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RECOMMENDATIONS
I believe that one of the main purposes of this document is to empower
the local community to determine, at least in part, the future of
wildlife observation and recording on their island. I am also hopeful
that any user of the vast wild resources on Westray will make close
reference to the list of recommendations below.
- Establish
a local recording database. All you need is a willing volunteer;
a PC is also very handy. I believe that “keeping it local” would
encourage more recording effort within the island. It is fundamental
that any recorder liaise fully with the respective county recorder
on an annual basis and copy all data to him / her.
- Request
via the RSPB Reserves Manager that the Papay Warden and any visiting
research staff make a particular effort to record everything they
see on Westray, and submit this to your island recorder. Further
liaison with Scottish Natural Heritage staff and Community Biodiversity
Project.
- Advertise
for records from visitors in all accommodation, public places
and on the ferries.
- I hesitate
to mention the word “club”, but a “network “ of enthusiastic individuals
who share information is a proven way to boost records. Consider
establishing an informal local “grapevine”.
- What about
field classes? These can be done at any season and will build
confidence among local enthusiasts, and recruit new recorders.
I can advise on planning this development.
- Could the
Development Trust, or another body, invest in a decent pair of
binoculars, a telescope and tripod and a few modern field guides
for their library? I can advise on choice.
- This should
be viewed as a rolling document and supplements/updates should
be added every year or two. If it goes on your Community Website,
additional information should be added as and when. I would hope
that your local recorder to-be would be able to manage this. In
any case, I will continue to provide onward support for this project.
- As a guide
to prospective visitors the most important sites (honey pots)
and seasonal highlights should be described in full. I am willing
to undertake this as an adjunct to the present project
- Consider
establishing a hide or two. The value of these cannot be under-estimated
for both locals and visitors alike.
Potential sites
that spring to mind:
Ayre of Roadmire;
some siting problems given light conditions.
Castle o’ Burrian;
just for Puffins (might need to be a large construction)
Swartmill Loch;
siting needs careful thought but can avoid lighting problem.
Remember that
you can (potentially) site a hide then create the habitat in front
of it. Again, I would be willing to assist; but please note there
are more expert sources locally.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Many
folk gave freely of their own time and knowledge to assist with
this document. It could not have been done without them. I was given
huge amounts of crucial local information from, amongst others:
Bertha Kent, Katy Costie and Sam Harcus.
I would like to thank Peter Needham for his expertise in producing
the final document.
I am also indebted to all those who attended the frequent video
conference sessions which linked Westray with North Ronaldsay.
Eric
Meek added some significant information.
Innumerable records have been contributed by visitors to Westray
over the years. These have become the backbone of the document and
without all this effort, it would have been a very thin text.
REFERENCES
- Balfour,
E. 1968 Breeding birds of Orkney. Scottish Birds. 5:89-104
- Booth, C.
Cuthbert, M. and Reynolds, P. The Birds of Orkney
- Bullock,
I.D. and Gomersall, C.H. 1981, The Breeding Population of Terns
in Orkney and Shetland in 1980. Bird Study 28:187-200.
- Cramp, S.,
Bourne, W.R.P., and Saunders, D. 1974 The Seabirds of Britain
and Ireland.
- Lack, D.
1943 The breeding birds of Orkney. Ibis, 1943:1-27
- Orkney Bird
Reports 1983-2000; various editors
- Tay and Orkney
Ringing Groups, 1984, The shore-birds of the Orkney Islands
- Wetland
and Marginal Moorland sites in Orkney 1993-94. Volume 2.
- Gray, M.
et. al., unpublished. Papa Westray Wardens Report, 1979-2000;
various authors, unpublished.
GLOSSARY
SNH
Scottish Natural Heritage
RSPB
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
pers.
obs. personal observation
pers.
comm. personal communication et al and others
AOT
apparently occupied territory
AON
apparently occupied nest
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