Author Archives: simonm

Alness Rhododendron Clearance Bailiffs have started work to clear the banks of the Alness system of Rhododendron. Beginning withe the clearance of a heavily infested a spawning tributary at Ardross castle.   Before Forestry Commission funding will cover 10 days … Continue reading →

This week brought one of the most violent storms for many years to the North of Scotland.  The broodstock collection at Loch na Croic is very dependent on weather and water flows.  A rise in water is needed to draw … Continue reading →

The Partnership Against Wildlife Crime (PAWS) has produced a mobile phone app which can be used to record and report wildlife crime to the police.  As well as reporting other forms of wildlife crime this provides a new way of … Continue reading →

  Follow the link below for details of the first sea trout recorded spawning in the River Peffery upstream of the Strathpeffer weir since a fish pass was installed this summer. http://www.morayfirthtrout.org/news.asp

The native trees that were planted along the banks of the Orrin this spring are growing very well.  The Rhododendron which previously covered the entire river has now been felled and any regrowth sprayed each year.  The Woodland Trust supplied native … Continue reading →

During the 1970’s UDN (Ulcerative Dermal Necrosis) killed tens of thousands of salmon returning to Scottish Rivers.   Although much research took place at the time no causal agent was ever identified.  Over the last few years there have been reports … Continue reading →

Trout fishing the hill lochs around the Cromarty Firth provides some excellent sport and great exercise.  There is very little information available on this very under used resource and we would like to collect more information about the trout stocks … Continue reading →

Staff from the Cromarty Firth Fishery Trust helped to organise and run a Dingwall Environment Group Wildlife Day.   The event was very popular and had a series of guided walks looking at local wildlife including; plants, birds, moths and mammals. … Continue reading →

Two winters ago volunteers from the Dingwall Environment Group and The Conservation Volunteers planted local willow cuttings and alders along bare banks of the Peffery.   After two growing seasons the trees are now well established.  The trees are now providing … Continue reading →

As well as the long term smolt trapping operation on the River Bran, we are operating two Rotary Screw Traps this year.  One of these will be used to monitor the effects of flow regimes on the Orrin to optimise … Continue reading →