It all started at Achmelvich
Wednesday 28th June 2023 turned out to be one of those full on, but wouldn’t have missed it days.
10am was when it all started at Achmelvich. The Field Club and Andy Summers from Highlife Highland Countryside Ranger Service held their joint monthly volunteering day. This month we were pulling out bracken at Achmelvich.
Because bracken, a fern, is able to out-compete most other plants it can very quickly create a monoculture if no action is taken to control it. This can result in the loss of other more desirable plants and habitats.
Of course, bracken itself is a habitat that is shelter for birds, mammals, reptiles, etc. It is also a food plant for several butterfly caterpillars, notably the Fritillary species.
We were pulling out bracken where it was present in smaller areas of growth to offer more light, etc. to the amazing orchids that Achmelvich is noted for. The Fragrant Orchid (Gymnadenia sp.) and the Frog Orchid (Coeloglossum viride) being two such species.
The Fragrant Orchids were looking, and smelling stunning in the warm slightly humid weather. Frog Orchid was spotted in one small stand of bracken. Only one plant was seen of this notoriously difficult to find orchid.
Other interesting finds during the two-hour session were a Common Toad (Bufo bufo) which was happy to pose for photos. Two resting Garden Tiger moths (Arctia caja) were also using several bracken fronds as shelter.
It was great to see Sand Martins (Riparia riparia) nesting in the area. Some faces of the sand dunes are perfect nesting habitat for these relatives of the Swallow and House Martin.
Lochinver
After the bracken pulling session we headed to Lochinver for some refreshments at An Cala Café which is located in the former Fishermen’s Mission building.
For many years House Martin (Delichon urbicum) have nested under the overhanging eaves of the mission’s roof. Only two active nests were spotted this time.
This year, following the prolonged dry, warm spell of weather many House Martins throughout Assynt, and beyond are struggling to build successful nests. The mud they must collect to build their cup nests has either been scarce or too dry and is not sticking to the walls.
The Field Club and Ranger Service are considering sourcing artificial House Martin nests for next year. These seem to be very successful in helping to negate the effects of climate change on the Martins nesting ability at least.
Evening outing
Last ‘not to miss thing’ on Wednesday was an opportunity to accompany Andy as he checked on progress at two Barn Owl (Tyto alba) nest sites. That started at 8pm and we left the second site at 10.30pm.
Andy is fully licensed to visit raptor nest sites and handle the young birds. We were planning to make sound recordings of the young birds as Andy checked them over. He warned us that they will be very vocal but it’s all talk so to speak!
Having heard this sound before we couldn’t wait to record it for our ‘Sounds of Nature Project’ which is available on the Club’s website.
We are still waiting to record it! Two nest sites, one with three large chicks, the other with four slightly smaller chicks and not a sound.
Andy could not believe it, but we did get a quick chance to photograph one of the larger chicks. It was starting to get its first beautiful flight feathers but still had enough of the white downy ones left to offer the aww factor.
We slept well.
Many thanks to Andy for his time and his enormous passion for all of Assynt’s wildlife.
David Haines