3.2 Part 2 Prescriptive
3.2.1 Objectives and operational factors
Habitats
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.
Shore
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.
Saltmarsh
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.
Freshwater marshes
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.
Turf communities
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.
Open water
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.
Dunes
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.
Education
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.
Recreation
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.
Research
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.
Miscellaneous
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.
3.2.2 Projects
No projects were available.
See related topics and documents
3.2.3 Public access
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.
3.2.4 Division of responsibilities
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.
3.2.5 Wardening
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.
3.2.6 Priorities time schedule and finance
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.
3.2.7 Renewal, authorship of the plan and references
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
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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).