Jim Rae welcomed members of Lockerbie Wildlife Trust to the latest meeting at Lockerbie Town Hall and virtually via Zoom before introducing the speaker, David Pickett, manager at WWT Caerlaverock who had prepared an illustrated talk titled “A wilder wetter Caerlaverock”.
David gave a fascinating insight into past achievements and plans for a changing future. The reserve was set up in 1971 with visitor paths and viewing towers in a small part of a huge site. It is a landscape rich in wildlife with increasing biodiversity, including a range of species of national and international importance.
The aim to be a safe refuge for barnacle geese has been very successful with the population increasing from 400 to a peak of 40,000. There is safe roosting on the mudflats and grass is grazed in summer by cattle to ensure it is the correct length for the geese to feed on in winter. Ponds were made to bring in other wildlife eg whooper swans and a lot of research has been carried out about them at Caerlaverock. Over the years many more species have been discovered including 14 species of dragonfly and many rare plants. Diverse habitats encourage this eg ancient trees and original hay meadows.
The management at the reserve has changed over the years. The salt marsh is grazed less to allow more wildflowers to bloom. Some field drains are being blocked so that there is a mosaic mix of dry grass areas and wet pools. Peter Scott was forward thinking by wanting access for all people to sites. The swan feeding with commentary is one way this continues and aims to allow people to learn and experience, not for entertainment.
David then explained about the constant change that is experienced. The bird flu in 2021 meant the one third of the population of geese were lost but three years on, the population is recovering. The sea level is rising and there has been erosion of banks built in the 18th century and new habitats are created by allowing the sea to come through. There is an interesting monitoring for the Mosquito Scotland Project by Glasgow University. The new species found can be an indicator of climate change. All of this and more was illustrated by fantastic photographs.
There was a Q&A session before David Hughes concluded with a vote of thanks to David for an interesting and educational talk. Jim announced that he will liaise with David to arrange a visit by Lockerbie Wildlife Trust members to Caerlaverock. He will send details to members.
The next talk is on Wednesday, December 18, “Landscapes and Plants of Patagonia” by Chris Miles (plant recorder for Dumfries and Galloway). Members and visitors are all welcome at Lockerbie Town Hall for 7.30pm start.