www.nature.scot/loch-lomond

Management Plan for Loch Lomond NNR 2018-2028

This plan covers the land within the Loch Lomond NNR managed by Scottish Natural Heritage.

For further information on Loch Lomond NNR (SNH Area) contact: The Reserve Manager Scottish Natural Heritage Strathallan House Castle Business Park Stirling FK9 4TZ Tel: 01786 450362 Email: nnr@nature.scot Web: www.nature.scot/loch-lomond

1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 1

2 Site description ................................................................................................. 4

3 Our Vision for Loch Lomond NNR .................................................................... 5

4 Natural Heritage Management ......................................................................... 6

5 Management for People ................................................................................. 15

6 Property Management .................................................................................... 17

7 Document properties ...................................................................................... 19

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1 Introduction Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve is the best place in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park to go to see wildlife. The amazing range of wildlife rich habitats and excellent visitor facilities, all set in one of Scotland’s most iconic landscapes, make it a must see destination for local people and visitors alike. Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve (NNR) lies in the southeast corner of Loch Lomond, in the southern part of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. The NNR is managed by a partnership of three organisations, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority (LLTNPA) and The Royal Society for Birds Scotland (RSPB). We work collectively to manage the NNR for nature and people. Each organisation has a management plan for their section of the NNR. Over the coming years we will work together to produce an overarching vision for the whole NNR, setting out how the partnership will work in a coordinated way to achieve a positive outcome for nature and people. This will allow future management plans to create objectives that deliver against the vision for the whole NNR. In the short term we will continue to work together to promote the whole NNR and on areas of work where there is benefit in collaborating. Loch Lomond NNR as a whole is 430 hectares (ha) in size and is incredibly diverse. The reserve includes some of the woodlands for which Loch Lomond is renowned, including the wooded shores on the mainland, the islands of Inchcailloch, Clairinsh, Torrinch, Creinch and Aber Isle, and the wetlands at the mouth of the River Endrick. Oak woodlands cover the islands, and a mosaic of open water, wetland, grassland and woodland habitats occupy the mainland. The diversity is high because of its geographical position; it sits on the dividing line between the Highlands and Lowlands so habitats and species at the limits of both their northern and southern ranges in Britain are found here. People have managed these habitats for a variety of different purposes over the centuries, but today these wonderful woodlands and wetlands are managed primarily for wildlife and for people to enjoy. The onsite visitor experience is provided by RSPB and LLTNPA who manage the main access points and are best placed to deal with large numbers of visitors. People can experience the less accessible SNH area through participation events and volunteering. There is also informal access to this area. We work together to promote awareness of the whole NNR through off-site interpretation and social media.

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Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority (LLTNPA) were granted a lease from SNH of Inchcailloch in 2004 to allow them to undertake visitor management of the island. In 2012 RSPB Scotland purchased the Wards estate on the south side of the Endrick and they now manage this area as RSPB Loch Lomond. This management plan covers the area managed directly by SNH. Currently SNH manages the mainland part of the reserve north of the Endrick Water and 4 islands (Creinch, Clairinsh, Torrinch and Aber Isle), totalling approx. 250ha. SNH are also responsible for the woodland management on Inchcailloch while the LLTNPA, as noted above, manage the visitors. The map below shows the area owned/managed by each organisation within the NNR. Delivery of this plan is subject to the availability of both staff and financial resources. At the moment we have staff shortages on the reserve and certainly for the first year of the plan many of the tasks identified are aspirational. We are hoping to be able to resolve staff resourcing in the future and will be able to undertake the plan as proposed.

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Ownership map:

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2 Site description The SNH managed part of the NNR is located at the south-eastern corner of Loch Lomond and comprises the mainland on the north of the Endrick Water and the following four islands; Aber Isle, Clairinsh, Torrinch and Creinch. We are also responsible for the natural heritage management of Inchcailloch. The natural features of the site include river geomorphology, oak woodlands, flood-plain fen, hydromorphological mire range and open water. These habitats support an important breeding bird assemblage, Greenland white-fronted geese Albifrons flavirostris, greylag geese Anser anser, vascular plant assemblage, bryophyte assemblage and an assemblage of rare beetles. The islands have a range of oak woodland communities with a varied ground flora. On Inchcailloch the largest island on the NNR, the woods are mainly sessile oak Quercus petraea with alder Alnus glutinosa coppice in the wetter areas and Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris on the two summits. Torrinch has a mix of sessile oak and some aspen Populus tremula, but it is mostly downy birch Betula pubescens. Clairinsh is a small flat island with more diversity of species. On Creinch are sessile oaks and some ash Fraxinus excelsior, but most of the wood is coppiced wych elms Ulmus glabra. Aber Isle is a very small island and has mostly alder and ash woodland. The ground flora is somewhat variable on all the islands, dominated by great wood-rush Luzula sylvatica, blaeberry Vaccinium myrtillus, bluebells Hyacinthoides non-scripta, and bracken Pteridium aquilinum On the mainland the oak woodlands are mostly younger, with the occasional much older specimen trees. Along the mouth of the Endrick there are areas of low growing alder-willow carr with some birch. The Endrick Mouth is naturally low lying and includes one of the best examples of a natural flood-plain in Scotland because it has not been severely modified by drainage or flood defences. The fen communities here include grassland, bog, mire, marsh, reed bed, wet woodland and open water. The flood-plain fen is seasonally replenished with nutrients from the sediment deposits along the banks of the Endrick Water. There is a rich range of plants adapted to the various water table levels including the Nationally Scarce tufted loosestrife Lysimachia thyrsiflora and cowbane Cicuta virosa, and a small population of the Nationally Rare Scottish dock Rumex aquaticus. The site is also important for breeding and migrant birds. The Endrick Mouth is regionally-important for its wintering wildfowl, including a large wintering population of Greenland white-fronted geese. Greylag geese usually roost in the vicinity of Crom Mhin. Breeding birds of lowland damp grassland include ducks such as shelduck Tadorna tadorna and waders such as redshank Tringa totanus and snipe Gallinago gallinago. The water margins are favoured by ducks such as shoveler Anas crecca and insectivorous birds such as the grasshopper warbler Locustella naevia and the reed bunting Emberiza schoeniclus. The woodlands are important for breeding tree pipit Anthus trivialis, redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus, and the occasional pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca. There is also a heronry at Gartfairn Wood.

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3 Our Vision for Loch Lomond NNR1

The Endrick wetlands are one of the most diverse areas in Scotland with a mosaic of habitats; wet grassland, marsh, fen and woodlands support a number of nationally and internationally important species of plants and birds. The Endrick Mouth is a healthy functioning component of the Endrick river catchment and its lower floodplain wetland habitats are managed in an exemplary way. The islands are a key part of the iconic Loch Lomond landscape, covered in well structured, regenerating oak woodland. The Endrick catchment and woodlands are free of invasive non-native species (INNS), through ongoing management effort delivered by volunteers on site, partners and other land owners/ managers.

The areas we manage are in favourable condition and ecologically connected to the surroundings creating a cohesive reserve.

The Endrick wetlands and the islands are a quiet area of the reserve. Most visitors are volunteers who value the reserve and enjoy the opportunity to be involved in the management of a rarely visited, wildlife rich part of the reserve.

1 This refers to the land managed by SNH.

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4 Natural Heritage Management Protected Areas and special features

Loch Lomond NNR has been designated for its wildlife interest at UK, European and international level. The Endrick Mouth’s wetland floodplain fen habitats support a wintering population of geese including Greenland white-fronted goose, rare plant and invertebrate species of international importance. It is designated as part of the larger Loch Lomond Special Protection Area (SPA) and RAMSAR site for its flock of wintering Greenland white-fronted geese. The Endrick Water that meanders through the reserve is part of the Endrick Water Special Area of Conservation (SAC) designated for its populations of river lamprey, brook lamprey and Atlantic salmon. The Endrick Water SAC and Loch Lomond SPA are part of an EU wide network of protected sites known as the Natura 2000 network. This network aims to protect those habitats and species that rare, endangered or vulnerable within the European Community. Unlike the island components of the NNR the Endrick Mouth part of the reserve does not overlap with the Loch Lomond Woods Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The Endrick Mouth part of the reserve forms part of the Endrick Mouth and Islands Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). While managing the reserve we also have to take account of our legal obligations and Government policy to manage the features that are listed as important in a European or international context. Where a project is likely to have a significant effect on one or more of the qualifying interests of the SAC or SPA, we will carry out an “appropriate assessment”. This includes all projects, whether they are direct habitat management or providing infrastructure on the reserve. We will only proceed with projects if it can be ascertained that they will not adversely affect the integrity of the SAC or SPA. Likewise, we will also take account of obligations to manage features that are valued as important in a British context, as well as features that are locally important.

Feature Protected Area

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) Endrick Water SAC

Beetle assemblage Endrick Mouth and Islands SSSI

Breeding bird assemblage Endrick Mouth and Islands SSSI

Brook lamprey (Lampetra planeri) Endrick Water SAC

Bryophyte assemblage Endrick Mouth and Islands SSSI

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Feature Protected Area

Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), breeding2 Loch Lomond SPA

Fluvial Geomorphology of Scotland Endrick Mouth and Islands SSSI

Greenland white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons flavirostris), non-breeding

Endrick Mouth and Islands SSSI/ Loch Lomond SPA/ Loch Lomond Ramsar Site

Greylag goose (Anser anser), non-breeding Endrick Mouth and Islands SSSI

Hydromorphological mire range Endrick Mouth and Islands SSSI

Otter (Lutra lutra) Loch Lomond Woods SAC

River lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) Endrick water SAC

Upland oak woodland Endrick Mouth and Islands SSSI

Vascular plant assemblage Endrick Mouth and Islands SSSI

Western acidic oak woodland Loch Lomond Woods SAC

2 Capercaillie are no longer found within the NNR and therefore no management is undertaken for them.

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Objective NH1: Manage the wetland habitats to create roosts and feeding locations for Greenland white-fronted and wintering wildfowl, and improve conditions for ground nesting birds. The Endrick Mouth hosts just over 250 wintering Greenland white-fronted geese (GWFG), representing about 1% of the world population; due to this the NNR is part of Loch Lomond SPA and RAMSAR site for the species. Despite the world population declining sharply, the Endrick Mouth flock has remained remarkably constant in more recent years. The cause of this goose’s current decline is not well understood, although there are strong indications that it is due to changes at the breeding grounds in western Greenland, rather than at its wintering grounds. The attraction of the reserve is the security that it offers for roosting birds, with its open water, good all-round visibility, and it is also relatively free from disturbance. The geese feed at several locations on the Endrick Mouth but more typically feed off the reserve on more improved pastures. At the locations where this species roosts or feeds within the SNH managed section, we will work with landowners to manage the sward to ensure that the conditions remain suitable for the geese. We will co-ordinate our management with the RSPB who also improve grassland on their ground specifically as geese feeding areas. We will continue to participate in the annual national and international surveys of Greenland white-fronted geese, Icelandic geese (greylags and pink footed geese), and the monthly Wetland Bird survey (WeBs). This information enhances our understanding of the waterfowl that use the Endrick Mouth as well as contributing to the understanding of these species at a national and international level. Additionally, the Endrick Mouth supports an impressive range of breeding bird species for such a relatively small area, and is nationally important for its bird assemblages associated with its woodlands, damp grassland, and lowland open and water margins. It also supports a number of species including reed bunting and grasshopper warbler which are UKBAP species. Records suggest that the number of ground nesting birds, especially those associated with the grazed swards such as lapwing and redshank have declined. Although this is not an uncommon trend for farmland birds, we want to do all that is practicable to ensure their breeding success on the Endrick Mouth; the grazing and topping regime aid us in maintaining suitable habitat. We will carry out breeding bird surveys annually to monitor species listed on the BTO habitat indices for lowland damp grasslands, lowland open water and margins and woodland in accordance with the JNCC , 2004, Common Standards for monitoring for birds and our own SCM guidance. We will co-ordinate our surveys with the RSPB and share data accordingly. To monitor for Spotted Crake we will undertake up to 3 night visits to monitor for calling males, co-ordinating our surveys with the RSPB and sharing data accordingly.

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Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective NH1:

Task No. Task description

NH1.1 Topping for sward height annually

NH1.2 Contribute to monitoring of goose roost

NH1.3 Contribute to monitoring of goose feeding areas

NH1.4 Contribute to annual report of GWFG activity in area.

NH1.5 Carry out annual breeding bird survey, using standard methodology, involving volunteers where possible and co-ordinating with RSPB.

NH1.6 Monitor for spotted crake coordinating with RSPB.

NH1.7 Undertake scrub control to remove predator perches and keep wetland habitat open.

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Objective NH2: To manage the range of floodplain wetland habitats across the Endrick Mouth to improve their condition. The Endrick Mouth is an extensive area of floodplain wetland with a mosaic of habitats ranging from more improved and drier grassland swards through to the progressively wetter habitats of wet grassland, marsh, fen and swamp to permanent open water. A small proportion of the floodplain wetland has also developed wet woodland, typically consisting of alder, willow and birch. The wetlands support many rare or scare plant species including the Scottish dock, endemic to the Loch Lomond area and nationally scare species including cowbane and tufted loosestrife. Much of the varied wet grassland, marsh and fen habitats of the Endrick Mouth floodplain is managed in a similar way; by a combination of grazing and topping. These management practices are the most effective and efficient way of keeping the grasslands open, and for creating a diverse range of swards at varying height and physical structure. This creates maximum opportunity for different plants to set seed and grow, which in turn, supports wider biodiversity. We will continue to use grazing management as the main tool to maintain and enhance the condition of the floodplain wetland habitats. To achieve this we will continue to work closely with local graziers to ensure that the right number of cattle and sheep are kept in the right places for the right length of time. We will continue to complement the grazing with topping, when seasonal weather conditions allow, which fits in with our management objectives to benefit bird species (see above). Wet woodland, such as that on the reserve is a priority habitat under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. To date we have managed the wet woodland on the reserve with a light touch, leaving it to develop under fairly natural processes and gradually allowing them to diversify. Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective NH2:

Task No. Task description

NH2.1 Ensure correct grazing levels and correct stocking rates and times, through on-going assessment.

NH2.2 Produce a wetland management plan.

NH2.3 Carry out rare plant monitoring. Offer training and support to volunteers to assist with this monitoring.

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Objective NH3: Ensure conditions exist whereby the NNR oak woodlands can continue to develop under natural processes. We manage woodlands on four islands, Clairinsh, Inchailloch, Torrinch and Creinch, within the Loch Lomond Woods SAC. There are also areas of oak woodlands on the north side of the Endrick but we do not actively manage these as woodland management here is retained by the Montrose estate. The woodlands on the islands are very much a reflection of past periods of more intensive management. Cattle would have grazed the woodlands in the past and this would have helped to diversify the woodland and reduce the spread of plants like bracken, which can prevent tree regeneration. On Inchcailloch oak was selectively encouraged for the leather tanning and charcoal industries; these woods are now dominated by oak with many trees being around 200 years old. The other islands have more diverse woodlands with a mix of tree species. In more recent years, these woodlands have been managed with a relatively light touch and left to develop under natural processes, allowing them to very slowly diversify, both in terms of the range of tree ages in the woods and the species found within. The spread of non-native plant species pose a threat to the ecological integrity of the woodlands. Over the course of the last plan considerable effort has went into making the islands INNS free and this work will continue; ongoing work is required to remove bamboo and Rhododedron ponticum on Torrinch and Clairinch. Deer browsing is an important influence on the island woodlands. They can be heavy browsers of young trees sometimes having a profound effect on the rate at which woodlands can regenerate. A recent herbivore impact assessment suggests that deer browsing may be too high in some places and further action is required. We will therefore be aiming to reduce the impact of deer on the island woodlands. We will continue to monitor herbivore impacts to inform management. We will work with our neighbours and the Loch Lomond Islands Deer Management Group to co-ordinate deer management. The Endrick Mouth woodlands support a nationally important assemblage of breeding woodland birds, including species such as spotted flycatcher, redstart, pied flycatcher and tree pipit (a UKBAP species). Recent monitoring of the assemblage suggests that it is relatively stable and the proposed management for the reserve’s woodlands is likely to maintain this existing assemblage. Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective NH3:

Task No. Task description

NH3.1 Keep islands INNS free so continue with bamboo removal on Torrinch and Rhododendron ponticum removal on Torrinch and Clairinch. Carry out annual monitoring of all islands for INNS.

NH3.2 Carry out regular Herbivore Impact Assessments to assess deer impacts;

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results will inform deer management to achieve favourable habitat and species condition.

NH3.3 Contribute to the implementation of the Loch Lomond Islands Deer Management Group.

NH3.4 Carry out Site Condition Monitoring in line with national programme

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Objective NH4: To maintain and enhance the native species and habitats diversity of the Endrick Mouth. Monitoring and controlling invasive non-native species (INNS) is a significant and demanding element of our management of the Endrick Mouth. INNS are one of the greatest threats to many of these important plant species and habitats of the reserve. These tend to originate from up river. Consequently, seeds are washed down the Endrick and during flooding can be spread across much of the Endrick Mouth. Invasive plant species found in open water and wetland habitats are often very dynamic and if left unchecked continue to expand, often very rapidly, and cause a reduction in diversity of the floodplain wetland habitats. Reducing plant INNS species also has wider biodiversity benefits including for breeding birds and mammal species such as water vole. We have been controlling Himalayan balsam, giant hogweed, American skunk cabbage and Japanese knotweed within the reserve for some years with a fair degree of success. We also control a number of lesser known INNS species. However a more strategic INNS control project that covers the whole catchment is required, otherwise INNS species just continue to spread onto the NNR which is at the lower part of the catchment. Better coordination of work with partners such as RSPB, LLTNPA, and the, Lomond Fisheries Trust is happening but funding has not been secured for a catchment wide control programme. We will however continue to pursue this as we believe there are significant benefits in managing INNS at a catchment level and that we have a lot of experience to share. In the meantime control and monitoring of non-native invasive species will need to continue across the reserve to prevent INNS species recolonising areas where they have been removed. As well as plant species, control of non-native mink, and other predators is a key factor in maintain breeding bird and mammal numbers. We will continue to work with our neighbours to achieve predator control and secure the diversity of the site. On the SNH NNR ground the control of mink is currently the responsibility of Montrose estates and their shooting syndicate. Grey squirrels are present in the area and are controlled to protect red squirrels. We will report any sightings on the SNH areas to the Montrose Estate who carry out control. We will continue to increase our understanding of the reserve and contribute to national databases by performing wetland bird surveys (WEBS), and checking for further water vole habitat on the reserve. Osprey are present on the reserve but SNH do no active management for them. Barn owls breed on the reserve and we liaise with local volunteers to get nestlings ringed.

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Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective NH4:

Task No. Task description

NH4.1 Continue with INNS plant control programme, including extensive monitoring of all areas of reserve

NH4.2 Investigate possibility for creating a catchment wide INNS project.

NH4.3 Check the northern half of the mainland NNR for suitable water vole habitat and if identified check for the presence of water voles

NH4.4 Continue dialogue with Montrose estate to ensure monitoring and control of mink is undertaken on an annual basis.

NH4.5 Report grey squirrel sightings to the estate for control.

NH4.6 Continue with annual WEBS counts

NH4.7 Check barn owl boxes and liaise with local ringers to get nestlings ringed.

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5 Management for People Objective VM1: To provide opportunities for increased participation by people in the management of the reserve One of the main aims for the reserve is to connect people with nature. We will work with our partners to facilitate increased participation across the reserve in its entirety. Although the onsite visitor experience is provided by our partners, who manage the main access points and are best placed to deal with large numbers of visitors, the north side of the Endrick Mouth could offer other worthwhile opportunities for more people to get a stronger and closer experience of the site. Our focus for people is on inclusion through volunteering, allowing an experience of the less accessible SNH area through participation events. With our proximity to the central belt we are well placed to access a wide range of people creating mutually beneficially opportunities. Volunteering has health and wellbeing benefits for participants, as well as benefits for the natural heritage through increased contribution to management objectives. In addition to providing direct opportunities for volunteering we will work with LLTNPA and RSPB who also have an interest in encouraging volunteering. There is informal access to the SNH managed area. We have no facilities and are not planning on installing any. However, the whole of this area falls within the East Loch Lomond Camping Management Zone. We will work with the LLTNPA to ensure people are aware of this and the regulation that goes with it. LLTNPA will be developing a Outdoor Recreation Plan for the National Park in 2019. We will work with the park authority to ensure that potential issues relating to increased water based recreation for instance are recognised and considered within the plan. For instance by ensuring canoeists know how to minimise the risk of spreading INNS through their activity. Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective VM1:

Task No. Task description

VM1.1 Provide a range of volunteer days on the reserve delivering habitat management, INNS control work and monitoring and surveying

VM1.2 Organise an annual programme of events tailored to encourage participation by hard to reach groups of people

VM1.3

Work in partnership with RSPB, LLTNPA, corporate groups to encourage a wider range of groups and people to get involved in the management of the reserve thorugh a co-ordinated volunteer programme

VM1.4 Work with LLTNPA to manage recreation to minimise negative impacts on the natural heritage.

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Objective VM2: Coordinate the promotion of the NNR with the RSPB and the LLTNPA as the number one site to see wildlife and landscape in the National park. The NNR is managed between SNH, RSPB and LLTNPA. One of the main purposes of NNRs is to provide opportunities for people to experience and learn about and enjoy their important natural heritage. As Loch Lomond is one of the closest NNRs to the majority of the Scottish population, it presents an opportunity to raise national awareness and engage people with some of Scotland’s rich wetland natural heritage. We will work with our partners to develop a promotion plan for the whole NNR. We will continue to work with our partners to promote awareness of the whole NNR through off-site interpretation and social media. Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective VM2:

Task No. Task description

VM2.1 Draw up a joint promotion plan with RSPB, LLTNPA

VM2.2 Produce off site interpretation: social media output, update SNH web site and NNR Scotland web site.

VM 2.3 Deliver actions set out in promotion plan.

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6 Property Management Objective PM1: To manage the reserve property responsibly following best practice.

We will manage the reserve and SNH Property efficiently and responsibly following good practice.

We manage the infrastructure and do regular maintenance and health and safety checks. We maintain equipment used on site and ensure it conforms to the appropriate regulations. We review and update our fire plan annually.

Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective PM1:

Task No. Task description

PM1.1 Maintain all SNH-owned visitor infrastructure (signs, styles, gates) in good condition

PM1.2 Carry out quarterly safety and condition assessments of all visitor infrastructure and keep accurate records.

PM1.3 Ensure the property is maintained and conforms with Health & Safety Regulations including risk assessment and fire plan reviews

PM1.4 Ensure payments are made for the Nature Reserve Agreements and other annual payments.

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Objective PM2: Planning & reporting: Ensure management planning is adaptive and effective

The reserve plan provides valuable continuity however it is only part of the process and it will be monitored and reviewed on an on-going basis with formal milestones at regular intervals.

An interim review will be completed mid-plan unless there are significant changes that require an earlier review.

We will review the plan in the final year to inform preparation of the next management plan.

Tasks planned to inform and achieve Objective PM2:

Task No. Task description

PM2.1 Update budget in Q3 for bidding.

PM2.2 Report on finance and projects in corporate systems

PM2.3 Update internal reporting at least every quarter and finalise by end of Q1 of following financial year.

PM2.4 Do interim review of management plan in 2023/24.

P2.5 Review current reserve plan and complete new management plan for 2028

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7 Document properties Authors: David Pickett, Reserve Manager and Caroline Gallacher, Operations Officer Editor: Susan Luurtsema, Operations Officer – Protected Areas Signed off: Ian Bray, Area Manager Date: November 2018 Links For information about Scotland’s National Nature Reserves and further information about Loch Lomond NNR please visit the Scottish Natural Heritage website (www.nature.scot/loch-lomond) For information on the protected areas associated with Loch Lomond NNR please go to the SNHi data services