BY CALUM CAMPBELL
Scotland’s forestry and woodland creation schemes are coming under scrutiny, with growing concerns about the harmful impact they are having on already endangered wildlife. This is your chance to push for change in the way these schemes are regulated and implemented, to protect our natural heritage for future generations.
A case in point is the Muckrach Estate near Grantown-on-Spey, which recently received a substantial £2,581,220.45 grant from Scottish Forestry. Unfortunately, this project has already proven fatal for wildlife. A male Black Grouse—a species listed as ‘Red’ and critically endangered—was found dead after colliding with an unmarked fence installed as part of the estate’s forestry work. Despite the sensitivity of the area and prior agreements to safeguard birdlife, the necessary protective measures were neglected.
Savills, the agents for the Muckrach Estate, had twice committed during planning and in official logs to marking the fences with wooden droppers. These droppers are known to be effective in preventing bird collisions. However, in practice, they opted for cheaper bamboo canes, which have been proven less effective. Despite this deviation from the agreed plan, Scottish Forestry has not taken steps to enforce the use of the safer wooden droppers.
The failings do not stop there. A well-established lekking site, a crucial area for Black Grouse mating rituals, which had been documented for over 12 years, was irresponsibly mounded over and planted with trees. Such actions threaten the long-term survival of this already vulnerable species.
Moreover, regulations designed to protect ground-nesting birds appear to have been ignored. All forestry work is supposed to halt by mid to late March to avoid disrupting these birds during their critical nesting period. However, tracked machinery continued to operate on the site well into April, disturbing wildlife. In one incident, a woodcock nest containing four eggs was abandoned when a tracked machine passed within 60 centimetres, even creating a mound nearby on 11th April.
Sadly, Muckrach Estate is not an isolated case. Similar reports are emerging from other parts of Scotland, raising serious concerns about the lack of oversight and enforcement in these projects.
It is time for a thorough inquiry into what is going wrong with Scotland’s forestry and woodland creation schemes. We cannot allow the destruction of wildlife habitats in the name of progress. Wherever you live in the UK, your voice is needed—please share this message and sign the petition calling for urgent action.
Together, we can help safeguard Scotland’s precious wildlife.