Scotland

[iainstott]

Hello WAB members...

In mid-Sept I have a field course to Scotland and we're encouraged to gather background information on the country, and especially it's habitats, species, endemics, rareities, plus whatever other information before we go - obviously I shall read the recommended, but I thought, who better than the wildlife enthusiasts of Britain to ask for the best information?


So if you have any pearls of wisdom, nuggets of information, stories or just a love for the place, please post here, not just for my benefit but for the benefit of all WAB members, or maybe just as a reminiscence...

[eeyore]

its to the north of england

[iainstott]

That's my first for that module in the bag then...

[Alan]

You mentioned it's for a course Iain ...... conservation/ecology etc?

I'll have a think tomorrow about areas/species in Scotland (what areas are you going to?), it's a bit late now!

YawningAl

[eeyore]

and they make good whisky

[Little Firewall]

England? Where is that? Over the border from Scotland?

[eeyore]

now Ive finished messin about you might find these handy

Scottish wilife trust http://www.swt.org.uk/
Neil McIntyre http://www.neilmcintyre.com/ One of scotlands best wildlife photographers , some fantastic pics in the gallery there.

[Airehead]

"A half" means a whisky, not a half pint of beer.

The farther north you go, the less they like you playing with a ball or hanging out washing on Sunday.

In the Highlands, a good pair of binoculars is the way to keep in touch with the neighbours.

You are not allowed to fish on Sunday with the intention of catching salmon or sea trout. The reason for this is that Sunday used to be the only day that the working man could go fishing, and the rule prevented the lower classes from fishing legally for the game fish.

Fingal's Cave on the isle of Staffa might not be Fingal's. In gaelic, the name of the cave is pronounced "ooer een". This could be either "Uamh Fhinn" or "Uamh Shinn". In both cases the initial letter of the second word is aspirated (as indicated by the "h" which follows it) and is not pronounced. The first of those means "Fingal's Cave" and the second "Singing Cave". Since the cave sometimes booms as a result of tide and wind, the latter is a very likely name.

You really don't want to know the truth about the haggis.

[iainstott]

Some useful info there, Airehead, and thanks for the links, eeyore.

Yes, it is for a course, in Conservation Biology and Ecology (you hit the nail on the head Alan!) - University of Exeter, Cornwall campus to be exact. As far as I can gather, we're ranging far and wide, from Glasgow area to Outer Hebrides, Uist, Skye, Fort William... I'm not sure how they're going to fit it all into 5 days... maybe I'll invest in some proplus.

[Andy Warne]

At least a couple of endemics I believe, Scottish Crossbill and Hebridean Marsh Orchid. Lots of other birds that only breed in Scotland within the UK like White-tailed Eagle, Capercaillie, Ptarmigan, Dotterel, Snow Bunting, etc.

[Alan]

HI Iain

The Speyside area is the area I know best so I’ll stick to this.

All through the Strathspey area you’ll find plenty of large tracts of woodland with species including Birch, Scots Pine, Alder and Aspen. In fact the town of Kingussie, although now surrounded by mainly moorland, in Gaelic means something like ‘head of the pinewood’, which gives an indication of its past.

The Rothiemurchus Estate, particulary the area around Lochan Eilein contains some of the remaining remnants of the old Caledonian pine forest habitats. Fantastic old Scots Pine trees with Juniper, Heather and Blaeberry understory. Keep your eye out for the amazing lichens which clad large parts of the trees. Some very boggy habitat here also. Species there include: Crested Tits, Scottish Crossbills, Red Squirrel, Buzzard and Goldeneye on the Loch.

Abernethy Forest around Loch Garton, although a lot is now planted, still has good areas of older Pines. Would be a bit late to see Osprey, but may have chance of Capercaillie and Red Squirrel at the visitor centre. Also Crossbills and Cresties here too. Goldeneye and Goosander on the Loch. This area has a good invertebrate population with over 350 beetle species, 11 dragonflies and 280 moths and butterflies, including many rare northern species.

The RSPB reserve on Loch Insh is located in one of the most extensive river marshes in Britain. An important area for wintering wildfowl, it has many species including Goldeneye, Teal, Wigeon and Whooper Swans. Hen Harriers roost in the large marshy areas.

Northern Cairngorms area (ski lifts to Cairngorm summit) offer Ptarmigan, Red Grouse and Mountain Hare. Snow Buntings often in car park. Would be a bit late for Dotterel. You may have a slim chance of Golden Eagle and Peregrine, so keep an eye out! There is actually a managed herd of Reindeer here as well. The area on the peaks consists of shattered granite interspersed with Heather, Juniper, Blaeberry and many rare alpine specialist plants.

There are many other areas but with a limited timetable, I don’t think you’d manage these!

A few of web links:

http://www.rothiemurchus.net/
http://www.treesforlife.org.uk/index.shtml
http://www.snh.org.uk/
http://www.cairngorms.co.uk/
http://www.jbutler.org.uk/Scotland/Cairngorms/

Hope this helps

Alan

[DL]

If you can get your uni library to get a hold of - The Natural Heritage of Scotland: an overview produced by SNH Publications and design, ISBN 1 85397 122 7

This book covers geology, climate, habitats ,species and site designations.

Also have a look at their website.

I am not on my home computer so cant give you much at the moment but can send you some links when I get back.

Try doing a google search for NNR Scotland this should take you to a JNCC site that may be of some use.

[DL]

A few more-

http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-0

http://www.caledonian-partnership.or...es_rcf_ps.html

http://www.biodiversityscotland.gov.uk/

http://www.rspb.org.uk/scotland/

[iainstott]

Thanks for all your replies, guys - I'll have a wealth of knowledge by the time we go at this rate!