Autumn Survey Update

As we’re entering the autumn, the survey season is coming to a close and the collation and analysis of the data to inform the Annual Report begins!

It has been a very busy summer of vegetation and protected/notable species surveys, both for establishing an ecological baseline for future monitoring/management across the reserve, and to inform a variety of ongoing, or proposed, projects.
There has been involvement from the volunteer group who have regularly been doing reptile, butterfly and macro-moth surveys, which has been a tremendous help. Adder, slow worm and common lizard have all been regularly recorded close to Laverock Hide, and an impressive total of 26 species of butterfly or macro-moth in Long Wood and near the Lower Tarras Ponds!

The data from the static bio-acoustic devices that have been stationed on the reserve over the summer are yet to be analysed. But the most notable findings from the surveys so far have included:

• Brown trout, Atlantic salmon and European eel all being recorded in both the lower and upper stretches of the Tarras Water.
• Otter and water vole actively using the Tarras Water.
• An abundance of key indicator species of healthy blanket bog being found in the completed peatland restoration area on Middle Moss, including round-leaved sundew, bog asphodel and a variety of sphagnum mosses.
• Migratory butterfly species using the reserve, including painted lady and the less common Clouded Yellow.
• Palmate newt and common newt using the Lower Tarras ponds, with successful breeding with the presence of efts (juveniles) recorded.

In addition to the surveys, there have been several community engagement activities involving the TVNR team. These have included a community bat walk through Long Wood, led by our ecologist, where both common and soprano pipistrelle were recorded, and freshwater kick-sampling sessions in the River Esk with Langholm Academy.

Unlike bats, there’s no hibernation period for those in the team at TVNR! The remainder of the year will still be busy, with the following upcoming tasks planned over the autumn and winter months:

• Working with Crichton Carbon Centre to install hydrology equipment on the Phase 2 and 3 peatland restoration areas to monitor water table levels pre- and post-restoration works.
• Completing harvest mouse surveys as part of the annual monitoring.
• Producing ecological reports to support the planning application for the River Restoration Project.
• Analysing data collected on the reserve this year, including sourcing and collaborating data collected by external surveyors, to produce an Annual Report.