Well I didn't get much new data through today - just one new point for Mallachie, and 4 new points for Rothes.
Mallachie was still in the Gambia close to Jarreng Tenda (this was at 5pm yesterday - 27th).
Rothes headed north into Senegal close to Cap Skirring until 11am yesterday, then headed back into Guinea Bissau for 3pm (the latest point I have) close to Catao Butame, E of Varela.
Hopefully I'll get a bit more data tomorrow.
Deadwood creation (for those of you who were asking) is where we go into the areas of the forest that have been identified as not having much deadwood in and create it. Basically we use chainsaws or a hand winch (which is heavy to carry about and hard work - which why the volunteers usually end up using it...) and make an intentional mess. By using a winch we end up with uprooted trees, with a chainsaw we can fell them close to the ground or higher up, ringbark them (to make them die but still be standing) etc etc. It's all about getting a bit of variety.
Deadwood is important in the forest because it supports lots of invertebrate species and birds etc. A few facts I got off Richard: Abernethy is the top ranked site in Scotland for saproxylic (living on deadwood) beetles (with 144 species recorded); at least 90 saproxylic species of conservation concern have been recorded on Abernethy; 35 species of deadwood dependant lichen and 16 species of deadwood dependant fly have been recorded on Abernethy; also at least 12 species of bird including goldeneye duck, redstart, crested tit, wryneck, swift, treecreeper etc (off the top off Richard's head) nest in holes in trees (or nestboxes!) and dead trees are more likely to have holes in. So you can see it's pretty important to have deadwood in a forest. It's also good fun to create it (though tiring...).
I'll update again tomorrow.
Thanks for another update, Alice- much appreciated! Thanks, too, for explaining the importance of deadwood - amazing to learn just how many creatures depend on it.
Thank you once again Alice. It is very interesting to know how important deadwood is. R & M both seem to be in good areas and hopefully Garten is too.
Thank you Alice for the update, which is very good news. Very interesting to read about creating deadwood - hard work for you but all for an excellent cause. I am sure all the creatures are very grateful to you.
Thanks for yet another update Alice and for educating us on the purpose of creating all the deadwood. Sounds like very physical and strenght sapping work to me !
Thanks Alice, for explaining the "ins" and "outs" of deadwooding and for the update on the girls!
What a lot of work on behalf of all these critters - thank you Alice.
Thanks Alice and I had no idea about the deadwood. Although you may think you are repeating yourself we await your news each day:)
Thanks for the update Alice - and interesting about deadwood - had never thought of it but it all makes perfect sense.
Thanks, Alice for the update an the girls ... and very interesting info about the deadwood & creatures that need it!
Thanks for update on Rothes and Mallachie . Aaaah the deadwood takes me back to Boat of Garten village hall and a Richard Thaxton talk on Abernethy and if anyone is up there when Richards talk (he is a great talker) are on going is a must and keep an eye out for the wolves !!!!!
Most interesting to learn about deadwood I must admit had not got a clue about it but as they say you live and learn. Nice to know the birds are doing well that is the kind of news we all love to hear
What fascinating work you and the vols do Alice (even if it is hard work, and I sure can understand that it is). I remember Richard saying something about the importance of Abernethy for so many species a long time ago but to have it written in detail, as you have done in this Blog really makes me realise that a forest isn't just a forest and lots of trees. Wonderfully informative and immensely interesting, thank you.
Great to have a little more satellite info re the girls; they've obvioiusly reached 'home' and are just settling in.
Alice, thanks for the explanation of creating deadwood. I was aware that a forest needed dead wood to provide homes for beetles etc, but always assumed that nature took it's course as trees died and fell. I suppose the problem is that mankind rarely allows that : in the large copse near my house, one of the neighbours sneaks in and chops up fallen trees for firewood any chance he gets! no use trying to reason with him, there's money involved.
Anyway, I can now justify the dead wood in our garden to my wife, who thinks it's untidy. Be prepared to be called as an expert witness ...
Thanks again Alison. Its so interesting to read what you have been doing re deadwooding and all that that entails. Thank God for the volunteers who help you create such habitats, and for all the work they do assisting the permanent staff at Abernethy.
Thanks Alice as always for the latest news on Mallachie and Rothes. Perhaps they will stay pretty much where they are, must be plehty of fish.
Thanks also for the interesting info about deadwood. I have never rwally thought about it so this has shown me how important it is. Good that Abernethy have been voted the best place for it. You can do no wrong there and it is wonderful to know how you care about the habitat for all creatures.