News from Inchgarth Nature Reserve
July 2002 Update
Click here for an updated set of photos showing the establishment and growth of the crop
The wild bird cover crop sown during 2001 began to come into its own from December onwards, as the quinoa and rape seed became available. Bearing in mind that before this crop was sown, the area of ground was dry grassland dominated by cocksfoot, and must have held very few birds indeed, the following table shows the maximum number of birds counted during the winter in the crop:
Sparrowhawk 1
Kestrel 1
Pheasant 12
Meadow Pipit 1
Dunnock 1
Robin 3
Stonechat 2
Song Thrush 1
Blackbird 2
Sedge Warbler 2
Blue Tit 6
Rook 7
Chaffinch 200
Brambling 30
Greenfinch 1
Goldfinch 12
Linnet 2
Twite 1
Reed Bunting 10
Yellowhammer 1
It seems obvious that the provision of wild bird food in this way was helpful to many species, most of which were present in varying numbers throughout the winter. We may have drawn in birds from elsewhere, but it does demonstrate that if lots of farms grew this kind of crop then winter survival would be easier for many species. We considered the crop to have been a success, and therefore, with help from funding from a Schlumberger Environmental Award, in late May we organised the sowing of 2 acres of the crop, rather than one. We have divided the area into two halves – one containing a similar mix to last year, and the other dominated by rape. Work last winter by the Grampian Ringing Group demonstrated how important this crop can be, particular for Linnets, Twite and Goldfinches. At the time of writing, the crop is growing strongly, and we await the results from the coming winter with great anticipation.
Cattle have now returned to graze the grassland and pool side vegetation (from June), and during last winter, the muddy edges and cover around the pool provided habitat for a good range of birds. The following species maxima were recorded:
Heron 3
Teal 35
Mallard 100
Wigeon 20
Jack Snipe 6
Snipe 34
Great efforts were made by Iain and David Landsman, along with Ewan Weston, to open up the edges and create a nesting or roosting island safe from ground predators. The photograph shows the result of their physical work in March. Our next project is to investigate the creation of a larger shallow scrape, bare of vegetation and attractive to waders. This is mainly through Juncus rush clearance near the pool. We hope this might attract a wider range of autumn migrants.
As before, if any branch members have suggestions about the reserve or want to get involved in future activities, we will be pleased to hear from you.
Ian Francis, on behalf of Grampian Branch, July 2002 (EMAIL)
2001 Update
A lot has happened since the last report on Inchgarth Nature Reserve (SBN 60, Dec 2000). We are still working hard to improve this (14 ha) area of wet grassland, scrub and dry grassland for birds. The main approach over most of the site has been to continue grazing for the second year and try to control the rank growth of Juncus rushes. Despite the delayed start until June due to FMD, the number of Highland cattle grazing increased during the summer and the beasts were present until mid-October. They have done a great job in breaking up the sward and creating a puddled muddy fringe round the central pool. However, we could easily use twice as many cattle just to keep on top of the rank grass growth across the site. We also arranged for rushes to be cut but this is an ongoing task. The central pool in the reserve has been wet all year, but has now (in winter) expanded to cover a substantial part of the area.
What does this wet grassland management mean for the birds and other wildlife at Inchgarth? Although a pair of Redshanks displayed, they did not breed. Mallard and Moorhen nested around the pool, and as usual several pairs of Reed Buntings and Sedge Warblers nested in the surrounding scrub. In winter, good numbers of Snipe, a few Jack Snipe and up to 100 Mallard and Teal have been present - encouraged by a certain amount of food provided by some members of the branch. Other birds using the reserve regularly include Buzzards, Herons, Kestrels, Linnets, Yellowhammers, and the ubiquitous crows!
The other main development has been the establishment of one acre of wild bird cover on the drier part of the reserve. This is a crop sown to provide winter food for seed-eating birds. There are many different plants that can be included in the seed mix, to favour different bird species. In this case, the mix was designed by Nicola Penford, of the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG), drawing on the results of best practice from all over the UK. The crop consists of Quinoa, Oil Seed Rape, Barley, Mustard, Linseed, Clover and a wide range of weeds growing through these. Fertiliser was used in the crop, but no herbicides. A contractor carried out all the work in May. This sort of crop comes into its own as winter progresses. The sequence of photographs shows the establishment and growth of the crop through the season. Initially, as we expected, almost no birds at all used the crop (apart from a couple of Stonechats and the odd Whitethroat), but during October, November and December, up to 200 Chaffinches have started using it, along with a few Reed Buntings, Bramblings and Blackbirds. We expect good numbers of birds to feed here during the rest of the winter. The presence of a very good tall crop of Quinoa is of interest, since this came out best of all plants for feeding the widest range of birds in a BTO study. It has not been grown much at all in northern Scotland, so in a sense this is something of an experiment.
What's next for the reserve? Shortly, the committee will meet to discuss ideas for further development. Two suggestions are further development of wild bird cover and the creation of a shallow scrape. So, if any branch members have some suggestions or want to get involved in future activities, we will be pleased to hear from you.
We are very grateful to Sam Alexander, SNH, Aberdeen Countryside Project, Aberdeen Wildlife Explorers and FWAG for their help. A further update will be provided at the end of the winter.
Ian Francis, Grampian Branch, December 2001 (EMAIL)
2000 Update
Summer 2000 saw the start of serious management work at Inchgarth - not by people, but by cattle. Up to 11 cows and 5 calves spent from June to September grazing down the rank grass, trampling the rushes and generally creating muddy edges to the pool. The photograph shows some of the Highland cows used by the local farmer, and they seemed to enjoy being there; they certainly looked the part. We could probably have used even more cattle, since there was a great deal of remedial grazing to be done. But the reserve is looking in much better shape than it did a year ago. The pool held water well throughout the summer and was used a great deal by small numbers of Mallard, Teal and Moorhen. Herons were frequent visitors in early spring, feeding on spawning frogs. We have been monitoring the change in water levels to help understand the natural fluctuations in this floodplain grassland.
No waders bred this year, though a pair of Redshanks showed interest early in the season. Other breeding birds included Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit, Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler, and a range of butterflies and dragonflies was seen. Wader and duck numbers should now be building up for the winter, and we expect to see lots of Common Snipe and some Jack Snipe there as the season progresses. We plan to fence off a small corner of the reserve and sow a wild bird cover crop. This will be about an acre, comprising a mixture of cereals, rape, kale, mustard and weeds, designed to attract seed-eating birds. It should be ready for consumption by winter 2001-2002, so watch this space!
See below for an introduction to the reserve, which lies just outside Aberdeen
Ian Francis, on behalf of the SOC Grampian Branch committee, 1 November 2000 (EMAIL)
Inchgarth Nature Reserve - a first for the SOC
Question - where would you find the SOC's first nature reserve? Answer - on the outskirts of Aberdeen, next to Inchgarth Reservoir at Cults and right by the River Dee. Inchgarth Nature Reserve, an area of wet grassland of some 14 hectares, became a reserve in March 1998. What started out as a great idea by David Landsman has now been turned into reality by the Grampian Branch.
There are many areas of grassland alongside the Dee, most of which flood at times. Inchgarth is almost the last of these before the river enters the sea. Historically both cropped and grazed, in the 1980s part of the area was used as a site camp during the construction of the nearby reservoir. This led to soil compaction and disturbance, and the creation of a small pool. When the site was vacated, low intensity cattle grazing continued, gradually becoming more and more infrequent. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the conditions were excellent for birds, and a wide of range of species was recorded around the pool, including some rarities such as Little Egret, Barnacle Goose, Garganey, Avocet and Lesser Yellowlegs. Since then, the area has become much more rank, though it is still wet. Over 90 species have been recorded, and at present large numbers of Snipe and a few Jack Snipe winter on the reserve, together with some ducks, and in summer Skylark, Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler and Moorhen breed. Lapwing once bred but does not do so now. The presence of nearby scrub and woodland, which hold a wide range of warblers, together with the river and the reservoir, means that the whole area is both visually attractive and good for birds.
The reserve is owned by the North of Scotland Water Authority (NoSWA), and is now leased to the SOC for 10 years. The Grampian branch has taken on full responsibility for its management. The main aim is to ensure that the grassland is grazed properly. We have renewed the fence round the entire site, with grant aid from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Aberdeen Countryside Project (ACP). The rushes and rank grass have been topped by a contractor, paid for by funds raised by local birders through the annual bird race. We have let the grazing to a local farmer and hope now that the rank grassland will be grazed down and trampled, so creating the right conditions for breeding and passage waders. In future years, a grazing regime appropriate for breeding waders will be introduced (when we have some!). The grazing should also improve the botanical diversity and enhance the site for invertebrates. In time, we may try to increase the wet area or create new wetland features. We also intend to sow a wild bird cover crop over a small area to encourage seed-eating passerines.
Public access is possible all round the edges of the reserve, and we plan to improve viewing facilities through the provision of simple screens. We encourage local birders to visit and record what they see, and intend to do our best to ensure that the local community are fully aware of our management and support us. The Inchgarth reserve can be accessed on foot from the entrance to the reservoir at NJ899027 (on Inchgarth Road). Please park with consideration.
Click here for a map on how to find us.
We are very grateful to NoSWA, SNH, ACP and numerous local SOC members for their support. Further developments at Inchgarth reserve will be reported in future issues of Scottish Bird News.
Ian Francis, on behalf of the SOC Grampian Branch committee, 1 March 2000 (EMAIL)