To See Or Not To See...That is the Question.

After speaking to SNH, (Scottish natural heritage) I have today sent off the following email to the biodiversity Officer of Highland Region. This sets out my reasoning for the retention of the undergrowth at the Merryton bridge. I think I have a valid argument, I would like Cllrs Colin Macaulay, and  Tommy Hogg to look at this blog post in it's entirety and convince me otherwise.

Dear Miss Bromham,

I understand you deal with bio diversity for the highland region, and I have been given your name by SNH.

For the past 9 years I have been caring for the local swans and river wildlife in general on the river Nairn. Having constructed a Swans island on the lower river 5 years ago which has been naturalised and highly successful.

I am concerned for some riverside natural habitat which is currently under threat from the local authority.

A family of rats was discovered in a patch of undergrowth near the Merryton footbridge over the River Nairn. This family was only two adults and one maybe two youngsters as far as I could ascertain. The local authority are currently baiting the area with rat poison, evidence today is that the bait is being taken.

However, local councillor Colin Macaulay, has ideas of removing the undergrowth where the rats have been seen as an additional measure.

Along with others, I consider this idea to be very foolish for a number of very good reasons.

1. The undergrowth is dense and made up of dead and alive Bramble, gorse, and broom . It is useful and used extensively by small birds throughout the year, particularly winter where it can remain snow free underneath because of the density.

2. It is on the riverside and is also used by the ducks during nesting time, because it is safe from dogs which are constantly passing by on the nearby footpath. With the construction of a large flats complex only last year, many additional new dog owners now use this riverside path.

3.The riverbank location of this undergrowth is such that if it were removed, it would give a clear line of sight to every dog passing the area, and would most certainly result in swans and ducks being attacked by uncontrolled or unleashed dogs !

4. It would also allow the possibility of canoes and kayaks using the cleared bank space to launch boats into the river from the adjacent carpark.

5.Because the river community council have just cleared native and non native species ie, Himalayan balsam from the vicinity just after full bloom and the seed pods were bursting ! It is inevitable that any newly cleared area will be covered in non native seeds and will sprout unhindered !

Leaving the old undergrowth will suppress any new growth from starting !

In the last couple of years I have noticed a sharp decline in Herons fishing at this side of the river, and am convinced it is because of the increase in dogs taken alongside the river bank. The birds do not get the time and peace to fish !

All of the above things will happen if this scruffy piece of undergrowth is removed, it may look scruffy and untidy but is a vital part of the local ecosystem and protection for many species.

I ask you, for the sake of two or three rats which are also part of the river system - is it worth removing for the potential damage to the environment ?

If you have the power to advise and stop this foolish idea, please use it for the sake of our river and wildlife.

Enclosed photo's of our Pen which was attacked and nearly killed by a passing Labrador a few years back, only prompt action on my part saved her life. Allowing more dogs unhindered access to the river will result in more attacks.

Please persuade cllr Macaulay and River community council to abandon any idea of removing the undergrowth - in fact, advising additional planting of thorny type bushes would be a benefit to the habitat and ecosystem.

Yours   Sincerely

Joe Telfer   River Nairn wildlife carer.

My point about the lack of Herons over the last couple of years I think is also a valid one. The amount of dogs that are now sent down into the water between the Merryton bridge and swans island has jumped in the last couple of years. The Heron pics I took below were seen through gaps between bushes. The one at the top was taken just in front of the area that has now been cleared and opened by Tommy Hogg about  30 yards above the Merryton bridge, we will probably never see that again. My point is, the greater access to the riverside by dogs and people will mean less scenes like these.