The Scotsman: Natural defence against Cairngorms housing plan
- Details
- Written by Administrator
- Category: Debates
- Published: 05 January 2011
See Natural defence against Cairngorms housing plan. "RED squirrels and capercaillie could block plans to build houses in a village in the Cairngorms National Park..."
Crested tit at Boat of Garten wood where this protected pinewood bird was found nesting in 2010. The lack of breeding bird surveys by the developer has been criticised by local objectors.
Smooth newt at Boat of Garten wood. The lack of any survey of amphibians or reptiles by the developers has been criticised by local objectors. BSCG reported both palmate and smooth newt within the Boat of Garten development site in 2010.
Springtail discoveries anticipated
- Details
- Written by Administrator
- Category: Insects
- Published: 08 November 2010
There are a few hundred kinds of springtails recorded from the UK but we do not even know of an educated guess for the numbers of different kinds currently living in the soil under our feet in Badenoch and Strathspey. As with much of the biodiversity around us there is a lot to learn.
Famously in August 2009 BSCG member Tim Ransom found the first member of the species of springtail Bourletiella viridescens for Britain. For those not seeking to aspire to add a new kind of creature to the British list but simply developing an interest in macro-photography, springtails provide an interesting challenge and are still around in the soil in winter.
This winter a few members are starting work on a preliminary key to the identification of our local springtails. Needless to say Tim described by the Scotsman as an “eagle-eyed expert” is the enthusiast behind this project on these little and also little appreciated creatures. His experience that includes producing another such local key will be invaluable.
Bourletiella viridescens has not been rediscovered on Cairn Gorm this year and unfortunately some specialists, who had hoped to come and look for it and other species on Cairn Gorm, failed to raise the funding they needed to visit. The iconic local springtail has however been adopted as the logo for a popular and widely distributed newsletter about Invertebrates in Scotland the second edition of which is now available as a pdf from Buglife Scotland.
Now that we have started looking hopefully we can add to understanding about the very little explored biodiversity of springtails we have. We can expect there to be more kinds in our district waiting to be recorded and who knows what interesting new discoveries? All springtail photos will be gratefully received and If you are interesting in becoming involved in the springtail (Collembola) spotting project don’t hesitate to phone 01479 821 491.
The now relatively famous Bourletiella viridescens, blown up to look much larger than 1mm, from an article shortly after the unexpected discovery published in Sepetember 2009 in the Scotsman newspaper.
Reminder to members GPS and Camera equipment available to borrow
- Details
- Written by Administrator
- Category: Meetings
- Published: 08 November 2010
The group has digital camera equipment and a GPS for use by members including new members. This is for recording wildlife and documenting conservation issues (like for example the spread of invasive species) in our district. The equipment is simple to use and training in its use can be provided by those members who have learnt the ropes.
To help with identifying animals and plants remember to take plenty of photos from different angles. For insects for example views from above the side and the front are often helpful and don’t forget to use the flash. This helps for close up photos of fast moving creatures in poor light. The easiest way to arrange to sign out the camera or GPS for the first time, is to phone 01479 821 491.
Hoverfly - Meliscaeva cinctella, taken with the same type of equipment the group has for any member to borrow.
The ‘betrayal’ of Britain’s biggest national park
- Details
- Written by Administrator
- Category: Debates
- Published: 01 November 2010
New plan threatens wave of conflict
- Details
- Written by Administrator
- Category: Debates
- Published: 01 November 2010
Herald Scotland article: ‘Wave of conflict’ over national park housing.
"This damaging development plan is destructive of the special features that the national park was set up to conserve and enhance,” said Dr Gus Jones, convenor of the Badenoch and Strathspey Conservation Group.
Press & Journal: Cairngorms plan ‘promotes destruction of national park’
“The natural environment and local communities are paying the price for a park authority that has unacceptably ignored its principal duties."