What is a ranger rendezvous I hear you ask?, well it was the largest gathering of rangers in Scotland which took place near Aberfoyle earlier in the month and I was able to go along. The event took place over three days and was an opportunity to network with other rangers as well as discuss the various issues affecting rangers and the work they do. It was very interesting to see the wide variety of work that rangers do throughout Scotland and it was also encouraging to hear from Environment minister, Mike Russell, that rangers have an important role in delivering key government strategies. I also came away from it with a huge sense of achievement in terms of how far the Galson Estate ranger service has come in such a short space of time, which was great.
After a much needed holiday I am now back and catching up with the goings on in my absence and it seems the rabbits have been as active as ever whilst I was away and whilst we have a network of people now shooting them it will take some time to see significant results. In terms of the other wildlife it has been quite busy, there are now plenty geese around and the machair is covered in Lapwings, Golden Plover and turnstones, I’ve also seen a few ringed plover on the beaches and I’ve heard a few curlew too. Lots of snow buntings and redwings around, definitely beginning to feel more like winter now!
The big project ongoing at the moment is Mink trapping which is being carried out by those involved in the Hebridean Mink Project. I’m not personally involved in the trapping but I am in regular contact with those overseeing the project and I am also a member of the forum group which meets to discuss the project and provide feedback from the community. Although the project is set to run for a number of years yet it is anticipated that around 80% of the islands Mink population will be eradicated in the first couple of years.
Also received an interesting e-mail on my return form holiday regarding the little goldcrest I mentioned in my last blog. Curiously it would seem that it was almost 4 years to the day since the last report of a Goldcrest in almost exactly the same situation. Seems that every few years Swainbost shop is a popular destination for goldcrests passing through, maybe on the lookout for a bargain or two!!!
