Here’s an update for our fabulous Solway coast duo: Jack and Liam.
Bolstering bats
Over the summer months, Jack and Liam have worked with several communities throughout Dumfries & Galloway to raise awareness of the diversity of local bat species and ways in which people can become more involved in bat conservation.
One highlight was working closely with Dalbeattie Men’s Shed to build wooden bat boxes which were then distributed at an event with Dumfries and Galloway Woodlands. Attendees were led on a bat-tastic guided walk by Jack and then got to take away their very own bat box to put up in their area.
Liam has been working with the ranger staff at the National Trust for Scotand’s Threave Nature Reserve and some enthusiastic volunteer surveyors. Together they have turned the reserve into a model site for demonstrating the different surveys people can do as part of Bat Conservation Trust’s National Bat Monitoring Programme.
Boosting butterflies
Over the summer we were able to make good use of the warmer weather; alongside a team of fantastic volunteers we carried out habitat and population monitoring for the northern brown argus butterfly (NBA) at various sites along the Scottish Solway coast. This involved a combination of quadrat, transect and timed egg count surveys. Due to the exceptionally warm and dry conditions throughout the spring and summer months, the butterflies emerged earlier and in greater numbers than in previous years; this made for an interesting survey season! Jack and Liam are hoping to work with local communities over the winter months to do some scrub removal to improve habitat for the NBA.
Tadpole shrimps hatch at Mersehead!
Perhaps the most exciting news from recent weeks is a new population of the rare and ancient Tadpole Shrimp has hatched at RSPB Scotland’s Mersehead reserve, following re-introductions of eggs in 2024 and 2025. Requiring rehydration before hatching, the recent wet weather on the Solway Coast has finally allowed the eggs to hatch, with two adult Tadpole Shrimps spotted at the site this October for the first time since 1948. You can read more here: Unbe-leech-ably successful breeding season at Highland Wildlife Park.
Coming up…
Looking ahead, Liam is aiming to complete habitat works for the natterjack toad including the creation of breeding scrapes and hibernacula.
Liam has also commissioned two local artists to develop a series of embodied writing and mark-making workshops using objects made from foraged materials to guide participants through a process of creative reflection in the landscape. This activity will comprise of four seasonal workshops, the first of which will commence in the autumn. The workshops will culminate in a physical piece that will be co-created by the workshop participants, representing their diverse experiences of the natural environment. Watch this space for more updates on how this activity is progressing over the coming months!
Any news of events or opportunities over the winter months will come to you via email so, if you haven’t already, make sure you’re signed up to the Species on the Edge Solway mailing list: Join our mailing list!
