Birds and Forestry

pamf · #1 (**permalink**) 02-10-2006, 01:56 PM

Hello everyone - I'm new to the forums and have been reading and learning from them with great interest. I thought that the knowledgeable folks here would be able to answer a question that is troubling me.

I live very near forestry in Argyll (Corlarach Forest). I've been cycling and walking there since moving to the area 3 years ago. There is significant timber harvesting going on at the moment and large swathes of trees have been felled leaving the usual desolate landscape behind. These areas were alive with birdsong in the spring and - I know from forestry even closer to my home - there must also have been a fair population of owls, buzzards and other raptors. My concern is that the felling took place during the summer months, when birds are nesting.

The forest is pretty much all coniferous plantation, or monoculture; would that suggest to you that damage to bird populations would be minimal?

I'm not familiar with forestry practice and all the implications, so I'd appreciate some enlightenment. Many thanks.

DL · #2 (**permalink**) 02-10-2006, 02:37 PM

Felling is fairly tightly controled. There will have been an impact assessement beforehand and any issues that come to light through this will determine the timing and which manner (strip, block etc) of felling.

Block felling especially on a large scale very rarely happens in scotland anymore.

If you know who the land owner is and who the forest management agent was you may be able to access any info for that particular site.

pamf · #3 (**permalink**) 02-10-2006, 05:47 PM

Thank you for your reply. I could probably follow up on that info with the Forestry Commission. I'm sure it's all controlled, but it does look so devastated now - and I can't help but think of the birds that I know were there in the spring. Hopefully they weren't nesting at least.

DL · #4 (**permalink**) 02-10-2006, 05:59 PM

If it was a Forestry Commision plantation then they will certainly have had a good look at the site. They do go to great lengths to check these things out.

They have if I remember correctly increased the tree cover of Scotland from less than 5% of the land area to over 15%. So they have overall created a large area of forest habitat, #7500 square kilometers.

Also part of the conditions of a felling licence may be a requirement that more trees are planted than felled.

Hobjob · #5 (**permalink**) 03-10-2006, 08:49 AM

If it was dense old conifers there would have been little there. The forestry commission (or is it forest enterprise now?) tries hard these days to replace with deciduous edges to pine plantations and not such dense stands too.

Nightjars are pretty scarce up your way - perhaps they are trying to create some new habitat as well as harvest?

BFly · #6 (**permalink**) 12-10-2006, 11:42 AM

Hello,

An area was clear felled behind where i am on Loch Lomondside about 8 months ago and it has recently been populated by a whole new group of birds. The open areas now visited by kestrels and pipits, wagtails and i have even seen the odd yellowhammer(the area is bordered by farmland) the buzzards are still there too. If they are going to replant the area then it will become a possible site for short eared owls and other birds that prefer new conifer growth. I know it does look like a scene from Apocalypse Now but it will recover any you will hopefully be seeing lots of new bird species there before too long!

I hope this helps!

Ben

BFly · #7 (**permalink**) 12-10-2006, 11:44 AM

Oh, and as Hobjob mentioned-keep your ears peeled around an hour after sunset for a very eerie rasping sort of noise-the call of the ever elusive nightjar! A rare treat if you can even catch a flashing glimpse!

pamf · #8 (**permalink**) 14-10-2006, 01:47 PM

Thanks to everyone for your responses. I do feel a lot better now that I can anticipate new bird populations in the felled area. Now all I have to do is put a stop to the little blighters who are taking their motorised trail bikes up there.

Gareth W · #9 (**permalink**) 14-10-2006, 05:51 PM

Hello Pam, An area of forest was clear felled in my local plantation last winter. This summer I enjoyed the sight of a male Nightjar displaying in this area. In a few years I am confindent there will be Tree Pipits and Whinchats to enjoy. Im also concerned about clear felling during the breeding season and the effects on Goshawks and Owls. Gareth