Survey of birds who eat fish set for Teith
Volunteers from variety of backgrounds needed to take part in count
Volunteers are being urged to get involved next month in a Teithwide count of birds which eat fish.
The Forth District Salmon Fishery Board are looking to determine the population of cormorants, mergansers and goosanders in their system.
The survey of piscivorous species, which will take place at 6.30am on April 2, has come about due to a number of anglers and proprietors voicing concerns about the number of birds on the river and the damage they are doing to fish populations.
In order to get an accurate number those taking part in the count will follow a survey method – splitting the river into a number of sections with the longest being four kilometres.
And organisers insist they need more helpers in order to ensure the full catchment is covered to the best of their ability.
A spokesperson for Forth District Salmon Fishery Board said: “We’ve got around 40 volunteers who have agreed to take part and a real good mixture of people. To set this up we’ve needed to break the river up into sections and lookout some of the best vantage points. We’ve got it covered from Inverlochlairg to Callander, from Loch Katrine to Callander and then from Callander to Stirling.
“This is basically being done as part of the management of the river. It’s not been done in 15 to 20 years and we’re going to do it again in September to make sure the results are accurate.”
A spokesperson added: “We are keen to have a variety of volunteers from different backgrounds and expertise on top of anglers and proprietors, and would be grateful for any assistance the ranger service may be able to provide.”
The survey will start at sunrise and is not expected to take any longer than two hours. There will also be a training and information workshop on March 25 at 10.30am at the office on Cambusmore Estate.
To get involved contact Jonathan Louis by emailing j.louis@fishforth.co.uk or call 07864999135.