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| 'This way lads' |
As another field season draws to an end, it's one of mixed blessings for us all. Relatively wet and cold, the reported catches have been up but not phenomenally so, while there have been enough dry days to allow us to get the field work more or less completed.
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| A salmon and a trout |
The electrofishing surveys were finally completed on the 21 September, with 8 catchments surveyed - a total of 62 sites. Poor weather meant that we were restricted in our ability to get out, and that some sites were dropped for being too high (or sampled at a marginal height) but good that we finally managed to complete them all before the October cut off. The reports will be produced over the next few months, and we'll see then how good - or not - things are looking.
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| A nice fish from the netting |
Netting was more successful, with only 4 out of the 21 nettings washed out, and those at the start of the season. We decided to add the Kyle of Durness to our monthly netting - increasing the number undertaken each year. We did have one blank and our attempt at a 4th site was abandoned when we failed in our attempt to get the net down to the shore, but otherwise a very successful year. Lots of fish, big as well as small, and in fantastic condition. There were a few dookings it has to be said, none of them warm!, but great enthusiasm shown by all. A massive 'thanks' to all our volunteers, it really wouldn't have been possible without them. If you would like to become a volunteer next year then please get in touch, we'd love to see you.
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| Stem injecting Japanese knotweed |
Our projects on invasive non-native species are still continuing. The Himalayan balsam at Nedd and Clashnessie was duly pulled, and our attempts at eradication moved another step closer. Japanese knotweed may be more of an issue for us, although we have started to survey some areas and have been involved in stem injection. Many thanks to Lochaber Fisheries Trust for a loan of a stem injector,which has allowed us to treat a number of populations in peoples gardens. The main issue there is very small plants within lawns - not able to inject but can't really spray either. If we get some dry weather over the next week we'll try painting the leaves to reduce the area damaged hopefully to the plant!
Thanks to all those that have reported the plant and allowed us to start the work. If you know the location of any invasive species within the area then please let us know. Alternatively, you can report INNS anywhere in Scotland at
http://isweb.esdm.co.uk/ISWeb_RAFTS/MyPublic.aspx?OrgID=RAFTS Please help us to eradicate these species and improve Scotland's wildlife.
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| Installing a new mink tunnel |
Our mink works also continues a pace, with our regular group of volunteers working hard to ensure that the area remains free from the little critters. There have been a number of sightings reported, and some tracks on the rafts, but to date there have been no animals caught. One potential sighting, where an egg cache was found, turned out to be a young fox - as recorded on camera - while print identification can also be problematic. They don't walk nicely over the clay!! Fingers crossed therefore, that we've had mis-identification and/or a few roaming males, and that we remain relatively mink free.
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| Ready to go at the Scottish Salmon Festival |
We've also been out and about over the past couple of months, attending the Scourie Gala, Highland Field Sports Fair, Clachtoll Seashore Day and Scotland Salmon Festival. It's been great to meet everyone at these events and talk fishes, plants, education and all things environment. We managed to finally meet some Facebook followers and even extended our network to America!! Thanks to all those that came to see us for a chat, and those that supported us with donations.
We're now heading into the office season and will be catching up on data analysis, report writing and meetings. It will be good to have some time to catch up on things, but we'll also be trying to get out and about occasionally - surveying and checking mink rafts, etc., - so the best of both worlds. Especially when its wet and you can sit in the office!!!
