The nature and wildlife of Angus

You might think that there is not much to Angus in regards to nature and wildlife. This might be because all you can see initially is farmland.

In fact, Angus is full of animals and plants. You just need to sit down and watch.

We have a number of protected animals here and some “priority species”, which are defined as those that were identified as being the most threatened and requiring conservation action under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP). These include starling, hare, tree sparrow, lapwing and various bats.

Some of the animals found around Tealing, such as the tree sparrow and starling, are classified as Red under the Birds of Conservation Concern.

Is biodiversity enrichment compatible with large scale developments?

Energy companies are talking about enriching biodiversity but we are never told how they want to achieve this.
Battery storage for example needs to be safe. This requires a flat surface, usually concrete with gravel between the shipping containers. There cannot be any vegetation nearby as this is flammable. This means there is perimeter around the battery site which can be “enriched”. Surely this is not an improvement?

Bats are sensitive to noise

Furthermore, some animals are sensitive to noise. Bats for example rely on echolocation and there has been research showing that bat behaviour is altered by noise (Noise distracts foraging bats | Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (royalsocietypublishing.org). Bats struggle to forage successfully when there is noise in the background. Large construction creates noise. This means that prior to enhancing the environment, as big companies call it, they will potentially decimate bat populations during the construction phase.

Habitat farmland

Some of you might think that farmland is not natural. Humans have been farming in the UK for at least 6,500 years. Traditionally grazed habitats, such as heathland and grassland, may have already existed in forest clearings, exposed hill tops and coastal headlands. Others, such as arable fields, hedgerows and orchards, were created by people. Farmed land may not be as ‘natural’ as ancient woodland, but its importance for wildlife should not be understated (Farmland | The Wildlife Trusts).
Nature is in constant flux. Animals and plants adapt to what is on offer.
In the 20th century farmland species have seen a large decline due to various factors such as use of chemicals and fertilisers. Nevertheless, farmland is its own habitat such as a forest is for example.
nstead of destroying valuable agricultural land, the government should support farmers to stop large-scale loss of biodiversity in the agricultural landscape and soil, but even more than that to rethink the use of the role of soil life,
landscape elements and biodiversity in sustainable agriculture . In Europe, where long-term data are available it is shown that most species are in decline. For some species as birds, butterflies and insects the speed and extend of decline is alarming (Agriculture and biodiversity: a better balance benefits both (aimspress.com)).

Is it NetZero or is it money?

Big companies just see a flat surface that is perfect for a battery farm or a substation. Big companies see money. The excuse for putting these structures near Tealing is the desperation to achieve NetZero.
Yes, we are in the middle of an environmental catastrophe and humans need to change, but we need to think about how to achieve this. Think carefully and consider all the pros and cons.
What is happening in Angus just feels rushed and wrong.

Protect our farmland

We need to protect the biodiversity we have. Farmland provides habitat for many animals and plants. We need to advocate for those species and keep them safe from large companies.
Because all they will provide is noise, concrete and metal.

Useful websites:

https://www.rspb.org.uk/, https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/, https://www.nature.scot/

Below is a list of a few vertebrate animals found in our backyard:

  1. European starling: Classified in the UK as Red under the Birds of Conservation Concern 4: the Red List for Birds (2015). Protected by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.
  2. Barn swallow: Classified in the UK as an Amber List species under the Birds of Conservation Concern review
  3. Buzzard
  4. Lapwing: Priority species
  5. Common toad – Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981.
  6. Pine Marten
  7. Bats – Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981.
  8. Deer
  9. Hare Classified as a Priority Species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. UK BAP priority species were those that were identified as being the most threatened and requiring conservation action under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP). 
  10. Fox
  11. Tree sparrow – Priority species, Conservation status: red
  12. Curlew – conservation status: red
  13. Hedgehog
  14. Kestrel – conservation status: amber
  15. Oystercatcher

Starling

The Starling is perhaps best known for its squabbling behaviour at bird feeders, and the huge flocks which form dancing murmurations during the winter.

Pipistrelle

Weighing around 5 grams (same as a 20p piece) a single pipistrelle can eat thousands of tiny insects in just one night! They are the species you are most likely to see around your garden.
The scientific name of the common pipistrelle is Pipistrellus pipistrellus.

Barn swallow

Look out for the swallow performing great aerial feats as it catches its insect-prey on the wing. You may also see it perching on a wire, or roosting in a reedbed, as it makes its way back to Africa for the winter.

Buzzard

Listen out for the cat-like, ‘kee-yaa’ calls of the buzzard as it soars high over farmland and woodland.

Sparrow

A scarce and declining bird, the tree sparrow can be spotted on farmland and in woodlands; it is not an urban bird in the UK. It has a brown cap and black cheek-spots, unlike the similar house sparrow.

BESS

The above picture is an example of a small BESS with only 32 shipping containers. As you can see there is a flat surface with no plants, a small substation and other structures and a security fence. OnPath energy have proposed a 560 battery BESS in Balnuith which will be situated on prime agricultural land. Next to it will be Balnuith BESS, a 50 battery BESS. Further down the road Myerton BESS, a 460 battery facility, has been proposed.

Emmock substation

This is a proposed layout of the Emmock substation. The area it is meant to be on is currently an organic farm. Building this monstrosity will mean death to many animals and plants.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH