It's time to hang your...balsam out to dry!

What a wonderful growing season we have been having so far! Unfortunately the same applies to our non native plant invaders such as Himalayan balsam which is back with avengence!

Cue BTCV and their many merry volunteers!

Because when a plant can grow from this.....

.....to this in a few short weeks we need all the help we can get!

Lower Ness INNPS Project

Scottish Native Woods will resume its programme to control Invasive Non-Native Plants (INNPS) in Glenurquhart this year. The project is being extended to include other INNPS hotspots in the Lower Ness catchment. These include several populations of Himalayan balsam around Inverness.
Having tried a variety of control methods for balsam, we have found the most useful tool for the job is a Martindale 781 Slasher. It is a light hand-tool with a long reach ideal for difficult spots such as steep banks, and among woody vegetation. If it's kept sharp, it can be used to cut through scrub, nettles and brambles where balsam often hides.
More info at http://www.ralphmartindale.co.uk/

... the Slasher in action

Butterbur

In leaf, it looks like a giant coltsfoot.

Spot the ball (sam)

Click on the picture to get a larger image. Then count the wee Himalayan balsam plants and win a prize.

River Peffery Dingwall

As well as the invasive plant removal project on the River Peffery, there are a series of other restoration works ongoing under the River Peffery Restoration Project. Clean up days, tree planting and instream restoration activities will be taking place throughout the year. All activities are open to volunteers of any age, to find out more visit The Greenhouse shop on Dingwall High Street.

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/2182042?UserKey=

MoD to spend £3m on decontaminating Derry's Fort George site

The Ministry of defence are spending £3m to decontaminate the site from heavy oils, diesels, heavy metals and Japanese knotweed.

"A plant that needs to be disposed of along with the hazardous waste is also present on the site."

"Japanese knotweed can be dealt with and will be dealt with," Mr McCullough said.

"It will be sifted and burnt. "It's a painstaking operation, but if it's left untreated it can return and undermine foundations of the buildings and cause considerable damage to buildings in the future."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-12756767

Check, Clean, Dry

The GB Non-native Species Secretariat have launched their campaign to stop the spread of invasive plants and animals in British waters.

https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/nonnativespecies/index.cfm?sectionid=98

Botanical gardens an age old culprit in the spread of invasive plants...

Evidence suggests that botanic gardens play a part in the spread of invasive alien species, which have escaped from collections, a study has concluded. The paper's author says garden managers need to focus on assessing the risk of potentially invasive plants escaping. The findings will appear in the journal Trends in Ecology and Evolution. Read the rest of the article on the BBC news website. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12849021

Japanese knotweed in your garden...

These storys are from early last year but still as relevant today I'm sure...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/propertynews/7436431/Mortgages-refused-over-invasive-weed.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/7768301/Homeowner-turned-down-for-mortgage-due-to-Japanese-Knotweed-in-garden.html

The burs and the bees

White butterbur flowering in Glenurquhart today, 1st March.

White butterbur Petasites albus is found locally in UK, and is most frequent in east Scotland.

When bees start to emerge from their hives on sunny days in late winter, they may find few flowers for feeding. These white butterbur flowers were popular with early bees and flies.

American Mink in Scotland

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12323300

A recent article from the BBC news website. Showcasing the worlds largest Mink eradication project from our very own doorstep. Already a successful project further plans are to double the area of mink removal to 20,000 sq km, working with the rivers and fishery trusts of Scotland (RAFTS), Scottish Wildlife Trust, Univeristy of Aberdeen and Scottish Natural Heritage with a further aim of eventually expanding the project to work UK wide.

If you wish to get involved and volunteer to look after a Mink Raft in the Highlands please contact me at m.norris@btcv.org.uk and I will be able to give you further information or provide you with the equipment myself.

Grey squirrel hitches a lift to Skye - Maybe?

Recently spotted in Skye but dealt with was a grey squirrel. Was reported on http://www.hbrg.org.uk/ in the news section on the 13th December . No other details.
Martin

Landward feature on INNS

Dougie Vipond presents a feature on Invasive Non-native Species on BBC Landward, Friday 3rd December, 7 pm.

Monsanto Technical advice

Monsanto - producers of the chemicals we probably use most in controlling invasives. As unlikely as it sounds their Technical advice line is very good, it seems to be manned by one person whose knowledge and helpfulness is very useful. If you have a question about a particular formulation and use near water or standard dilution rates or approvals for stump treatment etc this can be the easiest way to get information quickly - and they do call you back if you leave a message. In conversation earlier I hear there is a new Glyphosate formulation in testing that will be a gel and will not contain any surfactant - the toxic part of Roundup (Glyphosate itself is prectically non toxic) - sounds good for stump treatment, stem treatment and foliar treatment over water. Just a couple of years to wait probably.

I am not a fan of Monsanto particularly but this is a good service.

Bursting with 'promise'

Taken before the recent frosts, Himalayan balsam busy securing its foothold in the Milton - Culloden area. We'll hopefully start tackling this problem next year. Any volunteers?

Pampas grass

Has anyone noticed spread of pampas grass Cortaderia selloana We have a couple of places local to here where it has escaped but I wonder if it a widespread problem. I only ask because whilst invasive surfing on the DAISIE website (European invasive species project) it was listed as one of the top one hundred invasives in Europe. Is this another there but not noticed species?

.one afternoon driving along the estate roads and what did I find but a rare pampas flowering gorse..........an invasives joke by one of the estate residents here perhaps? Who knows

Two for £8...bargain?!

Look what I came across on sale in Lidl...Rhododenderon...there is no information on the label about what variety it is but from the picture it looks alot like ponticum don't you think???

Himalayan knotweed as bad as Japanese knotweed?

I have recently discovered quite substantial stands of Himalayan knotweed near to the river Blackwater, along the way I discovered a house which is obviously inhabited by a builder of some sort and had recently done some building work of their own...I wonder do they realise what this plant is poking up from their building soil?!?! I found out that the house a mere 200 m downstream was the son to this household and guess what was in his back yard too! Classic example of spreading through top soil. Can anyone tell me if Himalayan knotweed presents the same danger to building work as Japanese knotweed???

Highland Invasive Species Forum

The Forum had a good turn-out for its annual meeting. After an indoor session in Marybank hall, we ventured out into the rain. In the woods at Fairburn, we viewed the results of an ongoing project (run by Cromarty Firth Fishery Trust) to remove Rhododendron ponticum and got a wee taste of lever-and-mulch from Gordon French.

2010 Mink escape!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/29/animal-activists-freeing-5000-mink

An interesting article from the Guardian.

Polygonum?

A dense patch of this 1.5m tall plant is growing on a riverbank in Cawdor. Evidently in the family Polygonaceae (knotweeds etc...). Can anyone identify it, please?

Giants

The dead flower stems of Giant hogweed dwarf broom bushes (which are about head height), giving some impression of their impressive stature. Not an easy plant to eradicate as seed retains viability for many years.

Terrible trio

Three of the highest priority Invasive Non-native Species (INNS) in one frame.

Japanese knotweed (left), Himalayan balsam (foreground) and giant hogweed (right) all share a predilection for ungrazed riparian areas. Between them, they leave little room for native plants and present a real challenge for those using riverbanks for access, whether fishermen or families out for an afternoon stroll.

Knotweed flowering

Early autumn is a good time to treat Japanese knotweed, in fact many perennial weeds, as they are now storing reserves ready for next spring. The leaves take up systemic herbicides efficiently and translocate them down to the root system.

Balsam around Inverness

There are a number of Himalayan balsam populations around Inverness. Those located so far are Holm Burn, Mill Burn, Scretan and Cairnlaw Burns (both below Smithton). This is the lower section of the Scretan Burn, showing balsam dominating the banks and floodplain.

If you know of other areas with Himalayan balsam, please let me know by adding a comment below or phoning 01456 486426. Thanks!

It is less usual to see balsam growing on a slope. It is well-established and has apparently colonised from the floodplain below, indicating that it has probably been here a few years.

Rhode spraying on the River Orrin

Rhododenderon clearance is ongoing along the Orrin river.. Work began last winter when the plants were manually removed from a large section along the river bank on the Fairburn estate. The stumps are now being sprayed with herbicide to prevent regrowth as new plants will sprout from the cut back stumps. This is one of the methods employed to clear rhodes from this area. Stem injection is also being carried out on certain sections, pictures and info of that to follow.
The work is being carried out by BTCV with use of Cromarty Firth fishery trust baliffs who all hold the spraying licence required for such spraying.

ID anyone???

Can anyone ID this plant? It was found along the Blackwater river by one of the Fishery Baliffs, he said it was growing in a big stand right next to a stand of Japanese knotweed...the pic isn't great as the specimen was a bit whithered by the time I got it!...I think it might be Himalayan knotweed...

Buddleia in Glenurquhart, Loch Ness

Like many invasives, Buddleia favours disturbed habitats. Seen here colonising banks on the River Coiltie.

Little wonder it is known as Butterfly Bush. These bushes were aflutter with Peacock, Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies.

The BBC visit Glenurquhart

The BBC Landward team visited Glenurquhart earlier this week. A useful opportunity to highlight the importance of INNPS.

Is Rosebay Willowherb native or non-native?

A tricky one... The answer is that Rosebay Willowherb Chamerion angustifolium appears to be both native and introduced.

It was a rare upland species in the British Isles until the 19th century, when it dramatically changed its behaviour. Perhaps with the introduction of genes from elsewhere in its range (N. America or Scandinavia, perhaps), it became a vigorous pioneer of disturbed habitats.

It has now expanded its range to most of mainland Britain and Ireland, and is a familiar sight on railway embankments, roadside verges, waste land and clearfell sites. It is a great favourite of bees.

This field of Rosebay willowherb or ‘fireweed’ provides a spectacular scene but also shows how invasive this plant is. I heard from a local man that this field was in use as agricultural land up to only two years ago so this fireweed has really taken hold and spread rapidly in a relatively short period of time. Does anyone have any examples of sites where this invasive is being controlled?

Himalayan balsam Christmas trees?!?...

These Himalayan balsam plants were in an area of felled woodland next to the river Sgitheach, their branching pattern and large size share similarities with the shape of a Christmas tree! Most balsam plants growing in dense clumps tend to be tall and straight with the flowering structures located at the top. I believe this branching pattern may be caused when the plants get snapped off whilst growing but the root and bottom node remain allowing the plant to regenerate and regrow. These few larger branched plants were out in the open with plenty of space which may also benefit this growth structure. Any other suggestions???

Cutting balsam

Unlike most invasive plants, Himalayan balsam can be effectively controlled without using chemicals. Scattered plants can be uprooted, while dense stands can be cut using a Martindale weed slasher.

Skunk cabbage control

This May we decided to experimentally dig out Skunk Cabbage from a burn here on the estate. There were a large number of plants ranging from tiny seedlings to full grown plants in the water on the bank, in the woods. We first assessed the plants structure decide what was the best approach.

We found that it has a structure a little like a leek with leaves wrapping around each other down to base plate with lateral roots from that. We decided to take the approach of pulling or digging out the base plate to see if that would destroy it's ability to regenerate. On a large plant the base plate can be around 30-40cm deep, on a seedling it is almost at ground level, it varies. We found new leaf buds inside the leaves at the base. Also that when we tried to pull the plant it would routinely separate right above where this bud was growing, presumably to protect the plant from spates.

We dug out all the plants we found, we also tried to pulverise the base plate on really large plants. The best tool is a small spade to get into tight spaces to dig. We think a smallish crow bar might be useful to bash the plate into oblivion, not sure. We do know it's time consuming but the NNSS website says it's not suitable for chemical control (in wet woodlands)

We visited the worst sites a month and a half later and found seedlings we missed, one regenerated plant where we couldn't get to the root but no signs of other plants coming back at all. We think that to get the base plate out, leaving the lateral roots is an effective control but we won't know for sure until next spring. Does this tally with the experience of others?

Spiraea

Another widespread garden escape which seems to be spreading: Spiraea or Bridewort. Flowers may be pink or white. It often forms dense 'hedges' along roadsides. One to watch?

Sweet Cicely

Sweet Cicely has attractive fern-like foliage.

Sweet Cicely Myrrhis odorata is a native of central Europe, and widely naturalised in Scotland. It thrives best in moist situations, and appears to be spreading in some locations. The seed-heads are distinctive - large and almost black.

Touch-me-not

Several Impatiens species occur in UK, but only one is native. Touch-me-not balsam Impatiens noli-tangere (so called because of its exploding seed-pods) is generally considered to be native only in the English Lake District and mid-Wales. If you find this balsam in Scotland, it will have escaped from a garden. Fortunately it is not invasive, unlike its Himalayan cousin.

Buddleia

The 'butterfly bush' Buddleja davidii is a shrub native to the mountains of China. It is widely planted for its showy sweet-smelling flowers.
Buddleia provides conservationists with a bit of quandary. It is very attractive to insects, especially butterflies, but has become invasive in parts of North America and Europe. It doesn't appear to be problematic in Scotland, though it is becoming more frequent in milder areas of UK, such as South-West England and Wales.

Introducing Rhododendron ponticum ...

Rhododendrons are a favourite of many gardens but this one has got out of control. Introduced to the UK around 1763, Rhododendron ponticum was favoured as a hardy flowering plant, popular on Victorian estates to provide colour and game bird cover. Since then, it and it's hydrids (often referred to collectively as wild rhododendrons or 'rhoddies') have 'naturalised' and spread across hillsides and woodlands throughout the UK, posing a very significant threat to native mosses, lichens, wildflowers and woodland plants and the wildlife they support.

The Highland Rhododendron Project aims to support land managers and communities tackling this spread in and around designated sites in Highland and promote and disseminate best practice in its removal

Sitting pretty...

This robust Himalayan balsam plant is on course to produce a good crop of seeds, which it will fling up to 5 metres.

Natural corridors, such as watercourses, and man-made networks, such as roads and railways often facilitate the dispersal of invasive plants. A few Himalayan balsam have established on this railway embankment in Inverness.

Left untreated, there are likely to be many more plants next year.

... but how to reach it?

Does removing a small colony of balsam qualify as an emergency? Probably not, but timely action now will certainly save time later.