ARCH Nature Exchange

8 June – 16 June 2009

Skalanes, Iceland

1. GROUP (in alphabetical order)

Yvonne Boles

Conservation Officer

RSPB

Glasgow

Janet Hunter / Bowler

Freelance Ecologist &

Archivist - An Iodhlann Historical Centre

Isle of Tiree

Ross Lilley

Strategy and Projects

Argyll and Stirling Area

Scottish Natural Heritage

Oban

Katy Martin

Senior Countryside Ranger

Highland Council

Inverness

Allan (Hedge) Shand

Gamekeeper

Finzean Estate

Banchory

Jeremy Usher-Smith

Zoolutions

Insh

2. INTRODUCTION

This was the 5^th Nature Exchange group to visit Skalanes since the first Nature Exchange visit in 2004. The group were made very welcome by Ólafur Örn Pétursson, Oli’s family and Ronan and Vicky (resident volunteer wardens). The group were also made to feel very much at home by current and former Glasgow University students on a 5-week residential study visit at Skalanes. The students ably and patiently catered for the nature exchange group as part of their ‘duties’ in return for Oli’s support for their expedition. An informative and interesting mix of guided walks, trips and practical tasks (see Annex 1 for itinerary) were undertaken which seemed to match well with the range of individual interests and backgrounds within the group. This report attempts to summarise the group’s understanding, collective thinking and some tentative recommendations about issues raised during the week. It is not exhaustive, nor intended to be prescriptive, but offered in the spirit of co-operation through the sharing of ideas. It only pretends to match the generous insight Oli gave the group to nature, culture, heritage, family, living and fun at Skalanes and in Iceland generally.

The group were very impressed and attracted to Skalanes’:

• Building – its location, environment, comforts and sense of place.
• Cultural connections brought alive by Oli, his family and friends.
• Landscapes, wildlife and views.
• Relaxed academic and vocational atmosphere where one can share and learn something new about Skalanes everyday with like-minded people.

All of the above were experienced in a unique blend crafted by Oli’s knowledge, interests, skills and, above all, his passion to share his native Iceland with everyone who visits Skalanes.

3. ISSUES DISCUSSED BY THE GROUP

The following were key issues discussed by the group (in no particular order):

[Note: All but one of the group had not read Skalanes Nature and Heritage Centre Management Strategy 2007-2012 and Environmental Policy Statement prepared by Wren Franklin in September 2007. Consequently some of these suggestions may appear at odds with what is within the management strategy but also, we hope, complement the thinking within the strategy.]

3.1 Lupin Control

1. Background

Severe soil erosion is an issue across Iceland and mostly due to over-grazing by sheep. Soils are very unstable once a small area of vegetation starts to erode. This rapidly expands through wind and water action (particularly frost heave) to form large fan-shaped scars on the hillside. Often these meet, resulting in large areas of hillside losing its topsoil.

Lupins seeds were handed out to farmers by the Icelandic government as a soil erosion control method. Lupins favour gravelly, exposed, erosion areas and rapidly spread via seed to form thick mats of vegetation that little else can compete with. Skalanes’ previous owners deliberately sowed lupins on overgrazed ground in some areas. These lupins have spread rapidly within the last 10 years to cover a significant area of the lower slopes. Various control methods are being trialled, but the lack of resources are preventing serious efforts so far.

2. Issues

• Lupin is a very successful coloniser – removal would need to be followed by immediate and equally successful replacement of some other more desirable vegetation. This could be grasses that would allow native species to colonise into them over the long term (which lupins don’t appear to allow). Reference: Cairngorm Ski Centre where erosion from past ski damage and inappropriate development has been repaired using a gel based grass seed mix that sticks to the hillside and forms an immediately binding substrate for grass to take hold. Over time, heather and other moorland species migrate into the stabilised vegetation.
• There is a risk that if there is no buffer between controlled areas and uncontrolled areas, rapid re-colonisation by lupins could occur.
• Not palatable to livestock and so cannot be controlled by grazing.
• Grows on steep slopes where some methods of control are not feasible.
• No funding available. Use of volunteers is the only real resource.

3. Group Suggestions

1. Fixed point photography to monitor both the spread and the success of control measures. Performed annually. Managed by volunteers.
2. Prevent further spread around sensitive areas by creating a buffer zone between controlled and uncontrolled areas to prevent re-infestation.
3. Conduct trials to determine the best way to knock back lupins.

Lupin control trials could be carried out using the following guidelines:

- Define sensitive areas by using existing biodiversity survey data.

- Control outwith sensitive periods e.g. during ground nesting bird period.

- Start at the edge and work into patch to enable containment.

3.1.4 Lupin Control Trial Methods

3.1.4.1 Mulching with kelp

• In September/October when kelp is available.
• Carried out by volunteers.
• Add grass seed to create alternative vegetation and alternative soil stabiliser.
• Possibly cut lupins first before mulching.

Pros: It would raise the organic matter in the soils and become less favourable to lupins as well as having a mulching effect

Cons: Labour intensive and not likely to cover large areas. This would be a long-term gradual process.

3.1.4.2 Covering with material

Materials such as fleece, sheeting and/or agricultural plastic would block out light and limit lupin growth.

Pros: Could cover large areas easily.

Cons: Possibly expensive and labour intensive to install & remove. Also need something to replace vegetation when cover comes off, e.g. grass seed.

3.1.4.3 Brush cutting with strimmer

As per current trials.

3.1.4.4 Crushing/stamping

Similar to some mechanical methods of controlling bracken in the UK. The aim is to crush stems and strip the surface stem layer in order to ‘bleed’ the plants from their roots. Over time, the plants weaken and allow other vegetation to compete.

Pros: Could cover large areas in one go. Cheap method. Might even be able to use an ATV-towed device (as in UK) to flatten and damage lupin stems.

Cons: Not likely to be immediately effective and would therefore require repeated attempts over many years.

Crushing/stamping could be used in conjunction with the more intensive options above to, for example, help provide a buffer zone and/or prevent re-infestation.

3.1.4.5 Burning

Burning could be carried out at the end of the season outwith sensitive wildlife periods and when lupin stems are dead, dying and dried.

Pros: Depending on plant moisture content, this could be an effective way of removing large areas of biomass and mats of plants, making other control methods more viable. (Note: the group had no knowledge of whether lupins dry out to the extent that burning becomes a viable option).

Cons: Requires fairly precise conditions to make fire manageable both in terms of getting plants to burn and in controlling fire so that it does not get out of control and cause significant damage to the remaining natural habitat in surrounding area. Potentially risky method. Requires skilled operators in a carefully controlled environment.

3.1.4.6 Combination of one or more of above

Group suggests most likely success will involve combination of several of above. For example:

• Strimming/cutting followed by mulching.
• Burning followed by mulching.
• Flattening/crushing followed by mulching.
• Strimming/cutting/burning followed by grass seeding gel in time for grass to germinate and establish.

Note: It is important that where any of the above methods are successful, an alternative vegetation cover is established to prevent re-colonisation by lupins.

3.2 Predator Control

3.2.1 Background

Predators include Arctic fox & mink. Both predate all ground nesting birds (and hens) but particularly Arctic tern and eiders.

Mink are controlled all year round by spring traps in plastic piping strategically placed between natural rock passages between shore and farm or within dry stone dykes/fences, and placed across likely mink runs. Circa 6-12 mink caught annually. Populations were much higher. It is assumed that resident territorial animals have now been removed and that animals that are currently trapped are those invading from other areas (from further up the fjord or from the other side of fjord. Mink have been known to swim 2km or more across open water in Scotland).

Arctic foxes are shot in winter to reduce breeding success in summer. Foxes still visit during the summer from dens in mid-slope areas from as far away as 6km from Skalanes. In the past, they were hunted and controlled more vigorously than now, such that there were as many as 1000 eider nests (now circa 600). Oli does not mind the odd fox visiting but there is a constant balancing act between fox control and retaining the fox’s part in the ecology of Skalanes, as well as providing a spectacle for visitors.

3.2.2 Issues

• Need balance between keeping Arctic fox as part of ecology of Skalanes and controlling numbers to prevent damage to ground-nesting birds. What are acceptable numbers? When should they be controlled? How many eiders does Oli want to keep at Skalanes?
• Assume that mink would be controlled to extinction. However, there is constant re-colonisation expected from other areas where control efforts are not so consistent.
• Mink traps would not be legal in UK(?). Is there an issue of by-catch, e.g. ground-nesting birds?

3.2.3 Group Suggestions

1. Need to be clear about predator control objectives. Group acknowledges the eider-down farming heritage of Skalanes and that it is important to maintain a sufficient threshold of breeding eiders in order to maintain the viability of the eider down business. The current harvest seems to be viable. The eider farm only works because eiders are aware of predator control, so predator management needs to continue. Terns also nest close to the building because of the ‘safe zone’.
2. Need to be clear on objectives for fox control. It seems that current eider/ground-nesting bird populations are about right, and so current fox control/mink effort is probably also about right. Skalanes could have both birds and Arctic fox present. It may even be possible to attract foxes as a visitor spectacle, although this would have to be remote from Skalanes, e.g. through the use of food dumps.
3. Move the buffer zone for mink control to a wider area, e.g. as far up the fjord as Seydisfjordur. Include trapping across the other side of the fjord.
4. The group was concerned about by-catch as a result of the kind of traps used. We recommend using cage traps that require daily checking, but only use these when mink are most active – probably before and during the bird breeding season (April – June). Cage traps could be used when Oli is most likely to have volunteers available to check traps.
5. Other potential method: an electric fence could be erected around the core eider/tern colonies to deter foxes. We recommend that this is initially done as a trial in order to test the practicalities. It needs to be effective and not just a nose tickler.

Pros: Deters foxes and mink if set up correctly

Cons: Could be costly as well as labour intensive to maintain fence and manage visitors.

3.3 Visitor Management

1. Background

The primary aim for Skalanes is to foster visitors who are interested in, and can contribute towards, enhancing the ecology, environment and culture of Skalanes. However, this type of visitor doesn’t always pay the rates required to make the business work, and so Skalanes is also trying to cater for a specialist market that will pay well. In addition, there is also a constant trickle of casual visitors who venture down the track to Skalanes without any prior arrangement. The group witnessed a number of these visitors who tended to be young budget travellers from the EU continent who were touring around Iceland. They had either picked up Skalanes promotion material and were genuinely interested in the wildlife spectacle, or were seeking a coffee/meal at the end of a ‘nice’ walk. Some were seeking hostel type accommodation. Our impression was that these casual visitors were a hassle to cater for and detracted from the efficient running of the centre.

2. Issues

• Minimal signage and way-marked paths are present to manage visitors on site. Most visitors require guided tours, which are an expensive use of Oli’s and/or volunteers’ time and expertise.
• It is preferred that signage and paths etc are kept to a minimum on site.
• Some infrastructure is required for day visitors in order to minimise the management burden on centre staff.
• Skalanes is catering for two different visitor groups: day visitors and residential study groups.
• There is a need to provide very clear information on what to expect at Skalanes before potential visitors venture down the track and become a management issue. For example, signage could be prominent and forceful at the car park before the big river crossing.

3. Group Suggestions

1. A prominent sign with the following wording and a ‘no vehicles’ symbol at end of the driveable track:

Private or Nature Reserve

Foot access only

No access by any vehicle unless authorised by Skalanes.

Please call [telephone number] for more information

2. Erect gateposts before the steep slope down to the river crossing to make visitors think twice about continuing, but not necessarily a gate.

3. Further management suggestions for visitors to Skalanes:

• Retain current sign style/image but re-consider messages.
• Continue to re-instate old vehicle tracks but designate an obvious footpath to the viewing platform to prevent people straying into the building or onto the eider farm.
• Need a map at access point clearly showing routes. The map could include some information about distances, what to see and request visitors to stay on the paths.
• Need a focal point outside Skalanes to launch visitors on paths around the site.
• Group recommends not installing interpretation boards so long as there is a comprehensive leaflet/map. There could be a charge for a good quality leaflet so that it becomes a valued aid and souvenir (and not a throwaway) and raises funds to cover cost of updates etc. Leaflet could include map, ‘do’s and don’ts’, brief summaries of history, culture and wildlife etc.
• Group recommends exploring use of mobile phone technology, e.g. recorded message/images and use of GPS co-ordinated targeted messaging/images (reference: Craigellachie Nature Reserve near Aviemore.)
• Group recommends not encouraging day visitors to stop for coffee, meals or accommodation (unless pre-booked and can be accommodated by Skalanes staff) because this is detracting from other objectives at Skalanes. Consider removing restaurant symbol from welcoming sign.
• Information should be in both car parks and on website so that people know what to expect and filter out the ‘just curious’.
• A future long-term aim could be to have a turf hide looking out over part of the eider farm without encroaching on the eider area. Could be on a short spur from the path to the viewing platform.

3.4 Biological Recording/Monitoring

3.4.1 Background

A wide range of survey/monitoring programmes has been/is being set up to record Skalanes’s wildlife. It may, therefore, be difficult to add further to this already extensive list of programmes, but the group offer a number of suggestions listed below. Students are invaluable to carrying out these programmes of monitoring, which can be used for their university projects and personal experience in return. Information is being passed to international recording organisations.

3.4.2 Group Suggestions

1. Endorse aim to get long-term consistent data. This will be an invaluable resource in future, e.g. data could be sold to seabird researchers. Monitor all breeding bird populations annually, including eider ducks, to establish impacts of disturbance as well as population trends.
2. It might be important to monitor potential impacts of monitoring too!
3. Recommend that more baseline survey data are collected, e.g. detailed vegetation survey at same standard as UK’s National Vegetation Classification system. Could be a useful project for a future Nature Exchange volunteer with the right skills. Recommend that Oli asks for a volunteer with appropriate skills.
4. Recommend fostering further and stronger ties with Universities to give legitimacy to monitoring effort.
5. It is important that all data collected at Skalanes is shared with the owners of Skalanes for their future use, and that Skalanes receives copies of any publications resulting from data collected at Skalanes.
6. Endorse and support current Glasgow University-led efforts to develop well worked out monitoring methodologies. It is important that a philosophy is developed that ensures all monitoring is carried out consistently, thoroughly and in such a manner that it can be carried out repetitively by different surveyors. It is also very important that all data collected is recorded in a way that can be easily entered and analysed year after year.
7. Need to ensure that visiting groups have good Health & Safety policies and completed risk assessments. Groups must be responsible for this. Some aspects of this will be easier with formal university backing.
8. There should also be some Skalanes ‘field rules’ especially for boat use and access to the cliffs. For example, no one is allowed on the small boat without a life jacket.

3.5 Cultural Heritage, Records and Information Management

3.5.1 Background

There is a wealth of historical artefacts and natural items around the field centre but with limited ways of identifying and learning about them. Many visitors find this collection fascinating and it also allows access into the ‘people story’ and history behind the field centre, giving added value to Skalanes.

3.5.2 Issues

• What information is in the building?
• Can more be made of it?
• Include information on background to farm, geology and history.

3.5.3 Group Suggestions

1. Make more of the cultural and historical information – could Oli’s wife or family help with this?
2. Make link between wildlife and cultural history clearer to the visitor, e.g. include it in leaflet and/or web-based information.
3. Have a map on the wall showing where Skalanes is situated in East Iceland (1:50,000 scale), including place names. Possibly on the conservatory wall.
4. Set up an archive by means of a simple database using, for example, ‘Access’ software to catalogue resources. Include a paper copy in the house library for residents to browse. Help with this could be sought. Potential resources include geological specimens, agricultural machinery and tools, turf buildings, eider down farming, artefacts and objects on the wall around the fire, egg collection, shell collection, books in library, etc.
5. Include information in ‘souvenir leaflet’. This information could extend visitor interest beyond the bird nesting season.
6. Market an eider down collection workshop as a season extender.
7. Create an educational/entertaining activity around the artefacts, e.g. ‘Guess what item this is / was used for?’, as a self-discovery aide for visitors and to minimise Oli and the staff’s work on initiating new residents. A folder in the house could list the actual purpose of the item.
8. Cataloguing and describing items could be a project for a future ICHI or university group. The catalogue could be web-based so that people could print if off before arrival.
9. Create a ‘time line’ along the top of the rock display case. Another possible project for a future group.

3.6 Sustainability (funding/resources/business management)

3.6.1 Background

Skalanes is catering for at least three different visitor types: day visitors, paying visitors and studying visitors. Each group has different expectations and willingness or ability to pay for services. Achieving a balance between studying visitors, who include university groups, and paying visitors, who may include bird watching groups and who will pay enough to support other visiting groups, is key to making Skalanes work.

3.6.2 Issues

• Who is the Skalanes accommodation suitable for?

• Day visitors - keep them out of Skalanes house and manage as recommended in Section 3.3 above.
• Paying visitors - need to know exactly what type and quality of accommodation and services are provided. Photos of accommodation etc on the Skalanes website would provide this.
• Studying visitors - potentially lower fees (but not necessarily all). Subsidised by paying visitors.
• Paying visitors need to know that there may be studying visitors present and that they realise the implications for their stay.

3.6.3 Group Suggestions

1. Group think that there are two objectives: eco-tour and study. Ways of separating the two groups could be:

(a) Physically, through the layout of accommodation

(b) Seasonally, through selling block periods for one or other of the groups. Clearly, studying groups would be earmarked for key study & monitoring periods.

We believe, however, that if carefully marketed and managed, both groups can be accommodated at the same time, provided that there is good pre-booking information, vetting and management on site to ensure compatibility.

2. Investigate the possibility of investing in a manager post to maintain the skills and level of commitment required for the day-to-day running of the centre. The current volunteers are meeting this, but how is this crucial part of the business going to operate on future volunteer effort alone? It requires a business plan with realistic charging to ensure that income covers costs.
3. Group think the Skalanes website is good and its marketing is good, there just needs to be a clearer division in the way visitors are managed around the product on offer.
4. There does not appear to be clear accommodation rating standards in Iceland.
5. The group endorses the idea of Oli taking on a young local apprentice, if such an individual can be found. There is lots of potential for training at similar institutions in Scotland and elsewhere in Europe. A Nature Exchange trip in reverse could be one way for local people to gain the necessary skills.
6. The group recognises the huge potential for raising funds for Skalanes, either generally or for specific projects via international interest. For example:

(a) Setting up a trust fund.

(b) Membership / ‘Friends of Skalanes’ with annual fee, newsletter etc.

(c) Sponsorship, donations (online, at car parks etc.).

(d) Project campaigns.

All would be subject to Icelandic laws and regulations regarding the import of foreign charity and funding (if relevant).

7. The visitor season will probably need to be extended to make the business work, but Skalanes has the potential for this.
8. Decide target market(s) and/or seasons, e.g. breeding bird season.
9. Unique Selling Points:

• Oli’s passion, interests and skills.
• The building, its position and the environment at Skalanes.
• The cultural connections.
• The whole experience combined.
• Taking part in a relaxed academic atmosphere where visitors can learn something interesting from resident scientists/students.
• Over and above other wildlife experiences in Iceland (including just the Skalanes wildlife experience alone).

See Annex 3 for a more detailed business plan.

ANNEX 1 ITINERARY

8 June 2009

06:20 – Ross, Yvonne, Jeremy and Janet depart Glasgow Airport and fly to Gatwick.

09:30 – Hedge and Katy join group at Gatwick (having flown to Gatwick from Aberdeen and Inverness respectively).

11:45 – Group leaves Gatwick on Iceland Express flight – viewed Skye, Lewis, Harris, St Kilda islands, Surtsey, south Iceland coast from plane before landing in Keflavik at 14:45.

15:00 – Group takes bus to Reykjavík bus station and walks remaining 10mins to Reykjavík domestic airport.

18:00 – Group leaves Reykjavík and flies to Egilsstaðir.

19:30 – Oli picks up group in 4X4 to transport to Skalanes. Half way down track to Skalanes, Hedge spotted circa three Humpback whales feeding, spouting and breaching in the fjord.

20:30 – Dinner - poached cod, fried potatoes, muffins, coffee.

9 June 2009 - morning

Oli leads group on walk about Skalanes:

Eider farm

Eiders are only at Skalanes for 1 month of year. Down harvested regularly mostly by Oli’s mother and sisters etc (small amount taken from nest each time leaving sufficient for ducks). Down prices fluctuate. Income small but important to sustain wider benefit of Skalanes and also to give legitimacy to Skalanes amongst Icelandic communities who don’t quite understand the concept of the nature reserve and visitor centre. Oli sometimes labels himself as an eider farmer depending on the audience he is addressing.

Issues over disturbance from visitors (previous owner ruthlessly kept visitors away from nesting area). Oli wants visitors to appreciate eiders but need managing. Currently only allows visitors to visit nests under supervision.

Numbers currently circa 600 nests. Under previous owner, numbers reached 1000 nests but he was controlling all ‘pests’ and introduced all manner of artificial nest shelters (as is the norm on other Iceland farms). Many farmers use plastic paraphernalia which Oli has stripped out of Skalanes in preference for more natural manipulation - seemed to work before the advent of plastic!

Mink traps

We encountered several mink traps made of wide diameter plastic piping strategically placed in natural clefts in rocks or old turf/stone dykes. A spring trap was placed inside the pipe. Mink like to run through small gaps such as this and are then caught in the trap. Group thought this would not be legal in UK. Traps illegal and size of run too wide such that many other non-target species can access trap. Doesn’t seem to be an issue here.

Old war-time shelter built by the British when they occupied the farmhouse to spy on German boat traffic at the mouth of the fjord.

Soil Erosion

At various points on the walk we came across areas where soil had been seriously eroded to base layer (rock or gravelly substrate). Volcanic soils are very friable, lacking in organic matter and so suck in water to the point where structure is lost. Once a small erosion gulley forms it quickly spreads to form a large fan shape, particularly around small streams/burns. Overgrazing by sheep in the past has exacerbated this.

Old vehicle tracks – re-vegetating

Oli has attempted to re-instate vegetation damaged by the previous owner’s vehicle tracks by laying hay from the nearby farm to establish a seed bed into which self-seeding vegetation encroaches. There are signs of this starting to happen. However, hay can get blown away and used by birds for nest building!

Viewing platform

A viewing platform has been erected to give focus to visitors wandering across to the sea bird cliffs, plus it contains them in a ‘safer’ place. Otherwise, the cliffs are very exposed with a high risk of losing visitors!

Sea bird cliffs

The nesting sea bird population here has been under recorded in the past such that they don’t figure highly within the inventory of significant Icelandic sites. Trying to re-address this through university group studies. The Glasgow University group is hoping to spend time this visit surveying puffin burrows at the base of the cliffs. Kittiwake nests have been surveyed.

Geology

Brief overview of Icelandic volcanic events given by Oli (see short video of his talk). He suspects that there are many significant local features evident in the cliffs that are not recognised in the existing, rather simple, geological map of Iceland, mostly because Icelandic specialists are all based in the west of Iceland/Reykjavik and have not thoroughly explored the east. The Glasgow University group have started to map what they are finding, including holes in sedimentary layers which have probably been left by trees being pushed along by lava flows and then burning out. Minerals are then thought to form within the space left by the trees.

Lupins

Walk through lupin ‘fields’. Most have self-seeded rapidly from original stock, which was introduced (the Icelandic government hands out lupin seeds to farmers to help stabilise soils). Several trial plots near to Skalanes house. Trying successive cutting to weaken plants. Others are trying to plant birch amongst it in the hope that it will eventually shade out lupins. Lupins don’t like fertile soils so once fertility/soil layer builds up they might disappear.

Group suggested:

1. Using a bracken crusher type device (either towed behind ATV or under foot) to crush and bruise stems or to strip stem surface to induce it to ‘bleed’ sap which will weaken plant and roots. Needs intensive and repeated treatment to reduce viability of plants.
2. Spraying wholesale with round-up/gramoxone by helicopter and knapsack for localised sensitive areas (e.g. beside water courses). Expensive but needs total coverage to prevent re-infestation. Dead stems could be burnt then soil rapidly re-seeded with alternative vegetation, e.g. grasses, to stabilise soils and reduce ability for re-invasion by lupin.

Forestry Department trial planting area

The Iceland Forestry Department have planted mostly non-native trees into a trial area on a slope near the cliff edge. Oli plans to see what grows in this more maritime-influenced environment (the Forestry Dept. has other trial sites in Iceland). Saplings were still quite small but only circa 3 yrs old. Species un-identified.

Eroded soil bank

Soil bank showing successive layers of ash and soil deposits. Potential for analysis to assist archaeological investigation of area. During the 1700’s there was a particularly large volcanic eruption in South Iceland that deposited ash into the air and soils, and caused a mass die-off of livestock, human population etc. Iceland seems to have suffered history of periodic volcanic-induced pollution and mini ice-ages that have threatened population survival. They have also contributed to worldwide famine events.

Return to Skalanes via tern colony.

9 June 2009 – afternoon

Seminars:

Ross West Highland Woodland Grazing Project

Jeremy Captive breeding and animal conservation projects around the world

Katy Rangering in Loch Ness area

Hedge Year in the life of a gamekeeper on Finzean Estate

Janet Relationship between cultural heritage and wildlife on Isle of Tiree

Yvonne Wildlife tourism projects in Scotland

Glasgow Uni. Invertebrate trapping, bird monitoring and geological mapping projects at Skalanes

Oli History of Skalanes

Dinner - mutton chops, blueberry pie

10 June 2009

Long walk up fjord coast then up hill into corrie. Observed mink traps, boat pier, ruined Faroe/Norwegian fishing huts. Up river to Corrie and circuit round corrie below snow line. Stalked a bull reindeer and walk home.

Dinner – fish and tomato soup

11 June 2009

Drive to Egilsstaðir then south side of Lagarflot Lake. Viewed forestry starting from youngest larch plantations to oldest (100 yr old) natural birch woods. Took short walk on Forestry Department trail into birchwood.

Visited Valpjosstadur power station visitor centre then drove to Karahnjukar dam across vast Fljotsdalsheidi plateau. Observed reindeer, pink footed goose, ptarmigan, whooper swans, snow bunting, tufted ducks and long-tailed ducks on way. Passed Icelandic pony stud farm on return journey. Observed Slavonian grebe in pools near Egilsstaðir.

Dinner – poached cod

12 June 2009

Assisted Ronan build wall and turf around edge of decking in front of conservatory.

Dinner – salt cod

Watched DVD of Icelandic band Sigur Rós and their ‘Heima’ tour of Iceland, including Seydisfjordur and Karahnjukar dam.

13 June 2009

Boat trip to Skalanes seabird cliffs. Cod fishing. Return to Seydisfjordur for short walk around town. Viewed galleries and had coffee in Hotel bistro.

Dinner – cod fish cakes, yoghurt and blueberries.

14 June 2009

Group workshop discussing issues and recommendations for report. Birding for red-necked phalarope on fjord edge. Walk to arctic fox den.

Dinner – haggis (Icelandic and Scottish), reindeer, cod, locally-picked mushrooms, home-made ice-cream and caramel sauce.

15 June 2009

Left Skalanes Nature Reserve and headed to the Museum and Cultural Centre in Egilsstaðir. Had a look around before heading to the airport. Caught a flight to Reykjavik Domestic airport. Got a taxi to the Youth Hostel where we left our bags. Headed into downtown Reykjavik to see the sights, then off to the Blue Lagoon for a swim. Back to downtown Reykjavik in evening, then back to hostel for short sleep.

16 June 2009

Caught an early morning flight to Gatwick and then our various connections to Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness.

ANNEX 2 SPECIES RECORDED AT SKALANES DURING VISIT

Plants

Moss campion

Crowberry

Roseroot

Blaeberry

Dwarf willow

Racomitrium moss

Map lichen

Alpine lady’s mantle

Alpine bartsia

Wood crane’s-bill

Gentian sp (not yet in flower)

Trailing azalea

Thrift

Cladonia spp

Angelica

Horsetail sp

Lupin

Butterwort

Sea scurvy-grass

Sea sandwort

Dog lichen

Heather

Dwarf birch

Downy birch

Rowan

Dwarf willow

Woolly willow

Bluish willow

Cloudberry

Alpine clubmoss

Alpine rock-cress? (dead flowers from last season)

Viviparous fescue

Wild carrot

Bog bilberry

Oyster plant

Common sorrel

Northern green orchid

Dandelion

Purple saxifrage

Mountain avens

Tufted saxifrage

Birds at Skalanes (31 species)

Greylag goose

Snipe

Redshank

Oystercatcher

Eider

Redwing

Arctic tern

Kittiwake

Fulmar

Gannet

Herring gull

Puffin

Great skua

Arctic skua

Wren (subspecies)

Golden plover

Black-tailed godwit

Whimbrel

White wagtail

Meadow pipit

Black-headed gull

Cormorant

Great black-backed gull

Ptarmigan

Dunlin

Purple sandpiper

Great northern diver

Raven

Snow bunting

Harlequin duck

Glaucous gull

Birds away from Skalanes (12 species)

Red-necked phalarope

Rock pipit

Rock dove

Slavonian grebe

Wigeon

Pink-footed goose

Pintail

Long-tailed duck

Whooper swan

Goldeneye

Tufted duck

Black guillemot

ANNEX 3 SKALANES BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

A business model suggested byJeremy Usher Smith

Overture

A family run wildlife reserve and nature study centre is given some suggestions of how they could develop in the short term, into an international wildlife destination.

The Product

The Skalanes facility has made a name for itself, as a family run nature reserve and has been used as a field station for Glasgow University field expeditions. Essentially at present the wildlife watching focus is on the bird colonies, which have a finite spring /early summer season. The two large land mammals, reindeer and Arctic fox, found on Iceland are not being utilised to their full potential. The Arctic fox is a difficult species to observe in Iceland due to the human persecution it suffers in much of its range. The other European competition for wildlife watching this species is in, Fennoscandian where the Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) is now a priority species according to the EC Habitat directive and is classified as critically endangered in Sweden, Norway and Finland. Intensive hunting pressure led to a drastic population decline in the early 1900’s and despite legal protection, it has still not recovered. Today, the Fennoscandian arctic fox population consists of approximately 150 individuals, compared to the Icelandic population of thousands. Icelandic reindeer (Rangier tornados), although an introduced species, offer excellent opportunities to be used as a target for wildlife watching.

The development of the Skalanes brand then offers opportunities for extending the summer season with these mammal species and adding expeditions leaving overland, going north looking at woodland and upland habitats and then joining up with a whale watching provider on the north coast.

Accommodation

The converted farm building provides excellent, top quality hostel accommodation. However, in order to lift the income generated from the building it could be made able to accommodate small groups of six people made up of couples or sharing singles, with the rooms equipped with en suite showers. The summer expedition route would need to include good accommodation provided on the way and any transit accommodation necessary through Reykjavik would need to be of a good standard.

Transport

The distances involved in exploring the landscape and geography of Eastern and Northern Iceland necessitate the use of a good 4 x 4 transport vehicle, although the VW Caravelle has good seating capacity it is not 4 x 4 and so an off the shelf Japanese long-wheel base vehicle is the only option. However, adequate legroom and a luggage (roof rack) carrying facility would be beneficial.

Marketing

The world market for wildlife tourism is growing steadily and the Skalanes product in Iceland can stand up to any other European destinations. With the present accommodation upgraded it would offer a step up in the income generated from visitors. There are plenty of active people who would be attracted to a more basic and unique expedition type holiday. The package could be linked up with more formal arrangements for internal flights etc. The Skalanes company would need to join IATA and they would need to bill their guests in Euros or US dollars.

A Skalanes presence at the Bird Fair, held annually at Rutland Water in the UK, would provide an excellent springboard to bring in more affluent guests. This can be backed up with internet marketing.

Local distribution of leaflets and posters will bring in some local visitors but these may have to be managed outside the core income generating operation.

Income generation

It is suggested that the present autumn and winter reindeer hunting contracts carry on in order to supplement the annual turnover of the business. However, the outlay in hiring vehicles and suitable guides in order to get involved with cruise ship operators may need to be closely examined before it is embraced.

Development and Training

The appointment of Icelandic wildlife guides, who have been inducted into the ethic of the project, may be of enormous value and could be sought immediately. An excellent crucible for this would be to provide a scholarship place to two suitable postgraduate students to gain work experience with the Glasgow University Expedition students.