News and Events

July 2022: Isle of Arran field trip

It's been a while since we had an extended excursion as a group, so it was great to get the chance to head over to the, wonderful, Isle of Arran for the first weekend of July! We were welcomed to Glen Rosa by, Senior Ranger, Kate who showed us around and ensured we got some nice views of Adders and Slow-worm, and we got to hear about the work they are doing to restore the habitats around Brodick Castle grounds. Elsewhere on the island, we were lucky enough to see Hen Harriers and Golden Eagles - just to put the cherry on top!

September 2021: Meadow mowing - Birnie & Gaddon Lochs LNR

FARG joined the volunteers of Fife Coast and Countryside Trust at Gaddon Loch meadow in September, cutting and removing this year's growth as part of the site management. Doing this helps maintain the meadow, providing habitat not only for pollinators, but also ideal conditions for small mammals and amphibians.

Frogs, toads and newts all use the grasslands after the breeding season. The vegetation gives them a food source in the form of small insects, slugs and snails. It also retains moisture at the base of the herbage, ensuring that these creatures don't become desiccated.

Once the vital work of cutting and removing has been done, the animals can end up being exposed to predation. But don't worry, volunteers to the rescue! Over 35 frogs, at least the same amount of toads, several voles and two newts (one palmate newt and one smooth newt) were carefully collected and transported to the longer vegetation around the edges of the meadow.

What these numbers show is that this continued management is having multiple benefits for wildlife, from early spring when the cowslips appear, all the way to autumn and beyond.

Aug 2020: Amphibian Survey - Pitmedden Forest

Answering a call from Forestry and Land Scotland, FARG members visited Pitmedden Forest in an effort to find and move any amphibians from an area where scrub clearance, and subsequent tree planting, is due to take place.

Pitmedden hosts good amphibian populations, including the protected great crested newt, which means particular care has to be taken when carrying out major forestry work to avoid disturbance. Luckily, there are numerous ponds scattered throughout the woodland allowing for translocation of any amphibians found.

A hand search of potential rest sites and hibernacula turned up only a few amphibians: one common frog, one palmate newt, and one great crested newt (right). All were successfully moved to the safety of a recognised great crested newt breeding pond within the forest.

March 2021: Hibernacula building - Bluther wetland

Thank you to Cairneyhill Explorers and West Fife Woodlands Group who helped to create four hibernacula at Bluther wetland near Blairhall - work which will be much appreciated by all those amphibs! This initiative was funded by NatureScot Biodiversity Challenge Fund through the Inner Forth Futures Wetland Habitat Network project, a partnership initiative led by RSPB Scotland. Other work on site included creation of a new pond complex, tree planting and removal of encroaching willow carr.

Aug 2019: Coul Den LNR volunteer day

The first Saturday of the month of August can mean only one thing: the annual mass volunteer gathering at Coul Den. Members of FARG joined with Fife Conservation Volunteers and Pitcairn Volunteers on a lovely day to cut the meadow.

May 2019: Loch Leven Discovery Day 2019

A really splendid and successful Discovery Day at Loch Leven NNR. Many thanks to SNH for once again hosting a fantastic event. Dallas and Ian were joined by Bryan to brave the early showers, that gave way to windy sunshine, and spread the word about all things herpetefauna in the Kingdom.