Field work and fundraising

The field work is progressing well and we're nearing the end of the electrofishing. Hopefully next week will see it done - as long as he weather stays kind. It seems a bit weird being nearly finished in the middle of September, but we really did have a god start to the season. We've also lost one system as access was removed by Bertha - might get it done this month, but no guarantees, as it depends on the road and track being opened.

An electrofishing site on the River Kirkaig

No problems with sweep netting though. The big tides we're having just now gave us a very shallow net - nice to be dry! We always net on the incoming tide, so can spend a short time waiting on the turn.This time the water was boiling, with fish moving all over the place. Everyone watching was convinced we'd bring in a net full of mackerel but none of that. When the net came in there was a good number of lovely, fat finnock feeding on the wee sprat. The sea trout just now are in excellent condition, which is lovely to see and bodes well for the spawning season. Very few sea lice as well...

A sea trout, tagged and recovering, from the sweep netting

We had a walk up the Polla earlier this week, to look at the changes caused by the floods in August. One burn has completely changed direction and is now joining the main river several hundred metres downstream. Access to the new burn is less simple than the old one, but there appears to be reasonable habitat along the length. Hopefully the fish will find it this autumn.... There is something awe inspiring about the force of water and looking at the amount of material moved around the valley brings home the insignificance of man-kind. It would have been something to see, but preferably from the opposite hill. Sitting in the house downstream would have been interesting to say the least!

Erosion on the Polla - the channel has moved

The Trust is venturing into a new fundraising direction this year, and has launched the first WSFT on-line auction. With lots ranging from whisky to sculptures, fishing to shooting and various others besides there really is something for everyone. Running until the 27th November it's a great opportunity to pick up that unusual Christmas present, while supporting the work of the Trust. Why not visit http://www.melandphil.com/geo/index.php to have a look and make a bid or two!

2014 well underway

Oh dear, just realised that I've really neglected the blog. Not good, and apologies to anyone that follows us in this way. New resolution - do better in future!

A lot has happened since January, as you would expect. The reports have been produced and published from the 2013 season and can be viewed on the website (http://home.btconnect.com/wsft), along with the 2014 Annual review.

Taking the net round

Sweep netting started in March and, thanks to a relatively dry year, has progressed well. The sea trout have been in excellent condition and with few sea lice present it's been a joy to see them. No sign of J77 yet, but we live in hope hat she will reappear. Saying that, she's a good age now and might well have died after the last spawning. Hopefully not as it would be nice to see her and see how big she's grown. Four catchments have been monitored this year, with good condition throughout and decent numbers present.

Electrofishing in action 

The same dry year has given us a good head start with the juvenile surveys. Here we've seen yet more good growth - with the July fry larger than some of the fry found last October. This good growth is probably the result of the mild winter and bodes well for our salmonid populations in the coming years. Still a fair way to go with the surveys but we're getting there!

 Mink continue to be monitored throughout the area, thanks to our many volunteers. It would be an impossible task to keep this network going without their help but it is a vital resource. We have mink present to the south and east of us and there have been several sightings within the area. However, with the exception of one carcass there have been no signs on the many rafts or tunnels. As such we are still considered 'mink free' but if we want to stay that way then we need the help of everyone. A big 'Thank you' to you all.

Mussel in trouble - act like a frog!

Pearl in the Classroom was aired this year, involving 5 of our 6 primary schools. Funded in collaboration with SNH, this is part of a Scotland-wide project aimed at protecting the Freshwater Pearl Mussel. Split into 2 groups, about 60 pupils learnt about the mussel and its role in the freshwater environment. Both groups undertook the same activities, which included a workshop followed by field visit. Thanks to the local Rangers and the school teachers for all of their help.

After a talk about the mussels, the children were split into 5 groups before taking part in a number of things from making a mussel, through scientific experiments to acting like a frog! They certainly seem to have learnt a lot and were all able to answer questions about the species.

A duck race? Measuring flow!

Out in the field we looked at the fish and invertebrate populations, as well as measuring the water flow and quality. We were able to tie this in to what was good for the mussel, using the things learnt at the workshop, while having a lot of fun and, in some cases, getting very wet!

A busy day at the Assynt Fishing Feis

We have had a good range of 'outreach' events over the summer, from the Ghillies Seminar, through a stall at the Highland Field Sports Fair at Moy to the Assynt Fishing Feis. In each case we were able to help with the dissemination of information on the area, fishing, fisheries management and the Trust to the wider population. These events are always fun to do - although hard work! - and its great to be able to meet so many interested and interesting individuals. Scourie Detectives will be the last event to be completed this year, and will take place on the 23rd August in Scourie Village Hall.

Notes from the Ghillies Seminar can be found on the website (http://home.btconnect.com/wsft/The%20Ghillies%20Seminar%202014.pdf).

River Laxford after 'Bertha'

The evening of August 10th brought a bit of a change to the weather and the rivers. The tail end of Hurricane Bertha hit and we had a lot of rain in a very short space of time. Sutherland is normally very good at coping with large quantities of water - more than we had this time - but not normally in that timescale. By the Monday morning (11th) roads were flooded, tracks washed away and new rivers/lochs dotted the landscape. The power of water is truly phenomenal and we were left in awe at the sights that met us. When the waters drop we'll be back out to assess the damage and see how our fish (and mussel) populations have survived. On a positive note, however, hopefully this will have brought the grilse in and helped our salmon population.

Practicing what we preach - disinfecting after netting

Biosecurity is important to the Trust and we would ask all visiting water users to take some simple measures to ensure that west Sutherland remains free of non-native species. Please practice 'Check, Clean & Dry' after every day on the river or lochs, and before you move on to a different catchment. This simple measure, coupled with care from garden and pond owners as to the species they use and their disposal methods, will help to protect our rivers and lochs for years to come. (http://www.nonnativespecies.org/checkcleandry/index.cfm)

If you would like to support or help the Trust please get in touch. We are always looking for volunteers or help with the field work - long or short term - and we'll publish our plans on the website (http://home.btconnect.com/wsft/) or contact the Biologist. If you feel able to support us financially, you can become a member or make a donation at http://home.btconnect.com/wsft/page10.html.

Bouncing into 2014

A salmon being returned from the net

Happy New Year to everyone, and tight lines for the coming season. As I type this the Helmsdale has already opened - with 2 springers caught on the first day - and other rivers to follow over the coming few weeks. Hopefully 2014 will have a better salmon and sea trout season than 2013. This is a good time to remind everyone of the importance of restraint when fishing, and the use of catch and release to help protect our endangered stocks. The ASFB are calling for zero exploitation of salmon before mid May, replacing the currently voluntary guidelines, in order to protect the spring fish so we'll have to wait and see if this is successful. In the meantime the summer and autumn populations are also declining in some rivers and in need of our help. Remember, the fish in the freezer (or smokehouse) can't breed!


Report writing is going well, and we hope to get the main ones out soon. Then it will just be a case of waiting for the end of the financial year before getting the Annual Review printed and posted. It has to be said that the Review is causing the most headache - or at least trying to convert it into Microsoft Publisher. If anyone has suggestions for sorting this so that photo's and graphs will print as 'black and white' at the printers rather than colours I'd be grateful to hear them. It's much cheaper to use only black ink, but pictures need to be in greyscale to look right. The printer suggested Publisher but I'm losing the will to live!

The light marks showing a few redds

As a break from report writing we headed out looking for redds last week. We weren't sure how we would do, as there was no real sign of spawning activity just before Christmas, but we were in luck and managed to spot a bit of activity. Unfortunately there was less than we would have liked to see, with no tell tale disturbance being seen in a number of areas where spawning would have occurred in previous years. In addition, there were very few dead kelts to be seen, either in the river or on the banks. Hopefully there will still be some activity, but there was a distinct lack of fish as we walked about, which would suggest that this is less likely.

Sorted gravels

Redds can be identified by a number of clues, the greatest of which is a patch of light coloured gravels within the river. This occurs where the fish has disturbed the gravels and removed the algae stained stones on the top, burying them or moving them downstream. Beyond this, you are looking for a hollowing within the river and the sorting of the gravels in a pear shaped pattern below this. If they're fresh you'll also see the mound over the eggs, but this will be flattened in a spate.

The 2nd Fisheries Management Plan is now finished and published on the website (http://home.btconnect.com/wsft/RMP_2014.pdf). It covers the period from 2014 - 2018 and lists the issues that the Trust considers a priority. While it is understood that not all of the actions listed will be completed, these are the priority for the Trust and as such efforts will be made over the coming years to source funding and allow these projects to be completed. It is also recognised that new challenges may arise over the period and we are certainly not restricted by this in the work we undertake. The Trust has to remain flexible and respond to the numerous requests that we receive.

Mink continue to be monitored throughout the area, thanks to our many volunteers. It would be an impossible task to keep this network going without their help but it is a vital resource. We have mink present to the south and east of us, and if we want to stay 'mink free' then we need their help. 'Thank you' to you all.


We are now in planning for our Annual General Meeting on the 17th February 2014 in Scourie Village Hall at 12.00. Hopefully we'll see a number of you there, where we will be presenting the accounts, etc., as well as giving a short display on the work of the Trust. This is the main opportunity for members of the public to question the Trust staff, although we are happy to give help or answer questions at any time if you want to get in touch.


Other than that, we are planning the work programme for the coming year. Sweep netting will be starting in March, weather permitting, and education programmes and meetings will also be underway. We're also coming up with potential new projects - although the funding of those may be slightly trickier! - and looking forward to the challenges to come.


If you would like to support or help the Trust please get in touch. We are always looking for volunteers or help with the field work - long or short term - and we'll publish our plans on the website (http://home.btconnect.com/wsft/) or contact the Biologist. If you feel able to support us financially, you can become a member or make a donation at http://home.btconnect.com/wsft/page10.html.

Winter cheer

It's been a busy few months, and while a fair of the time was spent in the office getting reports written - or at least started! - we've also managed to get out and about occasionally.
 

Salmon spawning?

November and December saw us, and our honorary (and unpaid!) employee out on the rivers and lochs armed with cameras and looking for fish. While there's not been much in the way of spawning yet, Scott did manage to get a couple of videos and some photo's of fish in the water. They're well worth checking out. The trout were spawning (http://youtu.be/yVx31_EzCbs) and very close, but unfortunately the rock got in the way (the camera is on a pole so you have to put it in and hope), while the salmon were fighting and hassling but not really in the spawning mood (http://youtu.be/TkBsk3npZbw). The other photo's are in as an album on Facebook.

Copper beech amongst the trees

The Rhododendron survey was finally completed and sent off, with no plants found in Stack Woods.
Kate did a sterling job with it, so hopefully it will help with the removal of this beautiful but invasive non-native. There were few patches found, with the majority around the lodges at Achfary and Stack, as would be expected. Of particular interest, however, was the fact that it hadn't crossed Loch More, despite the almost blanket coverage around Achfary and Loch More Lodge. A few Copper Beech, on the other hand, have seeded on the north shore.



Analysing the plankton catch

We'll hopefully get the last of the plankton samples taken this week, and then it's just the analysis. If they are anything like the ones we got a couple of weeks ago that won't take long and then that will be that for plankton work. We've both had fun doing the project - although it has had it's moments! - and we're dab hands at louse recognition now. We'll get a poster produced to show the work, and the different beasties, and put it on the website, together with a wee summary report for the Annual Review. After that, it's the wait for the dispersal model and hopefully an improved understanding of the management requirements for the area. Thanks to Loch Duart Ltd, and more importantly their staff, for taking us out in the boats and helping with the handling of the net. Some tows were more interesting than others - in many different ways! - but all were completed with humour and good grace.


Thankfully not from here!

 Mink continue to play a reasonably large role in our lives - particularly Kate's' - with the checking of the rafts and the filling in of all the little details relating to volunteers, rafts, etc. As with all handovers, there's been a period of transition where we have to re-learn the things in Gunnar's head, but Kate is there now! If you see a mink in the area, or would like to help monitor a tunnel or raft, then please let Kate know. The more eyes on the ground the better. The same really has to be said of any non-native species, and we would welcome any reports that help us to keep the Sutherland area 'native'.

On that front - remember to 'Check, clean and dry' your equipment before coming into the area fishing, canoeing or even just walking. West Sutherland has very few non-native species - please help us to keep it that way.

On another departure from all things fishy, November saw us trekking through Stack Wood looking for specific grid references in order to put out some quadrats. We had been asked to monitor the effects of deer grazing and trampling on the vegetation, and this was us gathering the baseline data before the fence was removed (or, in reality, a few days after the fence was removed!). This was a complete novelty for both of us and an incredibly steep learning curve - although possibly not as steep as the ground! - but good fun to do. Saying that, we did get out during the only break in the weather which helped. The rain and gales before and after might have been less fun!

Loch Stack and Arkle through the trees

The 'Fishery Management Plan' review is now completed and out for consultation. There's still time to take part in this consultation if you want - just contact the Biologist on wsft@btconnect.com for a copy. The final version should be out by the end of January, and sets out the priorities and wishes for work over the next 5 years. We'll be trying to get as much as possible completed, but have to be realistic and accept that time, economics or the will of the proprietors may mean that some will not be completed.


The Sutherland Trust

 As time passes and we head into the start of the 2014 sampling season, the mink rafts will continue to be monitored and it is hoped to get some habitat surveying completed, but in the main we need to get the data analysed from this year and the reports produced. Watch this space - and probably more relevant the Website (www.wsft.co.uk) - for the reports as they become available.

 It's also not too late to get your WSFT gifts for Christmas. For that quirky gift for the fisherman in your life - a sea trout sponsor, t-shirt, cap, exclusive flies (not available anywhere else!) or tape measure and length conversion chart - visit our shop at http://home.btconnect.com/wsft/page11.html. Get something different and solve the Christmas problems!

The end of summer, 2013

Once again, time passes and I've failed to keep up with the blogging. Apologies to everyone and I hope that these erratic posts are interesting enough to keep bringing you back!

That's pretty much the end of another sampling season, with the last site electrofished this year. Not that we're completely finished - hoping to get another sweep net in at the end of October, plankton still to get and the rhododendron survey to complete - but more of that later. The nights are starting to draw in and the electrofishing equipment has been sorted and packed away. So, what have we been up to in the 3 months or so since our last update? It's been busy...

Out in the wilds!

Firstly, it's electrofishing time and we have managed to complete the surveys on 7 catchments, as well as doing some monitoring work for potential hydro-electric developments. This has all meant that we have tramped many miles of hill, moor and bog to cover the inaccessible rivers of Sutherland. We live in a wonderful part of the world, truly rugged and remote, and the electrofishing gives you the chance to really appreciate that fact! We now have 2 fit biologists anyway...!

A big salmon...

While we haven't finished the analysis yet (or started it!) and the final report will be produced at the end of the year, it's safe to say that this year has been a bit of a mixed bag on the fish front. Some systems yielded exceptionally large, plump parr while others had very small fry (4 cm in length) towards the end of September/start of October. It seems unlikely that those fish will survive the winter, but here's hoping. It has certainly been an interesting sampling season and Shona has seen parts of the area that she's never seen before!

Tag in situ

Estuary netting was also a bit mixed. While we had large numbers of fish in the Kinloch, we unfortunately drew a complete blank in the Kyle of Durness. This despite many sweeps at a range of locations. Hopefully the sands will level out over the winter and we have better luck next year. The Laxford and Polla were much as normal, with 8 recaptures giving us good information on the growth rates of the sea trout within the area. While most of the recaptures came from our own sampling, it was good to have an angler submit the information from their catch. Remember, if you're fishing in the Sutherland area please look out for tagged sea trout - the little adipose fin will be missing and the tag inserted behind the left eye - and report the tag number, length, date and location to the Biologists. Remember to put the fish back as well!

View from the boat

Plankton sampling was due to finish last month, but difficulties with timing and the availability of boats, means that we will be collecting the last ever samples during October. This has been an interesting project and hopefully the end model will be useful to the fish farm and help to advise their management practices. The model should be developed by the end of 2014 - a long time to wait - and is currently being worked on by the Scottish Association for Marine Science. Thanks to Loch Duart Ltd, and more importantly their staff, for taking us out in the boats and helping with the handling of the net. Some tows were more interesting than others - in many different ways! - but all were completed with humour and good grace.

Rhododendron surveying in the rain

The rhododendron surveys are almost complete, with only the area along the side of Loch Stack to do. It was decided that this would be safest to be done from outside of the fence and therefore we're waiting on the leaves to fall and the bracken to die back. Given the winds we've been having recently, this shouldn't take too long! Hopefully Kate will manage to get it completed in the next couple of weeks and then the report can be sent off. The sooner it goes, the sooner the eradication plan can be developed and the Estate can start to remove the plants.

Biosecurity continues to play an important part in our lives. We were once again down at Nedd and Clashnessie with our volunteers pulling Himalayan Balsam. There are very few plants left now, and those that are tend to be small and hidden in the reeds and nettles. It will be difficult to make sure that the last have gone, and we'll have to keep monitoring, but it is all looking very positive.

Thankfully not from here!

The Scottish Mink Initiative has now ended, with our project officer heading off to pastures new. The Trust has taken over his duties for this area - communicating with the volunteers, making sure that they have everything that they need and updating the MinkApp - and will hopefully be able to do as good a job. Thanks must go to Gunnar for leaving such a well-oiled operation for us to follow and the volunteers for their help. Without this army of volunteers we wouldn't be able to provide such good coverage or know the status of our mink populations. If you see a mink in the area, or would like to help monitor a tunnel or raft, then please let Kate know. The more eyes on the ground the better. The same really has to be said of any non-native species, and we would welcome any reports that help us to keep the Sutherland area 'native'.

On that front - remember to 'Check, clean and dry' your equipment before coming into the area fishing, canoeing or even just walking. West Sutherland has very few non-native species - please help us to keep it that way.

Playing at work!

Other activities over the past few months include a range of meetings and training programmes - including our attendance at the  IBIS/AST Ocean Tracking Workshop in Newry, the SNH River Restoration Training in Strathpeffer and a Crown Estate sponsored wild-farmed meeting. We have also been out with the S3 from KLB High School providing advice on their project to monitor a local burn over the period of a school year. In addition, Shona was out spraying Phragmites in order to keep passage clear for migratory fish.

Competitions in action

On top of all this, we attended the Highland Field Sports Fair in Moy in August. We were sharing a stall with the Findhorn Nairn and Lossie Fisheries Trust and the Spey Foundation and had a really good time. The weather wasn't great - there was real concern about the tent at times as the wind lifted it - but it was good to talk to so many about the work of the Trust. Congratulations to the winners of 'Find the Fish' - I'm sure that you'll all really enjoy your prizes. Please let us know how you got on.

August also saw the Scourie Detectives run for another year. With lots of activities - not to mention the wonderful soup and cakes - everyone seemed to have a great time. The walks were well attended, while the less adventurous still had fun learning about Scourie, its wildlife and history, in the Hall and taking part in the many games - including feed the fish, hook the duck, throw the wet sponge and find the LDL salmon in Scourie. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped to make this a successful day. See you next year.

The Sutherland Trust

With the coming of the winter months, our focus will be moving indoors again. The mink rafts will continue to be monitored and it is hoped to get some habitat surveying completed, but in the main we need to get the data analysed from this year and the reports produced. We will also be reviewing our 'Fishery Management Plan', which will be out for consultation shortly. Watch this space - and probably more relevant the Website (www.wsft.co.uk) - for the reports as they become available.

Also with the coming of winter turns our thoughts to Christmas. For that quirky gift for the fisherman in your life - a sea trout sponsor, t-shirt, cap, exclusive flies (not available anywhere else!) or tape measure and length conversion chart - visit our shop at http://home.btconnect.com/wsft/page11.html. Get something different and solve the Christmas problems!

Spring 2013

Firstly, apologies for not keeping more up to date with the Blog, but the time just seems to have passed so quickly - it's hard to believe that its nearly July already. Thanks to all those who view this and put up with the erratic posting.

The Ghillies Seminar seems so long ago now, but was a great success. Mr Tony Andrews, Atlantic Salmon Trust, gave an informative and interesting talk the evening before to the Assynt Field Club. He then gave a different talk (same theme but different focus) to the ghillies before rounding off his visit with a talk to the Scourie Detectives later in the evening. Three different talks in 3 days on the same subject was very impressive and also very well received by all who heard it. In addition to Tony, there was an interesting talk on the Spey hatchery and the genetic studies undertaken in relation to this from Brian Shaw, Biologist with the Spey Foundation. Rob Harris, Sea Mammal Research Unit, was very informative on the subject of seals and salmon and their interactions. We certainly learnt a lot and there were a number of questions generated from the audience. The tone was then lowered a bit, as Chris Horrill was unable to attend so Shona gave a good impersonation and presented his talk on the treatment of the Vesfna River, Norway, for Gyrodactylus salaris. Hopefully she did it justice and thanks have to go to Chris for allowing his talk to be hijacked as this is an important subject and lesson in biosecurity. The notes from the Seminar can be found at www.wsft.co.uk/Publications.html



Sea trout released from Badna Bay trap

The smolt traps were left running until mid-May before being removed to allow fish to run upstream. During this time, and despite them being washed out a couple of times, we had some good results. These included the recapture of F82 - originally tagged in the estuary netting in August 2012 - and the filming of an eel moving sedately around the Badaidh Daraich trap (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa26tPpwm0Y). A lot of fish were recorded and the lengths and weights will give information on the condition of the fish as well as the timing of the runs and the movements of the fish from the tagging.
 



The Kinloch mudfest!

Estuary netting has continued a pace. Weather stopped the netting in April, but May and June been very successful. As well as the normal Laxford and Polla nettings, we have once again been doing the Kyle of Durness and Kinloch as part of the RAFTS Managing Interactions Project. This project covers sites around the west coast of Scotland and uses the data to look at interactions with the aquaculture industry. Netting is undertaken between May and July, with the aim of securing a minimum of 30 fish per site to give a statistically significant sample. As such, we have been netting once a fortnight over May and June. The Polla and Kinloch have already given over 30 fish, while we continue to struggle with the Kyle of Durness and the Laxford.

The Kyle of Durness has changed significantly over the winter, so we will be trying a different spot next week. As for the Laxford, I think bad luck just hit. Several of our volunteers were unavailable on one occasion - leaving us unable to do a proper sweep - while the next netting reinforced why we normally fish on spring tides only! Shona looked a bit like the teletubbies, with waders full of water and difficulty walking - much to everyone's amusement (thankfully no camera's at hand! - Shona) - while we only managed to cover about 1/2 of the estuary. Better luck next week...!

J77 being released

The Polla netting saw the return of J77 again and thankfully we were better equipped with big scales and our WSFT tape measure this time (purchase at www.wsft.co.uk/Merchandise.html), so managed to get an accurate weight and length. She is 630 mm in length and a mighty 3032 g in weight (that's about 6.75 lb in old money). Not bad for a 220 mm and 114 g smolt back in 2005! It shows that sea trout will continue to get big if given the time to grow rather than being knocked on the head. She is one beautiful fish...



Louse copepodid

Plankton sampling continues as part of the sea lice dispersal modelling project with Scottish Association for Marine Science and Loch Duart Ltd. Thanks to Sonja and all the guys for their help with the tows, taking us out on the boats and staying positive whatever the conditions. The May samples were pretty good - from a plankton point of view - although OCB1 did come close to causing tears, with  a full sock of plankton (about 1 lb in weight!). Only the second sample that's had to be subsampled during this project. Very few sea lice found that month. showing another decline over the winter. The June samples have still to be processed, but they contain a fair amount of seaweed and also jellyfish. Might be a bit harder to process but I'm sure we'll manage.

Biosecurity remains high on our agenda, and Kate continues to check the mink rafts on a regular basis. Thankfully no mink yet, but we remain vigilant - as do the many volunteers around the area. While the Scottish Mink Initiative is due to end in August, it is hoped that the volunteer network will continue - reporting any sightings to the Trust. Funding is currently being sought for this, or the continuation an SMI type project, to progress this important role.



Rhododendron at the
Allt Horn Waterfall

In addition to the mink, we have started to map rhododendron on the Reay Forest Estate. To date Kate has done much of the leg work - and is also the best one for the GIS mapping! - although Shona has done a little, and the work is progressing nicely. There are relatively large patches of rhododendron around the area, primarily associated with the houses as would be expected. The spread is probably slower than in more southerly areas - or perhaps its the peat that slows growth - but is still reasonably extensive. The one strange patch is a waterfall some distance from the nearest house with a large amount within the gorge. Could this have been an old attempt at gardening the scenic area? The ultimate aim of this work is to see the removal of the plants from throughout the Estate and the return to native plants.



Escaping eel!

Other activities over the past 2 months have included a severe dose of meeting-itus, with a large number taking place. The Annual Review has also been published and is available at www.wsft.co.uk/Publications.html. Kate has completed a number of courses - Use of Pesticides, Fish Autopsy and SFCC Habitat Survey - while Shona has gained her Boat Handling Certificate. In addition to this, we have been out with the schools looking at the burns and seas of Scourie. By teaching the children about the creatures that live in the aquatic environment we will hopefully teach them to care about the area. They certainly learnt a lot about the fish and invertebrates of the burn and we have managed to identify the electrofishers of the future!

Sowerby Whale carcass
(photo courtesy of D. Mitchell)

A phone call was taken at the office last week while Kate and Shona were out. This was one of our volunteers reporting a dead whale washed up on one of the beaches. They were passed onto the local ranger, who visited the site and reported the stranding to the appropriate body. This turned out to be a very rare sighting of a Sowerby beaked whale, so gave some excitement to all involved, although we would have prefered to see it alive. Samples were taken and we're waiting to hear the results of the autopsy. The Trust are happy to take calls on any aquatic subject and will pass the information on to the correct party.


Forward to the next few weeks, and the juvenile surveys (electrofishing) will be starting. These run from July to the end of September, and are very reliant on decent weather and low rivers. We will also be continuing with the plankton sampling,. although that is due to finish in September. This will give a full year of data, which can be used to develop and verify the sea lice dispersal model for the area. Also due to finish this year - in November - is the Rhododendron mapping. This will be used to source funding for the removal of this attractive, but highly damaging, plant.

Himalayan Balsam at Nedd

Also on the biosecurity front, we will once again be at Nedd and Clashnessie pulling Himalayan Balsam. The work seems to be having a good effect and it is still hoped that we can fully eradicate the plant in the next couple of years. Estuary netting is also set to continue, with the RAFTS sampling ending in July (Kinloch and Kyle of Durness) but the Laxford and Polla continuing until October. These data are useful in discussions with the local fish farmers and as a part of the local Area Management Agreements.

On top of all this, we will be attending the Highland Field Sports Fair, Moy, on the 2nd and 3rd August. If you're free and in the area then please join us. We'll be down in Fisherman's Row with our colleagues from the Spey and the Findhorn, Lossie and Nairn. This is always an enjoyable day for all the family, with lots of stalls, activities and demonstrations so well worth a visit. We would also appreciate the company!

For further updates on the Trust's work please visit our facebook page  www.facebook.com/westsutherlandfisheriestrust

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2013 field season begins



We cannot believe it is April already, time definitely flies when you are having fun! The Trust calendar is filling up fast as the field season gets underway and less and less time is spent in the office. It is great to be out and about although we might not be saying that when the midges come out to play. There is just one more day to go until the annual Ghillies Seminar, an opportunity for ghillies, keepers, scientists and other river workers to come together to exchange information and raise any concerns they might have.  This year the focus is on predators and their impacts on salmonid populations.  In addition Tony Andrews of the Atlantic Salmon Trust will be giving two public talks on the Salmon at Sea (SALSEA) project on Thursday 11^th April (Lochinver village Hall at 7:45pm) and Friday 12^th April (Scourie Village Hall at 6:30) All welcome, hope to see you there.

Smolt trap at Badnabay

Last week smolt traps were successfully installed at Bhadaidh Daraich and Badnabay. Water levels are still very low due to the extended dry spell so although they are not running yet we hope to catch the first fish movements.  The main smolt run in west Sutherland tends to be in May and all smolts will be measured and identified to species before continuing their seaward migration. A small tail clip will be taken from the smolts for genetic research, and we are also hoping to tag any kelts as part of the on-going studies into population dynamics and habitat usage.



The last week of March saw the first netting of the year.  Despite the cold water temperatures reducing fish movements it was beautiful weather, and although only two sea trout were caught at both the Polla and the Laxford it was good to see everyone again and the Trust was very happy to welcome two new volunteers so many thanks to all! Unfortunately the fish from the Polla had quite a lot of damage and a high number of sea lice. If you want to find out more about netting or are interested in becoming a volunteer please visit our website at http://home.btconnect.com/wsft/Netting.html

 

Ben Stack as viewed from the sea

As well as the monitoring of the mink rafts (still no signs of mink thankfully) the Trust has been busy with the plankton sampling as part of the sea lice dispersal project in conjunction with the Scottish Association for marine Science and Loch Duart Ltd. As it is spring we are back to sampling every month instead of every two months and it looks like our work will be cut out for us this summer as the plankton blooms! So far the lice counts are down in the March sample compared to the January sample but it will be interesting to see the changes over the coming year. It is always great to be out on the boat even if the weather is less than ideal and there was at least one day when our Michelin man layers and oilskins were a bit of an overkill.  Once again many thanks to Sonja and the boat crews for all their help.

The sea trout tracking project is moving forwards and it is still hoped that funding can be secured to determine the movements of sea trout and their marine habitat usage for conservation purposes. Other upcoming projects include ‘Mayfly in the classroom’ set to start in 2014 as part of the Trust’s educational remit. In preparation it will be mayfly in the office this year as we test the methods and try to raise the mayflies ourselves.  Electrofishing and kick sampling for freshwater invertebrates will form the main part of this year’s educational projects for P1 to P4s in May.

Small Rhododendron bush at Laxford

Looking forward to the summer work programme we hope for nice dry weather for electrofishing between July and September, although given all the good weather we have had so far we must be due for a downturn! Rhododendron mapping on the Reay Forest Estate is set to go ahead and this will involve a few weeks of fieldwork to determine the exact locations and density of bushes.  This information can then be presented as GIS maps for use in eradication programmes as Rhododendron ponticum is one of the main invasive non-native species in Sutherland. Mink rafts will also continue to be monitored around Scourie and Himalayan Balsam removed as part of the biosecurity plan.

 

There was further excitement in the office recently following the arrival of the new Trust tape measures. These are perfect for catch and release and are available in our online shop at http://home.btconnect.com/wsft/Merchandise.html

 

Trust tape measure

For further updates on the Trust’s work please visit our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/westsutherlandfisheriestrust?ref=hl#!/westsutherlandfisheriestrust or follow us on twitter!  https://www.twitter.com/WSFTrust