Consultation Report on the Management Plan for Glasdrum Wood

National Nature Reserve 2013– 2023

For further information about Glasdrum Wood NNR please contact: Reserve manager Scottish Natural Heritage 1 Kilmory Industrial Estate Kilmory Lochgilphead PA31 8RR United Kingdom Tel: 01546 603611 Email: nnr@snh.gov.uk Web: www.nnr-scotland.org.uk

Consultation Report on the Management Plan for Glasdrum Wood National Nature Reserve 2013 - 2023

This report provides a summary of all the comments received during the consultation on the Reserve Proposals for Glasdrum Wood NNR. It details SNH’s response to the comments and any changes we will make to the Management Plan of the reserve as a result.

Contents 1. Consultation Background

1.1 Overview 1.2 Main issues and Proposals 1.3 Purposes

2. Consultation Process

2.1 Consultation strategy 2.2 Consultation methods 2.3 Consultation audience 2.4 Timetable for the consultation

3. Outcomes of Consultation

3.1 Number of responses and attendance at drop-in sessions 3.2 Summary of responses 3.3 SNH response to main issues

4. Conclusion Annex 1 Table of comments received and SNH responses

1 Consultation Background 1.1 Overview

In ‘Openness in Ownership’ (1999) SNH made a commitment to consult on all Management Plans for NNR’s. In order to fulfil this commitment for Glasdrum Wood NNR we have consulted on our draft Management Plan. It is SNH policy for all NNR’s to have a current Management Plan.

1.2 Main issues for the consultation

The key issues for consultation have been split into two sections, Natural Heritage Management and Management for People. The objectives reflect our proposed management for the reserve and are listed below.

1.21 Natural Heritage Management

We will aim to manage the woodland to improve the age classes and tree species diversity whilst maintaining suitable habitat for important woodland communities. We’ll do this by:

preparing and implementing a Deer Management Plan in communication with our neighbours;

monitoring herbivore impacts and woodland change over time;

maintaining important lichen glades for rare lichens and establish monitoring of lichen distribution and colonisation, as well as mapping scrub encroachment into glades;

maintaining important glades and corridors for butterflies – creating links between core breeding and feeding areas;

mapping and monitoring the extent and condition of butterfly habitats and continuing long-term monitoring of important butterfly species

using information gained from long-term monitoring to inform adaptive management in response to climate change and help maintain biodiversity within the woodland

1.22 Management For People

We aim to encourage local people and visitors to enjoy and appreciate the natural heritage on the Reserve. We would also like to encourage the local community to become actively involved in the management of the Reserve. We’ll do this by:

reviewing and upgrading the signage, trail markers and reserve leaflet within the next 3 years;

exploring a variety of media to inform people about Glasdrum Wood NNR and provide up to date information including providing downloadable material on butterflies and lichens;

providing at least one guided walk per year for targeted groups and at least 5 demonstration events over the course of the plan showing best practice adaptive management for lichens and butterflies;

offering volunteering opportunities – either single days or longer-term to individuals and work parties

continuing to work with local contractors and providing familiarisation visits to Glasdrum Wood NNR for local tourism service providers

supporting more use of the reserve by local schools

1.3 The purpose of the consultation The consultation set out SNH’s proposals for the management of Glasdrum Wood NNR and invited views and comments. These will be used to help form the Management Plan for the reserve which will be the blueprint for the management of the site for the next ten years (2013 – 2023). The key objectives of the consultation are summarised below:

To provide opportunities for stakeholders to understand the significance of the reserve and the reasons for the management options being put forward;

To gather the opinions of stakeholders on SNH’s proposals for management of the reserve;

To provide a foundation for a productive relationship between reserve staff and the local community.

2. Consultation process 2.1 Consultation strategy

The consultation ran for a six week period between 3rd June and 15th July 2013. A leaflet detailing the main proposals and objectives for the management of Glasdrum Wood NNR for the next 10 years (2013-2023) was produced. This leaflet also contained a short questionnaire with 4 questions (detailed below) and a general comment section for respondents to fill in. This section could be returned to the local SNH office by Freepost and an email address was also offered for comments. The 4 questions on the leaflet were as follows:

1. How do you think we can make Glasdrum a more enjoyable place to visit – local people and tourists?

2. What local community activities/involvement would be of interest to you? 3. Would you like to continue to be involved in our thinking about Glasdrum’s

species and habitats? 4. Is there anything we haven’t included in the plan that you would like to see?

2.2 Consultation audience and methods

The identified audience for the consultation included key stakeholders comprising of neighbouring land holders, local community councils, local schools, Argyll and Bute council, Butterfly Conservation and several ecological experts. A guided walk on the reserve was offered to the general public and stakeholders on Sunday 16th June. This was followed by an open drop-in session at The Creagan Inn that afternoon with drinks and cakes on offer for attendees. Stakeholders were invited to the event by letter or email. The event was also advertised in the local area on posters and through the proposal leaflets that were distributed around the local communities. An advert for the event was also placed in the Oban Times newspaper.

3. Outcomes of consultation 3.1 Number of responses and attendance at events/meetings

A total of 4 responses were received as part of the consultation. Two of these came from identified stakeholders, one each from Butterfly Conservation and Argyll and

Bute Council’s Local Biodiversity Officer respectively. The other two responses came from members of the local community who attended the guided walk and subsequent drop-in session. Received comments are detailed in Annex 1. The guided walk at Glasdrum Wood NNR was attended by 2 stakeholder representatives and 8 members of the public. The open drop-in session that followed at The Creagan Inn was attended by 2 stakeholder representatives and 7 members of the public, all of whom attended the guided walk.

3.2 Summary of the main consultation responses.

The summary of the responses to the consultation have been divided into two categories, Natural Heritage Management and Management for People.

3.21 Natural Heritage Management

Butterfly Conservation responded with clear concerns regarding potential changes in deer management practices. Their concerns centre upon an increase in deer culling that is due to be put into action by neighbouring landowners with our support, which would potentially result in less browsing pressure on the reserve and consequently increased growth of scrub and young trees. Butterfly Conservation believes that if this allowed to occur in woodland glades and along the wayleave then important butterfly habitat could be lost or degraded. They have also expressed a concern regarding the potential loss of habitat corridors between glades. However they were pleased that butterfly interests remain a large part of the long-term management plan at Glasdrum Wood NNR and they have expressed a desire to work closely with reserve staff in future to ensure monitoring of butterfly interests is sufficient. The only other response to the consultation regarding Natural Heritage Management was a suggestion to consider the possibility of using animal grazing to control scrub growth in the wayleave and open glade areas.

3.22 Management for People

Two individuals commented on the need to open up the viewpoint which has become obscured by tree growth in recent years. There was a suggestion to create an improved path through the wayleave and another to create a viewing tower so that visitors could look down and across the woodland. In terms of community involvement, there was support from two individuals for plans to offer volunteering opportunities. This sentiment was also made clear during the guided walk with several people expressing interest in volunteering at Glasdrum. A request was also made for regular guided walks and events particularly when certain species are active on the reserve. Two responses supported plans for closer links with local schools with suggestions to create a downloadable Educational Pack and to have school parties visiting Glasdrum.

3.3 SNH response to consultation feedback:

The final Management Plan for Glasdrum NNR will reflect any changes made to our original proposals following the consultation. Set out below are the two objective headings from our Proposals Leaflet and the management we will now carry out under each heading. This will form the basis for the Management Plan and the ten year work programme for the life of the plan. Halfway through the ten year period of the plan, an interim review will be held to evaluate the effectiveness of the

Management Plan. The attached Annex 1 provides additional detail on the consultation comments received and our response to them.

3.31 Natural Heritage Management

All of the objectives outlined in the Proposals Leaflet will be retained but the concerns raised in the consultation by Butterfly Conservation have been noted. We believe that there is a need to allow woodland regeneration to occur at Glasdrum Wood NNR. Otherwise there is a risk of a serious decline in the health of the woodland, which could result in a loss of biodiversity across a range of ecological interests. However, we also recognise the need to maintain butterfly glades and improve corridors between core feeding and breeding areas. We agree with Butterfly Conservation that the way forward is through detailed monitoring, which will allow time for negative changes in butterfly habitats to be intercepted. New 3D aerial imagery analysis will form a key part of this monitoring as this will allow us to track changes in the amount of open ground in the wood over time. This will enable us to keep an eye on the balance between the natural regeneration of trees, essential to the long term health of the wood, and the availability of open habitats for butterflies and lower plants. We look forward to working closely with Butterfly Conservation to produce a monitoring plan that will ensure key butterfly habitats remain protected in the long-term. The suggestion to consider using animal grazing other than deer to control scrub has also been noted. It is an option that has been considered and whilst not in the immediate plans for the reserve, in part because there are significant practical challenges to managing livestock on Glasdrum’s steep slopes, it is a possible option in future if required.

3.32 Management for People

All of the objectives outlined in the Proposals Leaflet will be retained. One action has been added to our proposed objectives. The comments regarding guided walks, volunteering opportunities and closer school links have all been noted. These suggestions are all covered by objectives in our current proposals. The suggestions to open up the viewpoint which has become obscured by vegetation growth have been accepted. All changes to the proposed Management Plan for Glasdrum Wood NNR are detailed in Annex 2.

3.3 Closing statement

In light of the consultation the main outcome is that we will retain all proposed objectives as detailed in the Proposals Leaflet. We have added one action to our proposed objectives. Within our Natural Heritage Management we will: Retain all objectives unmodified. Within our Management for People we will: Retain all objectives with one added action, which is to open up an obscured viewpoint.

Annex 1: SNH response to comments received Table summarising comments and responses. All responses should be followed by noted, accepted or rejected. Set out as follows:

Question/Topic Comments received SNH response

How do you think we can make Glasdrum a more enjoyable place to visit – local people and tourists What local community activities/involvement would be of interest to you? Would you like to continue to be involved in our thinking about Glasdrum’s species and habitats?

Viewing points need to be kept open.

Perhaps the addition of an Orientation Vista Display or APP of the surrounding hills would satisfy a curiosity and encourage further exploration in the area.

Regular guided tours. Timetable of events by month e.g. when to see chequered skipper.

Easier path through butterfly glade.

Ask schoolchildren to visit and explain the woods to them

Volunteer work parties. Survey work on the following species: Butterflies, plant species inc flowers, lichens and bryophytes and trees. Develop and deliver a volunteer training programme on ID. Assist with bench, signage, carpark and path maintenance. Include volunteer section in annual report.

Yes, happy to be involved

Accepted Noted. It is part of the plan to inform visitors using a variety of media. We still need to explore the most suitable options for this. Noted. It is part of the plan to offer guided walks and events. Noted Noted. It is part of the plan to support more use of the reserve by local schools. Noted. It is part of the plan to offer more volunteering opportunities. Noted & welcomed

Is there anything we haven’t included in the plan that you’d like to see? General comments Butterfly Interests (Butterfly Conservation)

Yes

Yes

Open up view point.

Grazing options other than deer – what is being considered?

Climate change and adaptive management proposals – what are the options being considered?

Develop an educational pack for Glasdrum – download would be sufficient to communicate with schools. News item on the Glasdrum NNR page of website

And finally, suggestion of the year: Viewing tower to be maintained by donations.

Wasn’t fully aware of NNR. Took opportunity of guided tour to visit.

Noted Noted Accepted Noted. Not in immediate plans for the reserve. This will depend on what the results of ongoing monitoring tell us, but possibilities include making efforts to raise the altitude of the current treeline and relaxation or intensification of our glade management. Noted. It is part of the proposed plan to increase our support for schools and provide online downloadable material. We will initially contact schools to find out what resources would be of most value to them. Rejected. The potential cost and difficulties of construction are likely to be prohibitive. However, there is a viewpoint over the woodland from the reserve trail, which we have agreed will be improved. Noted. It is a part of the proposed plan to increase the profile of Glasdrum Wood NNR.

Management of Glasdrum NNR for Butterflies 2013-2023 While the long-term commitment of SNH to maintain glades in suitable condition for butterflies at Glasdrum is clear from the 2013-2023 management plan, the deer management plan to increase deer culling at both Glasdrum and Creagan is a major concern for the butterflies. The ideal management plan for Chequered Skipper and Pearl-bordered Fritillary would be to keep woodland regeneration to a minimum as specified in their respective Biodiversity Action Plans because of the need to maintain warm open glades for the adult butterflies, the larval foodplants and nectar plants for adult butterflies. Trends in woodland butterfly numbers in the UK in recent decades show that relying on natural glade creation does not produce glades of sufficient size for woodland butterflies which is why the Biodiversity Action Plans are clear that management to provide a succession of open glades is required. Deer grazing is the very minimum management required for some Chequered Skipper sites – but the wayleave at Glasdrum is an example of a site which requires rotational scrub clearance too – and Pearl-bordered Fritillary requires large glades or more open hillside which do require domestic grazing or rotational clearance to keep woodland regeneration in check. Site Condition Monitoring in 2004 assessed the Glen Creran SSSI for both Chequered Skipper (C. palaemon) and Pearl-bordered Fritillary (B. euphrosyne). For Chequered Skipper (C. palaemon), the

Noted. We believe that woodland regeneration needs to occur at Glasdrum Wood NNR. However, we also recognise the need to maintain butterfly glades and improve corridors between core feeding and breeding area. We agree with Butterfly Conservation that the way forward is through detailed monitoring. We look forward to working closely with Butterfly Conservation to produce a monitoring plan that will ensure key butterfly habitats remain protected.

conclusion was “Overall, given the abundance and % cover of scrub, particularly at Creagan and along the Glasdrum and Elleric wayleaves, the habitat for chequered skipper at Glen Creran Woods is considered to be in unfavourable condition”. For Pearl-bordered Fritillary (B. euphrosyne), the conclusion was: “Overall, given the abundance and high % cover of scrub, particularly at Creagan and along the Glasdrum wayleave, the habitat for pearl-bordered fritillary at Glen Creran Woods is considered to be in unfavourable condition”. Site Condition Monitoring in 2009 which included survey work by Dr Andrew Mastermanfound birch regeneration to be totally out of control at Creagan relative to Glasdrum owing to increased deer culling at Creagan. The 2009 butterfly report to John Halliday recorded birch scrub in two categories – less than 2 m tall and more than 2 m tall – within 10 m of a Chequered Skipper observation. On open hillside up to around 300 m at Creagan, almost 70% of Chequered Skipper observations (Figures 38 & 44) had birch scrub less than 2 m tall which is a big concern for Chequered Skipper and Pearl-bordered Fritillary as birch scrub in time will grow into trees and shade out these glades. For birch scrub more than 2 m tall (Figure 45) at Creagan, the figures were 90% of Chequered Skipper observations along the wayleave, 50% in small glades, 70% in large glades and 20% in open hillside. These figures predict what will happen at Glasdrum should the same level of deer culling take place. Deer grazing is clearly a dominant factor in controlling

woodland regeneration in Glen Creran and careful monitoring will be required at Glasdrum to ensure that the serious loss of butterfly habitat which is underway at Creagan for several decades to come as established birch scrub grows into trees, is not replicated at Glasdrum. In 2009, there was clear evidence of both birch and hazel/alder scrub regeneration at Glasdrum although it was significantly less than at Creagan (Figures 44 to 47). Glasdrum/Creagan is an outstanding site for butterflies, both in terms of species richness and in the absolute numbers of the UK BAP species, Chequered Skipper and Pearl-bordered Fritillary. The management in Glen Creran in recent decades which has been to promote woodland regeneration is the exact opposite of what would be ideal management for these butterflies. Very significant loss of butterfly habitat as woodland has expanded has undoubtedly occurred at both Glasdrum and Creagan as a consequence of this management and the latest plans for reduced deer culling at both Glasdrum and Creagan threaten to accelerate this loss. Clearly, from the point of view of Butterfly Conservation, these latest deer management plans on top of the long term management plan within Glen Creran SSSI to promote woodland regeneration are unwelcome and pose a threat to the butterflies. In the 2009 butterfly report, estimates of high and moderate quality habitat for Chequered Skipper and Pearl-bordered Fritillary at Glasdrum and Creagan were provided. There is estimated to be circa 12 and

60 ha of high quality Chequered Skipper (C. palaemon) habitat at Glasdrum (Figure 52) and Creagan (Figure 58) respectively. The comparative figures for Pearl-bordered Fritillary (B. euphrosyne) are 13 & 45 ha (Figures 55 & 61). Clearly Creagan currently has much larger areas of good habitat while at Glasdrum, high quality habitat is now mostly confined to higher altitudes by woodland. But sadly, a lot of the high quality butterfly habitat at Creagan is destined to be lost as birch scrub grows into trees. It is welcomed that the high quality habitat for Chequered Skipper and Pearl-bordered Fritillary above the tree-line at Glasdrum is also now designated a butterfly zone and that intervention to clear scrub would be implemented here if necessary. The situation at Creagan on open hillside where 70% of Chequered Skipper observations had short birch scrub within 10 m clearly shows that such intervention may be necessary should too much deer culling take place. In 2009, almost 30% of Chequered Skipper observations had birch scrub less than 1 m tall on open hillside at Glasdrum showing it to be present here although it was in minimal quantities. To assess the change in woodland regeneration since 2009 at Glasdrum and Creagan, the assessments done in 2009 within a 10 m radius of a Chequered Skipper need to be repeated in 2014 along with nectar plant incidence too. Five year assessments may be too infrequent to assess the effects of reduced deer grazing at Glasdrum. So perhaps a further repeat of this survey work in

2017 would be better than waiting for 2019 when birch regeneration could be out of control. The data from the Glasdrum butterfly transect cannot be used to assess Chequered Skipper and Pearl-bordered Fritillary numbers elsewhere at Glasdrum as the glades along the wayleave are actively managed to maintain butterfly habitat. Chequered Skipper numbers within small glades between the wayleave and the large woodland glades also need to be monitored periodically and birch regeneration measured too and the areas of high quality habitat above the tree line also need to be monitored. Aerial stereo imagery should give useful estimates of total areas of open glades at Glasdrum through time to assess the effect of reduced deer grazing. But such imagery will not provide information on glade quality for butterflies which require larger glades which can maintain populations of nectar plants and larval foodplants. Both Neil Ravenscroft’s research on Chequered Skipper and the 2009 butterfly report found that while smaller glades usually are occupied by Chequered Skipper, they contain fewer nectar plants and so provide poorer habitat quality than larger glades. Loss of connectivity between colonies is also an issue when glade sizes are small. Reduced deer grazing at Glasdrum will inevitably result in more of these small poorer quality glades and Chequered Skipper will likely decline in areas outside the transect. In brief, the planned reduced

deer grazing at Glasdrum/Creagan is an unwelcome development for the butterflies which have been adversely affected by the long term management of the Glen Creran SSSI to promote the development of Atlantic Oak woodland and associated assemblages of lichens and bryophytes. If these plans are implemented, they must be accompanied by monitoring of butterfly numbers outside the butterfly transect and by periodic assessments of scrub incidence within 10 m of a Chequered Skipper observations and assessments of nectar plant incidence too as glade quality for butterflies is important.