Report Apr 09

Notes from April 09 meeting.

Alex welcomed those present and mentioned that he had the name of a website for prevention and removal of ticks (www.tickpreventionweek.org).

Rena read out a report of the walk to West Freugh and a list of what had been seen by her group. Everyone was asked to add to the list. If you missed the meeting I can email you the newsletter. It was agreed that our ‘own’ walk on May 13th would be better suited to the fitness of those present. Specific details later but meantime if you want to go and haven’t given me your name and nationality, could you contact me as soon as possible. Again if enough people request it I can hire the community bus.

Alex reported on the very successful beach clean at Portlogan and the wonderful free lunch supplied by the people of Portlogan. Over sixty bags of rubbish were removed.

Sunday was a beautiful day and the wildlife walks at the Mull were ably conducted by Paul Tarling. There was something of interest around every corner and it’s hoped more of our group can join him on future walks.

For more information visit RSPB Mull of Galloway

Next it was over to Paul, an RSPB warden at the Mull. First he showed a fascinating film called Life on the Edge taken on the Mull bird reserve. Next he told us of his work in recording our local bird population accompanied by his beautiful photographs. We learned that there is an increase in black guillemot (26 pairs this year) but a decline in puffins (1 this year down from 17 last year). He was asked how puffins can carry so many fish at a time and we learned that their jaws move up and down in parallel so they don’t lose fish. One was photographed carrying 61 fish but the average is 24. He went on to show us photos of most of the birds we are likely to see on the bird reserve giving us facts about each one. We were then treated to photos and facts on the diverse plants growing in the vicinity. Lastly we watched an RSPB film. Paul said this film was what got him interested in birds in the first place. It was spectacular. In passing, he mentioned that there is to be a butterfly atlas drawn up. His area to survey is the Myroch Road but in a later email he asks us all to look out for the Northern brown argus. Hopefully he’ll be at the next meeting and tell us more.

At members’ time we heard that the elusive oyster plant was again making an appearance behind the Fish Pond. Barbara’s find which she laughingly referred to as fossilised dog poo was in fact sea-worn plaster! Paul and Lorna passed round photos of palmate newts. We had to guess the names of plants, not yet in flower which Ann and Nigel had photographed on Terally Bay. Next time we’ll see the same plants in flower. Paul Hocken explained the curious markings on the grey stone were caused by the greywacke cracking and quartz filling the gaps. Ed had brought digital photos of newts and frogs but unfortunately there wasn’t a laptop on which to show them. Something to look forward to. The meeting broke up when Bob invited us out to his car to see a dead mink, found locally!