Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 2nd August 2023
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Duckling boost for rare goldeneye duck
"These specialist ducks have been declining locally in recent years, so this is a real boost to the population" – Simon Ritchie, NatureScot.

More than 25 ducklings have fledged at nature reserve.

This year has seen a bumper breeding season for the rare goldeneye duck, after more than 25 ducklings fledged at the Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve in the Cairngorms National Park.

There are around just 200 breeding pairs of goldeneyes in the UK. The protected speices is resident in the Scottish Highlands and a winter visitor elsewhere in the British Isles.

In 2020, just one brood and four duckings was recorded at the Dinnet reserve. Since then, new rules have been introduced to reduce disturbance to the birds during breeding season from visits to the site.

This year’s successful breeding season is a sign that the recent conservation measures are having a positive impact.

Simon Ritchie, NatureScot’s reserve manager at the Muir of Dinnet, said: “We are elated to have so many young fledge. These specialist ducks have been declining locally in recent years, so this is a real boost to the population.

“One of the main factors in recent breeding failings has been disturbance by people going out on the water in canoes, kayaks, inflatables and paddle-boards. Because of this, we worked closely with stakeholders, including recreational users, ornithologists, the Cairngorms National Park, and Dinnet and Kinord Estate to put in place access guidance on Loch Kinord to reduce impacts in the crucial summer months.

“This has had a massively positive impact on our breeding birds, especially our goldeneye population, and we would like to thank everyone for following the access guidance. Together, we are helping conserve an iconic Scottish rarity from local extinction.”

Murray Ferguson, director of planning and place at the Cairngorms National Park Authority, added: “We are delighted to see that goldeneye on the loch are now breeding more successfully and that that the measures to manage disturbance from recreation are working well.

“Many thanks to everyone for following the guidelines. We are sure there are lessons to be learned here that can be applied to other parts of the National Park in due course.”

 

Image (C) Shutterstock

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.