Fears new trees may drive out rare curlew
Villagers fear a new plantation of non-native trees planned in Perthshire will drive out endangered birds known to nest in the area.
Curlew can often be found close to Harrietfield at the moment but locals reckon they will abandon the area if Scottish Forestry let estate owners plant Sitka trees nearby.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) says there has been a “worrying decline” in curlew numbers across the UK including Scotland over the last 25 years.
The charity believes a rise in the number of landowners creating forests on breeding grounds such as open moorland is at least partly to blame for a 42 per cent fall in the population between 1995 and 2008.
Now people in Harrietfield fear the proposed plantation on the Logiealmond Estate could fuel a further reduction in curlew numbers locally as the birds are known to avoid areas where Sitka trees are being grown.
One resident familiar with the plan told the PA he hopes Scottish Forestry will insist the landowners and their agents, Tilhill Forestry, plant a different kind of tree when it considers their proposals.
The resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “We have a very high number of curlew nesting in this area and I don’t want to see any damage being done to their habitat. They are a very rare bird.
“Sitka is very fast growing [but] it just sucks up water and sunlight [and] creates dead, uninhabitable space. Nothing wants to live in it.
“I’m hoping Scottish Forestry will persuade them to plant something more sympathetic to the surrounding area.”
A Scottish Forestry spokesperson said: “Tilhill Forestry, as agents for the landowner, has been working on a woodland creation proposal at south
Logiealmond. Originally the proposal was for large scale woodland but we understand that the revised proposal is now for a much smaller area.
“Tilhill is following the steps that are set out in Scottish Forestry’s woodland creation application guidance. Currently they are carrying out due diligence in the development of their proposals and this includes engagement with the local community on their views.
“Once this stage has been completed, Scottish Forestry will receive supporting material, including environmental surveys and information around community feedback.
“The next stage after this will be for Scottish Forestry to screen the application under the Environmental Impact Assessment regulations.
“Scottish Forestry will then take a decision on whether the proposal should proceed or if it is likely to have a negative impact on the environment.
”All woodland creation proposals that are submitted to Scottish Forestry are assessed against the UK Forestry Standard, which is the Scottish Government’s approach to sustainable forest management.”
Tillhill Forestry did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
Logiealmond Estate also did not respond to a request for comment.