Deer at the RSPB’s Gartocharn nature reserve are set to be culled.
The RSPB, who run the Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve (NNR), say that the move is essential to prevent the animals causing further damage to habitats.
They say that a decision taken earlier this year to reintroduce beavers to areas of the reserve has not led to the move, with a spokesperson telling the Lennox that beaver activity does not destroy woodland as deer browsing does.
However the decision has been met with questions from a Gartocharn resident who campaigned against the introduction of the beavers to the reserve.
Former councillor Sally Page told the Lennox: “When the NNR was managed by Scottish Natural Heritage they employed a stalker who came and went when necessary. The RSPB stopped that when they took over.
“In 2018 we as neighbours of the RSPB tried hard to get them to cooperate in a deer management plan for south-east Loch Lomond that the National Park were supporting.
“Hundreds of young trees have been lost in the intervening years due to the no-shooting policy of the RSPB. So why the change now?
“When the beavers were released into the Aber Burn there was very little for them to eat. The RSPB had cut the Willows down along the burn several years ago so the beavers have been eating vegetation.
“An extract from RSPB blog in May said: ‘Feeding signs were infrequent but at this time of year beavers rely a lot less on woody vegetation, which makes it harder and harder to see where they have been feeding.
“Instead, they eat all the succulent herbaceous vegetation on offer, like grasses, sedges and flowering plants.’
“So now the designated flora and fauna is really under threat with both deer and beavers chomping on it. Something had to give.”
Sally also questioned if the RSPB would sell the venison as a locally sustainable food source, adding: “I also would hope as part of the nature education on offer when visitors come to the NNR that the RSPB will explain why the deer culling is necessary, you can’t only have the soft fluffy bits without the actual reality.”
A letter sent by the RSPB to residents in Gartocharn said: “If control is not undertaken these habitats will fall into poor condition, eventually being lost from the site. Active deer control is the only feasible way to manage these impacts and is undertaken sensitively on the reserve with regular reviews.”
The RSPB say that the willow removal was necessary as they were a non-native species that was impacting wetland connectivity.
Paula Baker, site manager at RSPB Loch Lomond said: “Our work to reduce deer numbers at RSPB Scotland Loch Lomond is vital to reduce the impact of their browsing across the nature reserve, including on the protected Western Atlantic Oak woodlands.
“Over-browsing by deer is hugely detrimental to habitats and their wildlife. We understand such control is a sensitive issue; this work is reviewed regularly and we ensure to keep the local community informed as well as providing information to any visitors wishing to know more.”
She added that the deer carcasses are processed by an external contractor and sold locally.
