Saturday 19 May 2018

Wildflower admirers take note, the fantastic spring/summer displays of flowers are just coming into bloom at St Abb's Head. Pictured here is some Thrift, other highlights are Sea Campion, Bird's Foot Trefoil and Thyme, all of which together make up a beautiful tapestry of colour on the clifftops. They look especially stunning in this beautiful sunshine we've been having!Lizy

View north from Petticowick, with Thrift flowers in foreground

Thursday 17 May 2018

I was checking on our land at Lumsdaine this morning, and got some amazing views back south towards St Abb's Head. There were lots of spring flowers out including orchids, cowslips and bluebells, a perfect morning! Lizy

View from Westerside Dean to St Abb's Head

Friday 11 May 2018

Earlier this week I was alerted, by a concerned member of the public, to some drone footage on YouTube. The footage, taken in mid April, clearly shows that the drone is causing disturbance to breeding seabirds. The drone operators were committing offences on two counts. Firstly, it is an offence under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 to use powered vehicles, including drones, on land without the landowner’s permission. And secondly, it is an offence under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 to disturb or harass a bird at its nest, or prevent it getting to its nest. The drone operators had passed two signs informing them that the area is a "no drone zone" between 1st April and 31st July, and explaining why. The incident has been reported to the police.


There is no doubt that drones offer us amazing perspective on the world, which is why we haven't gone for a complete ban as some organisations have. But it is important that they are used responsibly to protect the wildlife that we work to conserve, and also the visitors who come to enjoy the wildlife.

Please let us know on (018907) 71443 if you spot anyone unpacking drones or flying drones from our land. Thank you. Liza.



Wednesday 9 May 2018

The weather is finally warm and dry enough for us to start our spring and summer repairs of the road to the lighthouse. Maintaining this road means that people who cannot manage the walk from the car park at the nature centre up to the lighthouse will have the chance to drive up and enjoy the amazing views and wildlife. Many thanks to our wonderful volunteers Bill, Margaret and Chris who spent their morning doing this hard physical labour. Lizy

Chris and Margaret repairing potholes