Friends of the Ochils Newsletter 20: Spring 2002A few diverse biodiversity notes:Woodland notesDavid GordonThe FotO forestry and woodlands subcommittee walked the Glen Quey woodlands in October. We were disappointed at the height of some of the planting, although on a wet and cloudy day it was difficult to get a true impression. The Woodland Trust has scalloped the upper edge of the planting - that is, instead of a straight line it is a series of linked curves. Whether that gives an adequate sense of openness as the trees develop will be kept under review by both FotO and the WT. The deer fence is certainly intrusive, but given the deer population the trees will not establish themselves without such protection. Indeed the question in my non-expert mind is whether the intention of reducing the fence to stock height will be sustainable in 10-15 years time. There are several stiles in the fence but these could be difficult to negotiate because of the wide spacing of the "rungs". At a meeting in December the WT assured us this would be remedied. (Ed. - March saw the stiles improved at last - they are now much safer. So that's good, but there are still only stiles in the obvious places, eg on Bentie Knowe and where the Whitewisp - Innerdownie path meets the fence. This severely restricts access and will create bottleneck erosion; there ought to be stiles - or, better, gates - at regular intervals right round the ring. At present, for example, there is neither stile nor gate on the long fenced slope from Glen Quey to Whitewisp, above the Garchel Burn, so anyone using the firebreaks hereabouts will get stuck.) At the December meeting we also discussed at some length possible planting proposals for Glen Sherup / Ben Shee / Frandy. We made vigorous representations concerning landscape impact and access/walking routes. The next stage is likely to be an application to the Forestry Commission for a planting grant on a specific scheme. We will have an opportunity to comment formally on these. |