Woodland Survey work above Loch Fyne in Argyll

Walking the dug in Highland Perthshire

Closer.....

The Tay today

Christmas cards... which one?

Xmas card time. Here are a couple of options. This first one, and the third one by North-east manager Carol Robertson. The trees here are actually beech, so, strictly speaking, not native.

Another one...parkland trees at Drummond Estate

Another one...ivy on birch tree

Sun over the flooded Tay

Walking the dug....

First snow in Perthshire, November 2011

The importance of leaf litter

At this time of year the principle source of energy in many upland burns comes from leaves washed into the burn.

These aspen leaves will be processed in stages by a series of micro-organisms such as fungi & bacteria, followed by invertebrates such as the larvae of stoneflies & caddisflies which in turn
are preyed upon by larger animals including fish.

The rate of breakdown varies with different tree species with the leaves of some tree species such as bird cherry broken down within a few weeks whereas the leaves of other species such as oak may take several months to decay.

Most semi-natural woodlands produce a diverse leaf-litter and will therefore provide a continuous food supply throughout the autumn and winter to sustain a rich and productive aquatic ecosystem.

Tree planting at Star of Markinch Resevoir in Fife

Scottish Native Woods donated some aspen trees to this local community effort in Fife. Photos courtesy of Sue Band. Very well done Sue.

Deer protection

The resevoir at Star of Markinch

Glen Quoich at Mar Lodge

The winter sun.....

Big pines

Above the pinewoods

Four trees

Glen Quoich