So, Kate and I have finally recieved our licences from SNH, which allow us to work closely with the Slavonian Grebes, which are a Schedule 1 species. This means that they have the highest level of protection that a species can have, and so it is illegal to disturb them in any way, especially during the breeding season, unless you are granted a licence to do so. Since we are carrying out important research on this rare breeding species, we have been given licences which allow us to photograph them on their nests, and to disturb them (which we will have to do in order to find the nests and set up the cameras). We will be carrying out nest searches next week, so that we can install the nest cameras as soon as possible, so that we can make sure to catch any signs of predators and to research the effects that all this rain and high winds is having on the grebe nests. We already know that a few nests have been washed out on other lochs as the water level rose too high and carried the eggs away. A terrible loss for this species, as every nest is precious due to their low numbers. But hopefully it is early enough in the season for them to re-build, and re-lay. As far as I know, all of the nests at Ruthven are ok, but I guess I'll find out when I go back tomorrow! Finger's crossed!
Last week Kate, Stewie and I completed the first full loch survey of the season! This involves walking around the edge of the entire loch and noting down any species that we see or hear, paying special attention to the Slavonian Grebes and the number of pairs of the grebes. This survey gives us a good idea of the number of pairs using the loch, as well as how many are nesting, and whereabouts they are nesting, which gives us information on their habitat preferences, as well as providing us with knowledge of which other species use the loch for feeding and breeding.
Completing the survey was fun, but pretty hard going! For the first quarter or so we had to trudge through mud by the sedge beds, which I managed to get stuck in! I sank in up to knee level and have to be rescued by Kate! But then we moved onto stony ground which was more slippery, but much easierto walk on, although we did have to wade through a channel waist deep to get there! So I ended up with my waders full of freezing cold loch water, but at least I didn't fall over in the loch! Anyways, the survey showed that we might have 12 pairs of Slavonian Grebe on the loch this year!! A brilliant result, as there were only 6 pairs that bred here last year! However, we are still analysing the maps, so we're not too sure on the number of pairs yet, but I'm hoping that 12 will be correct!
Whilst on the survey, we managed to see and hear some pretty good birds, like a Tawny Owl calling, a Red Grouse calling, a Greylag goose with 7 goslings, Sedge Warblers singing in the reeds, a Spotted Flycatcher, and we even saw a Short-eared Owl hunting over the grassland near to the loch while we were driving back to the office! We still have 2 more of these surveys to complete over the next 2 weeks, as well as having to find nests so that we can install cameras, as well as all of my regular work. In addition to this, we are having a visit from the RSPB Scotland Committee (very important people within the RSPB) this week, so I need to prepare for that! So it looks as if I'm going to become a very busy person in the next few weeks, as the breeding season kicks off at the loch! Wish me luck!
On the home front, everything is going well! I'm getting on well with both of my housemates, and enjoying living in Inverness, although I still don't really know many people. But I've started going to yoga once a week with two of the girls from work, and I'm planning to start up bird ringing again in the next few weeks as well! Also, if I get the time and I'm not too tired I might start volunteering with the SSPCA (like the RSPCA, but Scottish) on the weekends, as they have a re-homing centre close to where I'm living! Would be nice to spend some time playing with cats and dogs (but mostly cats)! I think that's about all that's happening at the moment, I'll update again soon if I get a chance to, so keep checking back!
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