Sottish

C&A d

Bird News

No 88 Jun. 2008

Outside the breeding season, many areas of
the UK's inshore waters are used by
seaducks, divers and grebes as moulting
and wintering areas, and migration staging
posts. The Joint Nature Conservation
Committee (JNCC), on behalf of the four
statutory nature conservation agencies, is
currently considering which inshore areas
should be considered for possible qualifi-
cation as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for
such species during the non-breeding
season. As part of this, )NCC has run an
annual survey programme since the winter
of 2000-01 to collect up-to-date, detailed
data on the distribution and abundance of
inshore waterbirds, primarily using aerial
surveys. Of our 20 target survey areas in
Scotland (Figure 1), we currently have at
least one year of data for 16 of them.
Similar aerial surveys are being carried out
throughout the UK, by the Wildfowl and
Wetlands Trust. It should be noted that
these are simply areas of search and that we
are not ready to actually identify specific
sites within these areas that might be
suitable to recommend as SPAs. Aerial
surveys are a suitable method to identify
areas with important inshore aggregations
of most waterbird species due to the fact
that large and sometimes inaccessible areas
can be surveyed in a short space of time -
this minimises costs and reduces the risk of
double counting birds by completing the
survey in as short a time as possible.

We use small (5-7 seat) twin-engined
aircraft to carry out our aerial surveys. To
be suitable for our survey work, they must
be capable of cruising at low speeds of
100 knots, giving the observers time to
see, identify and gather data on the birds,
and they must also have top mounted
wings, so that the observers view of the sea
below is not obstructed. Conditions are
fairly cramped inside the plane, and
surveying for sometimes four or five hours
at a time can become quite
uncomfortable. The pilot flies a set of pre-
determined parallel transects at a height of
250 feet. This height has been chosen as a
compromise between flying high enough
to minimise disturbance, while still being
low enough for birds to be identified and
recorded. Most species seem to ignore the
plane, but a few (such as Common Scoter
and Red-breasted Merganser), tend to fly
off as the plane approaches. This is not
ideal, obviously, but it does make them a
little easier to count!

Counting is not straightforward, and time
is of the essence. Observers have within
three or four seconds to identify and count
the birds, and record the data. In areas
with few birds this is quite simple, but in
some areas with large concentrations or a
good variety of species, it can become
very difficult. For each observation, time
(to the second), species, number and

distance from the observer are recorded
into a dictaphone. Observations are
assigned to four distance 'bands' within a
1000m strip perpendicular to the flight
track. This seems simple enough, but
within those four seconds an observer may
have recorded, for example, flocks of 200
Common Scoters and 300 Common
Eiders, 30 Long-tailed Ducks, two Red-
breasted Mergansers and two Great
Northern Divers. By the time half of this
data has been recorded onto tape, a whole
new group of birds will have appeared. It
can almost be overwhelming at times, but
thankfully, these hectic periods are not the
norm, and are usually fairly brief.

The Islander with observers Ben Dean and
Mark Lewis Kerstin Kober

Scottish Bird News 88 (Jun 2008)

Identification, too, can be problematic.
Time and space restrictions render the use
of binoculars impossible, and observers
need to spend many training hours in the
air honing their identification skills before
being ready to survey. Eiders are simple,
although females in mixed flocks take a
little more looking for, and the relatively
huge size of great northern divers usually
makes them easy to identify.
Unfortunately, of course, it's not always
that straightforward. Birds such as Long-
tailed Ducks and Red-breasted Mergansers
take a little getting used to, but it takes
close views and perfect conditions to
confidently identify a Black-throated
Diver. Observers are spared some
potential identification headaches by the
fact that most scoters take off as the plane
approaches, making separation of
Commons and Velvets far easier. Grebes
seem to avoid the plane completely; over
the last six winters, only seven grebes have
been seen (with none being identified
specifically), despite surveys regularly
covering areas with relatively high grebe
numbers, such as the Firth of Forth and
Scapa Flow. To overcome such problems
of aircraft-shy grebes, and difficulties in
separating some diver species, we
complement our aerial survey data with
targeted shore-based counts.

The weather plays an important role in
dictating when aerial surveys can be carried
out. Ideal conditions are calm, dry weather
and a flat calm sea, with thick, high cloud.
Wind is particularly important; choppy seas
make it difficult to see birds and strong
winds can make surveying dangerous. Fog,
rain and low cloud also compromise
observer effectiveness, and make life a lot
more difficult for the pilot as well! Strong
sunlight can also be a great hindrance.
Glare from the sea can make it impossible to
count birds on some transects, and where

glare is not a problem, bright sunlight
reflects strongly off white plumage,
"masking" any darker tones, and turning a
line of auks into a row of glowing white
dots. This can make what should be simple
identifications become quite tricky, but the
problem can be resolved somewhat by the
use of polarising glasses.

What happens then, to all the data that is
collected? By linking the data collected by
the observers to location data collected
during the flights by an onboard GPS
(Global Positioning System), it is possible to
assign an accurate location to every
sighting. This allows us to plot bird distri-
bution maps for each survey area,
highlighting where larger concentrations of
birds occur, as well as showing which areas
are preferred by which species. It is also
possible to come up with population
estimates for each species within a given
area, using a statistical technique called
"distance sampling". Based on the
assumption that 100% of birds in the first
distance band are detected, and using the
detection rates for the more distant bands,
this technique estimates the number of birds
missed and therefore the total population
within the area. These population estimates
can be compared with national and biogeo-
graphic population estimates to assess the
relative importance of our survey areas, and
consequently whether they meet UK SPA
guideline thresholds. We are currently in the
process of assessing several Scottish areas
for which we have at least five years of data,
including the Moray Firth, Aberdeen Bay,
Firth of Forth, Firth of Tay, Outer Hebrides,
Scapa Flow, Sound of Mull, and the waters
around Coll and Tiree.

The mapping of aerial survey data has
facilitated the identification of important
concentrations of Great Northern Divers in
areas such as the west coast of the Sound of
Harris, in the Outer Hebrides, and the
Sound of Gigha, on the west coast of the
Mull of Kintyre. On a broader level, aerial

survey data has also allowed us to re-assess
the British wintering population size of Red-
throated Divers. Previously the best estimate
of this was 5,000, but WWT aerial surveys
highlighted the inaccuracy of this when they
observed up to 11,000 individuals in just
one area (the Greater Thames). The newly
revised estimate of the wintering population
of this species, based largely on aerial
survey data, is now in the region of 17,000
birds (O'Brien et al. in press)!

As you might imagine, flying around the
coast of Scotland on a clear day offers some
truly spectacular views, the cliffs and
mountains of Mull, and the peat bogs and
expansive sandy bays of Benbecula and the
Uists being my own personal favourites.
There are other distractions, too. Dolphins
and porpoises are seen fairly regularly, and
the odd Minke Whale puts in an
appearance every now and again. Other
birds are seen as well, and highlights over
the past few years have included both
White-tailed and Golden Eagles, Pomarine
Skua, Hen Harrier and Glaucous Gull.

Mark Lewis

Marine Surveyor, JNCC Aberdeen
mark.lewis@jncc.gov.uk

Further information

Lewis, M., Wilson, L.J., Sohle, I., Dean, B.J.,
Webb, A. and Reid, J.B. (2006). Wintering
sea ducks, divers and grebes in UK inshore
areas: Aerial surveys and shore-based counts
2006/0 7. JNCC Report , No. 414. Available
from http :// www. j n cc .gov. u k/page-43 00
O'Brien SH, Wilson LJ, Webb A &
Cranswick P. (in press) Revised estimate of
numbers of wintering Red-throated Divers
Gavia stellata in Great Britain. Bird Study
http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-1 41 4

(Eds. Have a quick look at the photo
below which has been taken from an
aircraft. Give yourself only a few seconds
to study it and try to identify the species.
You'll find the answer on the back page.)

Carl Mitchell

Scottish Bird News 88 (Jun 2008)

2

Scottish Bird News
No 88 Jun. 2088

Edited by

jimmy Maxwell
Ian Francis

Assisted by

Jean Torrance
Wendy Hicks

Contents

Aerobirding 1

News & Notices 3

March BTO/SOC Conference 5

Harry Brewster Macpherson
(1880-1947) 8

The Uplands 10

The Birds of Scotland 1 3

Notes & Comment 20

Ornithological Folklore 5. The Raven 21

Book Reviews 22

Contributions for the next issue of SBN
should be submitted not later than 25th
July 2008 to:

SBN Editor, SOC, Scottish
Birdwatchers' Centre,

Waterston House, Aberlady,

East Lothian EH32 0PY.

Articles can be sent on disc or by e-mail
(mail@the-soc.org.uk), although we do
still accept typed or handwritten material

Designed by

FJarry Scott, Pica Design, Aboyne

Printed by

Meigle Colour Printers Ltd, Galashiels

NEWS & NOTICES

New SOC Members

We welcome the following new members
to the Club: Ayrshire Mr G Boyd, Borders
Mr J Burns, Ms M Carrel, Mr M Scott,
Caithness Mr N D Redgate, Central
Scotland Mr S Muir, Clyde Ms ) Dodd, Mr
A Hamilton, Mr J McFadden, Mr & Mrs E
Munro, Mr & Mrs A Tully, Dumfries Mr D
Wardrope, England, Wales & Nl Mr & Mrs
A Duckers, Fife Mr R Job, Mr A C Wood,
Grampian Mr W | Robertson, Highland Mr
P Burgin & Ms S Thomson, Mr J G
Cormack, Mrs R lolley, Mr M Wynn,
Lothian Mr & Mrs A Aitchison, Mr T Bryce,
Mrs E L Jack, Mr M Johnston, Prof B C
Sykes, Mr D Wild, Overseas Mr | lhanus,
Scotland - no branch Dr J Frank, Stewartry
Mr & Mrs K McAnna

200 Club

The latest prizewinners are - March: 1st
£30 R.L. Gardner 2nd £20 T.Poyser 3rd £10
R.S. Smith April: 1st £30 Mrs. Denney 2nd
£20 I.Balfour-Paul 3rd £10 Mrs. Lammie

New members are always welcome. They
must be over 18 and Club members.
Please contact - Daphne Peirse-
Duncombe, Rosebank, Gattonside,
Melrose, Roxburghshire TD6 9NH

Waterston Wildlife

SOC member John Savory who is often to
be seen working in the Library at
Waterston House, took this picture of a
Hare in the rough ground beside the pond.
Apparently it is a regular visitor.

The Brown Hare )ohn Savory

Dr Jeff Watson

Dr Jeff Watson, the well-known
ornithologist and raptor expert, author of
the authoritative work on the 'Golden
Eagle' and a director of Scottish Natural
Heritage, died in September 2007 after a
period of illness. The SOC extends its
sympathy to his family. A full obituary will
appear in the next issue of 'Scottish Birds'.

SBRC has a new Chairman

With the retirement of Roger Riddington
from SBRC last year, the post of Chairman
fell vacant, and one of our long-serving

members, Alan Brown, has stepped in to
become become the new SBRC Chairman.
Elected in late 2004 to serve a second
term on SBRC, Alan had previously been a
member between 1 984 and 1 994 (and its
Secretary from 1 984 to 1 986). He was also
a member of BBRC from 1987 to 1995,
and has served on the Lothian Birds
Records Committee since its inception in
1983. Additionally, while he was local
recorder for East Lothian between 1983
and 1989, he was a member of SOC
Council (1986 - 1 990).

Angus Hogg

Birthday congratulations

In SBN 86 we included a note about Dr
Maeve Rusk, referring to the generous
collection of books she had donated to the
Club. Maeve celebrated her 90th birthday
on 3rd May and in lieu of birthday gifts,
kindly asked her family and friends to make
donations to the SOC. She has been an
SOC member since the late 1940s and is
well-known for her ornithological contri-
bution regarding the Highlands and Islands.
The SOC offers Maeve their congratulations
and gratitude for her generous gesture
which so far has raised £235.

SOC benefits from
the 200 Club

The gradually accumulating funds in the
SOC's 200 Club are beginning to be used
in some very practical ways at Waterston
House. Recently
we have seen the
acquisition of two
fine Velbon tripods,
which will be used
on the HQ's Guide
Walks and

Birdwatching for
Beginners. A new
lap top will be
used in the Library
Office and a useful Library Trolley will
facilitate the moving around of books etc.
The 200 Club of course is run by Daphne
Peirse-Duncombe who works away in the
background keeping the system ticking
over and the money coming in, for which
we are all extremely grateful.

Tripods in use (above), Jean at work on the laptop

Scottish Bird News 88 (Jun 2008)

Curlews

Art and Observation

A collection of paintings, sketches and
prints by Derek Robertson depicting the
link between the artist's work, scientific
projects and wildlife observations.
Showing in Waterston House, Aberlady,
from 16 August to 22nd October.

Derek Robertson is well known for his
paintings of wildlife. His work is exhibited
around the world and held in collections
in over 40 countries. He has also written
and illustrated several of his own books as
well as contributing to numerous other
publications. He has also written and
presented several television programmes
and appeared regularly in press, radio and
television where he describes the
paintings he produces and the wildlife and
landscape that inspire him. One of the
early catalysts to his career was the first
publication of his pictures in print... in the
SOC's Scottish Bird News.

Since his early teens, Derek has also
contributed towards amateur research
projects, becoming a licensed bird ringer
and developing his own studies, as well as
assisting other people. He has served on a
number of committees for research organi-
sations, including the BTO Council and
Ringing Committee. His own researches
have been published in scientific journals
and adopted into conservation management
plans and survey programs. His contri-
butions to numerous other projects have
been recognised in publication and have
given him opportunities to study birds at
close hand and in the context of enquiries
into their habitat and behaviour.

Woodcock pair

This exhibition of paintings sketches and
prints, depict the artwork that Derek has
produced linked with these studies over the
past 20 years and the collaborations he has
worked on as assistant, illustrator and
enthusiastic helper. There is a strong tradition
in ornithology, especially in Scotland, of
artists collaborating in ornithological studies,
and this collection of paintings, that portrays
everything from radio-tracking Water Rails
through impenetrable Scottish reedbeds to
moult studies of migrant birds in Africa,
follows in a long history in which the SOC
plays such an important part.

www. derekrobertson. com

Developing the Bird
Recording "Habit"

If you've met anyone lately who's done any
Atlas fieldwork, you've no doubt heard
them say something along the lines of, "It's
great, I get out to all sorts of places I'd never
have gone to", or, "I get a real sense of
satisfaction seeing my dots on the map." In
fact, if you know anyone who's doing Atlas
fieldwork, chances are you also know an
Atlas Addict (or a member of AAA (Atlasing
Addicts Anonymous) according to Ray
Murray, Atlas Organiser in the Borders!)

The same can be said of lots of other
fieldwork, whether it's sending sightings to
your local recorder, taking part in the
Breeding Bird Survey*, or doing some
armchair birdwatching through Garden
BirdWatch. Survey volunteers regularly
speak of a sense of satisfaction and of
seeing new places. (They less often talk
about keeping their skills honed - but this
is another benefit.)

As Atlas fever sweeps the country, more
and more new people are getting
involved, many who've never done any
form of fieldwork before; such is the
flexibility in the Atlas methods, combined
with its central importance for conser-
vation over the next 25 years.

If you've ever thought of doing some
voluntary bird recording, there has never
been a better time to get involved. Yet,
amongst those who've not yet tested the
bird survey "waters" another common
comment is that many birdwatchers feel
they lack the skills to take part.

Both BTO and SOC have been offering
training courses for a while now, but
thanks to a new project, more opportu-
nities are on the horizon for those in
Scotland new to bird surveys than ever
before. It's all thanks to funding from SNH,
The Gillman Trusts, BTO and SOC. Over
the next two years there will be talks, free
local training courses and promotional
materials designed to encourage people
from all walks of life to record birds in

Scotland. The programme of training
courses is being put together as we speak
and will be advertised through SBN and in
a new newsletter dedicated to bird survey
volunteers in Scotland (which will be sent
to all SOC and BTO members in Scotland
as well as being distributed more widely).

Because the engine-house of bird recording
is the network of regional survey organisers,
local recorders and branch reps, the funding
will also support them in their voluntary
roles through a series of national meetings.
The first was held in February, and the next
will be held over the weekend of 23rd
August. The national meetings give local
reps and organisers the chance to meet
other reps from all over Scotland, to share
experiences, hear the latest news on survey
plans and progress and most importantly,
the chance to input to the new project. After
all, they're the ones on the front line, who
know what the volunteers need.

So if you're not already a bird recording
"addict", think about coming along to a
local talk or even better a training course,
or just dive straight in and contact your
local rep (contact details at
www.bto.org/regional or contact the BTO
Scotland office below). We'll be delighted
to hear from you. Who knows, maybe the
next time you're chatting to another
birdwatcher, you'll be telling them how
satisfying you find it seeing your dots on the
Atlas maps. As an SOC member, it is even
more likely that you may know of a friend
that is interested, but not yet as experienced
as yourself. So pass on this invitation to
them - perhaps more younger people may
also take up this opportunity, especially
with your encouragement and expertise.

Jacqui out recording Andrew Macaulay

For more information on the Building Bird
Monitoring in Scotland project, including
signing up for free local training courses
please contact Jacqui Kaye, BTO Scotland
at scotlandbbs@bto.org or telephone
01786 466 560.

* The BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird
Survey (BBS) is organised by the BTO on
behalf of BTO, JNCC and RSPB.

**BTO/Cj Garden BirdWatch is the largest
year-round study of garden birds
anywhere in the world.

4

Scottish Bird News 88 (Jun 2008)

The venue

Lang Stewart

Birnam Arts and Conference centre in its
scenic Perthshire setting, was this year's
venue for the March BTO/SOC Conference.
Delegates were welcomed by Andy
Clement, Director of the BTO, who spoke
about bird monitoring in Scotland,
highlighting the Bird Atlas work and its
species sponsorship by organisations and
businesses. He also made a point of praising
the successful launch of "The Birds of
Scotland" noting its remarkable quality and
contribution to ornithological literature,
before commenting on the suitability of this
year's Conference theme "Birds of Moor and
Mountain" and introducing the first speaker.

Entrance hall

Lang Stewart

Suki Fleming - Conservation Officer for
Tayside & Fife (RSPB)

Conserving Perthshire's Upland Birds

Suki chose to illustrate her theme using
two main upland species, Red Kite and
Black Crouse. The Red Kite reintroduction
programme, supported by RSPB, Natural
England and SNH, began in 1989.
Currently the main work of the programme
is to monitor the expanding population, to
investigate variations in breeding success
and the survival of adults. Many chicks are
colour-tagged so that the life history of
individuals can be followed. Some birds
are radio-tagged so that their movements
can be monitored and any deaths
investigated. In spite of persistent

persecution, mainly by poisoning, the
breeding population is increasing, with 19
pairs currently in Perthshire.

The conservation of Black Grouse is based
on extending and improving their
potentially extensive habitat. The Perthshire
Black Crouse Study Group has existed for
17 years, monitoring an area of 700 km2
around Pitlochry. The extensive conifer
forests planted in the 1960s to 1980s were
good for Black Grouse in the first 10 years
of their life, but as the tree canopy closed
the grouse were progressively excluded. In
more recent years fellings have begun and
with a new policy of diversifying the forest
habitats as well as the age-class structure of
the stands, insect-rich and berry-rich
vegetation is being created within and on
the edges of the forests adjacent to
moorland. The number of lekking males,
having declined from 900 to 300 in the
Study Area has, after a period of stability,
slowly begun to increase.

Operation Countrywatch aims to prevent
wildlife crime in west Perthshire and
began in 2000, involving Police, Raptor
Study Group and 5 estates. The project
promotes mutual understanding of
attitudes and needs and of the relevant
laws. The project has been successful and
it is hoped to involve more estates.

Graham Pyatt

Suki Fleming Lang Stewart

Allan Stewart - Wildlife and Environment
Officer (Tayside police)

Wildlife Detective

Allan managed to be both informative and
entertaining with his account of his career
in the Tayside Police; a career that
somehow didn't even stop with his
retirement.

The old problem of raptors being poisoned
by carcasses staked out with a liberal dose
of Carbofuran still remains, and it can be
difficult to get a conviction. Allan
suggested that it may be better to
concentrate instead on trying to prevent a
re-occurrence. Egg collectors may be less
numerous these days, but those that
remain are often very well equipped with
the best climbing gear, bolt cutters etc.
They often emulate drug traffickers with
secret compartments in their cars to
conceal their latest trophies.

Alan Stewart Lang Stewart

Educating the public can be an important
part of the job and may be the best hope for
long-term improvements - however Allan's
visits to primary schools had occasionally
shown remarkable levels of ignorance
about birds in both P5-P7 children and
even their mothers. He also pointed out that
an awareness of the law can often produce
very rapid results - one developer who was
about to start renovating a building
containing several swallows' nests suddenly
postponed the job when he was told that
the penalty could be up to £5000 per nest
with a possibility of imprisonment. The
police in Scotland are now taking wildlife
crime more seriously than 10 years ago.
Four out of eight forces now have full-time
wildlife crime officers.

The job can have its lighter moments. A
suspicious looking tent near a Golden
Eagle's nest turned out to contain nothing
more sinister than a man who thought he
had found a nice private spot to try on
some women's underwear.

R. Hissett

Scottish Bird News 88 (Jun 2008)

5

Manning the BTO stand jimmy Maxwell

Time now for Tea and Coffee and a chance
for delegates to have a look round,
perhaps have a glance at Allan's new Wild
Crime Detective book and catch up with
old friends - then lectures resumed...

Bob Swann - Scottish Atlas Organiser
(BTO/SOC)

Mony a mickle maks a rnuckle

Bob's lecture centred on the importance of
the contribution of the individual to survey
work. All the different surveys involving
BTO and SOC were covered and many
current changes in habitat discussed - the
impact of deer on upland bird populations

- the changing nature of afforested areas
with the effects of windblow and benefits
of mixed deciduous and conifer, and the
growing importance of gardens for our
small birds. He highlighted ways in which
bird populations were affected by
windfarms, developed mud-flats, newly
industrialised areas and farmland where
hedges were lost and set-aside discon-
tinued. Unsurprisingly, the winter tetrads
of the Atlasing Project in which Bob has
been so involved, were given some focus

- Barn Owl had shown a surprising
increase in territory, Black-tailed Godwits
and Goldfinches were on the increase
while Mallard and House sparrows were
the opposite. The 4-year Project had got
off to a great start and many new surveyors
were now getting involved.

Jimmy Maxwell

David Merrie - (Tay SOC)

The Diver Raft Story

This story began some 40 years ago in the
late 1 960s, when David became aware of
the poor breeding productivity of Black-
throated and Red-throated Divers in
Argyll. His investigations into the causes of
this indicated that, in addition to
disturbance, nest failures resulting from
flooding or stranding as water levels fell,
were a major contributory factor. As divers
favoured islands for nesting, where these
were available, David came up with the
idea of providing floating islands, as
platforms on which the divers might
choose to nest. He then explained the
design adopted, which used plastic bottles
for buoyancy tied together with netting on

which turf was placed to give as natural an
appearance as possible. The first raft was
deployed in 1 976 and apart from having to
change to plastic netting to prevent rotting,
(he design of subsequent rafts was virtually
unchanged. The work involved in this
project was significant, not least in getting
the rafts to their locations and David paid
tribute to the many people and organi-
sations that helped him to achieve his
aims, namely his family, friends and
employer - on occasion, even helicopter
assistance was provided! By 1 979 ten rafts
were in use and breeding productivity
from the birds using these was 0.7 as
against 0.16 for birds using natural nest
sites. This showed that the use of rafts had
been a major success, particularly for Red-
throated Divers. The outcome of David's
pioneering work on diver rafts encouraged
the Forestry Commission and,
subsequently the RSPB, to take on the
provision of such rafts, albeit of a different
design, from the mid-1980s to try to
further improve the breeding productivity
of divers in Scotland. Welcome
improvements in breeding success did
occur. However, David reported that
worrying trends have become apparent
recently and wondered whether the
increased noise associated with the use of
quad bikes and Argocats near nesting birds
was affecting breeding success. Also, he
thought that predation by mustelids was
on the increase. In concluding this most
interesting talk, David said he had had
great fun throughout his raft saga and
remained upbeat about the future.

John Reid

David Merrie Lang Stewart

Lunch was served in a local hotel after
which delegates were able to browse
round the BTO, SOC (£525 made in sales),
SWT and optics stands and admire Eric
McCabe's photos and cards as a taster for
the next lecture.

Eric McCabe - (Tay SOC)

Shooting in a Perthshire Estate

"Artists take you into the wilderness,
making you wish you had been there, or
they return you in memory to where you
have been. Artists are priests!" Spectrus.

Eric McCabe is just such a man of vision,
a Wildlife Photographer whose pictures

are always great to see, but to hear his live
commentary on the "how" of technique,
his fieldcraft - his diplomatic skills. That is
another thing that artist-priests do, they
show and tell some of the secrets that are
2/3 beneath their surface.

Having gained the freedom to roam the
Ballathie Estate with the support of its
keepers and ghillies, this photo-guided tour
began in the winter farmlands landscape.

Looking at trees "from the top down",
finding Redwing and Fieldfares feeding on
berries, then these winter thrushes bathing
- ending in a lovely sequence of Red
Squirrel on the forest floor.

Oak woodland in spring is carpeted by
Bluebells with colours so intense, raked by
dramatic tree-shadows! Nature's Liturgy is
theatrical of course but to capture it in
camera! The audience gasped a quiet
applause.

The hide introduction - perfect timing for I
more insight into Eric's craft and intuition, i
preparing the feeding stations and pond
with what I think photographers call
"gardening". Some of the usual suspects
were thus bound to appear - Royal/real
command performances - Hare and
Squirrel ... but then - something landing on
the hide - a Purple Hairstreak butterfly - a
new record for the site!

Having admitted - "I have no garden at
home", this craftsman has all of nature as
his playground where with sagacity and
agilityhe records the fleeting moments of
an interaction between adult and juvenile
Great Spotted Woodpeckers - and that
confrontation between young lay and
Woodpecker. What do youngsters of the
wild world over make of it all? These are
not mere portraits of creatures but are
events in their lives which he shares with
us! even those marauding food theives, the
Pheasants are part of this wild garden
story, with a supporting cast of
Treecreeper, Spotted Flycatcher - all
stunning photographs.

A grand salmon beat worth £1.5M became
the final habitat for shooting - rapid
sequences of Skylark in songflight; a series
zooming in tight on a Reed Bunting; Sedge
Warbler; a pair of Ringed Plover on the
shingle shore; then for sheer beauty, a
Common Tern nesting in Lupins!

Renowned for his photography of
Insectivora his lens encounter with the
Mayfly "Yellow Sally" is a tour de force,
not just one alone but a mating pair! Other
interesting observed behaviour:
Mediterranean Gull male mating with
Common Gull in a colony - recorded in
the BTO archive, of course.

6

Scottish Bird News 88 (Jun 2008)

End with Kingfisher nest sequences on
motor drive? Of course he did! encored
by a Sand Martin taken by a Kestrel! then
for a final bow ... a Long-eared Owl with
chick. Applause invades the auditorium -
a wonderful wildlife experience with Eric
through his lens, priestly patience and
his words.

Duncan Watt

John Calladine Lang Stewart

lohn Calladine - Research Ecologist (BTO
Scotland)

Ptarmigan: can hill walkers survey
them?

In his usual engaging manner, John
described the BTO's "Project Ptarmigan"
carried out in summer 2006. This was no
ordinary survey undertaken by birders but
an innovative attempt to involve a group
of outdoor enthusiasts who meet upland
birds during their normal recreation - hill
walking. Being our only resident arctic-
alpine species at the southern limit of its
range, Ptarmigan are notoriously difficult
to monitor, with few birders venturing into
their territories on a regular basis. Hill
walkers pursue their hobby right across the
Scottish Highlands and this was a test to
see if a group of relatively inexperienced
observers could detect and count one
species in a relatively meaningful manner
(although over 40 additional species were
also recorded). We have surprisingly little
information about how this species reacts
to grazing pressure, disturbance and
climate change, the latter including
exposure and snow lie as well as rising
temperatures. John revealed that, after a
high profile targeting of the
mountaineering community, the response
was magnificent, with over 600 forms
returned and well over 1000 Ptarmigan
counted almost right across the species'
range. Both feathers and piles of droppings
were also noted, and counts of Red
Grouse were used to assess the proportion
of piles that might be attributable to
Ptarmigan (there being no way for most of

us to tell the difference!). Naturally there
are some drawbacks to this method of
gaining information, one being the
reluctance of some walkers to send in nil
returns. Another seemed to be spring snow
cover, which both birds (to find food) and
walkers (to walk more safely) may have
tended to avoid, thus resulting in a higher
encounter rate (the number of birds seen
per km of transect route). Nevertheless, the
distribution of Ptarmigan was not too
dissimilar to that determined during the
last breeding atlas in 1988-91. The
encounter rate was highest in the
Cairngorms and lowest from Breadalbane
to Argyll. It was also reassuringly similar to
rates found by professional ornithologists
and it showed that even simple methods
devised for non-ornithologists can yield a
significant result.

Norman Elkins

Sir John Lister-Kaye, OBE - Aigas Field
Centre

Song of the Rolling Earth

Naturally a birdwatchers' Conference
titled "Birds of Moor and Mountain"
would include some very detailed and
scientific papers on upland birds.
However our guest and final speaker, Sir
John Lister-Kaye chose to use his book title
"Song of the Rolling Earth" and embarked
on a very emotional, personal, and even
intimate celebration of his own experience
as a highland naturalist, and this is a very
wide experience indeed. In this company
of ornithologists, he boasted of being a
generalist not an — 'ologist'! This attitude
did not preclude some very minutely
accurate accounts of his history, his
commitment to oppose the funicular
railway project because of its threat to the
vulnerable Cairngorm Plateau and the
ensuing battles with the politicians of the
day. Battles! There was an invocation of
Culloden and the past clan system and a
dip into the sad history that has degraded

Sir )ohn Lister-Kaye Lang Stewart

our highland environment with the
progression from the clearances, to sheep,
to stalking and the grouse moor. The
blanket forestation of sitka spruce and the
mismanagement of the Flow country were
later mistakes. Sir John's hopes and
ambitions for the highlands were liberally
sprinkled with poetry quotations. Here is a
man steeped in the romantic poets ! Also
frequent references were made to people
like George Waterston, Roy Dennis, John
Love and Frank Fraser Darling; legends in
the eyes of the SOC. This was no sad tale
of things past to be mourned; no it was full
of hope, optimism and what is possible.
His venture into the future included some
surprisingly revealing anecdotes of his
beaver project with intimate insights into
his family life, notably with his daughter
Hermione and her adopting of his mantle
for the next generation. Yes this was
indeed 'A Rolling Song of the Earth', - and
why shouldn't our Conference be a
platform for its performance?

Campbell Me Lei Ian

Wendy Hicks holds the raffle Lang Stewart

After Wendy Hicks presided over the raffle
(which made £214) and the Mystery Bird
Quiz winner (Mark Hoi I i ng) was revealed,
Chris Waltho, SOC President, drew the
Conference to a close. He summarised all
the positive signs of improvement in the
conservation of wildlife which had been
voiced by the speakers, including also a
mention of the low points of raptor
persecution and the need in some areas
for better land management. He thanked
all those involved in the day's
proceedings, especially BTO Scotland and
Tayside SOC for their excellent hosting of
the event, the staff members involved and
notably Stephen Hunter for his sterling
struggles in keeping sound and vision
running smoothly throughout. Lastly he
wished delegates a safe journey home and
invited them to next year's event which
would be on 21st March 2009, in
Dumfries.

Jimmy Maxwell

Scottish Bird News 88 (Jun 2008)

7

Harry B. Macpherson on Balavil Estate with his ghillie lock Robertson Courtesy of Allan Macpherson-Fletcher

In Vol. 1 of Birds of Scotland (Forrester et
al. (2007), Norman Tait has written short
notes on some of the early Scottish bird
photographers. Here he takes more time to
give us a vivid account of one of them.

Open any recently published bird
magazine or bird book and you will be
presented with superb high-quality colour
illustrations of birds in action - singing,
flying and interacting. Gone are the static
portraits of birds sitting on eggs. However,
the pioneers of bird photography in the late
nineteenth and early twentieth century
were delighted to produce such images.
Cameras of that era were made of brass and
wood and they were bulky, cumbersome
and slow to operate. The standard format
was known as half-plate (4? X 6? inches)
and boxes of unexposed glass plates were a
considerable weight to carry around.

Emulsion technology was in its infancy and
the materials available were not very
sensitive to light. The bird-at-nest genre of
bird photography continued basically
unchanged until the 1950s when smaller
light-weight cameras, better film
technology and more powerful telephoto
lenses became readily available giving the
photographer the ability to stalk birds in the
field and to record many off-nest activities.

I gave a talk recently on natural history
photography to a local camera club. My
talk began with pictures taken by pioneer
Scottish bird photographers and
information about the trials and tribulations
which they had to endure to produce an
acceptable photograph. At the end of the
meeting I was approached by Zul Bhatia,
warden at the RSPB Lochwinnoch Reserve.
He enquired why I had not included the

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work of Harry Brewster Macpherson in my
talk. My answer was simple - I had never
heard of him! Zul then told me that when
he was warden at the RSPB Insh Marshes
Reserve he had made the acquaintance of
Allan Macpherson-Fletcher of Balavil. His
uncle was the aforementioned Harry
Macpherson who had photographed
Golden Eagles at their nest in 1909. An
illustrated book containing 32 photographs
and a detailed account of the photog-
rapher's time spent observing the birds'
behaviour at their eyrie was published
during the same year.

In the Mitchell Library catalogue in
Glasgow, I found Harry's book (ref. no.
D270887) and I was greatly impressed by
the intimate close-ups he had taken of the
eagles and by the great love and
understanding he showed for his subjects.
He writes: "The hindquarters of a rabbit,
freshly torn open and partially devoured,
was the only article of food in the eyrie,
and had been placed by the old birds
beyond the reach of the young. The cold,
however, was intense, and the dark
lowering clouds above foretold rain or
snow. This was a difficulty which I had not
foreseen, for, though the nest was warmly
lined with thick grass and heather, the
eaglets were extremely sensitive to cold. I
therefore covered them with my cap while
the camera was being arranged..."

The reproduction quality of the
photographs in the book was poor and I set
out to locate the original photographs. To
find out more about Harry Macpherson and
his photography, I contacted Allan
Macpherson-Fletcher who was delighted to
tell me about his uncle for whom he has a
great affection. A visit was arranged and I
was invited into his study where a large
leather-bound photograph album lay on the
writing-desk. The album contained
enlargements of Harry Macpherson's eagle
pictures - what a treat indeed! Sadly, there
were no pictures of Harry with his camera.
Apparently he was a quiet and unassuming
man who shunned publicity and was
known affectionately as "the Birdman of
Balavil". There were more surprises to
come. Harry had also photographed many
other bird species in and around Strathspey.

I found a treasure trove of unpublished
large, titled photographs of Dotterel with

Dotterel Courtesy of Allan Macpherson-Fletcher

Scottish Bird News 88 (Jun 2008)

chicks, Capercaillie and greyhen sitting on
their nests, nesting Black-headed Gulls,
Mountain Hares in winter pelage etc. Some
years ago high quality enlargements had
been prepared from the original glass plate
negatives for a display at the Clan
Macpherson Museum in Newtonmore
which featured Harry Macpherson's
pioneering wildlife photography.

Harry Brewster Macpherson was the 5th
Laird of Balavil, an estate situated north of
Kingussie (Badenoch & Strathspey).
Compared to many of his contemporaries,
he was an unusual landowner - he preferred
shooting with a camera and not with a gun!
Having acquired an interest in natural
history at an early age, he was involved
during the early years of the 20th century in
photographing birds and other animals.

In 1906 Harry decided that he wished to
study and photograph the Golden Eagle. He
and some ghillies searched the surrounding
area for three years before an accessible
eyrie suitable for photography was found
high in the hills near Gaick. Telephoto
lenses were not as powerful then as they are
today and it was necessary to work as close
to the nest as possible. Harry's first attempt
at photographing the eagles took place on
the 19th May 1909. He hid his camera
among stones near the nest and attached to
the camera shutter a long length of rubber
tubing with a pneumatic bulb at the other
end. The tubing was extended to a hiding
place out of view from the eyrie. A retreat
was then made to a distant vantage point
from which the nest could be viewed. After
some time the eagle returned to the eyrie.
Harry now had to make a very careful
approach to the selected hiding place and
squeeze the bulb to fire the camera.
Obviously the bird could not be seen by
him and only one picture could be taken by
this method. What was needed was a
"shelter" near the eyrie. On the 25th May
1909, he began the construction of a hide
on a nearby ledge where he excavated a
cavity, built stone walls on three sides and
constructed a roof of canvas, grass and
heather. Visits were made almost daily over
three months with Harry crouched in the

hide for periods of 12-16 hours. The poor
springtime weather in the high hills resulted
in rather long camera exposures of 1/1 2th
sec. at f8. This could not capture much
action without the subject being blurred.
The author also noted that some pictures
required a 10 sec. exposure in evening light
using an "Ultra Rapid Plate". This was only
possible when the bird stood motionless on

the nest when alarmed or suspicious.

The resulting photographs were the first
intimate portraits of nesting Golden
Eagles, ranging from the adult birds
feeding the young to the first flight
attempts of the eaglet. These unique
pictures appeared in a book entitled
Home-Life of a Golden Eagle (1909)
published by Witherby & Co. of London
as part of their Birdlover's Home-Life
series. A further quote from this
remarkable book shows how greatly
Harry was moved by his unique
experience. No one before him had been
so privileged. Not even Seton Gordon,
well-known for his life-long studies of the
Golden Eagle, had been able to study this
majestic bird in such detail because
Gordon did not use hides until after 1914.

Golden Eagle Courtesy of Allan Macpherson-Fletcher

"For the first time in my life I was now alone
with the eagles in a hiding place
commanding a view of the nest. The young
eagle was asleep and lay curled up, a mere
bunch of white down, in the huge structure.
The wind moaned in strange, piercing gusts
which echoed and re-echoed from the
rocks, and the burn roared furiously in spate
below. A frail wall of stones alone separated
me from the edge of the cliff, and through
my peep-hole I could see the mist rolling in

endless wreaths along the opposite face,
though as yet the nest itself was clear. An
hour passed by and still the eaglet slept,
protected from the drenching rain by the
ledge of rock projecting from above. At
1.30pm, a dark shadow flitted across the
peep-hole, and, peering cautiously out, I
saw the giant bird sitting on the ledge close
to the nest. The eaglet was now squeaking
lustily, but the mother had brought no food
and seemed restless, staying for only a few
seconds before she flapped away. Ten
minutes later she settled again on the edge
of the eyrie, and seemed quite unsuspicious
of my hiding-place. She was gazing
anxiously at the sleeping eaglet, and, with a
sudden rush of wings, the cock lit beside her
on the ledge. He had brought with him the
hindquarters of a rabbit which he carried in
one powerful foot. As if satisfied that all was
well, the pair retired, and I took advantage
of the interval to remove and clean the lens
which had become clouded with the mist
and rain. The dark slides also were swollen
with the wet, and the shelter was dripping in
several places, while I myself, soaked more
or less to the skin, was sitting literally in a
pool of water. "

Harry Macpherson was not the first
person to publish photographs of the
nest, eggs and young of the Golden Eagle.
That credit goes to Richard and Cherry
Kearton from Swaledale in Yorkshire. In
the early 1890s, they frequently visited
Scotland to photograph as many of the
Scottish birds' nest and eggs which they
could locate. Their aim was to illustrate a
book entitled British Birds' Nests. On a
visit to Mull in 1 893, they took pictures at
a Golden Eagle eyrie. When their book
was published in 1895, it was to be the
first natural history book produced in
Britain illustrated throughout with
mechanically printed reproductions
"taken from real photographs."

To successfully photograph such a shy and
retiring bird as the Golden Eagle, the
photographer has to be able to spend two or
three months devoted exclusively to such a
project. Harry Macpherson was in a unique
position to succeed. He had the time and
resources to locate the most suitable nest for
photography and the time to make a
detailed study of this iconic Scottish raptor.
Harry was the first person in Britain to
photograph the adult at its nest and he was
the first to publish a book about this raptor.
He may have published only one book but,
for its time, it was a remarkable
accomplishment. After World War 1, Harry
gave up natural history photography and
dedicated himself to gardening. One
wonders what he might have come up with
for a second book had he continued to
pursue his wildlife photography!

T. Norman Tati

Capercaillie brooding Courtesy of Allan Macpherson-Fletcher

Scottish Bird News 88 (Jun 2008)

9

Braeriach and Cairn Toul, Cairngorms

Scotland's uplands comprise some of our
wildest and most special places. Our great
upland landscapes are the product of
geological processes, climate and the
influence of man, who, since the last ice
age, cleared the great forests, drained
wetlands, established enclosures and
improved soils for grazing and cropping.
The arrival of the first settlers and eventual
establishment of basic agriculture was
commensurate with the loss and eventual
extinction of a range of grazing and top-
order predatory animals such as the Lynx,
Bear and Wolf. Whilst change has been
continual, the rate of change has probably
never been greater than in the last 250
years, when people were cleared from the
more fertile upland areas, game
management commenced and much more
recently, forestry and agriculture all came
to dominate the way we use the land.
Despite the popular belief that our hill and
mountain areas are wild or even
wilderness areas, it is clear that what
remains is very much the product of the
interaction between people and the land.

Today our uplands, face ever-greater
challenges with near unprecedented
changes in climate likely to impact on
people and the land. A strange thing
climate change! On the one hand, the
effects are often presented to us as near
insurmountable, indeed often worse.
However, despite such gloomy
predictions, we fail to make any sort of
meaningful changes to the way we use
and manage the land and indeed live our
lives. Are we in denial or is it simply than
the scale of the task is beyond our compre-
hension? Governments, for example, tend

]ill Matthews

to think on a short-term basis, thereby
failing to articulate the sort of long-term
vision, essential to underpin the rationale
for the way we use our uplands both now
and in the future. This lack of leadership
and action is hardly helpful.

Over the last two years, the RSPB has been
working to develop a vision for the uplands,
to clarify how we manage our estate. Over
a third of our entire estate, which extends to
some 140,000 ha, is in the uplands of
Scotland. In developing a vision, we
recognise that we need a clear description
of how we want the uplands to be used and
managed as a whole, and of course, to
share our ideas with the full range of
stakeholders with an interest in the uplands.

Scotland's uplands comprise approxi-
mately 70% (5.7 million ha) of the land
cover of Scotland and include iconic
landscapes, including both the Cairngorms
and Loch Lomond & Trossachs National
Parks and a number of wonderful National
Scenic Areas. Of course, there is much
more to our uplands than stunning views!
These places support an array of habitats
and species, many of which are of interna-
tional importance, and are afforded special
protection measures such as Sites of
Special Scientific Interest, Special Areas of
Conservation, Special Protection Areas and
Ramsar sites. Some very special areas are
managed specifically for nature conser-
vation (e.g. National Nature Reserves), but
in the main our protected areas are
managed for a range of different objectives.

The Scottish uplands comprise an array of
special habitats including, internationally

important blanket bog, upland heaths
(including heather moor), the Caledonian
pine woods, oak and birch woods and of
course freshwater habitats such as the
lochs and rivers that are such a charac-
teristic feature of the Scottish landscape.

Special birds are at the heart of our
uplands. Here we find an array of birds, a
number of which are red-listed as Birds of
Conservation Concern, Annex 1 species
under the EC Birds Directive and UK
Biodiversity Action Plan species. Scotland
also has it's own biodiversity listings.
These include iconic birds like Black
Grouse, Black-throated Diver, Golden
Eagle, Dotterel, some woodland specialists
like Scottish Crossbill and Capercaillie and
a number of other threatened birds
including Common Scoter, Ring Ouzel,
Twite and a suite of rare breeding birds like
Red-necked Phalarope, Slavonian Grebe,
Snow Bunting and Wood Sandpiper and of
course the much maligned Hen Harrier.
Our list of special birds also includes a
number of widely dispersed species that
are declining in some areas e.g. Curlew,
Dunlin, Golden Plover and Lapwing.

Whilst many of our upland birds are
declining, some such as the Black-
throated Diver, Golden Eagle, Merlin and
Peregrine are perhaps doing better and
some are even increasing following long-
term re-introduction work. Surely, we
should strive to do all in our power to
secure the status of our most special
birds, in the face of a changing climate
and any associated land use change.

Table 1 overleaf summarises the current
status of some of our key upland birds. For
a full account of how birds are faring in the
uplands, the reader is urged to read the
SOC's superb 'The Birds of Scotland' .

m SACs gf

m spas

Uplands •

The British Uplands showing SPAs and SACs

10

Scottish Bird News 88 (Jun 2008)

Upland farmland, Donside Ian Francis

Our uplands are special! In addition to the
wealth of natural capital these places hold,
the Scottish uplands are places where
people live and work, many actually
associated with management of the land
itself. Wherever we look, both above and
below the ground, there is evidence of past
settlement, in the shape of former dwellings,
signs of cultivation and of course more
obvious signs of ancient societies (e.g.
brochs, standing stones). We must also
acknowledge that some areas were formerly
more heavily populated in the past.

So how are our uplands currently used and
what sort of impacts are these land uses
having on our uplands? The principal land
uses in our hill and mountain areas are hill
farming, game management and forestry.
These land uses, along with tourism and
service-provision, are the bedrock of the
rural economy in the uplands.

Farming

Over thousands of years, farmers have
cleared and improved the land, through
establishing enclosures, removing trees
and scrub, draining wet areas, improving
soils, establishing cultivation and rearing
livestock, principally sheep and cattle.
Throughout the UK, our upland areas are
designated as Less Favoured Areas (LFA),
mainly because of the nature of the terrain,
low soil productivity and distance from
markets etc. The difficulty of farming

profitably in the uplands is recognised,
through the provision of associated public
support or subsidy. In Scotland, farmers in
the Less Favoured Area receive roughly
£61 million in LFA payments. Farming is
also supported via the Single Payment
Scheme and via a range of other support
measures, such as agri-environment
payments. In the Highlands and Islands,
much of the area is farmed less intensively
under crofting tenure.

Game management

Large parts of the Scottish uplands are
managed for red grouse shooting, deer
stalking (principally Red Deer) and game
fishing (Salmon, Sea Trout, Brown Trout).
In Scotland, the sporting management
rights are often held separately from other

land management rights, with the result
that rights-holders may have different
management objectives. This can result in
conflict between farmers, crofters and
game managers. A hill farmer seeks to
manage large areas of hill land (heath and
bog), perhaps using fire, to secure spring
grazing for sheep and cattle. The game
manager on the other hand may use fire to
create a more intricate patchwork of
heather across a whole landscape for the
benefit of red grouse. Deer managers may
sometimes hold numbers of deer that are
incompatible with livestock numbers or
indeed with the wider biodiversity interest
of an area. Deer may encroach on better
land, damage crops and compete with
livestock for grazing. The impacts of deer
on biodiversity, through grazing

Table 1. The status and population of Scotland's priority upland birds

Species

Status (distribution & population)

UK Population

Scottish Population

Black grouse

Historic decline across GB. Range contracting and numbers declining

5,078

3,344

Black-throated diver

Numbers increasing but population vulnerable

217)

217

Capercaillie

Conservation activity confined to woodland in Scottish Highlands

1,980

1,980

Common scoter

Historic decline in Scotland & Northern Ireland.
Scarce breeder (<100 pairs)

52

52

Curlew

Major declines across large parts of UK

107,000

71,871

Dotterel

Confined to montane zone. Particularly vulnerable to climate change

510-750

510-750

Dunlin

Declines in some parts of range

9,150-9,900

?

Golden eagle

Historic decline. Persecution currently limiting distribution

442

442

Golden plover

Mixed fortunes

22,600

?

Hen harrier

Historic decline. Persecution limiting distribution in parts of range

806

633

Lapwing

Declining

156,000

91,159

Merlin

Population recovering after historic declines

1,100-1,500

800

Peregrine

Increasing following historic decline. Persecution remains a
threat in some areas

1,402

592

Red grouse

Declining where moorland management has ceased in
SW England, Wales & Northern Ireland

155,000

?

Red-necked phalarope

Scarce breeder (<100 pairs)

31

31

Ring ouzel

Declining, particularly at edge of range. Some declines in
Scotland in core parts of range

6,157-7,549

4,300-5,500

Scottish crossbill

Conservation activity confined to woodland in Scottish Highlands

300-1,250

300-1,250

Short-eared owl

Population fluctuates

1,000-3,500

?

Slavonian grebe

Scarce breeder (<100 pairs)

39

39

Snow bunting

Scarce breeder (<100 pairs)

70-100

70-100

Twite

Range contracting and numbers declining

6,300-14,600

5,600-13,800

Wood sandpiper

Rare breeder (< 1 0 pairs)

4-8

4-8

Scottish Bird News 88 (Jun 2008)

11

Black Crouse (RSPB Images)

(browsing) and trampling are well
documented, as are the impacts of the
game manager (particularly grouse moor
manager) on birds of prey. Throughout
Scotland, the illegal persecution of birds of
prey is a persistent problem, with evidence
that the breeding success and population
of Golden Eagle, Hen Harrier and
Peregrine Falcon are all limited in grouse
moor areas by illegal killing. The
widespread killing of some of our most
special birds remains a key issue and a
major obstacle to more positive dialogue
about the role of the game manager in the
uplands. The reader should note however,
that other problems in the uplands also
required to be tackled.

Forestry and woodland

The establishment of the Forestry
Commission in 1919, triggered a major
expansion in woodland cover, particularly
in the uplands. Huge areas of forest were
established in the southwest of Scotland,
the northern and central Highlands. Large
areas of semi-natural open habitat, partic-
ularly, bog, heath and rough grass, were
lost along with the range of birds these
open habitats supported. In some areas,
remnant patches of native Caledonian
pinewood were lost or surrounded by new
plantations, thereby threatening their long-
term viability. In Scotland, we now have
an estimated 1.3 million ha of woodland,
the vast majority of which is in the
uplands. It is fair to say that losses of open
habitats would have been even greater,
had more game managers decided to

invest in trees rather than grouse and deer.
These are more enlightened times. It is
important to acknowledge that the
Forestry Commission Scotland and the
private sector are committed, along with
others, to the expansion of the Caledonian
pine forest, the protection of important
deep peat soils and the recovery of iconic
woodland birds like the Capercaillie and
Black Grouse.

This then is the backdrop to our thinking.

It is not clear what the future holds for hill
farming, game management and forestry.
What is clear is that the recent
formalising of access right, the desire to
develop renewable energy, particularly
from wind and perhaps biomass and an
increasing awareness of the importance
of peat soils (especially deep peat soils),
in terms of carbon storage and uptake, is
likely to further raise the stakes in the
uplands. A changing climate and market
reforms, with associated changes in
support for hill farming support further
complicate the issue.

Any discussion about change must
embrace an understanding of the current
pattern of land use, the well being of local
people and of course the wider interests of
society as a whole who derive so much
from the uplands. It is also important to
consider any desired change in the context
of both the past and the future, particularly
predicted changes in climate.

What do we want?

Perhaps predictably, we want to reverse
the declines of some of our priority
upland birds. This may not be an
appropriate aspiration for all birds,
particularly those that currently breed in
highest densities in more degraded or
intensively managed areas of bog and
heather moor. Here, I think we need to
try to secure sustainable populations. We
must also continue to work with others
to bring iconic wildlife back to those
parts of Scotland where it is missing, as a
direct consequence of mans activity. This

means we need to develop a more
enlightened approach to the role of
predators, particularly our birds of prey,
some of which continue to disappear, die
and breed unsuccessfully in large parts of
our countryside, particularly those areas
managed for driven grouse shooting. We
need to be much more innovative in our
approach.

We want to deliver our biodiversity
commitments (and more) and restore
degraded habitats, from valley bottom to
mountain top and to manage habitats in a
way that allows wildlife to flourish. We
need to do this urgently to ensure that our
habitats are in the best possible condition,
thereby giving them the best chance to
survive the rigours of a changing climate.

We also want something more fundamental.

As we have seen, large parts of the uplands
are managed for a variety of objectives
(farming, game management, forestry). Yet
these same areas are where much of our
drinking water is gathered, hold vast
reserves of peat, are at the heart of an
expanding wind-energy industry, are home
to our special wildlife and of course are at
the heart of Scotland's out door leisure,
recreation and visitor economies. We
urgently need a more integrated approach to
land-use policy and a fit-for-purpose suite of
support measures that supports and sustains
land-use that delivers the full range of
benefits that are important to our physical
and spiritual well being. Land use and land
management go hand-in-hand. Farmers, j
game-managers and foresters manage land
at a landscape scale. Our birds require a
variety of habitats at a scale that fits their
ecological requirements. In the main, our
birds require habitats that are diverse in :
structure, composition and species. Current
management practices such as livestock
grazing and muirburn are clearly important ;
land management tools. We must graze and
burn wisely and strive to ensure that we do
use these tools it is not to the detriment of
our important soils, water quality and more
sensitive habitat types.

As we have seen, upland land use is
underpinned by public support. We would
suggest that it is time to call a halt to those
public support measures that sustain
management activity that currently
degrades or threaten the natural capital of
our uplands and would prefer public
support to be directed at management that
delivers a range of public benefits. Such
support may also be central to the
maintenance of land management skills
and practice in the uplands.

The vast majority of Scotland's land is in
private ownership, though a significant
area is in the hands of public (Scottish
Governmentt, Scottish Natural Heritage,

Woodland landscape near Ballater Ian Francis

12

Scottish Bird News 88 (Jun 2008)

Forestry Commission Scotland) and quasi-
public bodies like National Trust for
Scotland, Scottish Wildlife Trust, RSPB
Scotland and )ohn Muir Trust. Is this land
currently managed in a way that optimises
the delivery of public benefits? It is surely
important to lead by example and to
develop models that really work both for
people and place. We need these
examples to demonstrate that a multi-
benefit approach can work.

To be true to our cause, I think we need to
be bold, challenge some sacred cows and
work in new and innovative ways to find
the necessary solutions to secure an
upland renaissance. Scotland can play a
key role here, embracing change, leading
by example and helping to develop policy
that meets the future needs of the uplands
in a truly holistic way. Our uplands and

the amazing birds they support are truly
special. It is surely up to all of us who love
these special places to argue for change
and to press policy makers to deliver the
sort of policies that will help sustain the
uplands for future generations to enjoy.
Local people, people who work in the
uplands and people who visit the uplands
are all central to any debate about the
future. Together, we need to find a way to
re-vitalise our uplands for the benefit of
society as a whole.

For a copy of "The Uplands - Time to
change", please see: www.rspb.org.uk/
ourwork/conservation/projects/uplands

Pat Thompson,

RSPB Uplands Conservation Officer
( patrick.thompson@rspb.org. uk )

for birds
for people
for ever

THE UPLANDS

Time to change?

Birds of Scotian

©

The photograph above shows a copy of
‘The Birds of Scotland' being presented to
the Presiding Officer at the Scottish
Parliament on 25 March. This was the
copy that we presented to Mike Russell
MSP at the launch in January, for the
Scottish Parliament Information Centre.
The photograph shows - left to right: Peter
Peacock MSP (who proposed the
Parliamentary motion welcoming the
publication of The Birds of Scotland), Alex
Ferguson MSP (Presiding Officer), Mike
Russell MSP (Minister for Environment)
and Chris Waltho (SOC President).

If you would like to invest in a copy of this
historic publication, the following options
are available:

Buy a copy: BS3 is now available 'over the
counter' at Waterston House, Aberlady (this
way more profit accrues to SOC), and from
Viking Optics, 101 Rose St. Edinburgh.
Order by Post: See SOC website for Order
form, or contact SOC for details.

Order by phone: You can order by phone
if you pay by debit/credit card. Call the
SOC on 01 875 871 330; please have your
card details ready.

For those who have yet to invest in these
splendid volumes, we are now
reproducing below two of the bird profiles
featured in BS3 as a sort of taster which
should illustrate the quality which so
many SOC members and others are now
enjoying. We have decided on the Little
Egret, a species fairly rare here at the
moment, but heading north fast; and the
Jay, a bird not very common anywhere but
it is interesting now to see exactly where it
can be found.

Scottish Bird News 88 (Jun 2008)

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body - 2008

Corra-gheal-bheag
Records: c. 150
UK Amber List
RBBP A

World range and taxonomy

Old World. Six subspecies. Nominate garzetta formerly bred
only in southern Europe, North Africa and Asia, east to
China and Japan, but its range expanded in western Europe,
reaching the north coast of France, and breeding in England
from 1996. The other subspecies breed in Africa, south-east
Asia and Australasia. Populations in much of the eastern
Palearctic mostly migrate to more southerly latitudes in
winter, but outwith Palearctic zone, are mainly resident.

Habitat

Nests colonially in trees and bushes by marshy lakes, rivers
and lagoons. Within Scotland mostly seen in estuarine and
coastal areas, often on open shorelines on sea lochs. Also
follows rivers on its migration, with a few individuals
appearing at inland lochs.

Scottish range, distribution and status

Little Egret is a rare, but increasingly frequent, vagrant to
Scotland. It is mostly seen in spring, from late April to mid-
June, but is also very rarely noted in autumn and has
overwintered.

The first Little Egrets were seen in Scotland in 1954 when
four reports, involving at least two birds, came from Comrie
(Perth & Kinross) (Crawford 1955), Clyde, Sutherland and
Shetland. Early records were erratic, with seven in 1954-61,
a small peak of 16 in 1969-75 and then eight in 1981-84.
Only after 1986 did it become an annual visitor, and further
distinct increases came in 1993 and 2002.

Well over half of occurrences are during May and June,
with many individuals wandering around the country
during the summer months, prior to departure by October.
Overwintering on the milder south-west coast, on the
Solway Firth (Dumfries & Galloway), appears to have
occurred during 1972/73 and again in 1991, perhaps
through to 1996. One third of all records come from south-

14

Scottish Bird News 88 (Jun 2008)

west Scotland, favouring such sites as Islay (Argyll) and the
Solway coast and estuaries. Birds usually occur as singles,
but there were four at Lochdonhead, Mull (Argyll) from 12
October to 20 November 1969 (Norwell et al. 1970) and
three at Caerlaverock (Dumtnes & Galloway) on 31 May

1995. Away from the main haunts, recording area firsts
occurred rather late, e.g. Borders (1998), Badenoch &
Strathspey (1998) and Upper Forth (2002). Few have been
seen in Fife, and those in Perth & Kinross are centred on
Vane Farm where it has become a regular visitor since the
mid-1990s. One was found dead at Loch Portain, North
Uist (Outer Hebrides) on 29 October 1969, with the
specimen at Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery,
Glasgow (GLAMG Z. 1969.78).

The frequency of sightings in the Northern Isles has
increased only slightly, with five in 1954-79 and 14 in
1981-2003. Observations are equally split between Orkney
and Shetland, though there have been none in Orkney
since 1998. Fair Isle still awaits its first. After records in
1955 and 1969, sightings in the Outer Hebrides have been
regular since the mid-1980s and total 16. There are 11
occurrences in the North-west Highlands: Sutherland
(1954, 2000, 2004), Caithness (2004), Ross & Cromarty
(1981, 2000) and Skye, Lochaber & Lochalsh (1981, 1986,

1996, 1998, 2000).

Britain lies at the northern limit ot the Little Egret’s range
in Europe, but this has expanded northwards, possibly as a
result of a series ot mild winters. For many years it was a
vagrant across the whole ot the Britain, but numbers
increased sharply in the early 1990s, and it first nested on
Brownsea Island, Dorset in 1996. In 2001, c. 100 pairs bred
at 18 sites in the UK; and in the following autumn 2,700
were counted, and numbers have continued to increase
(Brown & Grice 2005). A local autumn count in Essex and
north Kent in 2004 found 1 ,065 birds. It is therefore hardly
surprising that numbers recorded in Scotland showed a
sharp increase during the last decade ot the 20th century,
albeit on a much reduced scale compared to southern
England, and it is possible that this species will increase
further as a migrant, perhaps eventually breeding, should
milder winters persist. The only limitation to its spread
would appear to he in the availability of optimal foraging
habitats with abundant suitable prey. In searching for
potential breeders, long-staying birds should be looked for
in early spring, initially amongst existing heronries located
in close proximity to suitable feeding habitat.

Additional references

Campbell (1968), Henderson (1954), Miller & Willmett
(1971), Smith et al. (1962), Voisin (1991).

Author Angus Hogg

Lead editors Ian J Andrews and Bernie Zonfrillo

Distribution by recording area of Little Egret in Scotland,
1954-2004

30 --
25 -

aicnaicn<ncn<T><naiCTio

Annual occurrence of Little Egret in Scotland, 1950-2004

35

J FMAMJ JASOND

Seasonal occurrence of Little Egret in Scotland, 1954-2004

Scottish Bird News 88 (Jun 2008)

15

Eurasian Jay

m

RB Category A

G. g. rufitergum Hartert

'

Eurasian Jay, Ballathie Estate (Perth & Kinross), September 2004 © Wildscotphotos/Eric McCabe

Jay

Sgreuchag-choille

Breeding: 6,000-10,000 pairs

Winter: 20,000-40,000

Main threats: persecution by gamekeepers.

World range and taxonomy

Palearctic and Indomalaya. Thirty to 40 subspecies. Breeds
throughout much ot Europe, North Africa, and central and
southern Asia: rufitergum in Britain and France; hibernicus in
Ireland; nominate glandarius from France to Scandinavia east
through northern and central Europe; and severtzowi from
Fennoscandia to western Russia. Other subspecies occur in
southern and eastern Europe, in North Africa and in Asia.

Usually sedentary, although some northern populations
regularly move south during winter, and many populations,
particularly those nesting at higher latitudes, are subject to
irruptions, mainly in years when there is a failure of the
acorn crop.

Habitat

A bird of both deciduous and coniferous woodland,
regularly seen in large estates. Acorns are an important part
ot its diet, so highest densities often occur in oak woodland.
Rarely observed in areas ot open countryside.

In many areas, such as Lothian and Borders, mixed and
deciduous woodland hold most birds (SE Atlas). Fewer are
found m conifer plantations unless there are deciduous
woodlands nearby, although in North-east Scotland many
remain throughout the year in coniters, including
plantations ( NE Atlas I). Upland oakwoods are often used
for grazing and sheltering domestic livestock, and lack the
dense cover in the shrub layer needed for nesting. This
requirement for some cover could provide an explanation
for the tendency to nest m conifer woods and feed in
nearby deciduous woods (G Shaw pers. comm.).

Its habit ot harvesting and caching acorns and other seeds is
well known. These seeds, often transported considerable
distances, are likely to play a significant part in the spread ot
oak and other broadleaved trees, as a proportion buried are
never retrieved. As well as acorns, also eats hazel nuts,
beech, various invertebrates including beetles, carrion, and
m some areas visits garden peanut feeders.

16

Scottish Bird News 88 (Jun 2008)

Scottish range, distribution and status

Eurasian Jay is a local resident throughout much of the
Scottish mainland, south of the Great Glen
(Lochaber/Inverness). Highest breeding numbers are found
in the southern Highlands of Perth & Kinross and Angus &
Dundee, around Loch Lomond (Clyde) and in central
Argyll. Birds are highly sedentary, but occasionally large
groups have been recorded and vagrants on offshore islands,
which probably originate from outside Scotland.

Sibbald mentioned Jay in his list of 1684, and at about the
same time George Archibald recorded it in Dumfriesshire
(Gladstone 1910a). It was common during the early 19th
century, but decreased being exterminated from much of its
range due to persecution by gamekeepers (Lumsden 1876,
B&R, Historical Atlas). Numbers subsequently increased
during the early 20th century following a reduction in
persecution (B&R. Thorn).

In the early 21st century, the breeding range stretches from
Borders and Dumfries & Galloway northwards to Highland,
North-east Scotland and Moray & Nairn. A large
proportion of the population is found along the southern
boundary of the Grampian Mountains from Argyll and
Loch Lomond across much of lowland Perth & Kinross.
The Scottish population is highly sedentary, with very few
records outside breeding areas, especially on islands. Birds
occasionally seen outwith these areas may well be
continental immigrants. The secretive nature of this species
often means that it is only noticed when it calls, and this
may hide the true extent of its distribution. Over recent
centuries Jay, like most other crows, has been subjected to

\

)

G/ Ul / H-

Breeding and winter distribution of Eurasian Jay in Scotland

considerable persecution, to protect the eggs and young of
game birds (Thom). As a result, although there has been a
very gradual spread and increase in numbers since the
1970s, its current distribution does not fully reflect its
natural range.

Breeding has been regular in Ayrshire and Upper Forth,
and in Clyde, although it was first confirmed breeding in
Renfrewshire as recently as 1990 (Clyde BR). In Moray &
Nairn, Jays were only recorded on 14 occasions in the
period 1980-90, but by 2002 there were thought to be over
100 occupied sites in Moray, with breeding confirmed at
some and suspected at many more. Breeding is also
increasing in Nairn (Moray & Nairn BRs). and it is assumed
that the source of these birds is the Deeside population,
which in the 1980s also spread into Donside (both North-
east Scotland). The Fife population is mainly found within
the south-west, central and northern areas, the parts which
have most of the preferred deciduous/mixed woodland
habitat. Jay was recorded in 27% of Fife tetrads during the
1990s, although it was noted that the overall scarcity of
habitat was responsible for a low density (Fife Atlas).

The expansion of birds in the heavily-keepered Lothian
and Borders is clearly shown by comparing the breeding
range between the Breeding Atlas 1 where birds were
reported from just 13 of the 10-km squares in 1968-72 and
the SE Atlas where they were seen in no fewer than 34
squares in 1988-94.

Within Highland, the species has expanded its range since
the mid-1980s when it was described as a vagrant (Dennis
1984), though breeding appears to be restricted to
Inverness, Badenoch & Strathspey and Lochaber, and is
only rarely confirmed. Jays are regularly seen at certain
locations, such as Roy Bridge (Lochaber) and Strathfarrar
(Inverness), but with small influxes occasionally noted it is
not clear to what extent these occurrences involve local
breeding or passage birds. In August to December 2003 a
notable influx of at least 25 birds was recorded in Inverness,
Lochaber and Badenoch & Strathspey, with a further two
in Ross & Cromarty and a single in Sutherland. These
observations were spread throughout the year and peaked
with an unprecedented six birds at Insh Marshes (Badenoch
& Strathspey) on 5 November.

Annual occurrence of Eurasian Jay in Lothian, Borders and
Moray & Nairn, 1979-2004. Note: the Moray & Nairn data
refer to the breeding season only

Scottish Bird News 88 (Jun 2008)

17

There are areas in north and west Scotland where Jay is
almost unknown. Prior to the 2003 invasion there were
only three records in Sutherland: one at Dornoch on 23
September 1944, one in the Borgie Forest on 3 July 1975
and another in Assynt in May 1998. The first two birds may
have been of continental origin (Vittery 1997a). In Shetland,
there are only two records from Halligarth, Unst on 26
August 1861 and 3-4 also on Unst at Baltasound sometime
in the 1890s (Saxby 1874, Venables & Venables 1955). A
claim from Fair Isle in mid-May 1940 was unconfirmed
(Dymond 1991). There is one sighting from Orkney, a bird
on North Ronaldsay on 1 1 May 1967 (Slater 1967b). There
are only two records from Islay, in 1969 and 1970, three
from Mull (both Argyll) and none from Skye (Skye &
Lochalsh). It remains rare in Wester Ross (Ross &
Cromarty), and there are no recent occurrences in Caithness
(Manson 2002) or the Outer Hebrides.

There have been 15 ringing recoveries of Jays in Scotland,
but only one involved a movement of more than 6 km, a
bird marked in Dirleton (Lothian) on 24 November 1983
was retrapped in Chester-le-Street, Durham on 13
December 1986, 155 km to the south south-east. All the
other 14 records tend to confirm the sedentary nature of Jay
in Scotland.

Large gatherings of Jays, of local origin, have been noted in
years of good acorn crops. Birds can travel several
kilometres from the source of acorns to the caching site,
and have been observed roosting in large numbers (S J Petty
pers. comm.). Such gatherings include 18 at Endrick
Mouth (Clyde) on 7 October 1979, 28 in Devilla Forest
(Fife) in August 1996 and 17 at Fincastle (Perth & Kinross)
on 7 August 1999 ( SBRs ).

Irruptions of Jays into Britain from the north and central
European populations, believed to be due to acorn failure,
occurred in 1955, 1977 and 1983 ( BWP ), though there is
no clear evidence of any arrival of birds in Scotland in
either 1955 or 1977. In 1983 there were large movements
in southern Britain during September and October, with
smaller movements at the same time in some parts of
Scotland (John & Roskell 1985). Birds were seen along the
east coast. In Borders there were eight at St Abb’s Head on
24 October, seven at Ayton Castle on 28 October and
seven at Eyemouth on 18 November. In East Lothian,
where there had been only three previous records in the
20th century, counts included seven at Dirleton on 12
November and six at Tyninghame on 17 November. A
large movement then took place at Dirleton on 25 January
1984 with 45 noted flying west in parties of 6-20 in one and
a half hours and a total of 80 on the following day. These
were probably birds going to roost (M W Fraser pers.
comm.). Additionally, in 1982, a year before the large
national influx, an astonishing 320 birds were seen on 17
October prior to roosting near Penicuik (Lothian), with
123 still present on the following day (Young 1984).

It was suggested that birds in the large 1982 roost near
Penicuik may have been of continental origin (Young
1984). The 1983 sightings in areas of Lothian and Borders,
where Jay is otherwise rare, together with the old Shetland
records, suggest that continental birds, most likely nominate
glandarius, can reach Scotland. However, the species shows
a great reluctance to cross even narrow stretches of water,

and there is no ringing evidence to confirm that the 1983
movement in Britain included any continental birds (John
& Roskell 1985). Scottish observers should also be aware of
the possibility of hibemicus from Ireland reaching our shores.
There are, however, no positive records in Scotland of any
subspecies other than rufitergum.

Breeding cycle

Jay is believed to be monogamous and to pair for life, so
many adults will not have to seek a mate at the onset of the
breeding season, but begin defending an already-established
home-range. Ranges tend to increase in size during spring
and overlap witli those of neighbouring pairs (Rolando
1998). This does not, however, preclude the formation of
social gatherings of up to 20 birds in early spring. Such
groups are presumed to be unpaired birds, though the cause
of these gatherings, which take place with other crow
species, has not been established.

Nest building begins in early spring, from mid-March
onwards with the nest sites often in thicket-stage
broadleaved and coniferous woodland (S J Petty pers.
comm.). In plantations, nests are often just below or just
into the canopy, and always against the main stem (G Shaw
pers. comm.). Jay is single brooded with a clutch size
averaging 5.5 eggs, though sometimes as high as ten (BIVP).
The incubation period lasts 16-17 days. Broods average
four and the young normally fledge in three weeks. In
Britain, the first eggs are usually laid from mid-April to
early June, but in Scottish forests birds are mostly seen
carrying food in June and July, which indicates a slightly
later season, probably reflecting the later flush of caterpillars
(G Shaw pers. conun.). Adults are also often seen taking
large black slugs Avion ater to feed the young. It is difficult
to find fledged broods in conifers, and family parties first
become noticeable in late July and August, when they
move out to exploit tree fruits; cherries are a particular
favourite. Dates of records of the only family parties
recorded in Lothian and Borders since 1990 are as follows:
31 May, 15 August, 29 June, 10 July, 4 July, 3 July and 16
August ( Lothian BRs, Borders BRs). Given its sedentary
nature, post-breeding dispersal is very limited.

Population

There were estimated to be 160,000 pairs in UK in 2000 of
which, based on frequency index data from Breeding Atlas II,
7,000 pairs were considered to be in Scotland (BiE2/BTO).
The Scottish population has, however, never been fully
surveyed and estimates vary considerably within areas
where attempts have been made to count birds. For
example, the breeding population in Fife was estimated at
600-1,000 pairs during 1991-99 ( Fife Atlas) and within
Dumfries & Galloway, where it is a common breeding bird,
estimates range from 400 to 2,500 pairs (P N Collin pers.
comm.). Perth & Kinross is considered to be the single most
important area for Jay in Scotland; there the population is
estimated at some few thousands of pairs and considered to
be stable (R E Youngman pers. comm.). The estimate for
Lothian and Borders during 1988-94 was 125-150 pairs ( SE
Atlas). Taking into account the smaller numbers present in
Highland, North-east Scotland and elsewhere, the breeding
population is probably within the range 6,000-10,000 pairs.
Based on this, a wintering population of 20,000-40,000
birds is likely.

Scottish Bird News 88 Hun 2008)

Trends

A range expansion occurred in the second half of the 20th
century. In particular, there have been signs of population
growth since the 1980s into or within Lothian, Borders,
Fife, North-east Scotland and Moray & Nairn. Taken
together with evidence of a northerly expansion within the
Highland area, including the first breeding record for
Badenoch & Strathspey in 2003 (. Highland BR), these
developments suggest that this shy and retiring bird is
returning to many of its original breeding areas in Scotland,
and possibly some new ones.

This expansion is likely to have been the result of a general
reduction in keepering and of the increase in forest cover.
The significant increase in plantation forests since 1920 has
created new habitats suitable for Jay since the 1960s, albeit
at low density. This has probably been the major factor in
the expansion; importantly, many of these new woodland
habitats are free from persecution (S J Petty pers. comm.).

Threats

Jay is one of a small number of quarry species that can
legally be controlled, and this is reflected in the fact that
almost three-quarters of all ringing recoveries in Britain are
of birds deliberately killed (Migration Atlas) . Despite the role
it plays in the regeneration of broadleaved trees and shrubs,
persecution by gamekeepers still remains a serious local
problem in many areas, including where it is scarce. Were
persecution to stop, this far from common species would
benefit. There seems no reason why Jay should still be a
prey species, and it seems appropriate that it should now be
given legal protection.

Gaps in current knowledge

Little work has taken place on Jay in Scotland and most of
what we presume of its life history is based on studies that
have taken place elsewhere. There is in particular a need for
the Scottish population to be surveyed; even in areas where
regional breeding atlases have been published, the
population estimates are imprecise.

Determination of the proportions of birds nesting in
coniferous and deciduous woodlands would be of value, as
would assessments of density levels in different habitats.
Some work is also required on the diet of Jay in woodland
habitats lacking oak. Nothing is known about the
relationship between birds using neighbouring ranges,
whether territorial behaviour is exhibited, or about spacing
requirements between pairs in differing habitats. The extent
to which recolonisation and expansion of range in recent
decades is linked to reduced persecution is unknown.

Additional references

Alston (1913), Bossema (1979), Cramp et al. (1960),
Gladstone (1912b), Madge A Burn (1994), Rowallan (1958).

Author Alastair F McNee
Lead editor Ron Forrester

Scottish Bird News 88 (Jun 2008)

19

NOTES & COMMENT

Some off-beat camera
opportunities

Frank Stark regularly contacts us from
Lewis where he photographs wildlife of all
kinds. As usual his sightings are a shade
unusual - he writes... I have attached a
shot that I took last summer of a Buzzard
catching an eel. I came over the brow of a
hill and disturbed the bird while it was
"fishing" in a small stream at the foot of
the glen. As it flew away from me, you can
clearly see the eel twisting around the
Buzzard's leg as the bird holds the
wriggling fish tightly in its talons. The
second picture of the Hooded Crow was
quite unexpected; I had put out apples on
a tree to attract Redwings and the resulting
visitor was a bit bigger than I had in mind!
The third photo was really a split - second
chance to catch a Heron being mobbed by
a local Herring Gull.

Frank Stark

Heron and gull Frank Stark

(Eds. - any notes of interesting sightings,
especially with photos, are very welcome)

Injured wing detail

Thom Bird

On the 1 3th August 2006, Shona Quinn and
I were ringing passerines in the North
Haugh Constant Effort Site, Strathclyde
Country Park, Motherwell. During a net
round, we caught a juvenile Bullfinch -
nothing unusual about this, however when I
was taking the bird out the bird bag, I felt a
sudden sharp pain in the palm of my left
hand. It would be unknown for a Bullfinch
to normally inflict any damage to your
hands so I was a little surprised. Once out of
the bag however I found a large Hawthorn
thorn sticking through the bird's wing!

On closer inspection, I saw that the thorn
had entered the wing from the underside,
passing between the radius and ulna and
out the other side, projecting some 6mm or
so from the outer surface of the median
coverts. At the entry site there was a
collection of dried serum and pus, scabbing
over the wide end of the thorn (see photo).
Clearly this was not a recent injury.

Bullfinches are not the strongest of
creatures, but after some discussion we
decided it would be better to at least try to
remove this from its wing in case it became
infected or got tangled in vegetation. After
carefully loosening the scab we were able
to push the thorn back through from the
outer wing to the underside. The wound
was clean and there was no bleeding. The
thorn measured 14mm in length (see
photo) and was fairly fresh.

We can only conclude that this had
happened while the bird was exercising as
a well grown chick, perhaps while close to
the nest in a Hawthorn bush, and had
been able to break the thorn off the branch
to get free. It is not uncommon for us to
catch birds that have survived previous
injuries e.g. missing leg, ruptured eyes,
fractured mandibles etc., but this is a very
unusual injury and we have never seen
anything like it previously. The bird was in
good physical condition and flew off
normally upon release.

lain Livingstone & Shona Quinn
Clyde Ringing Croup

lain Livingstone

The thorn lain Livingstone

Nuthatch feeding on Birch sap

An interesting bit of feeding behaviour was
observed involving the Dalzell Nuthatches
mentioned in SBN 87. My attention was
drawn to Blue Tits flying to and from a tall
slender Birch which had brown staining
down the bark. It appeared that they were
taking sap from the surface. The Nuthatch,
which was breeding nearby, joined in this
behaviour, supping the liquid from various
cracks in the bark surface. Sap is
mentioned as a food item in BWP but I
had never witnessed it being taken before.
Incidentally, this pair of Nuthatches is the
latest of four successful pairs breeding in
the same woodland - still the only known
breeding incidence in Lanarkshire.

Jimmy Maxwell

Nuthatch sap-feeding Lang Stewart

20

Scottish Bird News 88 (Jun 2008)

Reaction of Blue Tits to
Woodcock

During February and March 2006,
Woodcock, probably wintering birds,
flushed on five occasions as I made my
way through open damp woodland; at
Camghouran, Rannoch on 25th February
(one bird), at the confluence of the Rivers
Tay and Tummel on 2nd March (two birds)
and at King's Myre, near Murthly on 18th
March (One bird, three times). On each
occasion Blue Tits immediately alarmed,
in a manner resembling their reaction to a
bird of prey.

Ron Youngman

Caption Competition

Provide a caption for the bird picture
below and have a chance of winning an
SOC item. Each SBN edition will feature a
new photo. The winner and other best
captions will be shown in SBN 89. Send
your single caption by E-mail to:
jimmy.maxwell @virgin.net (or of course
by mail to the SOC - see Page 3)

Mallard and Cormorant )im Scrimgeour

The winning Caption from SBN 87 (see
photo below) came from Hugh
MacDonald with - "Right you two! Her
Majesty's inspecting the swans now." Well
done! Other runner-ups were - "Make out
you haven't seen her" - Nick Carter and
"Why are we bowing to him? He's not a
King Eider!" - A. John Parsons.

Ducks Stewart Love

A Raven mask from the Tlingit Inuit (Eskimo) in NW Alaska

Ornithological Folklore
5. The Raven

One of my favourite birds - they nest in the
wood above my house. The folklore of the
Raven is rich and diverse, being found
from China to Alaska and throughout
Europe and the Middle East. The
companion of Munro tickers, regarded by
deer stalkers as a herald of good luck on
the chase if they hear a Raven croak,
nonetheless in much folklore and fable it is
a bird of doom, the herald of death. The
Raven 'is hoarse that croaks the fatal
entrance of Duncan under my
battlements' [Shakespeare, Macbeth, Act
1 , Scene 5].

The Raven is a carrion eater, and given
Man's propensity to kill other men over the
ages, the bird's association with the dead
strewn over the battlefield has been a
factor in developing its bad reputation.

One of the oldest poems in the Scots
dialect, The Twa Corbies, begins:

As I was walking all alane
I heard twa corbies making a mane ,

The tane unto t'other say
' Where shall we gang and dine today 7

'-In behint yon auld fail dyke
I wot there lies a new-slain knight;

And naebody kens that he lies there ,

But his hawk, his hound and lady fair'.

'His hound is to the hunting gain,

His hawk to fetch the wild-game hame,
His lady's ta'en another mate,

So we may make our dinner sweet'!

Corbie is the name given to Ravens in
Orkney, Shetland and northern Scotland,
deriving from the Latin name Corvus, which
dates back to middle English and Old
French. The Celtic goddesses, the Badbh
[the Raven of battle] and the Morrigan have
the ability to shapeshift into the form of a
Raven. Badbh lingers on in Scots folklore as
Cailleach, a dreadful hag, who may appear
as a Raven and whose day is March 25th.
The Raven mask [C.19] originates with the
Tlingit Inuit [Eskimo] in N.W. Alaska. The
Raven print is by John James Audubon, Plate
101 in the Birds of America.

Michael Thomas

Print by John James Audubon - Plate 101 in the
'Birds of America'

(ggg>

Scottish Bird News 88 (Jun 2008)

21

BOOK REVIEWS

BBi 1 907-2007
British Birds
interactive.

BirdGuides Ltd,

2007. DVD.

This DVD contains all the
contents of 100 volumes of the British
Birds journal - Vol. 1 (1907-08) to Vol.
100 (2007). For a full description of this
product, including example screens,
readers should visit the BirdGuides
website at http://www.birdguides.com
/products/bbi/default.asp. In this review I
will concentrate on my first impressions
of the software, how easy it is to use, and
whether it does what it says on the tin.

The software runs on most modern
operating systems (Windows Vista,
Windows XP, Windows 2000, Mac OS X
1 0.5.x and Mac OS X 1 0.4.x) and uses the
same design as successfully used for
BWPi. The download process was simple.
I operated the software direct from the
DVD drive, which made for a slower but
quite acceptable operating speed.

Once downloaded, it is hard to know
where to start! It is amazing to suddenly
have 100 years of information at your
fingertips - a whole groaning bookshelf
encapsulated in your computer's memory!
So how easy is it to extract that bit of
information that you want? Well, quite
easy. Searches can be carried out via four
main indexes - BB volume/year number,
All species index, Topic index or BWPi
Species Index. I made use of all these
search tools for browsing through articles
on single species or certain years. No
more traipsing back and forward from the
library desk to find the right shelf and
volume number! In addition, the Features
menu offers a keyword search function. I
found this tool to be the most effective at
pulling out the most exhaustive list of
articles, notes etc on your subject. Filter
tools enable you to narrow your search to
view only full articles, illustrations,
photographs etc.

When you click on a subject of interest,
a window appears containing an exact
replica (pdf file type) image of the first
section of the article, with a useful index
to the article alongside it with the main
subject headings and references, so these
can be quickly accessed. Frustratingly,
the window doesn't show the whole
page width of the article. To do this you
have to Right-click on the article and
select the Open with Acrobat option.
Once you've learnt this trick, then you're
flying. The acrobat image is just like

reading the pages of BB, complete with
all diagrams, tables and photographs.

Would I buy 66/? Definitely. This product
is an invaluable tool for accessing the last
100 years of history of British Birds, and
will provide a valuable starting point for
anyone carrying out research on British
Birds well into the future. Had it been
around a few years ago it would have
been a great help to the authors of BS3. I
look forward to the day when we can
access Scottish Bird Reports and Scottish
Birds in the same format.

Clive McKay

Scottish Bird Records Co-ordinator, SOC

Ornithological Tales, An Introduction
to the birds on the Isle of Bute.

Michael Thomas OBE,

Illustraters/Photographers Various. The
Buteshire Natural History Society
ISBN 0 905812 1 5 8, A5 Paperback
(Condensed from 4 volumes), £5.00
plus £1 .50 p&p.

As the author says, this is not an identifi-
cation guide to the birds of Bute, however it
does contain a very useful checklist, by
season, of the birds found on Bute and this
book is a series of "Tales" about those birds.
There are about forty tales covering about
sixty species. They give useful background
to the occurrence of the birds within Bute
as well as more general information on
their position within Great Britain as a
whole. The visitor is also provided with the
best sites to observe the birds.

One feature of the book is the literary
references which pepper the tales -
bringing to life some of the historical
appreciation of our birdlife. This highlights
the author's obvious enjoyment of both
birds and literature. This charming little
book can be dipped
into again and again to
both inform and
entertain.

Available from The
Buteshire Natural
History Society, Bute
Museum , 7 Stewart
Street, Roth say, Isle
of Bute, PA20 0EP.
William Torrance

ORNITHOLOGICAL TALES

AN INTRODI II

BIROS ON Tilt ISLF. °r

MICHAEL THOMAS OBE

RSPB Secret Lives of Garden Wildlife.

Dominic Cousins, Illustrated by Peter
Partington. A&C Black ISBN 978-0-
7136-8534-3, A4 Paperback, £14.99.

This is one of a series which includes
Secret Lives of British Birds and Secret
Lives of Garden Birds, all by the same
author/illustrator combination.

The book looks at the
behavior of the
common and

occasionally less
common garden
wildlife in an
unusually accessible
style, imparting
intriguing
information about
individual species and their

interactions with other species. The
chapters are by organised calendar month
and well-illustrated, and an index is

included. If you are interested butterflies,
wasps, ladybirds, creepy crawl ies, what
animals one may hear on a winter night,
conservation gardening or many other
topics, you are likely to find them here.

There is a substantial amount of
information about birds including sections
on migration, territorial squabbles,
survival and "goodies and baddies"
amongst others. Whether you are new to
wildlife or just enjoy a look at life from a
different perspective, this is very pleasant
book to read.

Jean Torrance

Birds of Tiree & Coll , John Bowler &
Janet Hunter 2007. Paircwood
Publishing, Isle of Tiree, ISBN 1-
905601-01-8 (softback), 208 pp, 16
pp of colour photos.

The book is divided
into three main
sections - 27 pages of
introductory chapters,
the main species
accounts (168 pp)
and 1 0 pages of
Appendices.

Useful introductory chapters provide
information on Geography, Habitats, Birds
Through the Seasons, Where to see Birds
and other Wildlife and Birds and Local
Folklore. A Bird Chart summarises the
monthly occurrence of the main species
on both islands.

The species accounts are very thorough.
Broad margins provide space for species'
Gaelic names and status statements, as well
as "off the shelf" RSPB line drawings for
many species. Seasonal occurrence of
scarcer species is neatly summarised by
means of simple tables of total number of
monthly records. The colour plates portray
a nice mix of the islands' characteristic
species, as well as a nice selection of
rarities photographed on the islands. This
mixture of species is the essence of the
islands' bird fauna, which is well described.

22

Scottish Bird News 88 (Jun 2008)

The Appendices include useful lists of the
non-bird groups found on the islands -
mammals, amphibians, dragonflies,
butterflies etc, as well as full bird
checklists and a useful update of
recent/unconfirmed rarities.

At long last, we now have a worthy
successor to the Birds of Coll & Tiree
(Stroud et al. 1989). Much new
information has been gathered over the
last 1 5 years on the birds of Tiree and Coll,
partly as a result of the presence of full-
time RSPB staff on both islands. If you're
visiting the islands, this book will tell you
what you're likely to see, where to go to
see it, and will put your sightings into an
overall context. This is a well thought out,
well-presented and well -researched book,
and the authors can be rightfully proud of
their achievement in bringing us up to date
with the unique bird life of these two
beautiful and unique islands.

Clive McKay

Birds of Essex, Simon Wood 2007.
Helm ISBN 978-0-7136-6939-8 rrp
£40.00 Hardback.

This informative and readable book is
another entry in the Helm "County
Avifauna" series and is a hefty 585 pages
(648 including appendices). This series
follows a standard format with details and
ranges of all species recorded in the county.

Several estuarine areas of International
Importance to migratory and wintering
wildfowl are to be found in Essex. The
county is diverse in habitat and rich in
birdlife but in parts is only a stone's
throw from London and the pressures of
urbanisation.

The individual species accounts cover the
200 years to 2004. They are supple-
mented by frequency charts and line
drawings and are well
supported by the
introductory sections on
weather, habitat and
history, by the
prehistoric fossil record
and by extensive
appendices, including
records for 2005.

lean Torrance

Mew Holland European Bird Guide.

Peter Barthel and Paschalis Dougalis,
2008 New Holland, London. ISBN
9871847731104 191 pages,

Paperback £10.99.

It must be quite brave for a publisher to
launch yet another field guide considering
the variety already available, but it quickly

becomes obvious that
this is a worthy
newcomer. The book is
pliable and pocketable,
contains over 1 700
good illustrations, a
colour-coded guide for
quick reference
making the index
almost superfluous,

18 pages explaining orders and
families, plus a useful 13 pages devoted to
song and calls for selected species.

While covering Europe, each species has
its British presence defined although the
breeding distribution maps are of only of
marginal use due to their very small size.
This is a really comprehensive compact
book, which comes with a feel-good factor
exemplified by its competitive price.

Keith Macgregor

Finding Birds in Ireland: The

Complete Guide, Eric Dempsey &
Michael O'Clery 2007. Gill &
Macmillan ISBN 978 07171 3916 3
Soft back 20 euros.

FINDING 1 Away from the long-
1 established hireling hot

spots of the island of
Ireland, a great part of
this lovely country is

virtually unknown
territory to the average
Scottish birdwatcher.
Much has changed
during the past fifteen
years and this new guide is just one
example of how dynamic the birding

scene is in Ireland these days. This

comprehensive and beautifully illustrated
reference guide covers over 400 of the
best bird-watching sites in Ireland, north
and south. Arranged by county, each site
has a grid reference, coloured maps and
detailed directions. A colour-codec! "best
time to visit" chart is a very useful quick
reference, as are details of the key species
present at different times of year.

This is a very user-friendly site guide, packed
with essential information and no birder
visiting Ireland should be without a copy.

David Clugston

RSPB Pocket Guide to British Birds

Simon Harrap 2007 Helm ISBN -1 3:978-
0-71 36-8707-1 Paperback £4.99.

This book is aimed at beginners of any age,
and on the whole it does a good job within
that scope. The 13-page introduction
covering general topics is well done. The
distribution maps, covering only Britain
and Ireland, are more detailed and easier

to interpret than in any European guide,
though their apparent precision may
mislead beginners. The text is generally
clear, the illustrations are mostly good, and
if about 10% are not, that is not abnormal.
Species with limited British ranges are
mostly omitted, e.g. Crested Tit (!), Twite,
Cirl Bunting, and Black-throated. Diver, but
Snow Bunting and Red-throated Diver are
in. It really is a pocket
book at 170 x 116 x
12mm, and at £4.99 is
probably the best value
you will get. But if the
beginner's interest
develops they will grow
out of it in a couple of
years whatever their
age.

lohn Law

/

RSP6POCKCT GUIDE TO

BRITISH

birds

Where to Watch Birds in France

Philippe J Dubois (editor) 2006
Christopher Helm 0-7136-6980 Pbk
£16.99.

The first English edition of this 'Where to
Watch' was published in 1992. This very
substantially revised work appeared in
French in 2004, and is the result of the
submission by a substantial number of
local experts: there are 337 sites covered
in all, about a third in greater detail with
maps. All the obvious ones are there, and
many others that you might not find
otherwise. It is in a fairly standard form,
giving some basic information about each
site, how to get there and suggested route,
and what might be seen at various times of
year. I have detected one or two minor
additions, perhaps from the personal
knowledge of Ken Hall and Tony
Williams, the translators.

We have used the French edition each
year since its appearance, and found it
very useful (albeit with occasional
problems with French bird names). I
therefore have no hesitation in
recommending the English translation. My
only criticism, perhaps, is that it is
arranged alphabetically by French region.
This is quite natural for the French, of
course, but does require some knowledge
of the regions, and departments within
them, to use. A north to
south arrangement might
have been easier.

However I can see that
this would have

involved more work
and cost, as the layout,
including placing of
sketch maps and line
drawings, is identical
in French and English
versions.

fohn Dai

Scottish Bird News 88 (Jun 2008)

8 3 15-8

Paperback
£16.99

Birdwatchers bound
for Spain are very
well served by guides
to finding birds there
- the recent Lynx
catalogue lists eighteen books, including
this one. The volume covers 200 sites in
Andalucia, Extremadura and Gibraltar.
The information provided is very
complete. Excellent maps, web-site
information, advice on timing visits,
disabled facilities, hints on where to stay,
and a commendable discussion of conser-
vation issues in this country where
economic and tourist development tends
to sweep all before it. This area of Spain
still has some wonderfully rich and
unspoilt habitats in which to locate
regional specialities such as Ruppell's
Vulture, Andalucian Hemipode, Red-
knobbed Coot, White-rumped and Little
Swift. A concentration of Spanish Imperial
Eagle, the great wintering flocks of Cranes,
and some prime migration watching sites -
this is probably the best birdwatching in
Western Europe, with a guide to match.

This book must be in your ruck-sack when
you next board a Cheepo airline to the
land of sun, sangria and marvellous birds.

Michael Thomas

Birds of Argyll, ap Rheinal It, T., Craik,
I.C.A., Daw, P., Furness, R.W., Petty, S.J.
& Wood, D. (eds.) Argyll Bird Club.
2007. Argyll Bird Club ISBN 978-0-
9557777-0-7 2007.

Bob Furness, The Cnoc,

Tarbet, Arrochar,

Dunbartonshire G83
7DG. ISBN 978 0
9557777 0 7. 424
pages, Fdardback £45.

Available from Bob
Furness, The Cnoc,

Tarbet, Arrochar,

Dunbartonshire G83
7DG. Tel: 01301

702603, Email: r.furness@bio.gla.ac.uk

Over the years there have been several
accounts of the birds of particular parts of
Argyll, eg Iona and Mull, Mid Argyll and
Colonsay. This is the first book devoted to
Argyll as a whole and reflects the growth
in bird recording that has taken place
mainly due to the formation of the Argyll
Bird Club in 1985 and incorporates 25
years of bird records published in the
Argyll Bird Report.

This is an A4 full-colour hardback book of
over 400 pages. There are introductory
chapter on Argyll and its habitats and a

24

very helpful chapter on where to watch
birds in Argyll giving grid references and a
bird list for each site.

The main part of the book contains
accounts of the 328 species recorded in
Argyll and reflects the authors' compre-
hensive knowledge of the local wildlife
and habitats. There are many high quality
photographs taken by local photographers,
both amateur and professional. There are
also excellent black and white drawings by
Philip Snow and Margaret Staley.

The species accounts vary in length
depending on whether the bird is
commonly seen in the area. For example,
the entry on Golden Eagle covers two and
a half pages illustrating the fact that Argyll
holds some 20% of the Scottish
population. By contrast, the entry on the
Hobby has two paragraphs as it is an
occasional visitor to the area.

This is an excellent book and is an
invaluable contribution to bird conser-
vation and management of their habitats.
It will be welcomed by bird watchers from
all over the world who visit the area.
Indeed it will surely encourage others who
have not yet visited Argyll to do so - soon!

Doreen Main

The Ornithologist's Dictionary by

Johannes Eriritzoe, Kaj Kampp, Kevi
Winker and Clifford B Firth. Lynx
November 2007, ISBN 978-84-96553-
43-9, Paperback, 290 pages, £13.50

The alternative title to this intriguing,
compact volume is "or Ornithological and
Related Technical Terms for Layman and
Expert" which defines the book itself. The
definitions therein are concise and readily
understood. I haven't counted, but the
cover notes claim that in excess of 5000
English (in all its varieties) ornithological
terms are defined.

Definitions recognize and cross reference
American and English usage. Whilst some
of the information in this book might be
obtained from a multitude of sources such
as the internet, this volume is compre-
hensive, authoritative, readable and very
interesting It is even illustrated with a
black and white sketch 'illuminating' each
letter of the alphabet.

lean Torrance

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION LIBRARIES

1

|

1 1

3 90

o

00

00

1445 1

3483

The Page 2 photograph is of:
flying Barnacle Geese

ISBN 0268-3199

Scottish Bird News

Scottish Bird News is the magazine of the
SOC. It acts as a channel of communication
for SOC members and disseminates
information relevant to Scotland's birdlife. It
is published four times a year in March,
June, September and December. Articles
and notices are welcomed and should be
sent to the Editors at the address below no
later than five weeks before publication. The
views expressed are not necessarily the
policy of the SOC. Contributors should note
that material has to be edited, often at short
notice, and it is not practical to let authors
see these changes in advance of publication.

The Scottish Ornithologists' Club,
Scottish Birdwatchers' Centre,
Waterston House, Aberlady,

East Lothian EH32 OPY.

Tel: 01875 871330
Fax: 01875 871035
E-mail: mail@the-soc.org.uk

The Scottish Ornithologists' Club (SOC) was
established by a group of Scottish ornithol-
ogists who met together in the rooms of the
Royal Scottish Geographical Society in
Edinburgh on 24th March 1936.

The Club now has 2200 members and 14
branches around Scotland. It plays a central
role in Scottish birdwatching, bringing
together amateur birdwatchers, keen birders
and research ornithologists with the aims of
documenting, studying and, not least,
enjoying Scotland's varied birdlife. Above all,
the SOC is a club, relying heavily on keen
volunteers and the support of its membership.

Fleadquarters provide central publications
and an annual conference, and houses the
Waterston Library, the most comprehensive
library of bird literature in Scotland. The
network of branches, which meet in
Aberdeen, Ayr, the Borders, Dumfries,
Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness,
New Galloway, Orkney, St Andrews,
Stirling, Stranraer and Thurso, organise field
meetings, a winter programme of talks and
social events.

The SOC also supports the Local Recorders'
Network and the Scottish Birds Records
Committee. The latter maintains the 'official'
Scottish List on behalf of the Club. The Club
supports research and survey work through
its Research Grants.

The Club maintains a regularly-updated web
site, which not only contains much
information about the Club, but is also the
key source of information about birds and
birdwatching in Scotland. SOC is a
registered Scottish charity (no SC 009859).

www. the- soc. org. uk

Passwords to access members' web pages
on the SOC web site:

'white' & 'wagtail'

Scottish Bird News 88 (Jun 2008)