Wildlife of Gillies Hill (and surrounding area) by Robert Trevis-Smith www.savegillieshill.org.uk All photography © Robert Trevis-Smith 2014. All rights reserved. Contact: [email protected] Contents Introduction ............................................ 5 The Save Gillies Hill Campaign ........ 6 Non-Native Plants ............................. 7 The Wildlife ............................................ 8 Mammals ........................................... 9 Birds ................................................... 13 Amphibians ........................................ 18 Insects & Spiders ............................... 21 Plants & Fungi .................................. 27 Further Resources .................................. 29 References ............................................... 30 Introduction Gillies Hill, from which Robert the Bruce’s followers, or Gillies, descended onto the field of the famous Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, is now an area of semi-natural ancient woodland on the outskirts of Cambusbarron and Stirling. To the south are the Touch Hills, farmland, various reservoirs, and beautiful streams and waterfalls, such as Gilmour’s Linn (bottom left). The area is home to a great diversity of plants, animals and fungi. Gillies Hill from the Touch Road (N ↔ S) I’m a local wildlife photographer and graduate in Natural Sciences, specialising in environmental science. I’ve studied many of the plants and animals in the area and consider myself very fortunate to live only a short walk away from this stunning and productive countryside. I love to go wandering about and looking for wildlife, taking a few photographs on the way. I’ve put this booklet together to share some of those experiences with you – the mammals, birds, amphibians, insects, spiders, plants and fungi – that I’ve been lucky enough to see. I hope to highlight some of the issues threatening Gillies Hills future (the quarry and some non-native plant and animal species), and I’d also like to show my support and appreciation for the local community and those involved with the ‘Save Gillies Hill’ campaign, who are all working hard to protect its future. Each and every one of the following wildlife photographs is a reason to save Gillies Hill. Gilmour’s Linn 5 The Save Gillies Hill Campaign ‘The Save Gillies Hill campaign is a community organisation and registered charity in Central Scotland (SC038687), attempting to protect the historic and environmentally beautiful Gillies Hill from destruction by quarrying, or intrusive development, thus preserving the habitat, heritage and history of the Hill for present and future generations’. You can find all the information you need about the Save Gillies Hill campaign, including how you can help, on the website - (www.savegillieshill.org.uk). Gillies Hill Cliffs and Quarry (W ↔ E) The main threat to Gillies Hill is the reactivation and expansion of the quarry on the south side (above), and for nothing more than aggregate to be used for roads. It’s been dormant now for a few decades and nature is reclaiming the area. The cliffs are even home to one of the world’s fastest animals, the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus). The photographs below, taken from the cliff-tops looking down into the quarry, show just how extensive the damage is. It would be a real tragedy if the quarry reopened and the destruction continued, for all the wildlife, woodland and the local and wider community. The main focus of the Save Gillies Hill campaign is to permanently close the quarry and bring the Hill into community ownership. www.savegillieshill.org.uk 6 Non-Native Plants There are many non-native plant species on Gillies Hill. Some are beneficial but others threaten its future to the same extent as the quarry. Of these, the rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum) is particularly destructive. Rhododendrons were introduced into gardens during the 1800’s for their aesthetics (their pretty pink flowers and evergreen leaves), but they’ve spread rapidly and now cover a large portion of the woodland. They form extensive dense thickets which starve the ground of sunlight, as shown below. This has led to the loss of important ground flora and associated fauna, as well as preventing the regeneration of trees. Their foliage is toxic to most of our animals, so there’s nothing in place to control their spread. If left unmanaged, and given another few hundred years, the rhododendrons will be all that’s left of this ancient woodland. Rhododendrons are a major problem all over the UK. For more information – (www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/species-action-framework/species- action-list/rhododendron). 7 The Wildlife Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) and Robin (Erithacus rubecula) Woodland Silhouette 8 Mammals Rabbit (Oryctolagus cunniculus) 9 To feel really in touch with Scottish wildlife, there’s nothing quite like a walk in the woods in the company of our wonderful native red squirrel. Because of their popularity and conservation status they have an important role to play in the fight to save Gillies Hill. For this reason you are encouraged to report any sightings. For more information – (www.savegillieshill.org.uk/squirrel/RedSquirrelSurveyForm.pdf). Both the red (right) and non-native grey squirrel (below) can be seen on Gillies Hill. The greys outcompete for resources in broadleaved woodland, but the reds can hold their own amongst the conifers (albeit in smaller numbers). The two species have coexisted on Gillies Hill for many years due to the mixed woodland habitat, and their greatest threat is the loss or fragmentation of this very special place. Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) Another threat to the red squirrels is the squirrel poxvirus, for which they have no immunity. A few grey squirrel populations in England originally carried the disease, and there is currently a battle going on in the south of Scotland to stop it spreading north. As far as I’m aware the disease is not present on Gillies Hill. For more information – (www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/species-action-framework/species-action-list/red-squirrel). 10 The rest of our mammals can be tricky to see at the best of times. They are generally secretive animals, hiding during the day and coming out at night to feed. They have incredible senses of smell and hearing which they use to avoid us humans, so a sighting can be a great privilege. Gillies Hill and the surrounding area are home to many different mammal species. You could see anything from foxes and badgers (which I’ve been unsuccessful in photographing), right through to mice and deer (as shown here). Wood Mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) 11 Mole (Talpa europaea) Rabbit (Oryctolagus cunniculus) Stoat (Mustela erminea) Brown Hare (Lepus capensis) 12 Birds Blackbird (Turdus merula) 13 Birds are probably our most popular group of animals. They can be very vocal, producing beautiful songs, and are often heard before they’re seen. Most birds are active during the day and you’re always likely to spot something. Our gardens and the mixed woodland provide excellent food and shelter. Species can range from blue tits and buzzards (below) to wrens and woodpeckers (right). Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) Great Spotted Woodpeckers (Dendrocopos major) Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) Buzzard (Buteo buteo) 14 Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) Coal Tit (Periparus ater) Siskin (Carduelis spinus) Robin (Erithacus rubecula) 15 Great Tit (Parus major) Dunnock (Prunella modularis) Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon (Columba livia) 16 The Touch Hills and surrounding farmland attract different species of birds. Here are a few examples of what else you could see. Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis) Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) 17 Amphibians Common Toadlet Silhouette (Bufo bufo) 18 Amphibians love the Scottish weather. The frequent rain replenishes the reservoirs, streams, ponds and rivers, which are all vital for these animals to breed. The woodland is just as important, as it provides suitable habitat for their winter hibernation (usually under logs and stones, or in disused rodent burrows). Amphibians are in decline worldwide, but in Common Frog (Rana temporaria) Scotland we have frogs, toads and newts in abundance. Common Toad (Bufo bufo) Palmate Newt (Lissotriton helveticus) Common Toad (Bufo bufo) 19 ‘Common toads are very particular about where they breed and often migrate back to their ancestral breeding ponds each year. They follow the same route, regardless of what gets in their way, which sometimes leads to them crossing roads. Where we get this toad vs. traffic scenario, the toads inevitably come off worse. The Toads on Roads project registers these sites as migratory crossings and helps coordinate local Toad Patrols, who can apply for road warning signs to be installed and actively help the toads across the road’ - (www.froglife.org/what-we-do/toads-on-roads). The Touch Road is a registered migratory crossing, from roughly the entrance of the Touch Business Centre to the Dumbarton Road. Toads (and other amphibians) become active on damp nights in spring. The Touch Road is a ‘hot spot’ for toads crossing and they need our help. Please visit the website above or contact me directly for further information - ([email protected]). The above toad has just completed metamorphosis. It has transformed from an aquatic tadpole