The Reserve Plan Review for Glasdrum Wood National Nature Reserve 2013 – 2023
Foreword
Glasdrum Wood National Nature Reserve (NNR) (169ha) is an internationally important NNR on the West Coast of Scotland. Noted as one of the best sites in Scotland for butterflies, the native temperate rainforest of sessile oak and upland ash is also exceptionally rich in oceanic lichens and bryophytes.
Glasdrum Wood NNR is one of a suite of NNRs in Scotland. NNRs are special places where some of the best examples of Scotland’s wildlife are cared for. Nature comes first on NNRs, and people are welcome to discover the rich natural heritage of these places and to contribute to our knowledge and enjoyment of these areas.
In 2014, we carried out a public consultation on our future proposals for the management of Glasdrum Wood NNR. Your feedback from the consultation informed the completion of the Reserve Plan 2014 – 2024, which set out our management for the reserve during that period. We have now come to the end of that plan and have started to think about the future direction of our management. This report reviews our achievements and progress against the management objectives set out in the Reserve Plan for Glasdrum Wood NNR 2013 - 2023.
Address:
NatureScot
The Enterprise Centre
Kilmory Industrial Estate
Lochgilphead
Argyll
PA31 8SH
Our Vision for Glasdrum Wood NNR
Glasdrum Wood National Nature Reserve is special; the aim is to keep it that way. The Reserve Plan 2013 - 2023 sets out our vision for the Reserve describing how we would like the Reserve to be in 2028. The management we have carried out over the past 10 years has been framed with this vision in mind.
Vision
Glasdrum Wood NNR is renowned as a dynamic oak and ash woodland where natural changes in the habitat are allowed to progress as far as possible while allowing us to maintain the NNR's rarest species.
The wood is a biodiversity hot spot where management is supporting an internationally important range of lichens and nationally important assemblages of bryophytes and butterflies, as well as several other notable species of plants and insects. This management will be an integrated part of Glen Creran's native woodland, making the NNR an influence on habitat management at the landscape scale.
Pioneering research and our commitment to maintaining long-term datasets has advanced UK wide knowledge on how to meet and balance the habitat requirements of each feature over the long-term. It has also raised awareness and improved our understanding of the effects of climate change on nature.
Glasdrum Wood NNR is a key site for demonstrating adaptive management techniques where we have played our part in helping nature to cope with change. The local community is actively interested in the management of the reserve and values Glasdrum as a beautiful place to visit and enjoy.
Visitors to the area will hear about the nature experiences that Glasdrum offers and will enjoy it as a memorable part of their visit to north Argyll.
Management for Natural Heritage
Objective NH1: Maintain at least 91ha of woodland in favourable condition, improving the structure classes and tree species diversity whilst maintaining suitable habitat for important woodland communities.
| Task no. | Task description | Task outcome |
|---|---|---|
| NH1.1 | Prepare a deer management plan in 2013 in conjunction with Glen Creran Woods neighbours. | Achieved |
| NH1.2 | Implement deer management plan. | Achieved |
| NH1.3 | Establish baseline herbivore impact monitoring in 2013 and repeat monitoring bi-annually to set any necessary deer cull targets. | Achieved |
| NH1.4 | Establish woodland structure, species diversity and glade extent baselines using aerial stereo imagery, the Native Woodland Survey Scotland and fixed point photography. Repeat monitoring in 2018/19. | Partially achieved |
| NH1.5 | Protect sapling ash trees from browsing in open glades with protective tree tubes and maintain the existing small exclosures and tree guards. | Partially achieved |
| NH1.6 | Remove all non-native invasive plants (mainly rhododendron, azalea and Japanese Knotweed). | Achieved |
| NH1.7 | Record signs of ash dieback and instigate remedial management if presence is detected. | Achieved |
| NH1.8 | Carry out Site Condition Monitoring (SCM) of the woodland features in 2013/14 and 2018/19. | Achieved |
Objective evaluation:
Glasdrum Deer Management Plan was written in 2018 along with the first deer stalker contract which ran from 2018-2023 and has been reviewed for a further five years in response to high numbers of deer being seen on the reserve and elsewhere in the Glen.
Herbivore Impact Assessments (HIAs) have been carried out on an annual basis since 2018 and the reserve has recently conducted a deer drone count which is proving to be a good addition to on-the-ground monitoring to help inform deer cull targets. The results from HIA monitoring suggest that deer browsing impacts remain high but that there is a good recruitment of seedlings on the reserve trying to get away. We are seeing small pockets where some less palatable species are proving more successful, although oak and ash seedlings are scarcer and generally heavily browsed and woody. Tree tubing has been used in the past but due to the accessibility and lack of staff resource this has been less frequent in recent years however we will continue to review.
Aerial Stereo imagery was carried out in 2013 providing a useful insight into glade number and size across the reserve. Due to funding we were not able to repeat in 2018/19 however as technology advances we hope that we will be able to repeat this study in the future with use of a drone.
In 2021 it became a requirement to survey for ash dieback along public footpaths and tracksides for public health and safety, using the four stages of ash dieback detection.
Non-native species, particularly Rhododendron continue to be present along the wayleave and road side so is an ongoing winter job to check these areas and control as necessary.
Objective NH2: Maintain the diversity and distribution of lichen species across the reserve, particularly the known populations of the 15 Red Data Book species.
| Task no. | Task description | Task outcome |
|---|---|---|
| NH2.1 | Continue to maintain positive habitat conditions for priority lichen glades (red data book – RDB) by cutting scrub growth. | Achieved |
| NH2.2 | Map and monitor scrub encroachment in high priority lichen glades by fixed point photography. | Achieved |
| NH2.3 | Establish lichen monitoring to detect lichen population and distribution changes over time as a result of changes in the woodland structure. Repeat monitoring every 3 years. | Partially achieved |
| NH2.4 | Support national contract to carry out SCM for lichen and bryophyte features in 2014/15. | Achieved |
| NH2.5 | Support PhD study on the management of woodland lichens at the ecosystem scale. | Achieved |
Objective evaluation:
Site Condition Monitoring for lichens at Glasdrum was carried out in 2015 at which time overall conditions were classed as Favourable Maintained.
Since 2021 the Royal Botanical Gardens of Edinburgh have been carrying out a lichen microclimate study to discover how lichens are impacted by changes in their microclimates at Glasdrum using data loggers. The reserve will continue to encourage such studies to improve our knowledge of lichens and bryophytes, particularly with climate change. Andy Acton provided a useful summary document of nationally rare and red listed lichens at Glasdrum to help inform interpretation in 2022/23.
The 2018 glade assessment carried out by Jessie Wormell provided a useful indication of scrub encroachment and bracken cover in glades, for butterfly interest but also of benefit for determining lichen glades. A further lichen assessment is scheduled for 2024. The glade assessment as well as the above monitoring provides useful habitat recommendations which helps to inform reserve management.
Objective NH3: Maintain populations of chequered skipper (>25) and pearl-bordered fritillary (>12) in favourable condition by maintaining high and moderate quality butterfly habitats over at least 13ha (15% of woodland area) of woodland ensuring good distribution throughout the reserve.
| Task no. | Task description | Task outcome |
|---|---|---|
| NH3.1 | Map and monitor the extent and condition of high and moderate quality butterfly habitats, including assessment of scrub and bracken cover, abundance of larval food plants and nectar sources. | Achieved |
| NH3.2 | Extend butterfly monitoring coverage on the reserve with input from volunteers. | Achieved |
| NH3.3 | Control bracken and scrub encroachment to maintain corridors of open habitat linking core breeding and nectaring areas. Monitor the important areas for pearl-bordered fritillary just above the treeline and undertake scrub cutting if required to maintain habitat condition. | Achieved |
| NH3.4 | Carry out bracken bruising and quadrat monitoring to inform management. | Partially achieved |
| NH3.5 | Undertake SCM for chequered skipper and pearl-bordered fritillary in 2013/14. | Achieved |
| NH3.6 | Continue long-term butterfly and moth population monitoring of chequered skipper, pearl-bordered fritillary, small pearl-bordered fritillary, mountain ringlet, barred tooth-stripe, narrow-bordered bee hawk moth and Anania funebris annually, providing results to the national Butterfly Monitoring Scheme. | Achieved |
Objective evaluation:
Jessie Wormell carried out a glade assessment in 2018 to map and monitor the extent and condition of priority butterfly glades, focusing on the level of bracken and scrub encroachment, and food plant availability.
Jessie Wormell also volunteers to carry out the weekly butterfly transects which are uploaded to Butterfly Conservation Scotland (BCS). See below for Chequered Skipper and Pearl-bordered fritillary figures up to 2022, both are experiencing peak counts in recent years. SCM for both species were carried out in 2015. Quadrat monitoring is no longer carried out, but it is felt glade assessments similar to the above are good for butterfly habitat monitoring using a whole site approach.
Mountain Ringlet transects have been conducted when possible by volunteers and staff and are also inputted in BCS. Moth traps are carried out by volunteers and we have run guided walks in collaboration with Butterfly conservation and others on an annual basis through the life of the plan.
Volunteer work parties help assist staff in managing bracken and scrub, and we have also offered scrub removal contracts for areas such as the wayleave. Bracken rolling with a horse and roller was used until 2018 however it was found that this continual supressing of bracken was proving detrimental to violets. Bracken reaches a peak in July much later than grasses. When you continually suppress bracken - and in the absence of grazing - this can result in a dominance of heavy grasses which don’t allow violets enough sunlight to emerge in spring. However when you don’t manage bracken it also becomes dominant and matted which shades out violets. The ideal scenario would be to suppress bracken on rotation then follow up with cattle grazing which would help break up the sward and provide opportunities for violets whilst keeping on top of grasses. We currently use volunteers to help scythe bracken glades when we are able and will continue to monitor to ensure we are providing optimal habitat conditions for butterflies.
The graphs below show population changes for two priority butterflies at Glasdrum, chequered skipper and pearl-bordered fritillary butterflies. They have been monitored since 1994 and in that time they have experienced many peak and troughs which are heavily linked to weather conditions and foodplant availability (amongst other factors). It is worth noting that the dip in 2015 - 2016 was largely due to staff availability for monitoring. Also in recent years we have had a local volunteer to carry out butterfly transects on a more regular basis, so from 2017 onwards there is a general species increase which reflects this.
Graph showing population trends for chequered skipper – one of the reserves priority species.
Click for a full description
Population trends by year (approx.):
1994 – 22
1995 – 142
1996 – 38
1998 - 18
1999 – 5
2000 – 70
2001 – 42
2002 – 81
2004 – 82
2005 – 92
2006 – 48
2007 – 58
2008 – 75
2009 – 118
2010 – 150
2011 – 60
2012 – 68
2013 – 18
2014 – 60
2015 – 2
2016 – 70
2017 – 140
2018 – 175
2019 – 158
2020 – 79
2021 – 157
2022 - 168
Graph showing population trends for pearl-bordered fritillary butterflies – one of the reserves priority species.
Click for a full description
Population trends by year (approx.):
1994 – 10
1995 – 17
1996 – 41
1998 - 20
1999 – 10
2000 – 12
2001 – 13
2002 – 5
2004 – 12
2005 – 19
2006 – 21
2007 – 5
2008 – 19
2009 – 15
2010 – 15
2011 – 16
2012 – 3
2013 – 3
2014 – 2
2015 – 3
2016 – 0
2017 – 41
2018 – 25
2019 – 68
2020 – 12
2021 – 46
2022 - 32
Objective NH4: Maintain the biodiversity interest of the reserve and our commitment to long-term monitoring, using this and other monitoring information to carry out adaptive management particularly in relation to climate change.
| Task no. | Task description | Task outcome |
|---|---|---|
| NH4.1 | Use long-term monitoring data to increase our understanding of the impacts of climate change on species. | Achieved |
| NH4.2 | Use aerial stereo imagery and the PhD study to inform long-term management at a landscape scale across Glen Creran. | Achieved |
| NH4.3 | Coordinate management in partnership with neighbours to enhance opportunities for species to disperse by reducing fragmentation and ensuring sufficient habitat across the entire Glen Creran Woods. | Achieved |
| NH4.4 | Ensure SCM report for otter is completed in 2013. | Achieved |
Objective evaluation:
Aerial stereo imagery was used to detect woodland type and map glade size and number across the reserve in 2013. In 2018 the reserve explored a repeat of this study however due to budget this was unable to be repeated. As LiDAR and thermal drone imagery advances the reserve hopes to repeat this study with increased accuracy in the future.
ACT (Argyll Coast and Countryside Trust) have conducted a Glen Creran wide Rhododendron eradication programme which began in 2020 which the reserve is part of. The introduction of deer stalking and drone counts on the reserve is also as a result of collaborating with neighbouring land owners.
In 2018-2019 the James Hutton Institute conducted a report looking at future scenarios for the reserve looking ahead to 2035. The report was titled: ‘Exploring the perceived impacts of different management interventions on woodland benefits’ and involved numerous individuals with varying interests in the reserve. It proved a useful insight into the reserves future and was a great collaboration project enabling us to look ahead to climatic, anthropogenic and biodiversity changes the reserve could face in the future.
The otter SCM was last conducted in 2004 where habitats were classed as Favourable, Maintained.
Management for People
Objective VM1: Provide a high quality visitor experience for at least 2,800 visitors ensuring that & >85% of visitors asked rate their experience as good or above.
| Task no. | Task description | Task outcome |
|---|---|---|
| VM1.1 | Review and upgrade signage and trail markers in 2016. | Achieved |
| VM1.2 | Provide new Brown tourism sign at Creagan roundabout on the A828 in 2013. | Achieved |
| VM1.3 | Distribute reserve leaflets to local outlets including Creagan Inn, Sea Life Centre, Castle Stalker Visitor Centre and Tourist Information Centre in Oban. | Partially achieved |
| VM1.4 | Use a variety of media to inform people about Glasdrum and provide up to date information. | Achieved |
| VM1.5 | Review and update information about the reserve on the Scotland’s NNRs website every 6 months. Provide downloadable material on butterflies and lichens. | Achieved |
| VM1.6 | Review and replace NNR leaflet in 2015. | Partially achieved |
| VM1.7 | Provide at least one guided walk for targeted groups e.g. ‘chequered skipper and lichen experience days’ annually. | Achieved |
| VM1.8 | Provide at least 5 demonstration events during the lifetime of the plan showing best practise adaptive management for woodland, lichens and butterflies. | Achieved |
| VM1.9 | Collate data from people/ car counters and update quarterly reporting. | Not achieved |
| VM1.10 | Carry out visitor survey in 2018 to provide qualitative information on visitor experiences. | Partially achieved |
Objective evaluation:
The brown tourism sign at Creagan bridge was installed in 2014. Welcome signage, disabled parking bay marker and leaflet boxes have all been updated during the life of the plan. Way markers and a new monolith panel are to be installed 2024 having gone through the designing process. Four new interpretation panels were installed in 2023 to provide onsite information and in response to the shift away from leaflets.
Glasdrum does not have its own social media page but is occasionally mentioned on the Taynish NNR account and information/ events are shared on the Scotland’s NNR social media page and website.
The reserve hosts at least one guided walk a year, mainly focussed at those with butterfly, moth or lichen interest with butterfly conservation and other guest speakers being asked to deliver. Edinburgh University Biological Sciences course have attended a walk/ practical task day once a year
since around 2017. Groups such as Reforesting Scotland and the Scottish Woodlands Alliance have attended workshops and talks on the reserve when the opportunity arises.
Car and people counters are no longer used as they were found unreliable. The reserve has used questionnaires during the life of the plan to help determine visitor demographic and there are hopes to install a car counter at the entrance to the car park in the future. A trail camera was used as part of a study by Durham University throughout 2019 and 2020 to determine visitor numbers and wildlife disturbance. But no data was received from this work.
The covid pandemic in 2020 saw many NNRs across Scotland receiving higher visitor numbers and experiencing an increase in anti-social behaviour. Glasdrum being slightly off the main tourist route, but just off the A82 route to Fort William has escaped most of this. Since 2020 we have seen a slight increase in toileting which the reserve is monitoring. We have coppiced the area around the back of the car park slightly to make it more open in an attempt to discourage this.
Objective VM2: To engage the local communities in Appin and Barcaldine and support volunteering.
| Task no. | Task description | Task outcome |
|---|---|---|
| VM2.1 | Engage with the local community to identify ways for people to become more involved with the reserve. | Achieved |
| VM2.2 | Engage 2 local volunteers annually and provide training and financial support. | Achieved |
| VM2.3 | Provide volunteer opportunities for at least 1 work party per year. | Achieved
|
| VM2.4 | Engage with and utilise local contractors. | Achieved |
| VM2.5 | Contact Appin and Barcaldine school and support 1 school visit from each per year. | Achieved |
| VM2.6 | Provide one familiarisation to Glasdrum in April for local accommodation providers. Establish a dialogue that will help us understand what the NNR can offer to local tourism service providers. | Not acheived |
Objective evaluation:
The reserve encourages engagement with the local community through engaging local volunteers in work parties and surveys. Adverts for work party dates have been advertised in the local newspapers and at Appin village and are usually hosted once a month where possible. Where possible local contractors are used who have a close association with the reserve such as grass cutting contractors and carpenters for bridge/ bench repairs.
The reserve has an ongoing relationship with Kilmartin museum to carry out educational projects on the NNRs including at Glasdrum which has been successfully running and funded by the NNRs since 2017 (although the relationship goes back further). At least one local primary school are engaged a year.
The reserve has hosted residential volunteer groups through the life of the plan; the Lothian Conservation Volunteers and Cambridge Conservation Volunteers, once a year. Together with the NNR team the volunteer groups carry out activities such as scrub cutting, bracken control, mountain ringlet transects, tree tubing and path maintenance.
Management for Property
Objective PM1: To manage the reserve property responsibly following best practice.
| Task no. | Task description | Task outcome |
|---|---|---|
| PM1.1 | Maintain the car park, picnic area and trail in good condition for visitors. | Achieved |
| PM1.2 | Carry out quarterly safety and condition assessments of all visitor infrastructure and keep accurate records. | Achieved |
| PM1.3 | Replace boundary fence in partnership with Creagan Estate in 2013. | Achieved |
| PM1.4 | Check boundary and top exclosure fences at least annually and repair as necessary. | Partially achieved |
| PM1.5 | Ensure the management of the property conforms with Health & Safety Regulations including risk assessment and fire plan reviews. | Achieved |
Objective evaluation:
Reserve maintenance is kept to a high standard by contractors, staff and volunteers. The bridges were repaired in 2019, and benches have been repaired and replaced as necessary throughout the plan.
The boundary fence with Creagan Estate was replaced in 2013. Reserve staff carried out a fence assessment in 2018 to assess the condition of boundary fencing. The top exclosure needs repairs however the cost and resource of this has been deemed unviable for staff with present resources considering the existing work programme. Internal reserve fencing is also needing reviewing during the next plan and removing/ reusing as possible.
Summary
The life of the 2013-2023 Glasdrum plan has been successful with the reserve fulfilling most objectives. The 2015-2017 period saw a staff shortage which placed an increased emphasis on volunteers and the use of local contractors to help deliver reserve objectives. The distance of Glasdrum from Lochgilphead – the central hub of the Argyll NNR team, also means that the reserve does tend to get the least attention of the three Argyll NNRs.
The contradictory management objectives for increasing natural tree regeneration within glades whilst maintaining open glades for priority butterfly species and increased light levels for lichens, still poses a key priority for the reserve. The glade LiDAR exercise carried out in 2013 and priority butterfly glade exercise in 2018 have provided invaluable insights into glade management, and it is felt that these exercises should be continued as technology advances as key management tools. The glade exercises have helped reserve staff target work programmes to tackle bracken control and scrub encroachment within glades.
It is felt that in order to get the achieved balance of good violet availability and bracken control, cattle might be introduced to disturb the soil. In the next plan the reserve hopes to explore this further.
Herbivore Impact Assessments (HIAs) are helping to provide an ongoing insight into browsing indicators and reserve staff should continue these in order to assist woodland monitoring. The introduction of deer stalking in 2018 has been a major feature of the reserve plan. The current arrangement of a five year contract allows the reserve the freedom to continually review cull numbers in accordance with designated features. Since 2018 the stalkers are achieving ~20 culls a year, and with HIAs still showing between medium-high indicators it is felt that this should be maintained. It is also a positive collaboration with neighbouring land owners (FLS/ Creagan Estate).
Ash dieback monitoring has been introduced during the life of the plan. Previously the disease was monitored through observation now the reserve collects data to determine any trees which may be at risk to public health which also increases our understanding of the fungus.
The reserve has achieved good engagement with the public through the life of the plan, achieving well attended guided walks (at least one a year), workshops, school visits in collaboration with Kilmartin Museum education team and engaging local volunteers. The James Hutton report of 2018 provided a very useful and thought provoking insight into the reserve’s future management objectives.
The 1km loop path through Glasdrum has been well maintained, with bridges, benches and signage repaired as necessary. The reserve estimates 10,000 people a year based on last people counter figure estimates and it is felt reserve facility provision is suitable for the current visitor usage.
Document properties
Author: Heather Goodwin
Editor: Neil Mitchell
Approved by:
Date: 07/12/2023
