CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!

Bikes v Birds (Loch Leven)

(12 posts)
  • Started 12 years ago by chdot
  • Latest reply from Claggy Cog

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  1. chdot
    Admin

    Nothing like a strong headline to generate interest.

    Here's the original -

    "RSPB accused of acting ‘like Donald Trump’ "

    http://www.robedwards.com/2012/05/rspb-accused-of-acting-like-donald-trump.html

    It's certainly desirable to get a complete off-road route round the Loch. It would be nice to be as close as possible to the water, but without knowing the exact details of proposed route and the possible alternative I'm inclined to agree with RSPB.

    Think Duddingston Loch.

    Existing LL route - http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=392011

    Posted 12 years ago #

  2. RJ
    Member

    Storm in a teacup. Nothing like Trump at all.

    <quote> The RSPB was backed by the government’s wildlife agency, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). “RSPB, and other land managers, had legitimate concerns about how different route options could affect their management,” said SNH’s director of operations, Andrew Bachell. “It's important that walkers or cyclists don't disturb the wildfowl and yet, at the same time, we want them to see and enjoy the spectacle of wildlife in the nature reserve. The route chosen provides an excellent compromise between these two objectives.” </quote>

    Posted 12 years ago #

  3. Claggy Cog
    Member

    With numbers of ramblers etc increasing I agree with the RSPB that the less impact that humans have on bird life/sanctuaries the better.

    I do understand the concerns of the two cottage owners, they obviously cannot think bird...they are against the idea of hundreds of folk passing by their houses, think how the birds might feel being constantly frightened by objects 10x's larger than themselves, with their resplendent outdoor, rustling plumage, and associated calls and noises, all of which are totally alien to wildfowl! Sorry, to say they are in the minority. Perhaps the RSPB and Ramblers Association could offer them money for fencing so that they do not have lots of folk gawping at them.

    I would be moving house too if I were the bird population, sorted then, no reason to visit...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  4. Min
    Member

    I'm with the birds on this one. Donald Trump destroys bird habitats so the RSPB are nothing like him.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  5. DaveC
    Member

    They could easily link up the circle by extending along the old railway line to the road to the south and then putting a path on the north side of the road to the RSPB/SSPB?? centre. We cycle past there most weekends and that road would benefit from the join. People new to the eare have in the past walked from the centre to Kinross only to find the path stops and they are forced to walk along the busy road with no paths back the the bird centre.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  6. Morningsider
    Member

    I've been to the Vane Farm reserve (disclaimer: as a guest of RSPB) and it is lovely and the RSPB (mainly volunteers) has worked hard to restore the site. I can't see why the path has to be along the lochside, passing through bird nexting sites, when the alternative higher elevation provides views over the loch. I agree with Min about the householders, but I'm sure that could be sorted by suitable screening. This isn't some urban cycle route that should be as short as possible, it's a path used by leisure cyclists and ramblers - a few hundred metres extra shouldn't hurt.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  7. JohnS
    Member

    I live outside Kinross and having done tracks and trails around the area, the RSPB concerns are justified unfortunetly. The uncompleted stretch of the Loch shoreline has an Osprey nest which has beenthere (quetly) for some years. The alternative inland route along the old railway line is possible but for the two bolshy and reluctant farmer landowners. One has ambitions for an upmarket chalet development overloking the Loch (ha ha in the current market) and the other is just plain relauctant. The TRACKS project are still in discussions with these landowners. The Osprye's are European protected species and the Habitats Regaulations trump all other law I'm afraind so they have primary potection. Cheers.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  8. chdot
    Admin

    Thanks. Good when we get local/expert info on here.

    Pity about the trackbed owners.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/naturescalendar/summer/freshwater/leven/loch_leven.shtml

    Posted 12 years ago #

  9. Claggy Cog
    Member

    I was thinking that the 51-year-old joiner could be missing a great opportunity to expand his business...well both of the cottage owners, with his joinery skills perhaps he could build a wee caff (weatherboard stylee) where he could be selling home made produce and really cashing in on the captive/passing humanity. Also as a joiner he will have carpentry skills can't see any sort of fencing being a problem to screen his home from prying eyes.

    Bird life is really struggling today, with loss of habitat, so go RSPB/SSPB you have my full backing in saving this area for the birds. I wonder if these are the two curmudgeons holding up the railway line expansion of the path.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  10. RJ
    Member

    Herald letter from TRACKS (The Rural Access Committee of Kinross-shire) sets the record straight.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  11. chdot
    Admin

    "Let us encourage organisations like SNH and RSPB Scotland to establish and manage these facilities for our benefit and recognise that the "right to roam responsibly" has common sense limitations."

    Yep.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  12. Claggy Cog
    Member

    This came into my inbox and I thought that some might be interested... I just need to win the lottery to help everyone that I would like to, especially organisations like the RSPB

    http://clicks.dbgi.co.uk/DC/ViewEmailInBrowser.aspx?646C76=313539363637&736272=$$EqMVCXOd0RnIEEE&66=30

    Posted 12 years ago #

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