'Peesie' way to help out waders
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SUPPORT is on offer to help farmers and land managers around Tomintoul and Glenlivet improve habitats for wading birds such as lapwing, curlew and redshank which are suffering an alarming nationwide decline.
The Peesie Project has a rush topper and weed wiper available for loan to farmers to manage rushes on their land, creating better conditions for feeding and nesting birds as well as improving grazing for livestock.
Funding is coming from the Heritage Lottery Fund through the Tomintoul and Glenlivet Landscape Partnership.
The area is a hotspot for breeding waders such as lapwings, known locally as Peesies, and curlews, both species that are suffering huge declines across the UK.
In 2017, 1097 hectares of farmland across eight farms – the equivalent size of 1000 football pitches – was home to 300 pairs of breeding waders including 182 pairs of lapwings, 67 pairs of oystercatchers and 26 pairs of curlews.
Karen Cunningham, conservation officer for RSPB Scotland, said: "Tomintoul and Glenlivet are two of the few remaining hotspots for breeding waders in Scotland.
"Managing the habitat by enhancing existing wet grassland can create better conditions for breeding waders and give them the best opportunity to thrive. The topper and weed wiper we have available over the autumn and winter months can be used to improve areas which are infested with long, rank rushes before the birds return in the spring."
Lynn Cassells, TGLP's Land Management Officer, commented: "This equipment is a great resource for farmers in Tomintoul and Glenlivet, which will benefit farmland waders.
"It is available for loan to farmers annually between August 1 and March 1 for a small administrative fee, and subsidised training is being arranged so that farmers are certified to use the weed wiper."
The project also involves creating shallow muddy 'scrapes' which provide important feeding sites for waders and their chicks during the breeding season. Some of these scrapes can be seen in front of the recently constructed bird hide at Tomintoul, another product of the Peesie Project, where visitors can view waders in the spring and summer and other wildlife all year round.
A demonstration event is being held on Saturday 29th September to find out more about the Peesie Project and view the equipment available for loan.
The event is being held at the Tomintoul Bird Hide, next to the Field of Hope, Tomintoul from 9am to 11am.
* For more information contact Polly Freeman on (01807) 580350 or email PollyFreeman@cairngorms.co.uk
