Fife AreaWildlifeNews 

Fife and Kinross Members Centre

No 88 Summer/Autumn 2013

Message from Sonia Daniels, Chair

What  shall  I write  for  FAWN  on  this lovely  summer’s  day?  To contemplate, I need to escape phone, doorbell,  endless  emails  and  the tempta on  to  stare  at  the  osprey feeding her  chick on  the  Loch of  the Lowes webcam. I retreat to the peace and  quiet  of  the  garden  with  pencil and paper. 

A  jackdaw flies straight at  the birdfeeder, sca ering  the small birds.  It  hovers  briefly,  gobbling  seeds  through  the  aperture, damaging  the plas c surround  in  the process. Yet more wood pigeons perform their courtship rituals on the roof ridge. In the middle distance, a great spo ed woodpecker drums, and I long for one of its rare visits. Moments later, a harsh repeated croak and much screeching.  It’s  the heron  that sits hopefully beside our neighbours’ well‐protected pond. He has  taken off, and  is being mobbed by gulls. A beau ful plump song thrush appears on  the  lawn.  It  has  been  coming  every  day  for  weeks,  a welcome  visitor  a er  years  of  absence.  It  leaves  before  the local black and white moggie slinks past the hedge – oh no, the blue  t fledglings must be about to fly, it will be the end for any that fall to the ground. 

 

Far  too  distrac ng.  I’ll  visit  an  SWT  reserve  near  home  for inspira on. Kilminning?  If there are gannets  I could sit forever watching them fold their magnificent wings and divebomb into the  sea. Perhaps  the flying flock will be on  site,  their  grazing encouraging another new flowering plant.  

Or Fleecefaulds? The globeflowers could be out now. Probably too early for peacock bu erflies, my favourites.  

Whichever  reserve  I  choose,  it  will  s ll  be  distrac ng.  All  I wanted to do was to write a few words  in apprecia on of the wonderful wildlife we  have  in  Fife.  But maybe  I  have.  And  I believe  it  is more  important  than ever  that organisa ons  like SWT exist and play  their various  roles  in ensuring  this wildlife will be handed on to future genera ons. Which leads me to the appeal below:   

We are looking for a new Chair to take over when I re re at the AGM in November. I assure you the experience is most rewarding and enjoyable. The really good news is that you will be guaranteed the support of a knowledgeable, competent and hardworking commi ee. Please get in touch with me or any commi ee member to express your interest, find out more, or indeed to suggest anyone you think we might approach.

Robertson is delighted to sponsor the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

As an infrastructure, support services and construction company we realise how important the protection of biodiversity sites is and continually monitor and update our Environmental Policy to reflect this. Our on-site

monitoring ensures that we will never knowingly damage or disrupt areas of natural interest.

Reserve Manager’s Update by Rory Sandison Summer is here – of sorts! The carpet of wildflowers on show at many of the Fife Reserves is a stark reminder of the importance of managing our reserves appropriately. Laura Cunningham – the Conservation Shepherd, Duncan Budge and Keith Roberts – the Rural Projects Officers all do a fantastic job in managing the reserves and the grazing project. Of course, the sheep and cattle of the grazing project should also be congratulated for their good work in grazing the reserves! But none of our work could be possible without the volunteer input from so many people. From Reserve Wardens to stock checkers all the many hours that you give so freely are appreciated and

valued. Two long serving volunteers, Norma and Jimmy McCabe, recently accompanied me down to Highgrove to meet His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales at the launch of the Coronation Meadows Project. One of our Fife Reserves – Fleecefaulds Meadow, and one of our Falkirk Reserves – Bo’mains Meadow have been selected to participate in this exciting project.

Volunteers are at the heart of the work the Scottish Wildlife Trust does to protect Scotland’s wildlife. Now more than ever before we need local volunteers who can help us manage the grazing animals, monitor our management, mend fences and footpaths and so much more. If you can help or would like more information please contact me or any of the team.

New Representa ve on the Fife Access Forum

Johanna Willi is the new representa ve for wildlife and voluntary nature conserva on bodies on the Fife Access Forum. The Fife Access Forum consists of a group of members from a range of organisa ons including ramblers, cyclists,  

 

horse‐riders, land managers , community groups and conserva on bodies .  If anyone has concerns over access issues which are affec ng wildlife,  Johanna can be contacted at Johanna.Willi @ fife.gov.uk  

Fife Nature Records Update—Highlights of 2012

By Alexa Tweddle, Information Officer

With 2012 over, I decided to look at some of the species records which we had received last year and discovered a phenomenal 20,000 had been added to the Fife Nature Records Centre database! These records represent the variety of life in Fife from red squirrels to rainbow trout to fungi and everything in-between! But which records were the highlights of 2012? With 20,000 to choose from, it was difficult task but one of the most notable was that of a marine invertebrate known as a ‘sea hare’ received from Deirdre Munro, a member of the Fife Ranger Service. Deirdre had been leading a rockpool guddle in Kingsbarns with children from the Cosmos Community Centre in St Andrews when the children spotted several sea hares in the rockpools and pink strands that turned out to be the eggs of the sea hares. These curious looking creatures are similar in appearance to slugs but have wing-like lobes on either side of the body. The name ‘sea hare’ comes from the two slender sensory tentacles (known as rhinophores) on the head, which are said to resemble the ears of a hare. During the spring, sea hares migrate to the shore to breed and are commonly found in rockpools.

You may wonder what value there is in recording a sea hare found in a rockpool but, without information on where species are found, how can we adequately protect them? Fife Nature Records Centre maintains up

-to-date and accurate information on the status and distribution of plants, animals and habitats across Fife and this information has a number of uses: to inform planning and development, to identify sites that are particularly important for wildlife and to detect changes in species numbers and possible causes. This work would not be possible without the valued contribution of local people whose knowledge of where a species can be found and the value of a particular place is essential.

As well as being the first step for nature conservation, wildlife recording is hugely enjoyable for people of all ages and abilities. Wildlife recording can be undertaken individually or as a group and can be part of everyday activities such as watching the variety of birds that visit the garden birdfeeder.

FEATURED RESERVE (4) CARLINGNOSE POINT

by John Done, Reserve Convenor

Carlingnose Point is very close to the southernmost point in Fife. It is a SSSI because of the rare plants which grow there. They grow on the calcareous grassland in the floor of a long disused quarry. The important plants are dropwort, field gentian and lesser meadow-rue. Others to look out for are bloody cranesbill, common twayblade, cowslip and kidney vetch, the latter mainly on the ledges of the quarry face. The best time to see most of these flowers is mid to late summer. Management on the Reserve is aimed at maintaining and where possible extending the area of grassland.

The grassland is surrounded by scrub which makes the reserve a good spot for some of the warblers which come to Scotland to breed. They join the common resident birds such as blackbirds, song thrushes and various finches which also nest in the extensive cover. Spring is the time to hone your warbler identification

skills while walking the coastal path which traverses the reserve. Willow warblers, chiffchaffs, blackcaps and whitethroats are common while the elusive lesser whitethroat is sometimes heard but less often seen. The view point is a good place to see various sea birds at different times of year. The derelict pier has a thriving common tern colony with over 100 adults seen there in May 2013. Fulmars occasionally try to nest on the quarry face when all the prime nesting spots on Inchgarvie and at Deep Sea World are taken up. At other times wintering sea ducks can be spotted and autumn usually has several days when gannets (mainly juveniles) circle off shore and apparently fly up the estuary. Although not as well-known as Hound Point as a skua watching site, it is always worth having a search in autumn hoping for a glimpse of an arctic or great skua harassing the gulls and any remaining terns.

The quarry also provides interest for amateur geologists as a photograph of the finger of rock visible on the left as you enter the Reserve from North Queensferry features in The Observer’s Book of British Geology and a classic Geology textbook by Professor Arthur Holmes. The quartz dolerite rock which the cliffs are made of exhibits what is called spheroidal or onion skin weathering and is well seen on the Reserve. On the floor of the quarry there are signs of activity from World War II. Barrage balloons were flown from here and the mooring points can be seen to the left of the path as the open area is approached.

Visiting the Reserve is easy and it is probably the ‘greenest’ reserve in Fife in this respect. The railway station is about 10 minutes walk away and there are regular services from Fife throughout the day. A gentle stroll along the coastal path and through the Reserve makes a great start for more ambitious walkers intent on reaching Burntisland or perhaps Kirkcaldy later in the day.

Dropwort

Sea Hare Eggs

Badgers

by Susan Tierney

"People come--they stay for a while, they build and they go. It is their way. But we remain. There were badgers here, long before that same city ever came to be. And now there are badgers here again. We are an enduring lot, and we may move out for a time, but we wait, and back we come. And so it will ever be." - Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows, From the heroic and respected Mr Badger of the Wind in the Willows, to the loveable and amusing Bill Badger from Rupert Bear; the deep-rooted place the Eurasian badger has in Britain's past makes them one of Britain's most recognised and popular species. However, due to the mammal’s elusive and nocturnal habits, they are very rarely seen; making an encounter with such species a truly magical experience.

Widespread in Britain, badgers are frequently found in woodland or, more often, on the cusp of woodland, particularly if attached to pastureland; a habitat that allows for perfect feeding on their most prevalent foodstuff, the common earthworm. However this is not to say that this is their only habitat, as badgers are also found in suburbs, abandoned quarries and setts have occasionally been found at altitudes above 500m! Signs of badger activity are highly distinctive, and very often overlooked, however these can be seen much more easily than the animal itself. A real life encounter with these fascinating animals can be enchanting, undoubtedly, however a day in the woods playing detective to these magical creatures of the dusk can be just as rewarding.

Highly social and territorial animals, badgers share their highly elaborate underground ‘setts’ in ‘clans’ containing between 4 and 12 animals, though clans can sometimes get up to as large as 30! Setts are easily identified by their large, D-shaped structure entrance holes with mounds of earth surrounding them (known as spoil heaps) and well worn paths between. Claw marks on trees, dung pits, remains of bedding material outside entrance holes and coarse, wiry oval shaped hairs found in spoil heaps, which cannot be rolled between the fingers, and with a sequence of white, black, white colouration (giving the silver-grey appearance of the coat) guarantees an active badger sett.

Despite the species popularity, the badger is still highly persecuted in Britain; and though having legal protection, badgers are still seriously injured and killed due to the highly cruel acts of badger baiting and digging, the use of snares and due to road traffic accidents. In Scotland, the independent charity Scottish Badgers was established in 1999 to promote the study, conservation and protection of Scotland’s badgers. Local groups within Scottish Badgers regularly survey for and monitor badger setts in their area, fundraise for and aim to increase public awareness of our black and white friends. To join the local badger group in Fife, please contact Susan Tierney on st44@st-andrews.ac.uk.

Fife Nature Records Update (continued)

All that’s required are four basic pieces of information – the four W’s:

What did you see? This requires no special expertise – records of so-called ‘common’ species are extremely valuable.

Where did you see it? A grid reference or an annotated map are ideal.

When did you see it? This is the date on which the sighting was made.

Who are you? It is useful to have your contact details in case we need to contact you for more information about your sighting.

Other information, such as whether the animal you saw was male or female, juvenile or adult, adds to the value of the record. Even records of dead animals are useful in understanding species distribution and dispersal. For more information on biological recording, please contact Fife Nature Records Centre on nature.info@fife.gov.uk.

Caught on remote camera!

Surveying with Fife Badger Group

EVENTS SUMMER/AUTUMN 2013

All welcome. We advise sturdy footwear and suitable clothing for outdoor events. There will be a £2 admission charge for indoor events unless stated otherwise. Sat 17th August 2pm – Walk to East Lomond Popular local naturalist Tony Wilson will lead a walk looking at the wildlife and other interesting aspects of this area. Meet at East Lomond car park (NO252 058). Fol-low the minor road turning left, approaching along the A912 from the New Inn Roundabout on the A92 north of Glenrothes. Weds 16th October 7.30pm Talk- Speaker to be announced  Joint meeting with Pitcairn Society. Further details will be posted on the MC website. Collydean Community Centre , Torphins Avenue, Glenrothes, KY7 6UL

Tues 5th November 7.30pm AGM and Talk on Red squirrels in Fife (no Admission Charge)

AGENDA

1. Apologies for absence

2. Minutes of the meeting of Thursday 17 November 2012

3. Matters arising

4. Chair`s Annual Report 2012-2013

5. Members` Centre Accounts 2012-2013

6. Election of Office Bearers and Committee members

Office Bearers -Sonia Daniels is due to re-tire, and a new Nomination will be required for the post of Chair. Committee members – Alister Jones is due to retire, and a new Nomi-nation will be required for this committee mem-ber

Nominations for the above Vacancies are invited from any paid-up members of Scottish Wildlife Trust. All nominations must be proposed and seconded in writing, and accompanied by the written agreement of the Nominee. They should be lodged with the Secretary (Dr P Blackburn – 4 Whinfield Place, Newport on Tay, Fife DD6 8EF ) at least 14 clear days before the AGM.

7. Any Other Competent Business

The business meeting will be followed by a talk by Sophie Eastwood, Red Squirrel Project Officer, Fife Coast and Countryside Trust : The Red Squirrel in Fife. (Light Refreshments to follow: £2) Falkland Village Hall , Back Wynd, Falkland, KY15 7BX MOTHING EVENINGS

Tim Brain has organized a programme of mothing events for the coming season, as follows:

Sat August 10th Saturday at Loch Leven. Meet at Burleigh Sands car park (NO134 040) at 9pm. Celebrating National Moth Night.

Sat October 12th at Cullaloe. Meet in the car park (NT186 878) at 7. 30pm.

An additional event may be held on 7th or 8th Sept if any events have had to be cancelled due to poor weather.

Wear suitable clothing and footwear. Bring a torch.

For information or to register interest contact Tim Brain on 01577 840317. In the event of poor weather telephone Tim for confirmation. For the Loch Leven nights please phone Craig Nesbit on 01577 864439.

CONTACTS Chair Sonia Daniels, 01334 473847; soniadaniels11@yahoo.co.uk Vice-Chair Deborah Cottam, 01333 422116; deborahcottam@gmail.com Secretary Paul Blackburn, 01382 542826; pblackburn89@btinternet.com   Publicity Jack Matthews, 01577 861066; matthews.oban@tiscali.co.uk

FAWN Editor: Ian Hunter, Caiplie Farmhouse, Anstruther, KY10 3JR; 01333 312828; mish@st-and.ac.uk Reserves Manager East Central Scotland: Rory Sandison, 0131 3127765; rsandison@swt.org.uk Members Centre Website www.swt-fife.org.uk SWT Headquarters (Leith) 0131 312 7765 Website: www.swt.org.uk

Printed by West Port Print & Design, St Andrews. The pulp used in the manufacture of this paper is from renewable timber produced on a fully sustainable basis The Scottish Wildlife Trust is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland (registered number SCO40247) having its registered office at Harbourside House, 110 Commercial St, Edinburgh EH6 6NF. It is also a Scottish registered charity (charity number SCO 05792).

Any suggestions? Able to lead a walk? Give a talk? Get in touch with Deborah Cottam.