Minutes of East Scotland Branch Committee Meeting

3rd April 2015 at the BC Offices in Stirling

Present: Barry Prater (Branch Chairman), Colin Whitehead (Branch Treasurer), Helen Rowe (Aberdeen Area Organiser), David Lampard (Angus & Tayside Area Organiser), Glyn Edwards (Angus and Perthshire butterfly recorder), Dot Dahl (Secretary), ApithannyBourne (Young Persons’ Development Officer), Paul Kirkland (BC Director, Scotland).

1. Welcome & Apologies

Barry P welcomed everyone, especially those new to the committee.

Apologies: Duncan Davidson (Butterfly Recorder, Fife Area Organiser), Richard Buckland (Membership Secretary, Newsletter Editor, Lothians Area Organiser), Paul Brooks(Angus),Cathy Caudwell (Perthshire Area Organiser).

2. Declaration of Interests

None were declared.

3. Approval of the minutes of previous meeting (9 Sept 2014)

These were agreed to be a true record.

4. Matters arising not covered later

None.

5. Committee developments

Butterfly Recorders

Glyn Edwardsnow in place in Angus & Perthshire. It was noted that Duncan’s details are still on the recording form that has gone out for use this year.

ACTION 1 Barry Pto contact Duncan D and Richard B to ensure that information on recording forms and in the branch newsletter, due out imminently, have up to date recorders’ details.

Butterfly recording is not done by vice county but by administrative area. Barry suggested that the newsletter should help to ensure that records go to the appropriate area / person. Online recording facilities are available. Barry reported that there is sometimes a time lag between records going to e.g. record centres before transfer to BC to avoid duplication, for instance, where possible. East Lothian was given as an example. Paul suggested alerting Richard Fox or the butterfly recorder to coordinate this. He also said that he felt that the developing Biodiversity Forum should help improve the system. Paul will send a draft web page re BC Scotland butterfly recording to Barry and Duncan for their comments.

ACTION 2 Paul K to send draft page when available

Branch Secretary Dot Dahl

Young People’s Development Officer Apithanny Bourne

Iain Cowe (Borders Butterfly Recorder) and Simon Metcalfe (Lothians and Falkirk Butterfly Recorder) and the Aberdeenshire Records Centrehave decidednot to be represented on the committee. It is important they are kept in touch with committee business.

Gaps on the committee:

Events Coordinator to help with the overall programme, and inputting information on to the BC Scotland webpages – not an easy task at present.

Publicity Officer. Publicity is at present handled locally and in an ad hoc way. Katie Callaghan, based at HO, is the main contact re publicity, her primary role being to help local branches with local publicity. Paul suggested inviting Katie to a Scottish Members’ Day.

Branch Biodiversity Action Plan Officer.Barry is keen to make sure that there is someone responsible for tracking progress relating to data re species of particular conservation interest.

Action 3Barry P, using various contacts including David L, to ensure that relevant BAP officers are informed about the branch's action plans re Large Heath, Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Small Blue and Grayling.

Branch Co-Webmaster.Mark Cubitt is an invaluable asset as Webmaster for the branch. Barry P is very aware that it would be wise to have someone else who is interested in Lepidoptera and has IT / Web skills to become involved too. The welcome letter issued to new members could have a question added which asks specifically if members have such skills. This could then be followed up.

6. BC 2020 Vision

Barry P outlined the background to the BC 2020 Vision, the main aim of which is to significantly grow the organisation in order to maximise its influence and conservation capabilities. The Vision is gathering momentum and the recent Branch Liaison Meeting (BLM) in London engendered further enthusiasm. HO, through Susan Anders, is keen to help branches. There are, for instance, some interesting materials for young people on the website, including the Munching Caterpillars initiative, which involves schools.

Paul K drew attention to the fact that there are new discussions underway which aim to look at practice within branches and especially good practice with a view to sharing good ideas and formulating new ones. There are,therefore, likely to be developments this year re BC 2020 that will affect the branch.

7. Membership

c. 700 E S branch members at present. Nationally membership has risen in five years from about 10 000 to over 25 000,and Facebook (FB) likes and Twitter activity are increasing. The branch FB page, for which Barry P, Iain Cowe and Paul Brooks have administer roles, run by Barry P, is approaching 500 likes. The FB page is automatically linked to the branch's Twitter account so postings get a wider audience. Pictures on FB are an important asset. Apithanny B confirmed that FB is a very important tool for attracting young people.

The branch membership mirrors the main centres of population – Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh. The main driver helping to increase membership is the Big Butterfly Count which should be promoted as much as possible. It is best to advertise before the event and then report after it, both locally and nationally. Using specific contacts in the press and media is most productive. Providing BC Scotland and HO with these contact details would pay dividends. David Attenborough is again involved in the national launch.

Apithanny reported that Aberdeen Central Library has agreed to have a butterfly theme prior to the Big Butterfly Count. This will include the photo canvases, produced during the photographic competition, being displayed in the adult section.The event will draw in children in the hope that parents will be inspired to join up.

Having made approaches to universities, Apithanny has found it hard to make progress as there is a lack of responses to requests. She proposes to contact secondary schools next. A template would be very useful to help with advertising. Additional material for young people both in pdf form and as hard copies would be very useful.

There is a quarterly BCScottish e-newsletter, and ‘All aFlutter’ is published monthlyby HO .

Action 4a) Barry P to remind committee members of how to access the dedicated branch area web pages

b) Barry P to forward links to some useful young people’s material to Apithanny B and other interested committee members.

Apithanny B has tried to get Aberdeen University to participate in the Student Moth Challenge which is being established this year, but has found this very challenging.

Barry P mentioned the OPAL resourceswhich can be viewed on-line and downloaded. Certain universities and TCV are involved in some of the projects.

Barry P reported on a presentation at the BLM by Chris Winnick, Cumbria Branch, which describes a continuum of membership from magazine reader to active committee member. He suggested that the secret to active involvement is being given good value for money through involvement in a number of enjoyable branch events.

Action 5BarryPto ask Richard Buckland to include request for email address as well as postal address when details of new members are initially contacted and pass on new members' details to branch and area organisers.

It was agreed that it is important to speak to new members as soon as possible to try to engage them in conservation and other activities.

There is an issue relating to the security of people’s email addresses.

Action 6Barry P to help to ensure that everyone using personal details is able to access the BC data protection advice with ease.

8. Survey, Recording and Conservation Activities

Priority Species

Butterflies

  • Small Blue:
  • Angus Walking Festival in 2016 may offer suitable opportunities, if suitable sites could be highlighted. Duncan D may be able to help with sites.
  • In Angus, kidney vetch planting and sowing, using plug plants and seed of local provenance from local firm Scotia Seeds. David L reported a poor year just past for kidney vetch, having surveyed some coastal sites. He is planning to go back to kidney vetch sites from the 1994survey by Meg Harris(which was SNH-funded
  • Aberdeenshire –Helen R reported that survey work being done
  • Berwickshire coast - Iain Cowe involved in survey work – plenty of suitable habitat
  • Pearl-bordered FritillaryPBF:
  • Deeside - Helen R reported on timed count monitoring carried out supplementing contract work done on Forestry Commission Scotland sites. Some strong colonies have been reported in Deeside, some are more difficult to assess because rather remote, being in the hills.
  • Perthshire – Paul K reported on monitoring at known sites near Blair Atholl.

Tom Prescott is the contact for finding out about known sites. 1st 3 weeks in May are the ideal time for counting PBF before the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary appears.

Action 7Barry P to contact Tom P re sites in Perthshire for possible monitoring in early May 2015. Glyn to receive information and follow up given emails of those willing to help with counts.

  • Large Heath LH
  • Paul K reported that the Bog Squad (focused on the Central Belt) is involved in a number of initiatives.
  • In E Scotland Wester Moss is of importance.
  • An event is planned in July at Auchencorth Moss re LH
  • Helen R – Red Moss of Netherleyis an SWT reserve and the management plan includes potential work towards increasing Large Heath numbers.
  • Borders where there a few dispersed sites, most have been surveyed over recent years and Large Heath confirmed.

Moths

  • Mountain BurnetMB
  • Found on peat moors
  • Paul K has seen MB at Braemar. He reported that a pheromone lure is being tested to help with counts. Contact isDr Joe Burman at Canterbury Christ Church University.
  • David L indicated that he feels that predictive mapping using GIS would be useful. Peter Moore of RSPB is having a short sabbatical which will involve surveying on the Invercauld Estate.
  • Kentish Glory KG
  • Aberdeenshire and adjoining area, Helen R has plans with Brian Stewart (VC91) and others to carry out day time searches and night trapping in the Banchory area. This is on FCS land and KG is regarded by FCS as a secondary species of conservation interest.
  • Moray – Culbin– record 5 years ago and not confirmed since.
  • Paul K and Helen R confirmed that KG requires large areas of young birch. Helen R suggested that there is potential for future management of sites with this requirement in mind.
  • Barry P suggested that sites with previous records in the Rannoch area could be revisited. Dot D suggested that there might be a MSc / PhD project predicting sites using GIS and then surveying for KG. HR suggested looking for eggs and then assessing the state of the woodland for young birch.
  • Dark Bordered Beauty DBB
  • Aberdeenshire and Speyside sites
  • Helen Rsaid that work relating to this species had been carried out by volunteerson a way leave site with aspen. Sheep browsing on a nearby site had been an issue but is not a problem at the moment.
  • Northern Dart ND
  • 2 yearlife cycle, thus see adults every other year, especially on even years. Montane species, occurring > 400-500m
  • Helen R saw one in 2014 and it was located in good numbers for the first time at a Borders site.
  • Small Dark Yellow Underwing SDYU
  • Lecht – some visiting recorders saw one individual – the first record in the branch area for some years
  • Broad Cairn in Corrie Fee - David L reported that this area has the food plant and should perhaps be surveyed
  • Cherry Laurel can be used as a lure. Bearberry is the caterpillar food plant
  • Cairngorms Nature Plan – SDYU is on this – contact Paul Brooks
  • Collardoch, Invercauld–has food plant. Invercauld ranger may be contacted to help with access.

Action 8Barry P to ask Tom P to be more specific re potential sites for secondary species in the FCS area and to check whether Tom will be coordinating this work, including the Tay Forest District Tay FD, which includes Lochs Tay and Rannoch.

Cathy C has permission to trap in the Tay FD.

It would be useful to have the relevant Forest District contacts. Kenny Courtland is the FCS species expert. Re access, people in local areas to use their own initiative re contacts for access meantime.

  • Northern Brown Argus NBA
  • Rockrose is caterpillar food plant
  • Barry P – from a conservation point of view, there is a case for a longer termlandscape scale project, which is still under consideration in the Borders, involving a number of land owners. Paul K suggested using some branch funds for a feasibility study. Project could gain support through SRDP.

Action 9 Barry P to Derek Robeson, consultant with Tweed Forum to take idea of landscape scale project forward.

  • Kincraig Point, Ellie – fire damage was done to NBA site. Calnex, the local authority and caravan park as well as the branch have contributed to a poster explaining the importance of the site; the poster has been put together by Hamish Johnston and will be displayed at various places in the area. Some other firms are prepared to help with reinstatement.

9. 2015 Events

  • Barry P reported that most of these are already organised, many on the website. Email and FB to be used to for promoting to membershipand others. Special encouragement of new members.
  • Loch Leven RSPB Centre on 26th July - 2015 highlight is a butterfly ID event, being organised by Cathy Caudwell and Colin W, who have requested equipment for giving a presentation etc.

Action 10 Glyn E to check if such equipment is available for use at Loch Leven Centre. If not, to ensure that such IT equipment is procured for the day.

  • Glyn E is to run a weekly moth morning and a weekly butterfly transect through the bumblebee meadow at Loch Leven from May to September
  • David L has a butterfly ID event on 18th April He will advertise on the website.
  • David L suggested that BC Scotland might have a presence at the Dundee Science Festival in November. This has a family emphasis. There is the possibility of linking up with Scotia Seeds to share a stand. Maybe some winter moth ID. Volunteers required.
  • 17th July to 9th August – Big Butterfly Count needs to be highlighted with special events if possible.
  • 10, 11 12th Sept. to be Moth Nights. Theme ‘Migration’. Helen R doing one in Huntly in a woodland part of which is new. David L has potential sites at St Cyrus and Montrose basin.
  • There is a suggestion from Highland Branch that Moth Night is better titled in Scotland as Moth Night Scotland.
  • Inner Forth Landscape Initiative IFLI is having a month of events during September. It was suggested that Wester Moss might be used for a combined Moth Night / IFLI event.

Action 11 Paul K to speak to IFLI and Moth Night enthusiasts to help make this happen.

  • Big Nature Festival (was Scottish Birdfair) at Musselburgh Lagoons, 23 and 24th May. Shonais seeking volunteers, as for
  • Royal Highland Show 19th to 22nd June

There is a request for Emperor Moth caterpillars for the shows.

10. Branch Finances

Prior to this meeting, Colin W had circulated information on the finances up to 29th March. Thereafter only £6 bank charges had left the account before the end of the financial year (31st March). He reported that the income for the year was £3050 and the expenditure was £6245. This meant a deficit of £3190 over the year. However, major contributors to this deficit were grants of £2000 to the Match Pot Fund and £1000 to the Bog Squad. (SNH only funded 75% of the Bog Squad costs). Allowing for these one-off payments, the main operating accounts were broadly in balance over the year. The large grant payments were in line with BC advice to lower capital sums held in Branch accounts. The closing balance in the Branch account was £4488. Colin W advised that the Branch try to keep a reserve of around this amount to cover normal expenditure and also provide a capital reserve to assist future Branch initiatives. Given that our normal expenditure balanced our income, it would be unlikely that the Branch would be able to replace any future large capital expenditure. He advised that the Branch did not commit to any further large capital expenditure during the year but indicated that normal expenditure on Branch activities, equipment purchases, etc. could continue as before. He asked for intentions for future expenditure to help with planning.

David L asked for £200 for an appropriate seed mix to help improve the habitat for the Small Blue at Riverside Nature Park, Dundee – a former landfill site. This was approved.

Small items of expenditure such as moth trap batteries would be honoured.

David L asked if the branch is obliged to support BC activities. Paul K advised that the £1000 shortfall re the Bog Squad had to be raised from other sources such as branch funds. He agreed that restraint re large capital expenditure is necessary meantime.

It was agreed to review the financial situation carefully in September.