River Springwatch

Exciting time of year with river wildlife very much into mating and nesting.

Many local Trust members have their daily exercise doing a river walk, Members who live along the riverside are also keeping a watchful eye on the safety and security of our much loved waterbirds. 

The Trust is aware that many people take their dogs for a walk as part of their daily exercise. 

With this in mind it's important they are kept under close control near the riverside.

The waterbirds are not entertainment for dogs to chase, injure or kill, especially during nesting season.

Dogs and Nesting Season

The River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust would like to remind Dog owners that the bird nesting season is getting under way. 

Half of Scotland's birds are ground nesting and therefore vulnerable to dogs that are not kept under close control by owners taking them for a walk. The Scottish outdoor access code states that dogs should be kept under close control in areas used by wildlife, this includes our riverside where ducks and swans are nesting for the next 4 to 5 months.

Ducks will sit on their nests relying on camouflage to keep them safe, 

owners should not allow their dogs to sniff them out, sometimes resulting in the death of the birds because they try to protect their eggs or young.

Choosing open spaces to let your dog run free is the responsible thing to do at this time of year.

Nesting Season - Dogs

The nesting season is now well underway for many bird species, the ducks are now moving to their nesting sites leaving mainly single drakes on the lower reaches. The Swans too have started nesting for the 7th year on the river.
The River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust would like to remind all dog owners to keep their dogs under close control especially during the breeding season April - July. Ground nesting birds like ducks and swans are particularly vulnerable, and the onus is on the dog owner to prevent their dogs from killing and injuring wildlife.

The enclosed Images were caused by dogs not under control !

Please conform to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code on dogs and dog walking. 

Trust Constitution Adopted

A wee bit of Nairn local history was made tonight when the River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust had it's first official Trustee meeting. We met at the Chairman's home in Fishertown to discuss the Constitution of the Trust. Authorise and sign Banking mandate papers, and get an update on membership details. Also discussed were our aims and strategy for the current year. Paramount for the Trust is the protection of the River Wildlife and their environment, they are unable to speak up, so the Trust will speak for them. A clean and healthy river full of life, is a magnet for everyone, a local asset that must be cared for. 
This will include responsible dog ownership, where all dog owners should conform to the Scottish Outdoor Access code. This is in everyone's interest, including the wildlife ! Half of Scotland's birds are ground nesting and need an element of protection. Dog owners are responsible for their dogs, this means cleaning up after them and keeping them under close control around wildlife. The Scottish Outdoor access code states that close control means the dog trained well enough to walk close by the owner, if the owner does not have  recall ability then the dog should be kept on a lead no longer than 6 feet. With the proliferation of dog ownership in Nairn, it's time the authorities bit the bullet and started taking control of the dog situation. Everyone complains about dog mess and bad owners giving all the good dog owners a bad name. The Trust intend to have some positive input to this perennial problem. People have to be made aware that waterbirds are vulnerable many months of the year.

 An example of the Swans for instance, they take nearly 2 months to nest and hatch their young.Then the Pen takes 6 weeks during the summer to Moult when she cannot fly, after she regrows her new feathers the cob takes 6 weeks for his moult when he cannot fly, all this time they and their cygnets are vulnerable to dog attack. All the ducks are also ground nesting and their ducklings are constantly under threat until they are 10 weeks old and able to fly. Dogs being allowed to run free chasing and sometimes killing wildlife, is just not acceptable even in an urban environment.

Dogs - Scottish Outdoor Access Code

The other day I discovered a ducks nest along the riverside. I would say that the mild weather is now conducive for many ducks to nest. Spring is a wonderful time for Nature to get the sap rising in all living things, this includes dogs and their owners taking them outdoors !

With this in mind, I would like to remind dog owners of their responsibilities under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/out-and-about/recreation-activities/dog-walking/ . A Local resident river walker remarked to me the other day, just how many dog walkers go along the river now on a daily basis, he said he had never seen so many dogs. I must say I have to agree with him, perhaps the new maggot flats has increased the problem as I mentioned last year. There seems to be a mini explosion in multiple dog ownership too, which is worrying when some of these owners seem to have scant regard for the natural world around them !

In addition to the dog poop problem, some owners seem oblivious to the fact that Half of Scotlands birds are ground nesting, and spring is the most important time to keep their dogs under close control around other wildlife that are trying to nest ! The following is advice from Scottish Natural heritage : GROUND-NESTING BIRDS: During the breeding season (April - July) keep your dog on a short lead or under close control in areas such as Moorland, grasslands, loch shores, and the seashore to avoid disturbing birds that nest on the ground ...this includes the riverside!

I know from experience and other Swan Sanctuaries,( http://www.fairford.org/SwanAid/swan_rescues.htm ) the horrendous toll that dogs can have on Swans and other waterbirds. Earlier today I saw 2 women walking along the riverside with their spaniel hunting along the riverbank , totally unconcerned about what the dog was doing. As always, I blame the owners and not the dogs. Courting popularity with dog owners as I do - be prepared for a lambasting if I see your dog running around out of control and disturbing the wildlife. I make no apology for again publishing the photo of Penny, after she was attacked by a black labrador- (soft things wouldn't hurt a fly ) ...famous last words. Hunting types, and water dogs in particular should be kept well under control !

Dogs : Scottish Outdoor Access Code

After the Attack on the Swan and Looking for clarification on the question of dogs, I contacted SNH (Scottish Natural Heritage ).

I was given a reply relating to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, excerpts as follows :

During the bird breeding season (usually April to July), keep your dog under close control or on a short lead in areas such as moorland, forests, grassland, loch shores and the seashore.
In recreation areas and other public places avoid causing concern to others by keeping your dog under close control or on a short lead, and
pick up and remove your dog's faeces if it defecates in a public open place.

The above does not specify Swans Island nest site or riverside, but according to SNH It can be taken that this is covered by the Access code.

The Swans and ducks on the River Nairn start nesting in March and it is up to owners to take responsibilty for their dogs actions every single day of the dogs life !

Even now there are 70 or so birds in the river that cannot yet fly, either because they are too young or moulting. Dogs like to chase things, be it a ball, a stick or a bird.

It's a sad state of affairs when I have to request signs be put up, because I am a dog owner myself and no lover of signs either. However we have a duty to protect the environment and all other living creatures that share it with us. Irresponsible dog owners are very much the minority so it is up to the majority to hold the minority to account for their actions - or lack of it.