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Our work here
26 July 2007
Troup Head protects one of only two mainland gannet colonies in the UK. Wildlife also includes other seabirds, offshore sea mammals, and breeding and wintering passerines.
The RSPB is managing the reserve for all its wildlife, while encouraging visitors, conveying conservation messages and demonstrating how wildlife can benefit rural economies.
Cliff riches
We are safeguarding the sea cliffs for breeding seabirds, and aim to maintain or increase numbers of gannets, kittiwakes, puffins and others. We will also assess and, where possible, increase populations of unsurveyed species, including peregrines, plus grey seals and otters along the shore. Work includes minimising disturbance during the breeding season and preventing erosion to the cliff edge.
Great grassland
We are enhancing our cliff-top grassland and farmland for birds, plants and invertebrates. We aim to increase numbers of key passerines, including breeding skylark and corn bunting, and wintering snow bunting and twite. Work includes maintaining open cliff-top vegetation, planting areas of scrub, and developing a mosaic of grasses and winter seed crops.
Keeping tabs
We are liaising with all relevant bodies to ensure seabird monitoring both continues and expands. We are also investigating our wider biodiversity by maintaining records of key mammals, and surveying passerines, flora and invertebrates. We will control mink where necessary.
Spreading the word
Our work at Troup Head helps inform the international debate on fisheries and climate change. We will work with nearby Fowlsheugh reserve to provide a focus for marine policy issues, while promoting marine conservation through the media and ensuring at least one annual visit from a local councillor.
People power
Troup Head is an impressive spectacle that appeals both to birdwatchers and the broader public. We plan to boost visitor potential and the RSPB's profile without compromising the reserve's character. After assessing visitor numbers, we have developed a suitable, safe infrastructure (including car park and footpath) and simple interpretation facilities. We liaise with local boat operators to run an Aren't birds brilliant! project and have installed a cliff-top webcam, which sends live pictures to the Marine Aquarium in Macduff.
We will build good relations right across the local community, including neighbours, landowners, farmers, the local harbour master and SNH, and will develop volunteering.