sparrow, Steve Austin (RSPB Highland Local Group) • cuts to government funding due to austerity Our final stop was at some bird feeders in Avoch. measures and competition from other sectors; House and tree sparrows, greenfinches, blue tits and and a robin were seen and a little grebe on the sea. A reed bunting was the last bird added to our • general tighter regulation means that everything excellent total of 70 species. has to be accountable and carefully checked.

Mary Galloway So the whole organisation has had to be streamlined to make it more efficient. But the main priorities are still in place, namely to protect species and landscape. With that in mind, 2019 has been a very important year for some significant reports. For example, 50 countries have signed up to a Global Biodiversity Report which has found that this is not going well. The UK’s Climate Change Committee has agreed with those findings and obviously, the two are connected. Scotland has come to the forefront in research into carbon storage and the enormous peat bogs found here play a critical role in this. The Scottish Government has set a target of net zero CO2 emissions by 2045, some 5 years earlier than the rest of the UK. This has led to a Storm Petrel, Alastair Wilson (rspb-images.com) transformational change in direction for big projects such as the Forsinard Flows. Previously focussed been very successful. The Cairngorms Connect simply on protecting waders and other wildlife, the project covering around 60,000 hectares with four reserve’s work now encompasses the re-creation of major partners is another landmark project with £9 peat moss as a carbon-capture tool and is attracting million of funding promised. world-wide attention. The research coming out of Others include the Orkney Native Wildlife Project, this will be highly significant for global warming. aiming to eradicate stoats (which were only Another important report is The State of Nature, introduced in 2011). This uses specially trained produced every three years, with most interested dogs to find the stoats and a large volunteer labour NGO’s contributing. All the UK governments have force. The Inner Forth Landscape Initiative is testing signed up to it and this year, for the first time, it is attitudes in a more urban landscape, as is the evidence-based. This means that, for example, Garnock Connections project. These have funding there can be no denying of bird of prey persecution of £4million and £2million, respectively. This on driven grouse moors. This particular subject has demonstrates the importance attached to these been vastly helped by the use of satellite tags. In the projects. Hen Harrier Life project, 100 harrier chicks have Developments at some of the RSPB Scotland been tagged over 5 years and their progress tracked reserves include: and monitored. This has been funded by the EU and the research has taught us how far these birds travel • Loch Lomond is being upgraded. and what happens to them. In 2020, there will be a very important Conference of Parties held in • Mersehead is now complete with particular Glasgow and elsewhere. This will discuss emphasis on the natterjack toad. environmental issues and climate change. The First Minister has recognised the problem. • Skinflats is being used as a testing ground for The RSPB, as a charity, has to remain politically new ideas in for example, tidal exchange. neutral but feels that its needs would be best served by remaining in the EU. With Brexit looming, it is • Forsinard Flows has a very useful and much- now trying to maximise any opportunities to improve admired Tower hide as well as a new facility for existing strategies with regard to CAP and the loss visiting researchers and volunteers. A travelling of habitats and birds from the countryside. exhibition about the Flows has proved to be very popular and effective at getting that particular It is not all doom and gloom. The big projects like message across. Forsinard Flows create world-wide attention but many other projects are having very significant • Loch Leven Reserve now has a new underpass results. The Shiants project to eliminate invasive for people with restricted mobility and other species of rats has been successful and storm improvements have been made to the site. petrels are now breeding there again. This was a tricky project with serious challenges, including There are also some big battles ongoing. For remoteness, logistics, terrain and weather. It example, the Coul Links with 13,000 objections to needed a big organisation to bring it off and it has the proposed golf course registered and a coalition of local and national bodies fighting to save them (since this talk was given, the Coul Links campaign was successful and planning permission has been denied). Also, A9 dualling will have an impact on the Insh Marshes reserve and a compensation package is being discussed.

Other projects focus on golden eagles in the south of Scotland, corn buntings in Fife, and the curlew crisis due to farming practices and predation. Field margins are helping corncrakes; capercaillie research and protection has been awarded £3 million of lottery funding and another project, Species on the Edge, specifically aimed at seabirds, has £6 million of funding in place. Technology is playing a part in all these projects with satellite Photo by Nigel McMillan (RSPB Highland Local tagging, for example, showing how far and where Group) birds are flying to get sand eels to feed chicks. This who dependably turned up for his day in the hide, has shown that there is a need for more special sometimes in rather unpleasant weather conditions. marine protection areas. Also, there are now It was a privilege to be able to present Douglas with growing concerns about the mountain hare his 15 year Long Service Award, with help from a population, especially on driven grouse moors couple of the members of the Highland Local Group, where heavy culling takes place. and to have the opportunity to properly thank So people and members become more and more Douglas for the time he gave to Loch Ruthven. important. Events such as the Dolphin Watch in Isabel Morgan Aberdeen Harbour and the Glasgow Wildlife Garden Festival help get the message out there. The value Morning Birding and Christmas Lunch of nature in helping with mental health issues is also Saturday 7th December recognised in a trial in Shetland called Nature’s Prescription. The importance of getting young Sixteen group members set out for our annual people involved is also recognised and the RSPB birding and Christmas lunch trip. We held the usual supports their current climate change attitude. sweepstake with expected counts varying from 27- 79: this gave us plenty of scope! Corporate sponsorship has been very useful. The Famous Grouse brand has raised around £650,000 The day was dry but rather overcast. We set off to towards black grouse conservation and the Nature Nairn harbour, via Loch Flemington. Our first of Scotland Awards are very valuable and hotly sighting from the bus was a flock of in excess of contested. And with the help of television programs 2,000 pink-footed geese. At Loch Flemington we like Spring Watch and Autumn Watch, there is spotted tufted ducks, mallard, goldeneye, perhaps the feeling that all is not yet lost and that moorhen, a large group of mute swans and a little some optimism might be justified! grebe. As we came into Nairn we kept our eyes focused on the trees and were lucky enough to see Nigel McMillan a small group of waxwings at the top of a tree. On next to Nairn harbour where the tide was quite high: Also at this meeting, Isabel Morgan, Warden of there was still a small group of turnstone and RSPB Scotland’s Central Highland Reserves, made redshank on the shoreline and out at sea we a presentation to a long-time volunteer, Douglas spotted eider and some long-tailed duck already Murray: resplendent in their breeding plumage. Now we set For 15 years Douglas has been a dedicated off for Lochindorb. The route was very scenic, plenty member of the Loch Ruthven Volunteer Team, of pheasant and a woodcock, plus the usual crows helping keep an eye on the reserve and its and pigeons. On our arrival at the Loch we fully Slavonian grebes as well as being a friendly face for expected to see red grouse, but it was only after a visitors. When he decided to retire earlier this year, lot of searching that Isabel, the most sharp-eyed we lost a trusted and reliable member of the team amongst us, spotted a single bird eyeing us suspiciously from the skyline. On the loch we As usual, teams met up at the Galloway household spotted red-breasted mergansers and a large raft in Fortrose at 15.30 after six hours of relaxed of tufties. birding. As a general consensus, participants were concerned at the low level of species they had Our final destination was Loch Garten, where we recorded. After refreshments the roll was called. A pulled into the Osprey Centre. A walk up to the total of 87 species had been logged, the lowest total visitors’ centre proved very rewarding, we all saw since 2011 and well below the twenty-year average crested tits and as a special bonus came upon of 96 species. Food for thought. A single new groups of coal tits which were tame enough to species, goshawk, was added to the running list enjoy being hand fed! which now stands at 146 species. The winners of The annual sweepstake was won jointly by Alan the 'race' were Doreen and John Manson with their Jones and Pam Draper with a species total of 41. son Alex, with a total of 62 species. As always We all enjoyed a really good meal and there was a participants enjoyed their birding and the camaraderie afterwards. vote of thanks to Maureen for organising the trip. We all went home happy after a good day out. David Galloway

Doreen Manson What Bird Ringers Get Up To?? Indoor Meeting: Thursday 30th January New Year Bird Count 2020 rd Friday 3 January Alastair Young is the Delivery Manager for Forestry Four teams (thirteen folk in all) competed in this & Land Scotland and a volunteer with the Highland event on a day that was mild but overcast. The tidal & Grampian Bird Ringers Groups. His involvement with the world of birds has been long-standing: his pattern was not overly helpful with a very low level at midday. Team routings included Speyside and mother said that, aged 3, he had just two interests, Lochindorb, Easter Ross and the Black Isle. crisps and birds! In his life as an amateur ornithologist he has carried out a range of bird survey work including breeding bird surveys, WEBS counts, atlas work and ringing. Alastair started training in ringing in 1979 and obtained his permit in 1981.

As a way of studying birds the process of ringing started in 1909 and is tightly managed by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) to ensure that ringers are vetted, trained and monitored. There are currently around 3,000 ringers permitted to catch and "mark" around 1,000,000 birds all around the UK every year.

Along with metal rings, colour rings and wing tags are sometimes used so that individual birds can be identified in the field and are designed to have a very minimal effect on the birds - once they have been marked and some basic measurements have been taken/recorded, the birds are quickly released unharmed to behave naturally thereafter. Information gathered then tells us about movements (local), dispersal (exploring more widely) and migration routes. It enables us to estimate populations/trends, how long they live, survival rates and at what age they first begin to breed.

At a local/individual level an example of how useful ringing a single bird can be was that of a male Goshawk, Louise Greenhorn (rspb-images) capercaillie lekking within a forest where operations were planned. The bird was caught and targeted for specific reasons, nets are checked very ringed so that over the following year when a caper regularly, and disturbance is kept to an absolute was seen in three other parts of the same forest, it minimum. If there is a risk of causing undue was identified as the same individual. it obviously disturbance or suffering, then the ringers will favoured open areas close to tracks and burn sides. abandon the activity and look at other ways to get the data.

As an example of how this relates to Scotland, he informed us that in 2018 148,000 birds were ringed and there were some surprises in the top ten which were (in order): blue tit, puffin, siskin, chaffinch, great tit, swallow, goldfinch, storm petrel, guillemot and willow warbler.

Long-term studies have revealed some invaluable information and some incredible insights into bird behaviour. One project Alastair has been involved in for over 20 years is on seabirds on the Island of Canna. Canna is small enough for the whole seabird colony to be studied, with populations large enough to provide meaningful information. For 51 years, ringers have visited in late May, June and July, to monitor the populations, breeding success, food eaten, longevity, survival rates, site fidelity, movement, biology, and distribution of colonies. There are over 153,000 records including 30,000 re- traps! These re-traps are invaluable because they tell us a significant amount about the birds in the colony.

Using guillemots as an example, within the colonies studied closely there were 500 pairs in

1976 rising to 1200 pairs in the 1980's/90's before Capercaillie, Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com) crashing to 400 pairs in 2007 and slowly recovering since then. This pattern coincides well with major This subsequently enabled habitat to be created wrecks (e.g. from big storms) recorded at those and maintained for the caper's best interests as well times which allows us to tie in the causes of the as ensuring that operations did not disturb it during population changes. The study has shown the important period of the lek. guillemots first breed at about 3-6 years old and can live for up to 40 years; and the average age of There are various ways to catch the birds, with most breeding guillemots on Canna is about 24 years. caught in nets, other traps or, when they are young, This kind of information can only be found out by in the nest. The most common nets are fine "mist" these long-term studies. The study also allows us nets but there are a variety for different options such to see how the colonies recover from population as Fleygg nets, on poles to catch individuals in flight, crashes and identify what is required. For example, and "clap" nets to catch flocks feeding on the space in the colony allows younger birds to come in ground. With a range of methods, the ringer will use earlier to breed and with an abundance of food, the method best suited to the bird and conditions. breeding success can enable populations to recover It’s not all easy - cliff-nesting raptors and seabirds relatively quickly. can make it a very hazardous proposition! Using kittiwake as another example, he told of us Alastair also indicated that you don’t always have to of how using only rings, around 3,500 kittiwake were go to the birds, and, in certain circumstances, ringed and 500 recovered, with only 8 found recordings of bird calls may be appropriate to lure a elsewhere (2 on Faroe). While this gave good target species to the net. He again emphasised that information about the colony and birds within it, it ringing is rigorously monitored, and that species are said little about what they do the rest of the year. did they stay in 2014/15? Birds were feeding on Looking at other methods of getting better data, 100 larch and alder seed and with a very good seed year individuals were fitted with geo-locators to try and it appears there was no need to migrate south. find out where they go and when. Speaking from his point of view as a forester, Between 2014 and 2016, 51 birds were re-caught Alastair said that if we can show that redpolls use and geo-locators recovered. Data from a single bird certain tree species to feed on, we can advocate provided an example of what had been found out. It that woodlands en route are managed for them and was near Iceland on 24 August, then off Greenland include these tree species to improve the benefits to on 29 August, travelled to the Davis Straight (North these birds and environment. Alastair also indicated America) in October, spent November near what else we can find out by pointing out that by Labrador, December/January off Newfoundland, catching them we can see that not all redpolls have was south of Greenland on 14 February and ‘red polls’ (the poll is the front and top of the head) returned to Canna late March. This method gives an but many in fact have orange, copper, bronze, amazing amount of detail about this bird’s life. What brown, gold, yellow or even no coloured poll at all. routes did other birds take though? It appears that His studies showed that only about 60% are red! there are three distinct strategies: 20% stay local to around Scotland (resident), 30% are medium Alastair concluded an informative, enjoyable and distance migrants going out as far as Iceland and very entertaining evening by asking that if anyone the middle Atlantic with about 50% long distance finds a dead bird with a ring on its leg - please go on migrants like the example shown! That’s something to the BTO website and report it. which was not known five years ago. Tony Cluxton

Strathspey Field Trip: Thursday February 13th

Despite some worries about weather over the previous few days, a small group of us went off to explore Strathspey’s February birdlife. But we were unbelievably lucky with the conditions – despite snow on the ground, there was bright sunshine and no wind!

En route, a sparrowhawk was seen at Slochd. We met two group members in the car park at Lesser Redpoll, Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com) Carrbridge, where they had already seen robin, Taking another example of what a species study blackbird, woodpigeon, hooded and carrion can tell us, Alastair told us about lesser redpolls. crows – most of which were obligingly still there In winter 2014/15 over 10,000 had moved to when we arrived. We then set off for Nethy Bridge. Morayshire and Aberdeenshire where, apparently, On the way we saw starling, pink-footed and they all decided it was suitable to stay and greylag geese – but surprisingly, given the type of overwinter. Data from the national migration atlas, countryside which we were passing through, we based on over 1500 ringed redpolls, suggested that saw no pheasants. usually none of them would be expected to stay and We had a treat at Nethy Bridge – as soon as we got that they would all continue south. The recoveries of out of our cars and walked over to the River Nethy, the ringed birds provided us some interesting there was a pair of dippers in full view for a good information. The birds in the flocks were ones which long time. We then walked up the wooded path bred in the north and west of Scotland from around along the river, seeing the common woodland birds Mallaig in the west and north across the mainland. such as blue, great and coal tits, and chaffinch. They migrated to the east in August with recoveries Then we left the riverside path and the mixed broad- around Tain and the Black Isle, then continued east leaved woods, seeing a buzzard flying overhead as through Morayshire. The records then show a we emerged. movement down the east coast of Scotland and England with birds mostly then wintering in south- We followed a path into the Scots Pine plantation of east England, reaching there in November. So why Dell Woods. However, despite the magnificence of the pines, the only birdlife visible consisted of small, time on the trip!) little grebe, red-breasted unidentifiable silhouettes flitting about in the merganser, goldeneye and mallard (lurking so far treetops. So we decided not to follow the track away on the opposite shore that even through through the woods all the way back to the village, binoculars it was hard to tell if they were ducks or but took a path back onto the road. That turned out geese). to be lucky: looking back to the treetops, what we thought at first to be mistle thrushes turned out to Our final stop was at RSPB Scotland Insh Marshes be two great spotted woodpeckers. They seemed Reserve. The snow was heavy and frozen underfoot to be having a dispute over territory – chasing each here (and even more heavily frozen under tyres, as other backwards and forwards between the tops of we found when trying to get up the slope out of the a group of tall pines. car park as we were heading home!) But the lack of wind meant that standing on the observation Our next stop was the RSPB centre at Loch Garten, platform above the circular hide (rather than where, after lunch in the car park, we walked to the sheltering inside it) was quite okay. Out on the feeding stations at the centre itself. The centre is marshes we saw grey heron, lapwing, and a pair undergoing renovation at the moment, so with of whooper swans. And below the feeder just several pick-up trucks parked outside it, we thought outside the hide, we finally saw our first pheasant the chances of the shy crested tits turning up at the of the day - a fat hen, making the most of the seed feeders were pretty slim – but we were wrong. They and grain which had been scattered on the ground. did put in an appearance, not only at the high level feeder but flitting around at the tables in front of us. Our total species count for the day was 30. We also had a much more close-up view of a great Alan Jones spotted woodpecker, which also came to the feeder. Bird Conservation in the Indoor Meeting: Thursday 27th February 2020

The February meeting saw a welcome return visit from Pete Mayhew, who worked for 28 years at RSPB North Scotland office and contributed many times to the office update presentations. Pete's career moved on in 2017, since when he has been Director of Conservation and Visitor Experience at the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA). The title of Pete's talk had been pre- announced as "Bird Conservation in the Cairngorms National Park", but in the event we were treated to a wide-ranging overview of the complex web of interests which the CNPA co-ordinates and, to some extent, oversees. Some elements overlapped with a talk Pete had previously given to the SOC, but there was considerably more material and food for Crested Tit, Bob Shannon (RSPB Scotland thought this time. Highland Local Group) There have been National Parks in England for And can anyone go to the Loch Garten reserve and some 70 years, and a recent review (the Glover resist the temptation of getting the reserve’s Report) has considered how their management incredibly tame coal tits eating seed from the palm strategy should be developed in a 21st century of their hand? I couldn’t – and had two, if not three, context. In contrast, the two Scottish National Parks doing so at once! have only been established since devolution in 1999 We moved on next to Loch Insh (with a fieldfare and operate within a framework based on three being spotted on the way – though there were still statutory purposes - conservation, rural no pheasants). There we saw mute swan, and development and visitor experience. It was (although scopes had to be brought out for the first noticeable, from his job title, that Pete is responsible for two of these three! As Pete put it, the park strategies, the outcomes of which for endangered operates within a "cultural landscape" which has species like capercaillie are less than clear at this developed over 10,000 years; however, many of the stage. The return of the (now protected) beaver to strategic questions of "what is a modern national the Cairngorms also remains a possibility, although park for?" are similar to those in England. the Scottish Government's current policy position is that there should be no further translocations to new The CNP covers 6% of the land area of Scotland sites. Again, "people pressure" on habitat and and, from a conservation perspective, contains a wildlife adds a further layer of complexity to this. particularly rich diversity of habitats ranging from Arctic tundra to moorland, pine forest, wetlands and productive farmland. The complex pattern of land ownership is now evolving; whilst many of the estates remain in private ownership and have a sporting focus developed over nearly 200 years, some landowners (e.g. the National Trust for Scotland at Mar Lodge) have modified the traditional model. More recently, incoming owners like Anders Holch Povlsen have pursued a more radical restoration/rewilding vision which has now been taken up by the Cairngorms Connect project across Beaver, RSPB (rspb-images.com) a huge tract of land running from Ben Macdui to the banks of the Spey. While Cairngorms Connect is bringing about change in the west of the park, to the east lie the moors The CNPA operates largely on a partnership basis where the six estates of the East Cairngorms with the landowners, local communities and public Moorland Partnership (in which the CNPA plays a sector stakeholders, but has its own powers both as more proactive role) continue to develop their own the local planning authority and in relation to access strategies - with variations between landowners, management. It is thus involved in the provision, who include NTS at Mar Lodge. The partnership taking account of conservation interests, of effectively promotes sustainable grouse moor affordable housing to underpin the local management, while estates' differing deer density economy. Access issues are becoming more objectives are co-ordinated through the Deer complex as the tourist count (now approaching 2 Management Groups. Different interest groups million per annum) rises. Many tourists remain in interpret the word "sustainable" in their own ways, the developed areas for sightseeing, visitor and from his own position (and in relation to red attraction and low-level walking purposes, but an grouse) Pete balances the contrasting views of increasing minority seek to access more remote landowners and conservation organisations such as areas of the park (Pete refers to this as the "Ray RSPB. Pete noted that grouse moor management Mears effect") and are thus putting increasing has become more intensive since around 2000, but pressure on sensitive and vulnerable landscapes, that the practices of the estates bring benefits to habitats and species. A wide range of publications, some bird species (e.g. curlew and black ranging from the Local Development Plan to grouse). Many of the landowners also practise or economic, access and education strategies, allow bog restoration; this should enhance peatland underpin this aspect of the CNPA's operations. carbon storage which is important in a climate change context. Meanwhile controversy over raptor Pete went on to explain that landscape scale persecution continues, despite the best efforts of the conservation is far from simple. The denuded state park's team of (volunteer) special constables; more of much of the Cairngorms contrasts markedly with recent efforts to control alleged wildlife crime in the otherwise similar landscapes in Norway, though Cairngorms include survey initiatives and bird some of the Cairngorms Connect partners have set tracking devices. Ultimately, it seems possible that about rectifying that situation and are also bringing political decisions may determine the overall "new thinking" and a research-based approach to approach to grouse moor management over coming bear on the management of a complex and evolving decades. predator web. For example, the recent recovery of the pine marten population suggests new For the future, the next edition of the CNPA's formal plan for the park will extend to a 25-year horizon to good views of long- tailed ducks, a distant but which takes into account the Scottish Government's massive raft of common scoter, plenty of eider and commitment to net zero emissions by 2045. To some of the sharper eyes in the group spotted red- complement peatland restoration, forward-thinking throated divers. After eating our lunch we walked initiatives such as riparian woodland development round to the jetty and were just in time to see waders and river catchment partnerships are bringing on the rocks. Purple sandpiper, sanderling, benefits to salmon stocks, freshwater pearl mussels ringed plover, turnstone and even two brent and downstream flood management. Challenges geese were spotted. When we got back to the cars, include developing the engagement of local the sanderling and purple sandpipers had come communities with the landscapes, habitats and round to the rocks close by so we got even better wildlife on their doorstep. It sounds as though Pete, views! like some previous prominent characters in the Cairngorms, could have plenty to keep him busy for a long life!

Pete deftly handled a range of questions from the audience on tricky topics, including the sustainability of the current land management model, the possibility of land taxes, overtourism, various points about grouse moors and the likelihood of government investment in more National Parks in Scotland. A tour de force indeed.

Peter Batten Brent Geese, Eleanor Bentall (rspb-images.com) Dornoch Firth Field Trip: Saturday 29th February The plan was to walk out to Dornoch point next, but the wind had become quite strong, so the plans The forecast looked ominous, but Saturday dawned were revised and it was decided to visit the shoreline dry and reasonably bright. 14 group members in Tain instead. The tide had just beaten us, but we arrived, wrapped up warmly and eager for a day’s still got views of pintails, teal and at the pond, birding. moorhen, a mute swan and quite a selection of small birds. Our first port of call was a large layby close to Evanton. Not a wonderful spot due to the passing It had been an excellent day. l haven’t mentioned all traffic, but on this occasion well worth the the species spotted but we had an some great views inconvenience. The light was very good so we could with lots of birds in every location. Total count of see a good number of ducks and waders, masses species for the day was 64. of shelduck, wigeon, a good flock of lapwing, some curlew, redshank, and even a skylark Doreen Manson singing away. If it wasn’t for the constant traffic we Special Report from Italy: could have stayed longer, but it was decided to The Redemption of the Migratory Population press on to the Mound. This year sees the launch of a project that intends The weather continued to improve, there were to hand back to the community a vast wetland in flocks of greylag and pink-footed geese spotted Caserta province, to the north of Naples, which until on our drive and, at the Mound, little grebe, a few years ago was in the hands of poachers and goldeneye and a very vocal bullfinch. Next we organised criminals. The culmination of a battle that drove to the large layby at Loch Fleet. Again the light LIPU has pursued since back in 2001. was excellent, lots of beached seals, knot, dunlin, a few bar-tailed godwit, a Slavonian grebe and Another dirty, abandoned drum of paint hidden in the red-breasted mergansers, again many shelduck, grass. For hours the volunteers have scoured the and in the field nearby some red-legged partridge. small rubbish dumps that beleaguer the heart of the Soglietelle. We are in the village of Villa Literno, in We lunched by the jetty at Embo and were treated

Caserta province. In the approaches to the wetland making available bird hides, and offering are abandoned rolls of bituminous membrane, tiles, birdwatching lessons and workshops. cement, plastic and mattresses. A few hundred metres away waves break on the beach of Coppola The ‘Last’ Will Be the First: The History of Free Flight Pinetamare village while spoonbills, avocets and This story starts in 1997 when Sergio Costa, Forestry Officer and current Minister of the Environment, together with a handful of men, searched around the ponds, confiscating guns and cartridges and reporting dozens of poachers. A few years later, on 23 January 2005, the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Santa Maria Capua Vetere commissioned the Carabinieri Unit for the Protection of the Environment to take charge of the ponds. The raid, conducted with the volunteer nature protection

force of LIPU, led to dozens being charged with environmental damage, occupation of State property, poaching, theft, and diversion of public water supplies. It should have been a routine operation. Instead it became a huge legal campaign, borne out of the meeting between Colonel Sergio De Caprio, the legendary “Last Captain” and LIPU volunteers, Rino Esposito and Spoonbill, Les Bunyan (rspb-images.com) Giovanni Albarella. At that point the ponds were assigned to the judicial care of the Environment black-winged stilts fly over the wetland in search Ministry. LIPU for its part gathered 7,000 signatures of food and somewhere to nest. The Domitian coast and put forward a proposal to create a protected is a land of strong contrasts: besides important and area accessible to visitors, with guided itineraries rare species of wild birds there are illegal rubbish and illustrated panels. The petition was picked up by tips and social decay. Until a few years ago this was Campania Regional Council, which established the the undisputed realm of the hardened poacher: from nature reserve with resolution 2033 of 13 December bunkers built at the edges of the artificial ponds they 2006. The following year the Environment Ministry, shot at garganey, tufted duck, pintail, herons, legal guardian of the protected areas, initiated a joint hawks and stilts, which ended up as stuffed action with the Campania region, signing – on 6 specimens in collectors’ lounges. Today, instead, December – a specific agreement that determined, thanks to a long battle that LIPU has conducted among other things, the necessary financial since 2001, the face of this land is changing. In resources for the upgrading and utilisation of the place of the guns there are binoculars; in place of areas prior to their expropriation in favour of the gunshots, there is now the sound of birdsong. small town of Villa Literno. With Environment Ministry funds, the heart of the area was fenced, and Project Free Flight in it a visitor centre with hides and information In 2006 the Soglietelle became part of the Foce panels was built. It was the first decisive step Volturno-Costa di Licola nature reserve; but only in towards safe and proper enjoyment of the area, and 2019 did it enter a new and decisive phase of revival from that moment on the Environment Ministry, and development, thanks to the project Free Flight, Campania region, the reserve authority and Villa financed by the ‘Fondazione con il Sud' and its Literno worked together towards the full protection ‘Environment Call’. Launched last spring, the project and enhancement of the area. is creating permanent protection from the environmental degradation and loss of biodiversity The Soglietelle today brought about principally by the dumping of rubbish From the start of the project financed by the ‘With and by poaching. It intends to give the area back to the South’ Foundation and also in part by the the community, opening the way for guided visits, authorities of the Foce Volturno – Costa di Licola, 133 species have been recorded by the Fauna Follow up from the previous article on Variconi and Soglietelle monitoring station of the “Settling into Swiss life” Institute of Wildlife Management. These include glossy ibis, little bittern, spoonbill, booted eagle, bee-eater, reed warbler and reed bunting.

White Storks, Stephan Wottreng,Therwill BL, Switzerland

An article appeared in the Birsigtal Bote, the local Reed bunting, Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com) weekly information and advertising free paper for all the households in our shallow valley or Tal (in The monitoring station has carried out an extensive German this refers to all shapes and sizes like 'dale' ringing programme co-ordinated by the in Southern Scotland and N. England) and the Birsig ornithologists Alessio Usai and Gabriele de Filippo. is our local stream that runs through the community Meanwhile guided walks are taking place among the and on into the Rhine in the centre of Basel. A ponds without disturbing the birds during the reader spotted this group of about 60 storks sensitive periods of breeding and migration; the following the plough in the next community to us. We volunteers look for rubbish and the Carabinieri usually cycle out past these houses a few times a patrol the area. In short, the first positive effects of a month to have an aperitif in the garden restaurant project that will last for three years are emerging. It another couple of kilometres down the road on a is life that is being reborn, finally – after so much cycle track. Herr Wottreng lives in housing facing degradation, violence and abuse. onto the fields.

Free Flight Partners The lead partner is the Institute of Wildlife Management, and the partners are LIPU, the Foce Volturno, Costa di Licola and Lake Falciano authority, Villa Literno , the “Agrorinasce” consortium and the Forestry Corps of the Carabinieri. http://www.asoim.org/index.php/visita-alloasi-delle- soglitelle/

Andrea Mazza White Storks, Stephan Wottreng,Therwill BL, Switzerland

Greetings to all

Slainte

Graeme and Pia Souter

Notes and Reminders

• Indoor Meeting venue • Field Trip Notes Please note that the indoor meeting venue is: Please note the following for your safety and Greyfriars Free Church of Scotland, Balloan Road. guidance when on field trips:

Directions: From the Inshes roundabout, turn onto Our trips are usually low risk and take account of all the Southern Distributor road (B8082) (Tesco will be ages and abilities of the group but occasionally they on your left). At the second roundabout, turn right, may involve uneven or wet terrain. You can help to signposted Hilton, Drakies. At the traffic lights turn keep our trips enjoyable by observing the following left. The venue is on the left a short distance along advice please:

Balloan Road, almost opposite a play park. There o Comply with route and safety instructions at sites is plenty of parking available and the venue is fully and with the request of the trip leader. accessible and has a speaker system.

o Do not get separated from the group, especially Please also note that the front row of seats is in the hills or unfamiliar terrain. Please make available for those who have mobility, sight or sure that you know where the meeting place is hearing difficulties, please avail yourselves of this and at what time you should be there. facility.

o If you have any health problems that could affect • Adverse weather contacts your ability to complete a walk, please speak to If you are in any doubt that a meeting will take the group leader prior to the trip. If you are in any place, please contact one of the organising team for doubt on the trip, stay with your vehicle or the up-to-date information or in the case of field trips bus. please contact the trip leader.

o If you are giving other members of the group lifts • Shared Transport in your own car, please ensure that your If you do not have a car or would like a lift for a field insurance covers this, as most policies are trip please let us know at our first meeting, or invalidated if passengers are charged or alternatively phone the field trip leader who will be contribute to the cost of petrol. pleased to help you.

o Check the weather forecast and be prepared by bringing:

 appropriate sturdy footwear (boots),  waterproof and warm layers of clothes  Long trousers and socks to protect

against insect bites.  Walking pole (optional)

 Small first aid kit  Sun cream  Mobile phone in case of emergency  Whistle (optional)

 Don’t forget your binoculars and/or scope  Lunch if required  Water

Acknowledgements The RSPB Scotland staff in the Inverness Office check the newsletter to ensure correct branding and data protection regulations are adhered to. We are grateful to them, especially to Helen Cromarty who does an excellent job on the layout of the articles and photos in the newsletters. Thank you also to all of our members who contributed to this newsletter.

For further information or to share your stories and photos please contact:

Maureen MacDonald Alan Jones [email protected] [email protected] 01463 220013 01463 223679

Or find us at https://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/highland

RSPB Scotland is part of the RSPB, the UK’s largest nature conservation charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home. Together with our partners, we protect threatened birds and wildlife so our towns, coast and countryside will teem with life once again. We play a leading role in BirdLife International, a worldwide partnership of nature conservation organisations.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654

The Annual General Meeting of the RSPB Highland Local Group was held on Thursday 25th April 2019 at Greyfriars Free Church, Balloan Road, Invernes

Hilary welcomed everyone to the 32nd Annual General Meeting of the group.

1) Apologies were received from Freydis Campbell; Anna and Geoff Thomson; and Doreen and John Manson. Attendance: 30

2) Minute of the previous AGM, 26th April 2018: The Minute was approved. (Proposer: David Galloway. Seconder: Bob Shannon)

3) Organising Team Report: a) Indoor Meetings We have had a great year’s worth of indoor meetings, with speakers covering birdlife from every corner of the globe. The season started relatively locally with Kenny Kortland, from Forest Enterprise Scotland, talking about “Capercaillie on the National Forest Estate”. In October, Ewan Weston gave us a presentation on ”Saving the Spoonbilled Sandpiper”, which followed these tiny birds from their breeding grounds in north-east Russia to their winter homes in southern Asia. We presented Ewan with a cheque for £100 to further the WWT’s work of protecting this very endangered species.

Our November meeting was to have been on “Uganda – birding the pearl of Africa” by Alison Guthrie, leader of the RSPB Hamilton local group. Unfortunately, technical problems prevented her from making her presentation, and we refunded the entrance fee for everyone who had attended.

In December, Ron Summers of the Highland Ringing Group spoke to us about the work they have been doing, using geolocators to track the migration of waders – primarily the common sandpiper, but also the greenshank and purple sandpiper. The New Year continued the world-wide theme, beginning with a presentation by Izzy Morgan (the warden of RSPB Scotland’s Central Highland Reserves) on her exchange visit to Slovenia, covering both the birdlife and cultural history of that country.

In February, Dr Alison MacLennan, RSPB Conservation Officer for Skye, spoke to us about the efforts to “avoid a black future for the black duck” – the black duck being the common scoter, the only one of the world’s six scoter species which breeds in the UK. A good sign that their numbers can be preserved is that the common scoter returned to Shetland on 2018, after a 20-year absence. Unfortunately, George Campbell could not attend our March meeting, as he was dealing with an emergency situation elsewhere. His place was taken by Jeremy Roberts, who spoke about the Cairngorms Connect project. At the end of the meeting, Hilary Rolton presented Jeremy with a cheque for the NSRO for £640 - £500 from our group and £140 from Strathnairn Community Council (in memory of Ray Collier).

Finally, on behalf of the Organising Team and the Local Group I’d like to thank Jane Chisholm for opening the church for our meetings, and, with the rest of her team, providing the refreshments

Alan Jones

b) Field Trips There were 9 field trips this season from October 2018 to March 2019, with one more to come in April. Attendances mostly ranged from 11- 18 members. There were two events in October; the first was on the 11th October (Thursday) and covered Alturlie, Ardersier, Fort George, Delnie beach and Loch Flemington ably led by David Reid and Jim Fulton. On Saturday 27th October, Rosie and Keith Barnes took us to Tain and Shore Road, Nigg Hide, Nigg Ferry Terminal, Balintore Harbour. The RSPB Scotland Nigg Hide in particular offered outstanding views of large numbers of waders on the incoming tide.

There was one event in November, on the 24th (Saturday) when Mary Galloway took us to South Kessock, Bunchrew Caravan Park, Loch Ussie and finally RSPB Scotland Tollie Red Kites feeding station.

The coach outing plus Christmas lunch was on Saturday 15th December and we were taken on a scenic route from Beauly to Redcastle, North Kessock, Munlochy Bay, Culbokie, Dingwall Ferry Point, and Doreen finally took us to the Mansons’ garden for fine views of nuthatch on the garden feeders. Thanks go to Maureen MacDonald for organising a successful lunch at the Priory Hotel.

The New Year Bird Count was on the 4th January hosted by the Galloways when the most notable species were little egret and nuthatch.

After a mild winter, the next event on 2nd February (Saturday) was dominated by low temperatures and a brave 5 members had an enjoyable day exploring The Mound, Loch Fleet, Golspie, Balblair Wood, Little Ferry, south side of Loch Fleet, Embo Pier, Dornoch Beach under the guidance of Maureen MacDonald. I remember I was snowbound and spent the day at home. The second event in February (14th) was milder and the birding route was Kingsteps, Nairn Harbour, River Nairn and Merryton Bridge, Fort George, Ardersier, Alturlie, Milton of Culloden. Hosted by Maureen MacDonald and Alan Jones.

In March there was an early trip (2nd) to Findhorn Bay, Findhorn dunes, Loch Spynie and Lossiemouth east beach. At Loch Spynie hide there was a sight of sparrowhawk flying through the trees with a blackbird in its claws.

At the end of March (30th) 16 members had a trip to RSPB Forest Lodge where we were met by Conservation Officer Richard Mason who drove us in a Landrover with open trailer through beautiful pine forest to a picnic site above the tree line and were treated wonderful views of white-tailed eagle in flight. We also had areas pointed out where conservation work is being developed especially in relation to Cairngorms Connect project.

The final trip of the season will be a coach trip to the RSPB Scotland Loch Leven reserve.

Hilary Rolton

c) Treasurer’s Report I hope you all have a copy of this year’s financial statement?

Income

Our subscriptions are down this year by £16.00. However, our membership is still over 100 at 106, 2 of these memberships are for families recorded in one name.

The entrance fee revenue has increased even taking into account that the £782.00 relates to seven meetings not eight. Hopefully, everyone who attended the November meeting has been given free entrance to their next meeting. If, by chance, anyone who was at the November meeting, whose entrance fee was not waived for their next meeting, could they please speak to me at the interval.

Our Christmas birding and lunch was well supported even although there were a few unavoidable cancellations. The staff, presentation and lunch at the Priory Hotel were excellent – we had no complaints.

Donations increased again this year partly due to the contribution of £140.00 from Strathnairn Community Council.

Jane Chisholm, one of our catering team, very kindly donated all the refreshment necessities this year, producing an income of £140,85. Thank you Jane, from us all.

Under miscellaneous, the figures in brackets are last year’s.

The RSPB have transferred their banking business from the Co-operative to Lloyds; the £248.28 represents the opening cheque.

Book sales continue, sweepstake income down slightly, RSPB Sales refers to cheques made payable to RSPB Highland Local Group rather than RSPB Sales Ltd.

We were allocated 60 golden robin pin badges and we knew that we would not sell all of them. One Local Group were unable to obtain any, so, we gave them 30 which explains the payment of £30.00.

The Sales difference is referred to at the bottom of your statement.

Expenditure

Room hire costs remain the same for this venue, £50.00 per evening over the eight month period.

Postage is down on last year due to the reduction in the number of Newsletters produced.

The coach hire cost of £200.00 in respect of our December outing was subsidised £64.00.

Speaker’s expenses were down on last years.

We made our usual donation to L.I.P.U. which is much appreciated and helps them to continue with their good work.

Our October speaker did not charge a fee, but, requested a donation. The generosity of our £100.00 donation to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust was acknowledged.

Finally, at present, I am unable to advise you where the sum of £640.00 presented to North Scotland Regional Office will be spent but, you will be informed in due course.

The L.I.P.U. membership fee has increased by £5.00. The other entries up to the refreshments are self-explanatory.

We, the “organising team”, agreed that we would supply the treats for the December meeting which amounted to £10.94.

The £30.00 payment for the robin pin badges was paid to the RSPB because this is a national campaign which started in September 2018 and runs for the year.

RSPB Sales Ltd

The sales totalled £1,699.40 which means that the North Scotland Regional Office will be credited with the amount of £594.79 to use for one of their projects within this area.

I have to thank everyone who supported the sales from the monthly table, by individual orders, the staff of North Scotland Regional Office and the Scottish National Heritage building.

Once again, I have to thank my band of helpers, my husband, Alex for loading our car, Jane, Beth, Margaret Colles and Ida for unloading here and everyone who assisted with reloading the stock at the end of each meeting.

As in previous years, I am happy to receive enquiries or orders over the summer months, please give me a ring.

We have a new auditor this year; Geoff Thomson has kindly agreed to undertake this task on behalf of the Group and I am very grateful to him for giving his time to audit the books prior to this Annual General Meeting.

Lastly, thank you, one and all for your attention and I am happy to answer any questions you may have.

Maureen MacDonald (Proposed: Jane Chisholm. Seconded: Roy Nelson)

4) Group Membership Annual Subscription 2019-20 It was agreed that the annual subscriptions would remain the same, at £4 for an individual and £8 for family membership.

5) Venue for Indoor Meetings 2019-2020 The Greyfriars Free Church can still be used for the coming year.

6) Indoor Meeting Entrance Fee 2019-2020 It was agreed that the entrance fee for indoor meetings would remain the same, at £3 for members and £4 for non- members.

The AGM closed at 19.55.