BCMESL prepared a restoration
plan for an operational peat extraction site in South Lanarkshire
for the Scotts Company (UK) Limited in autumn 2005. As a result
of this existing contact, soon afterwards he was commissioned to
undertake survey of roosting Bean Geese, (Anser f. fabalis),
at Fannyside Muir, on the Slamannan Plateau, North Lanarkshire after
the same client had purchased this site in December 2005. As a result
of the purchase the client had been advised by SNH of their intention
to designate the site on the basis of the roosting Bean Geese interest.
The survey approach consisted of firstly establishing that Bean
Geese did indeed roost on the clients’ landholding, and secondly,
recording this on a regular basis, in terms of the actual numbers
of geese using various sites for roosting purposes on a nightly
basis. Dawn or dusk counts were undertaken, and feeding birds were
also located away from the roost sites during the day in 2005/2006.
BCMESL deployed suitable qualified ornithologists, worked alongside
Dr Peter Reynolds, employed by Environ, who were also commissioned
to undertake similar work in 2005/2006, and liaised closely with
both the client team and with others including SNH and the Bean
Goose Action Group. 20 – 25 field day visits and 30 half days
respectively were involved in the 2 winters. The survey findings
were reported on a fortnightly/regular basis, and a report for each
winter period was also compiled. This and other documentation provided
impartial data and guidance, although the client had vested interests
in using this information obtained to support their case against
designation of the site as SSSI and SPA. Subsequently, BCMESL has
continued to provide any necessary ecological guidance and expertise
to Scotts.
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