Safeguard the Cairngorms – can you help?

As you read in the last diary, the area designated the Cairngorms National Park is being threatened locally, by excessive development, particularly by massive housing developments, with applications in process for 1940 houses. On top of the direct loss of important habitat, the increased pressure on fragile mountain habitats and other designated areas, National Nature Reserves etc from an estimated additional 4000 people, their cars and pets in the Badenoch and Strathspey area alone, will be immense. Erosion on the shores of Loch Garten and Loch an Eilien is already beyond repair and there is nothing in the proposed development plans to mitigate against more damage to these and other sites.

The Park Board seem incapable of standing up for natural history interests of the area they have been tasked to look after so it has fallen on the shoulders of four bodies that feel passionately about the plants and animals living there to try and ensure future developments are sustainable and less damaging.

Sadly, the one body that would once have stood up for the natural heritage interests, Scottish Natural Heritage, has lost its teeth, with all the crucial decisions on anything less than that meeting “Protected European Status” being passed to the Park Board.

For the last 36 years I have tried my best to record the species and extol the values and importance of the natural history interest within what is now the National Park area and it is so sad to see our local area now being treated as an enterprise park. A few of the species that make the place important to me are included below, and some may be special to you so if you can support this appeal against over development that would be great.

If you love the area and its wildlife just as it is and can help with the legal appeal please go to http://www.safeguardthecairngorms.org.uk/ and donate online. Alternatively, use the details on the appeal literature copied below.

Stewart and Janet

Hydnellum cumulatum – a tooth fungus

Hydnellum gracilipes – a tooth fungus.
Both of these fungi were new to the UK when found recently in Abernethy Forest and both have yet to be found outside the Park area. Out of 19 currently known species of tooth fungi in the UK, 15 have been found in Abernethy Forest. The Scots pine woodland around Loch an Eilein is also important for these fungi.

Red squirrel

Farmland.
Farmland habitats within the Park are also important

Loss of waders.
However, many important farmland wader areas in the Badenoch and Strathspey area have been damaged or lost due to agricultural intensification. The Park Board would be better advised to work towards reversing this damage before allowing more habitats to be lost to the proposed developments.

Swallows.
Insect rich habitats are essential for annual breeding success for these summer visitors.

The Pine Hoverfly – Blera fallax.
Currently only found in Strathspey woodland within the UK.

Capercaillie.
 A female bird scurries along a track protecting its young brood. A bird that will suffer from disturbance as more folk seek out the quieter places for dog walking and recreation.

The Green Shield-moss – Buxbaumia viridis.
This rare Red Data moss has its UK stronghold in Strathspey.

Twinflower.
One of the iconic pinewood plants.

Sunset over Insh Marshes NNR.
The main breeding wader site within the Park and home to ancient aspen trees with rare lichen populations, some recent finds being new to the UK.

Photos © Stewart Taylor