Projects

Species on the Edge

By Paul Kirkland - Coastal Treasures Project Development Officer

Scotland’s coast and islands provide a refuge for some of our most beautiful and unusual, but most vulnerable, species. Species on the Edge is a partnership of eight organisations; NatureScot (formerly Scottish Natural Heritage), Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC), Bat Conservation Trust, Buglife, Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Butterfly Conservation, Plantlife and RSPB. With support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we are developing a project to aid the survival of 40 species in seven landscapes around the coast.

ARC is co-ordinating work in the Solway where the natterjack toad reaches its northern limit. It only has a tenuous foothold here and may be down to a few hundred adults, needing more breeding pools and better terrestrial habitat.

Additional target species along the Solway include the northern brown argus butterfly (pictured above), purple oxytropis plant, chough and the extraordinary tadpole shrimp, only found within the UK here and in the New Forest in Hampshire. Threats facing these species include habitat loss and the impact of climate change on coastal habitats.

Other Species on the Edge project areas include the Outer and Inner Hebrides, Shetland and Orkney, where work is focussed on species such as great yellow bumble bee, slender scotch burnet moth, short-necked oil beetle, terns and the Scottish primrose.

The development phase finishes in September and we will then apply to the Lottery for additional funding for implementation over four and a half years. The project would aim to achieve much of its work through communities, empowering them to conserve their local heritage. Advice to achieve multi-species benefits will be developed for landowners, with events to demonstrate wildlifefriendly management techniques.

For more information contact paul.kirkland@arc-trust.org or go to https://tinyurl.com/ naturescot-sote-project or www.arc-trust.org/coastal-treasures

Gems in the Dunes - Leaving a legacy

By Fiona Sunners - Gems in the Dunes Project Manager

Since July 2017, we have been running the Gems in the Dunes Project on the Sefton Coast as part of the wider Back from the Brink programme. The aim of the project has been to help save some of England’s rarest wildlife from extinction, and involve people in the process. Our target species are natterjack toad, sand lizard, northern dune tiger beetle, petalwort, sea bryum and matted bryum, all sand dune specialists and declining as a result of dune succession.

Activity has been a mix of habitat improvements and surveying, working with contractors and volunteers. Our volunteers have been amazing, clearing over 32,000m2 of scrub ( the size of 4 football pitches!), creating and rejuvenating 289 sand patches and improving 11 pools.

We’ve co-ordinated 870 days of survey effort, ensuring all natterjack breeding pools are now regularly monitored, and with more eyes looking more often, we have more sand lizard records.

BEFORE MANAGEMENT

Photo top right: Sand lizard © Alex Hyde (GitD - Back from the Brink).

Middle left and right:

Scrub clearance before and after - achieved with help from volunteers © Fiona Sunners (ARC). Below left: Natterjack toad © Alex Hyde (GitD - Back from the Brink).

AFTER MANAGEMENT

Data collected at our coastal change workshop, combined with data from coastal engineers, provided an insight into how species will be affected by habitat loss as a result of coastal change. Discussions included what needs to be done to safeguard the species for the future as sea levels rise.

Over 200 people have attended events out on the sand dunes, at local shows and museums and more recently online. Activities have included guided walks, slide shows, mini-beast hunts, family scrub removal days, arts and creative writing workshops. Our art and creative writing workshops have engaged with people who wouldn’t normally attend traditional events such as guided walks.

Overall the project has had a positive effect, raising awareness and increasing involvement as well as providing more data on distribution and abundance. Management works have increased the amount of suitable habitat including bare sand and improved connectivity between pools.

Fiona during survey for natterjack toads with volunteers © Fiona Sunners (ARC).

Gems in the Dunes has been a great springboard for more much needed habitat work and engagement in the future to benefit these incredible dune species.