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3. Aberlady (1967): an old exemplar revisited
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3.2 Part 2 Prescriptive
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The emphasis in the plan is on habitat managagement.
The objectives were not linked with measurable attributes of the habitat and species
features of
the reserve that could be used to monitor the success of the plan.
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The bird life of the Reserve
falls into three groups - (i) the shore-
nesting birds, (ii) the birds feeding in the salt marsh and the Bay,
and (iii) the smaller breeding birds of the grasslands and
woodlands. Management prescriptions are required for the first two
groups.
Objective:
Maintain the shore-nesting
birds in a favourable condition
Factors:
The factors influencing the growth of the tern colony and the
change in breeding ground of the waders has been discussed in
Chapter III, section 7(a) (i). At the advice of the R.S.P.B.
the part-time Warden erected a line of poles and suitable
advisory notice boards so as to canalize people away from the
centre of the breeding area. Terns are attractive birds, and
so long as a colony continues to attempt to nest within the
Reserve a part- time Warden should be employed to patrol their
breeding ground.
The possibility exists that the terns might move their site
from year to year, or that another species of bird may require
special supervision during the breeding season.
Recommendations about additional supervision of breeding birds
should be made by the Biological Sub-Committee.
Burning
It has been suggested that burning of the ground vegetation
might create a short turf habitat more suitable for shore-
nesting birds. Whether burning would have the desired result
is not known, but there are many possible undesirable results
(e.g. the fire getting out of hand). Therefore, burning as a
management tool is not recommended.
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Objective:
Maintain the waders feeding
in the bay and marshes in a favourable
condition
Factors:
At present the salt marsh provides a certain amount of food,
animal life associated with brackish water, for migratory
birds. Experiments were tried in 1959 to create shallow
'flashes' in the salt marsh south of the sand bar, but these
were on a limited scale and have met with little success. In
order to increase the feeding and to facilitate observation a
further shallow artificial pond, three to nine inches deep,
should be considered. Before such a pool is established, a
scientist, with experience of such areas, should be consulted
to ascertain whether the area could support a large enough
population of animal life for food for the birds. A survey of
the animal life inhabiting the brackish water of the Reserve
might be useful.
It remains possible that such a pool would have an enhanced
educational value if a permanent hide were constructed. This
work would not be required, however, during the period covered
by this plan, since the pool will require some time before it
becomes a major feeding ground for waders.
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Objective:
Maintain the fresh water
marshes in a favourable condtion:
Factors:
The Marl Loch and the Yellow Mires have a very rich flora
(Chapter III, section 6(d) (ii)). Threats to these areas come
from drainage and toxic chemicals. Management should aim at
avoiding drainage schemes in the vicinity of the Marl Loch and
an area running about half a mile to the north of the Loch.
The effects of toxic chemicals on the plant and animal life of
the fresh-water marshes could be serious, and their use
anywhere within the Reserve should be discouraged.
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Objective:
Maintain the plant communities
of the coastal turf in a favourable
condition
Factors:
Golfing
The Golf Course has, in the past, cut areas of turf within the
Reserve. This practice should not be stopped, since the bare
ground thus created gives rise to two types of specialized
plant communities (Chapter III, section 6(f)). If no new turf
cutting operations have been started by 1970, the Biological
Sub-Committee should recommend two or three areas, not more
than a quarter of an acre each, from which the turf should be
cleared.
GRAZING
The problem of allowing grazing on the Reserve was raised by
the factor of Luffness Estate and the Tenant Farmer in 1964
and 1965. The advice of the Nature Conservancy, and a
prescription of this Plan, is that there should be no grazing
in the vicinity of the Marl Loch, the Curling Pond, or the
marshes and moist ground associated with either of these
areas. In order to graze this ground, herbicides would have to
be used to destroy the horsetail (Equisetum spp.), which
occurs in one of the most interesting plant communities in the
Reserve, and which is poisonous to cattle. The damage to the
saltings and to the banks of the Marl Loch by the cattle's
hooves would also be considerable. The area considerably to
the east of the Marl Loch, a small part of which was enclosed
and cut for silage in 1967 (Plate 13), may be suitable for
grazing. However, part of this area would probably require a
ground drainage system, which would influence the seepage of
water into the Marl Loch and its associated marshes. Hence, it
is recommended that no ground drainage schemes are carried out
within the Reserve. The erection of fences, especially to the
west of the Marl Loch, should be opposed, since this would
destroy the 'sense of space'. The advice of the Nature
Conservancy and the Biological Sub- Committee should be sought
in all aspects of grazing.
Trampling by HORSES AND
PONIES
A consideration of the damage to plant communities by the
riding of horses and ponies, and prescriptions for routing
these animals, will be found in section 3(b) (v) of this
Chapter.
SEA BUCKTHORN
There are three main areas of sea buckthorn, Hippophae
rhamnoides beside the Marl Loch, at the north of the Yellow
Mires, and near the Hummel Rocks. With the lack of rabbit
grazing pressure, it is estimated that the forward edge of
these clumps is advancing at two to three feet per year (Plate
15), and, particularly on the more open teschen-ite soils,
self-seeded bushes are becoming established. If it is
possible, the three clumps of sea buckthorn should be
maintained at their 1967 size by frequently cutting all
outspreading shoots. It is also prescribed that all other
plants of sea buckthorn should be dug out before they become
too large to control.
OTHER SPECIES
The giant hogweed, Heracleum mante-gazzianum (Plate 16), an
alien that is spreading in the Lothians, is undesirable
because it forms dense stands in which few other plants are
able to grow. It is, therefore, prescribed that this plant be
exterminated from the Reserve.
Hawthorn is not desirable in the Reserve since it causes the
open character of the Reserve to be destroyed (Plate 14).
Later in this Chapter, section 5, the boundaries of the
Reserve are discussed, and an area which the hawthorn would be
allowed to colonize is demarcated. Over all other areas of the
calcareous grassland, the hawthorn should be cut.
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Objective:
Maintain The Marl Loch
in a favourable condition
Factors:
Some of the changes in the Marl Loch since it was dug out in
1963 have been described in Chapter III, sections 6(d) (ii)
and 7(a) (i). In order that this fresh-water fauna and flora
should be conserved, and in order to provide a focus for a
possible nature trail, it is recommended that the open water
area should be maintained. However, just as the open water
became overgrown with marsh vegetation in the past, so it will
become re-overgrown, and any chance to use mechanical
apparatus in clearing away more of the marl and vegetation
should be taken. It is likely that during the period of this
Plan that work on the Aberlady and Gullane sewage schemes will
commence, and this will involve the use of some heavy
machinery on the Reserve. Since it is considered that clearing
operations will have to take place every eight to twelve
years, it might be useful to take this opportunity to dredge
the area of open water again. A botanist should always be
consulted before dredging commences to ascertain that no
damage will occur to the rarer plants.
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Objective:
Maintain the sand dune
system in the north of the Reserve in a
favourable condition
Factors:
At the present time, natural processes are causing a build up
of a part of the sand dunes as was described in Chapter III,
section 2.
Three factors can help to cause erosion. (1) Wind: if there
are a large number of westerly or north-westerly gales during
the winter, large quantities of sand, particularly near
Jovie's Neuk, may be blown away (Plate 17). This occurred
during the winter of 1966-67, and in order to re-establish the
marram grass on the bare sand slopes some thatching with sea
buckthorn branches would be useful. (2) Public pressure: any
increase in the public usage of the dune system would
encourage erosion (Plate 18). Public pressure on this
coastline is increasing, but as the dunes are at least one and
a half miles from the nearest car park, any damage is unlikely
to be as severe as at Gullane. The effects of hooves of horses
and ponies activate erosion (Plate 19), and all animals with
iron-shod hooves should be forbidden to enter the dune system.
(3) Fire: Fire damages the grasses and in the burnt state they
cannot hold the sand against wind erosion. When the public
pressure on the dunes increases, it might be useful to have
one or two racks of fire-brooms situated in prominent
positions near the dunes. Notices drawing the public's
attention to the fire risks and mentioning the provisions of
Bye-Law 9 should be exhibited.
INSPECTION: At the present time, there is little immediate
danger of large-scale erosion of the dune system. However, in
view of the erosion at Gullane Dunes, it is prescribed that
the dunes on the Reserve should be inspected annually,
preferably in early spring. Any anti-erosion work that has to
be undertaken should follow the principles used on the Gullane
Dunes.
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Objectives:
To encourage public usage
of the Reserve for appreciating natural
history, and to inform and interest the public in all aspects of the
Reserve.
To encourage schools, particularly
in Edinburgh and the Lothians, to
take an interest in the natural history, physiography and geology of
the Reserve.
Factors:
(a) General: Three categories
of people visit the Reserve. Firstly,
there are organized parties from schools, universities, or
societies, and these would normally be supervised. They would
usually be interested in some aspect of the natural history,
physiography or geology, and would probably require no special
information about the Reserve.
Secondly, there is the
general public who comes on to the Reserve
with the purpose of following some aspect of field studies. To the
regular visitor (e.g. the bird-watcher, wildfowler) no provision is
required for education. However, a large number of people in this
second category visit the Reserve without any clear idea of what
they will see, but nevertheless they come here to look for birds and
flowers since it is a Nature Reserve. Such people have expressed the
wish for some guidance, and this would have to be provided at or
near the Reserve.
Thirdly, there are the
people who visit the area for recreation -
walking the dog, swimming near the Point, picnicking in or by the
car park, etc. Many of these people are not interested in the Nature
Reserve, some in the 'sense of space' and quietness, and some in
finding a free car park.
It should be stressed that
the Bye-Laws apply to any person entering
the Reserve, and that parties of persons using the Reserve do
require a permit to collect any plants or animals (Bye-Laws 10, 11
and 14).
(b) Aspects of Education:
(i) BOOKLET OR LEAFLET:
Most people who visit the Reserve for a
natural history excursion consider that this is essential. A small
publication that describes the land form of the Reserve, discusses
the plant communities and some of the plants, possibly in relation
to the physiography, and describes the animals associated with the
Reserve, particularly some of the species of birds, and in general
concentrating more on ecology than listing species, should be
prepared. This could probably be put on sale in a shop in Aberlady,
and it might be possible at some time to sell copies of this to
visitors entering the Reserve at the footbridge over the Peffer
Burn. Schoolmasters feel that it has some potential use in schools,
and the local schools should be encouraged to buy copies for field
teaching. The presentation should not be too specialized, and it
should probably be pitched at fourth or fifth year school level.
(ii) NATURE TRAIL: There
is already a nature trail at Yellowcraig,
about three miles to the east of the Reserve. School teachers have
expressed the view that a nature trail is only of limited use to
them. At the present time, therefore, there appears to be little
need to lay out a nature trail on the Reserve.
However, this should be
kept under constant review. When a booklet
about the Reserve is prepared, there might be a demand from the
public for some of the aspects of the natural history and
physiography of the Reserve to be demonstrated. This could be
achieved either by a nature trail or by informative notices (see
Chapter V, section 2(b) (iv)). A nature trail can effectively keep a
high proportion of people away from parts of the Reserve that
require special attention, e.g. nesting areas.
If a trail is eventually
laid out on the Reserve, an explanatory
leaflet, sold in conjunction with the booklet, would be required.
(iii)piLM STRIPS: School
teachers have expressed their opinion that
film strips, on selected subjects, are the most useful aid to
teaching prior to a field visit. The preparation of film strips or
loop films is expensive, and falls outwith the scope of a
prescription of the Management Plan. However, if the Education
Authorities of Edinburgh or the Lothian County Councils consider
that the Reserve has a sufficiently great teaching potential, they
could be encouraged to finance the preparation of suitable
educational films. All filming work of this nature on the Reserve
should be encouraged and a record of any films made should be kept
with the management Plan.
(iv) INFORMATIVE NOTICES:
Notices informing the public about the
dune reclamation work at Gullane have proved successful, and it is
possible that informative notices could be used to advantage at
Aberlady. For example, a notice on the highest point of the Reserve,
just south of the sea buckthorn clump near the Hummel Rocks, could
demonstrate the physiography of the dune system. Relying on natural
curiosity it might serve to keep people off the dune paths and on to
the metalled track, thus reducing erosion danger. A similar
informative notice by the Marl Loch, demonstrating some of the
plants growing there, would provide interest.
These notices should be
situated beside paths, and should be marked
on a map, possibly with the Bye- Laws, and also in the booklet.
(v) ADVERTISING: Talking
to people who use the Reserve, it has been
suggested that the Reserve should advertise itself and that
periodicals and newspapers should sometimes carry short articles
about the Reserve. There is no doubt that Mr. N. Tranter has
stimulated an interest in the Reserve by his short articles
discussing both the biological and historical aspects of the area.
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Objectives:
To maintain a system of
controlled wildfowl shooting.
To control areas subjected
to heavy pressure by the public, e.g. re-
routing of paths.
Factors:
(a) Wildfowling: No changes
in the present system of wildfowl
shooting are prescribed. Under this system, 25 permits have been
issued to residents of East Lothian for the duration of the shooting
season and an additional permit has been given to Inspector David
White, of the Dunbar Police Station. It is the responsibility of the
Management Committee to issue these permits.
The permits, issued in
terms of Bye-Law 14, have conditions attached
to them that are listed in the minutes of the Management Committee
meeting on 5 July, 1966. These are:
1. The permit is not transferable.
2. The permit must be produced
on demand.
3. Shooting is only allowed
between sunset and sunrise.
4. Shooting is not allowed
between the southern boundary of the
Reserve and the Peffer Burn and within that part of the Reserve
lying east of a line fifty yards to the west of the remaining
pillars south of the Marl Loch.
5. Shooting by any weapon
-other than by ordinary smooth bore shot-
gun is not allowed.
6. The permit is valid
from 1 September, 1966, to 20 February, 1967.
7. The Management Committee
reserves the right to withdraw the
permit at any time.
8. The holder of the permit
will inform the Management Committee not
later than 15 March, 1967, of the number of days on which the permit
has been used and the number and species of duck shot.
In future conditions attached
to the permits, conditions 6 and 8
would be modified to include the dates appropriate to the current
year. It was also agreed by the Management Committee that no geese
were to be shot.
(b) Control of Public:
(i) CAR PARKING: The only
car park for the Reserve is immediately
west of the footbridge over the Peffer Burn. This has a maximum
capacity of 23 cars and, in order to keep the Reserve 'remote', it
is the opinion of the Biological Sub-Committee that this park should
not be enlarged. The County Police should be encouraged to prevent
car parking along the roadside of the A198 near the footbridge. It
might be useful if this road were a 'Clearway' as the 'Police: No
Parking' signs are often thrown over the wall south of the A19 8. If
roadside parking could effectively be stopped, neither the number of
people on the 'Reserve nor the rate of turnover by the Reserve would
be increased if the car park were extended to hold a maximum of 36
cars. This might be useful if a full-time Warden, as discussed in
Chapter VII, section 3, is to be appointed.
An increase of parking
facilities at Gala Law Quarry, about half a
mile east of the Reserve and holding four cars at present, should be
opposed. Any enlargement of parking facilities at Gullane, by
increasing the car park towards the Nature Reserve, should also be
opposed, since this would allow an increased number of people into
the dune area of the Reserve. No scheme to allow vehicular traffic
into the Reserve should be considered except under Bye-Law 14 when
it is required for special purposes (e.g. a film unit).
(ii) FOOTBRIDGE: The footbridge
over the Peffer Burn (Plate 9)
should be kept in a good state of repair. In the winter of 1966-67,
it was damaged by gales and, in the summer of 1967, one of the
planks forming the carriageway was missing. Nothing in the Bye-Laws
states that the County Council cannot be held responsible for loss,
damage or injury whilst on the Reserve. If the footbridge is in a
state of disrepair, injury to people, particularly children, is
possible. It is recommended that the footbridge is inspected
regularly, possibly monthly or fortnightly, for any sign of
structural weakness.
(iii) MAINTENANCE OF PATHS:
As the number of people using the
Reserve increases, so also does the need to canalize their movements
in order that all parts of the Reserve are not disturbed (Plate 19).
Canalization is achieved by a good system of footpaths but footpaths
on sand crossing marshy places are notorious for getting in a bad
state. This must be overcome by laying a few drainage pipes at the
level of a ditch and building up the path to the height of the
surrounding ground. Any such work
should not damage the vegetation
forming the sides of the ditches on either side of the path.
(iv) DIVERSION OF FOOTPATHS:
In places where footpaths cross the
dunes, excessive use by the public may lead to erosion. Sections of
footpath that are liable to erosion should be planted with marram
grass and an alternative path cleared of vegetation. If there is an
existing path, this should be used but where this facility is
lacking a path should be cleared by cutting the grass along its line
during the spring. Planting of marram grass over paths to be closed
would best be done in autumn or early spring when public pressure on
the Reserve is slight.
Paths may also have to
be diverted to protect special areas of the
Reserve. The lower path from the Marl Loch to the sand bar causes
concern during the tern nesting season and it should be diverted.
Most people using this path are making for the sand dunes and beach
and hence a diversion to the right, about 50 yards before the shore
is reached, would channel most people to the dunes and away from the
sand bar. There is already a small path forking off to the right,
which is marked on the map and this should be enlarged before marram
grass is planted over the old path. The paths are indicated in Fig.
10.5.
(V)PONY RIDING: Pony riding
in the Reserve should be restricted to
areas where erosion danger is slight and to paths where the ponies
will not cause danger or annoyance to other persons using the
Reserve (cf. Bye-Law 3). In Chapter V, section l(d) (ii) it was
recommended that animals with iron-shod hooves should be forbidden
to enter the dune system. In order to prevent disturbance to shore-
nesting birds, they should also be forbidden to ride closer than 50
yards to that part of the sand bar which is exposed at high water.
Riders should be encouraged to keep to the remainder of the
foreshore wherever this is possible.
It has been suggested that
one or two paths should be demarcated for
use by ponies. Two suggested routes, if the eastern boundary of the
Reserve is re-declared, are illustrated in Fig. 10.5. The first of
these paths allows riders access to the foreshore just south of
Jovie's Neuk. It runs from the football pitch near the Hummel Rocks
and follows a small valley between the teschenite rocks and the
dunes. The second path would run from the football pitch to the ford
beside the footbridge and would follow the re-declared eastern
boundary if this is achieved. It should also be noted that the rocks
immediately east of Maggie's Loup are impassable to ponies at high
tide and hence the construction of a small slope here, just outside
what might be the revised Reserve boundary, would be a contribution
to controlling ponies within the Reserve.
When these two Pony Tracks
are established, riders will be obliged
to keep to them whilst on the area of the Reserve above H.W.M.O.S.T.
The two paths should be demarcated with small posts, perhaps about
two feet high. The risk of erosion of the dunes starting on the path
from the football pitch to Jovie's Neuk should always be remembered.
(vi) WARNING NOTICES: The
notices showing the Bye- Laws need to be
re-sited. The notice by the footbridge should be moved from the
roadside to near to the bridge so that it can be seen by the public
walking from the car park to the Reserve. The survey showed that few
people have ever walked from the car park to the roadside to read
this notice. A second notice is situated on the concrete blocks at
Maggie's Loup. This is considerably to the east of the Reserve
boundary but it would be correctly sited if the boundaries are re-
declared. Two notices are required on the western section of the
Reserve, situated by the H.W.M.O.S.T. near the village of Aberlady,
and at the west end of the Kilspindie Golf Course.
The survey showed that
whereas about 95% of people entering the
Reserve at the footbridge knew that they were on a Nature Reserve,
less than 15% said that they had ever read the Bye-Laws. It would,
therefore, be useful to have two notices, one by the footbridge to
the north of the Peffer Burn and another near Maggie's Loup, that
give a summary of the Bye-Laws. Such a notice could be worded in the
following manner:
Aberlady Bay Nature Reserve
Please do not pick the
wild flowers or disturb the birds. You are
asked to keep to the paths, particularly in the nesting season.
Additional notices might
be required by a part-time Warden asking
the public to remain outside a demarcated area.
All notices should be inspected,
at least annually, and kept clean
and painted. Many of the notices on the Reserve in 1967 are shabby
and the paint and wording is peeling off. This is a situation that
should be avoided. Similarly, notices should be placed where they
must be seen, i.e., beside paths, and not ten yards from a path in
long grass.
(vii) LITTER: Litter presents
a problem in that it cannot be
collected from the Reserve. There is an increasing number of bottles
being left among the marram grass in the dunes and this increases
fire danger in the area. If any labour becomes available, it would
be useful to gather and dispose of as much litter as possible. A
litter bin should also be provided at the car park and arrangements
made for this to be regularly emptied. Drums containing oil and
other pollutants, washed up by the tide, should also be disposed of
if this is at all possible.
(viii) SEWAGE: No prescriptions
can be made in regard to sewage but
the County Council should be encouraged to take all possible steps
to decrease pollution by sewage in the Reserve. Proposals have been
drawn up by Messrs. Carter & Wilson, Edinburgh, for the County
Council and their report is entitled Proposals to Remedy Sewage
Pollution at Aberlady Bay. The following are extracts:
'There are three areas
where pollution is evident - in the Bay close
to Aberlady village, along a stretch of 600 yards over the existing
West Gullane sewer through the links, and at the sea outfall of this
sewer. There is a fourth area j - the West Peffer Burn - where
pollution occurs intermittently through the operation of a vegetable
washing plant at Luffness Mains.
'We recommend that the
first three areas be dealt with by piping the
sewage from Aberlady to the West Gullane sewer, constructing a
screening and settlement plant for the combined sewage, constructing
a new sewer from the plant to high water mark, and extending the
present West Gullane sea outfall. The fourth area should be dealt
with by strict control of the operations at Luffness Mains
'Aberlady. Our proposals
here are for a gravity sewer laid
underground along the foreshore eastwards for a distance of 800
yards to the footbridge over the Peffer Burn, an underground
balancing tank and pumping station beside the car park at the
footbridge, and a pumping main 950 yards long to join the West
Gullane sewer ...'
Treatment works are proposed
to be situated in or near to the clump
of Sea Buckthorn, east of the Reserve boundary, near the Yellow
Mire. It is envisaged that work will commence on the new sewage
scheme during the period covered by this Plan and the Biological Sub-
Committee should ascertain that a minimum amount of damage results
to the habitats of the Reserve as a result of this scheme.
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Objectives:
To encourage biological
and physiographical surveys of the Reserve.
To ensure that scientific
research relating to the Reserve, by
individuals or institutions, can be pursued.
Factors:
(a) General: It is not
envisaged that the County Council will,
itself, take an active part in research or survey work. However, it
can encourage other bodies or persons to undertake scientific work
in relation to the Reserve and the presence of a Nature Reserve in
the vicinity of Edinburgh implies the potential use of the ground
for scientific research. At the present time, no prescriptions ' can
be made as to the form that research work should take. However, the
Management Committee and the Nature Conservancy, who undertook to
advise the County Council in scientific matters relating to the
Reserve, can control research by the issuing of normal permits to
collect samples or specimens.
(b) Surveys: Survey work
should concentrate on groups of animals or
plants that are not well known and on physiographic changes in the
Reserve. The results of completed surveys are included as appendices
to this Plan. An intensive survey of the soils of the Reserve is
required.
A record of any person
applying for a permit to collect for survey
work during the period of this Plan should be added to Appendix 10
of this Plan and details of results of the survey should be included
in later editions of the Management Plan.
(c) Scientific Research:
The details of all research projects that
are started during the period of this Plan, and of permits that are
issued in order to undertake a research project, should be added to
Appendix 10 of this Plan. Records of publication of research results
or the location of unpublished reports or theses should also be
added to Appendix 10.
The following research
projects are known to be taking place, or to
have taken place on or near the Reserve:
Miss N. J. Allman and Mr.
F. Simpson (Geology Dept., University of
Edinburgh) - Studies on the sedimentation and marine organisms of
the Bay (completed - B.Sc. thesis topic).
Dr. J. Dodds and Dr. P.
Myerscough (Botany Department, University of
Edinburgh) - Studies on the physiographic changes in the dune
system; on the populations of spring flowering annual plants; and on
the vegetation associated with the transition from teschenite to
calcareous sandy soils (part of the work was undertaken by Dr. J. K.
Marshall).
Dr. Roy Watling (Royal
Botanical Gardens, Edinburgh) - Studies on
the distribution and rate of growth of fairy rings.
Miss P. J. Watson (Scottish
Plant Breeding Station, Roslin,
Midlothian) -Breeding of the grass Poa pratensis for pasture
improvement.
(d) Permits: No prescriptions
are made in relation to the present
system of issuing permits by the County Clerk, under Bye-Law 14. The
Nature Conservancy and the Scottish Wildlife Trust are asked to
submit their comments on each application and it is the
responsibility of the Management Committee to agree to the issue of
a permit. It is a condition of a wildfowling permit, see Chapter V,
section 3(a), that a return has to be made. Permit holders for
research or collecting should be asked to submit brief details of
their work on the Reserve within some defined period of time after
expiry of the permit.
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Objectives:
To maintain good relations
with the owners of the ground.
To
consider revision of the eastern landward boundary of the Reserve.
Factors:
Revision of the Eastern
Boundary
(a) General: When the Reserve
was declared in 1952, the boundaries
were not based on any scientific knowledge of the biological or
educational nature of the terrain. During the last fifteen years,
much more has been learnt of the ground to the east of Aberlady Bay
and from this it appears that a revision of the eastern (landward)
boundary of the Reserve would be beneficial to conservation and
education. A number of points can be listed as:
1. The existing boundary
is not demarcated in various places,
existing as a line on a map or along the line of a feature that no
longer exists. A clearly defined boundary would allow for more
precise management.
2. Many people have considered
areas outwith the Reserve to be
included. As an example, the Bye-Laws are posted on the concrete
blocks at Maggie's Loup, some 320 yards to the east of the actual
boundary.
3. A large proportion (60-70
per cent) of visitors to the Reserve
spend most of their time on paths to the east of the reserve
boundary.
4. The sites most noted
for their wild flowers, those with the grass
of parnassus, with the frog orchid or with the spring flowering
annuals, are to the east of the boundary.
5. The sites of special
research interest, both for higher plants
and fungi, are outwith the Reserve.
(b) Procedure: It, therefore,
seems that an attempt should be made
to re-declare the eastern boundary. An approach should be made by
the County Council to the owners of the ground for their views on
this slight enlargement of the Reserve.
If the new boundary can
be agreed, the Bye-Laws will require
amendment. Bye-Law l(b) would have to be reworded so as to include
this extra strip of land.
(c) Proposed Boundary:
The suggested eastern boundary is marked in
Fig. 10.2. From north to south, the boundary follows the following
features:
1. The line of concrete
defence blocks at Maggie's Loup and their
projection seaward (approx. 105 yards on land).
2. A straight line, undefined
on the ground, from the southernmost
block at Maggie's Loup to the northernmost block in the sea
buckthorn clump to the south of the Hummel Rocks (approx. 450 yards).
3. The eastern and southern
boundary of this clump of sea buckthorn
until its junction with a partially metalled track (approx. 145
yards).
4. The metalled track from
the sea buckthorn clump until it curves
sharply eastwards at the junction of a small path (approx. 1490
yards).
5. This small path from
its junction with the track to a golf green
just beside a small clump of sea buckthorn (approx. 480 yards).
6. The west boundary of
this sea buckthorn clump and along a small
path running south-east to a larger golf green beside another clump
of sea buckthorn (approx. 240 yards).
7. The east boundary of
this sea buckthorn clump and along a
straight line to : the nearest point on a sunken wall (approx.
115 yards). This wall forms part of the existing boundary of the
Reserve.
(d) Area: This revision
of the eastern boundary of the Reserve would
increase the area of the Reserve by 59 acres. This can be divided as
follows:
1. The triangle between
the Hummel Rocks, Maggie's Loup and the sea
buckthorn clump south of the Hummel Rocks
Area added
-11-8 acres
Area excluded -
1-0 acres The area that is lost is part of the
golf course.
2. The narrow strip between
the metalled track and the line of
concrete defence blocks from the above- mentioned sea buckthorn
clump to just north of the sea buckthorn clump where the track and
the line of blocks diverge Area added 4-1 acres
3. The area of grassland
from the above defined point to the wall at
the south of the revised boundary (this includes the large clump of
sea buckthorn near the Yellow Mires, and the sea buckthorn clump on
the east of the Marl Loch)
Area added - 44-2 acres
(e) Preservation of Hawthorn:
In Chapter V, section l(b) (vi), it
was prescribed that the hawthorn should be cleared from the
grasslands of the Reserve. In order that the development of a
hawthorn scrub (Plate 14), and possibly the natural establishment of
tree species, can be studied, an area of approximately 15 acres at
the southern end of the area added to the Reserve by re-declaration
should be reserved
for hawthorn. In this Reserve no hawthorn is to
be cut. In this situation, the outline of a hawthorn thicket will
merge with the nearby Scots pine plantation and will not destroy the
open character of the Reserve. The area is demarcated in Fig. 10.2.
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No projects were available.
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Locations where the public
can enter the Reserve have been described
in Chapter I. There is one public right of way across the Golf Links
to the east of the Reserve and across the southern section of the
Reserve to the east of the Bay. This is the track running from Gala
Law quarry to the ford across the Peffer Burn near the footbridge.
It is also possible that a right of way exists from either Gullane
or Aberlady to Gullane Point, where the ironstone mine was situated,
but this has not been ascertained.
Within the Reserve, there
are no restrictions on pedestrians or on
boats. Vehicles, as defined by Bye-Law l(d), are not allowed except
by special permission. Riders of horses, ponies and pedal cycles are
controlled by Bye-Law 3, and further control of animals with iron-
shod hooves is proposed in Chapter V, sections l(d) (ii) and 3(b)
(v) of this Plan.
Bye-Laws: The Reserve became
subject to Bye-Laws on 7 October, 1952;
and to two further Bye-Laws on 12 February, 1954. The Bye-Laws are
contained in Appendix 2.
Permits: Permits can be
obtained from the County Clerk who acts in
conjunction with the Management Committee. The conditions attached
to permits for wildfowling are stated in Chapter V, section 3(a) of
this Plan. Permits to collect plants and animals have been outlined
in Chapter V, section 4(d).
Hazards: Although two midget
submarines, beached on the sand in the
centre of Aberlady Bay, were used for bombing practice by aircraft
during the war, there is no risk of unexploded bombs anywhere within
the Reserve.
One fatal accident occurred
near Jovie's Neuk in 1953 when a child
fell into loose sand over a rabbit hole. There is no dangerously
soft sand anywhere within the Reserve below H.W.M.O.S.T.
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In 1952, it was agreed
that the East Lothian County Council was to
be responsible for the management of the Reserve and that the Nature
Conservancy would give scientific advice about the Reserve. Two
Committees have been established.
The Management Committee
is a committee of the County Council and
consists of seven elected members, the Convener and the County and
District Councillors for Dirleton West, Aberlady and Gladsmuir North
Electoral Divisions; seven co-opted members who have particular
knowledge relating to management problems of the Reserve; and an
Assessor from the Nature Conservancy.
The Biological Sub-Committee
was set up to advise the Management
Committee on the biological aspects of the Reserve. This Sub-
Committee has consisted of about ten members and is under the
Chairmanship of Mr. George Waterston. During 1967, it has been
agreed that this Sub-Committee should become a Sub- Committee of the
Lothians and East Stirlingshire Branch of the Scottish Wildlife
Trust.
This Plan does not prescribe
the responsibility for carrying out the
prescriptions contained within it. It is hoped that the County
Council will determine the division of responsibilities.
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1. Part-time Warden
The minutes of the Biological
Sub-Committee meeting of 21 December,
1959, record that grave disquiet was expressed by members at the
decline in the number of nesting birds and they recommended that a
Warden should be appointed. The Management Committee minutes on 29
March, 1960, record the initial concept of a part-time Warden, to be
appointed for the period 1 May to 15 July, and that an honorarium
should be paid.
During the eight breeding
seasons 1960-67, Mr. William Watt, of
Gullane, has
acted as part-time Warden. He has worked from 1 May
until the young terns have flown, usually towards the end of July.
His appointment is one factor helping the tern colony to increase
and a part-time Warden should continue to be employed.
2. Voluntary Wardens
Members of the Biological
Sub-Committee are voluntary Wardens and
some have been issued with official arm-bands by the County Council.
3. Full-time Warden
No full-time Warden has
been employed on the Reserve. The voluntary
Wardens can only visit the Reserve in their spare time and the part-
time Warden is on the Reserve for less than three months per year.
The bird life requires special attention during the nesting season.
The plants require protection over the whole of their flowering
season (April to September or October). Of 181 people walking off
the Reserve by the footbridge on the 29 July, 1967, 15 of them were
carrying picked flowers and one had dug up plants. Two boys coming
off the Reserve on the same day had over 80 tadpoles and two newts.
The Sea Lavender, so recently established in the Reserve (see
Chapter III, section 6(c)), has not been able to fully open its
flowers in 1967 since all the flowering spikes have been picked as
soon as they showed purple. The indications are that a section of
the public feel that an unsupervised Nature Reserve is an area where
a lot of flowers are growing and where these can be picked by
anyone. It is, therefore, proposed that the Bye-Laws should be more
rigidly enforced.
In this respect, a full-time
Warden, aided by a part-time Warden
during the nesting season, would be able to more effectively control
the public. In order to reduce the expense of a full-time Warden, it
is proposed that there should be a reasonable charge for using the
car park. The charges are 2/ at Longniddry and 2/6d at Gullane.
About 85 per cent of drivers, entering the car park by the Peffer
Burn during the week-end at the end of July, 1967, said that they
would not mind paying a charge of 2/6d. A yearly average of at least
50 cars using the park per week-end could be expected and about 150
cars use the park during summer week-ends.
The proposition is that
a Warden/Odd-job-man should be employed. He
could collect charges in the car park on days that this is
moderately to heavily used; he could enforce the Bye-Laws more
effectively by stopping people bringing plants or animals off the
Reserve; he could sell the booklet or leaflet about the Reserve and
the possible Nature Trail; and he could carry out work on the
Reserve prescribed in this Plan, such as control of sea buckthorn,
maintenance of paths, collection of dangerous litter and anti-
erosion work in the dune system.
A Warden would require
a small shelter in which to keep tools and a
supply of publications on the Reserve. This could probably be sited
with the balancing tank and pumping station of the Aberlady Sewage
scheme just beside the car park.
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The following are the priorities
for the next five years:
1. The appointment of a
full-time Warden. Estimated capital cost
£80. (Chapter VII, section 3)
2. Re-declaration of the
eastern landward boundary of the Reserve.
Estimated cost £100. (Chapter V, section 5)
3. The preparation of a
booklet or leaflet describing the Reserve.
(Chapter V, section 2(b) (i))
4. Maintenance of a system
of wildfowl shooting by the issuing of
permits. (Chapter V, section 3(a))
All expenditure on the
Reserve should be recorded in Appendix 9 of
this Plan.
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PROGRESS REPORTS
AND ROUTINE OBSERVATIONS
Members of the Management
Committee and the Biological Sub-Committee
have never made reports on the Reserve. An annual report on the work
done might be useful.
THE MANAGEMENT PLAN
361
The part-time Warden submits
a report to the Management Committee
during his period of Wardenship and this should be continued.
If a full-time Warden is
appointed monthly reports should be
submitted by him to the Management Committee.
The preparation of the
first quinquennial revision of this Plan is
due in 1972.
The section on the geology
of the Reserve (Chapter III, section 3)
is based on that prepared by Dr. G. P. Black.
The section on climate
is a modification of one prepared by Mr. A.
Millar in 1964.
Appendix 3 (Higher plants)
was prepared by Miss E. P. Beattie,
Appendix 4 (Bryophytes)
by Mr. P. Chamberlain,
Appendix 5 (Fungi) by Dr.
Roy Watling,
Appendix 7 is adapted from
a paper published by Messrs. F. D.
Hamilton and K. S. Macgregor and
Appendix 8 is modified
from a list prepared by Mr. F. H. W. Green.
The Appendices 11 and 12
were compiled by Dr. and Mrs. R. A.
Crowson.
All other sections have
been written by Dr. M, B. Usher (Department
of Biology, University of York; and formerly Department of Forestry
and Natural Resources, University of Edinburgh).
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