For the past few months I have been counting species on the saltmarsh, in the mudflats and flying through the air! I have been counting things that move and grow, some that move quite fast and some that fortunately take life at a slower pace, some that are tiny and others that are much bigger but further away! The aim of all this counting is to see how the saltmarsh and mudflats of the managed realignment site at Nigg, one of the reserves that I get to work on is developing.
Saltmarsh is a dynamic and unique habitat, with the species that call it home having special adaptations that enable them to cope with twice daily inundation by saltwater. As mentioned in my previous blog, ‘Saving our saltmarshes’, the habitat has suffered declines in recent centuries due to a variety of factors. Once it is lost, it is a very hard habitat to recreate, but managed realignment attempts to do this.
Nigg Bay, one of the sites that I work on, was the location of the first coastal realignment project in Scotland. In 2003 two holes were dug in the sea wall, allowing sea water to once again inundate the land behind, fifty years after it last did so. Several research projects have been undertaken on the site, and now nine years on I have been undertaking survey work to build a picture of how the site is developing and how it is being utilised by plants, invertebrates and birds.
Saltmarsh flora is developing within the site, along with the characteristic creek and pool systems associated with the habitat. All of the key saltmarsh species found on the reference saltmarsh in the bay, such as Aster tripolium (Sea aster), Spergularia sp. (Sea spurrey) and Glaux maritima (Sea milkwort) are now also occurring in the realignment site, apart from Armeria maritima (Thrift).
I have surveyed the invertebrates of the mudflat both within and outside the realignment site. The chance to study and look at some of these amazing creatures that are less often seen due to the hidden nature of their preferred homes has been great. I have focused on Hydrobia ulvae (Laver spire shell snails), Corophium sp. (mud shrimps), Nereis Diversicolor (ragworm) and Macoma baltica (Baltic tellin). These are fascinating animals that have unique adaptations and as well as roles that they perform within the ecosystem, and can be found in vast densities in certain areas of the mudflats.
As part of my study of the site, I have also been conducting mid tide counts. These involve observing the site as the tide comes in, and noting which bird species are using it and how it is being used, for example for feeding, roosting or loafing. This will enable us to form a picture of what sort of a resource the site is acting as for birds, and whether it is being utilised more on certain tides or weathers.
Other activities that I have been involved in over the autumn and winter include –
• Co-ordinating and taking part in Low tide WeBs counts – WeBs counts are organised by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), and form part of their research work. Low tide WeBs counts enable the Trust to form a picture of the feeding sites for waders and waterfowl around the UK. I have been co-ordinating counts around the Cromarty Firth.
• Taking part in High tide WeBs counts around the Moray Firth. These are also part of the BTO’s research programme and allow them to develop a map of the key roosting sites for waders and waterfowl around the UK.
• Taking part in international goose counts, counting the numbers of pink footed geese, greylag geese, whooper swans and mute swans, as they take off from their night time roosts. This is an impressive spectacle, especially when lift off coincides with a fantastic sunrise, as it did in November.
• Leading several volunteer work parties undertaking key maintenance and habitat work on the reserves.
• Having the opportunity to talk to the International Wader Study Group conference about my apprenticeship when they made a field trip to the realignment site in September. I also had the chance to chat to several of them informally and get some insight into saltmarshes, their species and the status overseas which was great.
• Taking part in a thank you event for volunteers. Volunteers have played a vital role in my apprenticeship, not only with the work parties that I have helped to lead, but also assisting me with several of my research and monitoring programmes. I was delighted therefore to be asked to give a talk about my apprenticeship, at the annual volunteer thank you event that the RSPB holds for its volunteers in the North of Scotland each year, in December.
This weekend I shall be working at ‘Wildlife and Waves’, a free public event to celebrate World Wetlands Day, that I have helped to plan and organise. We shall be celebrating all things wetland, including saltmarshes, mudflats, marshes, coasts and peatlands, with games, activities and information. If you are interested in finding out more about the event, which is being held in Rosemarkie, on the Black Isle, more details can be gained by visiting the RSPB website, www.rspb.org.uk.
Claire
BTCV Natural Talent Saltmarsh Apprentice