Quite a few members of The River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust are disgruntled by the habitat desolation between the Merryton and Roadbridge, and rightly so. The removal of many bushes and young trees, also the lower branches of all the remaining trees has added to that look of desolation. Before all this took place, the broken and damaged trees to be removed were marked with paint, and "A light touch would be applied " was the phrase used. I pleaded with RCC Chair Tommy Hogg to leave the bushes and dogwood alone, but he said it was up to Highland Region people who were calling the shots. The Gurn now tells us to go to River community council meetings to air our grievances, and perhaps come up with some suggestions on improving the Riverside! I had a look at the few Alders that have since been planted, but it does not make up for the loss of Rowan, saplings, and bushes that have been removed. Speaking out on behalf of the Trust and wildlife, I have sent the following email letter to the River Community Council in the hope that they will at least make up for the 2012 clearances, and plant a dozen or so Hawthorn and Rowan trees for the benefit of the wildlife.
Dear Stephanie and River Councillors,
The River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust notice
that only a few Alder saplings have been planted as tree replacements between
the merryton bridge and roadbridge. In view of the fact that more young trees
were removed than have been replaced, particularly the young Rowan trees, these
should be replaced as a food source for the wild birds.
The removal of all the lower branches of the
existing trees and destruction of bushes was uncalled for, and has been
detrimental to the wildlife.
The original fallen and broken trees that were
marked for removal was acceptable, but most of the removed wild bushes and young
saplings should have been left alone, these were cover for the wildlife and a
deterrent to dogs.
The Trust would like the replanting of some berry
producing trees such as Hawthorn and Rowan to replace, enhance and aid the
wildlife there.
Yours Sincerely
Joe Telfer, on behalf of the River Nairn Swans and
Waterfowl Trust.
14 comments:
No doubt River CC can confirm for you but I thought only a few dangerous trees were felled after consultation with a Highland Council or other forestry expert? Maybe someone has before and after images that could determine the exact number that are no longer there? The problem with planting trees in this spot will be the treatment of the invasive Japanese Knotweed which may have to continue for another 3 years at least. There is no point in planting trees in those parts that will have to be treated.
Alder saplings are pretty vigorous specimens and they won’t take long to become large trees, just take a look at the field at Firhall that has been colonised by this species in a short number of years. There are no instant solutions to restoring the environment the banks of Abhainn Nàrainn (the river of Alders) for the benefit of indigenous flora and fauna both in and out of the water.
Hopefully some of the bushes and saplings that have survived will come back over the course of the next year or two - if left alone to get on with it. I have before and after photos but unfortunately looking straight along the pathway, so wont show all the trees in question. The groups of Japanese knotweed should not prevent the planting of some additional trees along the bank. Alders are fine, but some biodiversity by way of Hawthorn and Rowan would help the wildlife.
As Craisg has stated the area will continue to be treated for several years to try and clear the invasive Japanese Knotweed. One of the most effective weedkillers is a systemic, which is sprayed onto leaves and goes right down to to the roots. Little point in planting too much else until the knotweed problem is resolved as in all likelihood that to would be affected by the weedkiller.
In light of this maybe the disgruntled members of the Trust would like to reassess the situation?
Having many years of gardening and Orchard management experience I am very familiar with systemic weed killers and used them frequently over the years. I have used knapsack sprayers and small hand held sprayers which I currently use on the swans island and adjacent riverbank for alien species. "Roundup" is a Very effective systemic killer and I would recommend that it be used on the Japanese knotweed, but only in fine wind free sunny days, when the knotweed is nearly in full leaf. This would probably do the job in much less than 3 years.
I still recommend planting Rowan and Hawthorn not too close to the japanese Knotweed, in case you have an incompetent sprayer who chooses a windy day to do the job !
I'm sure Tommy will make sure that any spraying work with Roundup is carried out by an individual possessing a National Proficiency Tests Council PA1 and PA6 certification and accompanying ID, such documentation is essential for all such work in public places.
Hopefully they will use the right spray nozzle, and choose the right weather conditions too.
Jo as you seam to be so well versed on what is required I suggest you do the job your self in stead of stating your badge as to what is required
Is this not a job you and your trust could undertake so you know it is done properly or is that asking too much. BY THE WA WHAT ABOUT ALL THE NESTING BIRDS if the untrained start wandering about planting trees and spraying plants that have not yet appeared.
Anon, As I understand it, The river regeneration project is the brainchild of River community council who gave Tommy Hogg a free hand to do what he wanted. As far as I know he has received £30,000 LEADER funding which is also to tackle the removal of Alien species ( which has not yet even started )
It seems a bit rich to ask me to do the job now after the mess has been made by someone who should have known better.
For £30,000 I could have built a few more islands, and transformed the entire lower river area from the roadbridge to the bailey bridge, with flora and fauna to suit the wildlife and remove all the alien species into the bargain.
It would not take me 3 years either.
The mind boggles to think Mr Thomas Hogg esq.has £30.000 to spend, please dont beat about the bush Tommy, as a Wee Birdie my future may depend on you & others judgement on my living conditions.
That's a mental sum of money considering the work that has been done and the horrendous state it has been left in.
Where did you hear about the £30,000?
Is it common knowledge?
I wouldn't mind seeing the receipts :)
Where's ma bush, I have heard it from several sources who allegedly heard it from Mr Hogg himself. I think you would best ask the River community council about this river regeneration project and the costs involved, and maybe the minutes of the meeting that authorised this river regeneration project.
Personally, I thought having an out of town contractor coming in to decimate the area was uncalled for. Surely some local contractor could have done a more "light touch " job. Instead of a west coast chain saw massacre, and shredding everything in sight.
lol
Personally, I would like to see the minutes of all meetings published in our local newspaper, so the rest of us are aware of what goes on during those meetings. If the improvement or any change affecting our community it to take a place, we should be given an opportunity to have a say or a vote. We should be made aware of what is happening in our back yard. Also, it would be great to be made aware of what has been decided during the most recent river community meeting on April 10, regarding the replanting of the young trees and bushes, that were carelessly removed by an incompetent removal tree company, hired by the council, and when can we expect to see this job completed.
This is cool!
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