Comhairle Declares Local Nature Reserve - A First For The Western Isles |
11 July 2005 |
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The Comhairle this week declared Loch Stiapabhat in Ness a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) - a first for the Western Isles. The LNR is a locally led initiative which is backed by the Comhairle, Comunn Eachdraidh Nis, Galson Estate, Scottish Natural Heritage, and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Initially, Communn Eachdraidh Nis approached the Comhairle for its support in establishing Loch Stiapabhat as a LNR. Given the local community’s support for the LNR, the Comhairle gave its support in principle for the LNR in 2002. Much work has been done by the community, the Comhairle and the agencies to progress to formal declaration of the site. The reserve is managed by a local management group known as ‘Friends of Loch Stiapabhat’. An official launch to mark the declaration will take place at Loch Stiapabhat on Wednesday 20 July. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Chairman of Sustainable Development, Cllr Archie Campbell, said “The LNR will provide a fantastic opportunity for locals and visitors to the area to study wildlife and should have great educational value for schools in the islands. Links are being developed with nearby Lionel School and it is hoped that pupils will become involved in practical projects on the reserve. The local community has backed this initiative wholeheartedly and I hope that the LNR will bring small-scale economic benefits to the area through the provision of visitor facilities. The bird hide is already in use and the LNR will form part of the Ness Walkway, providing opportunities for access and informal recreation in the area. We still have much to do and have produced a management plan for the LNR which sets out actions and projects to be undertaken by the various partners over the next 3 years.” Loch Stiapabhat is renowned for attracting a great variety of migrant birds, being situated on the main flyway from and to the Arctic. None of the island’s lochs has had a wider range of rarities recorded or possesses such as diversity of common wetland birds that can be so easily observed. A bird hide was erected on common grazings close to the loch in 2004 and is widely used, providing excellent views of the many birds using the loch. The importance of the area has already been recognised through its designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Protection Area (SPA). However, LNR status allows positive local management of the area, enabling people to understand and enjoy it. LNR status encourages local responsibility and accountability, not easily achieved by the other national and international designations. Nigel Scott Tel: 01851 709389 (Work) |
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