Author Archives: simonm

With help from The Conservation Volunteers Green Gym group, dead Japanese knotweed stems on the Peffery were cut back and burned.    The clearance of the dead stems makes access much easier later in the year for spraying and stem injecting … Continue reading →

We are working with Forestry Commission Scotland to test a new method of tree planting on a tributary of the Blackwater.  Some bankside areas are being planted using traditional staked treeguards but in other areas tree shelters are being built … Continue reading →

New biosecurity signs are being placed at strategic points around the Cromarty Firth region.  Signs for anglers are to be located at points where anglers visiting from outside the region are most likely to see them.  Signs for canoeists and … Continue reading →

The Achanalt smolt trap on the River Bran has been assembled and is ready for this year’s smolt run.  The trap catches the entire smolt run of the River Bran. Smolts are transported by road, past an impassable downstream obstruction at … Continue reading →

On Saturday the 23rd of March Russell Jobson from the Woodland Trust visited the Orrin for a tree planting afternoon with volunteers from the Dingwall Environment Group.             After a planting demonstration the volunteers managed … Continue reading →

The successful clearance of Rhododendron from the banks of the Orrin has left several kilometers of bankside which would benefit from the planting of native trees.    The Woodland Trust generously donated nearly 2,500 alders,willows,aspen, birch and oak trees to help restore native … Continue reading →

Members of The Conservation Volunteers Green Gym celebrate the clearance of the last rhododendron on the banks of the River Orrin.   This marks the completion of four years of hard work by volunteers and bailiffs which was supported by the … Continue reading →

The Conservation Volunteers and Fishery Board staff are on track to finish clearing Rhododendron from the banks of the River Orrin this winter.  In some areas chainsaws are being used by wherever possible a technique called ‘lever and mulch’ is being … Continue reading →

Salmon spawning is underway around the Cromarty Firth region.  Although the dark peat stained water makes counting redds difficult, salmon can be seen spawning in many shallows in upper and middle catchments.  At the lower end of many of our … Continue reading →

Bailiffs have been busy clearing debris jams to allow spawning access for salmon and trout.  Although fallen timber in rivers is generally good for fish habitat, in some cases large accumulations of debris, particularly after felling operations can block access … Continue reading →