Rabbit Proof Fence
Paul describes this years' work to improve bumblebee forage at Farr Glebe reserve
The management of Farr Glebe wildflower meadow in Bettyhill, north Sutherland, has been a huge and wonderful aspect of my ranger work for over twenty years. The pleasure I get from seeing this meadow in full flower and buzzing with insect life is worth all the hard work. I have also witnessed negative impacts ranging from very dry early spring weather, poor summer weather, occasional accidental sheep grazing and even flocks of birds stripping seeds. All these incidents have been faced and ultimately overcome, by the Farr Glebe Meadow. The remarkable ability of this compact ½ acre site to ‘bounce-back’ has always amazed me.
But 2024 has been very different and extremely worrying year. This has been by far the worst ever flowering season I have ever witnessed. The sheer impact of rabbit grazing on the site this year has been disastrous. With rabbit numbers rapidly climbing in the vicinity over the last few years, their grazing resulted in barely a flower developing on site this season. This lack of flowering inevitably led to barely any records of bumblebees and other pollinators in 2024. I especially fear for the isolated population of the rare great yellow bumblebees which use Farr Glebe. Hopefully if we can address this damage quickly, then there may be no long-term, negative, implications.
The Farr Glebe meadow and also local gardens are massively important sources of suitable forage plants, for the local populations of pollinators in these far north isolated communities. With large distances for pollinators to navigate to find other suitable forage opportunities. The loss of any of these resources could be extremely damaging.
It was time for action! With kind financial assistance from the Species on the Edge programme Species on the Edge - Plantlife we were able to purchase chicken wire fencing and other materials to try and help protect the site from those marauding rabbits. It’s one thing to have the materials, it’s another to install them on site.
Once again, volunteers were called upon to help be the part of the answer to a local conservation concern. This problem wasn’t going to be sorted with just one work party activity. No, this will take much more.
Day one. Repairs to damaged sections of fencing and improvements to the two gates for the site were required to prepare for other work. Nine kind volunteers came along and helped with all aspects of this work. Removing the rotten strainer post at the gate was challenging but overcome eventually, with a new one installed. We re-hung both the pedestrian and vehicle gates, straightened a section of leaning wooden fence and supported some damaged fence posts. A good day’s work, by a good group of volunteers. Well done everyone!
Day two. Start to install rabbit proof fencing around the perimeter of the site. Three volunteers alongside most of the High Life Highland Countryside Rangers, North team. Digging out a trench around the stock fence was very difficult work. Even in sandy soil, the roots/stems of the encroaching marram grass are tough to get through. This task was ironically made even worse by buried sections of very old chicken wire, perhaps a previous attempt to stop rabbit grazing?
Everyone persevered, digging, wire cutting, stapling chicken wire to the stock fence and then back filling the trench. One section required digging to about 75cm depth to get below a series of tunnels leading from a rabbit warren offsite, straight in to the meadow. We also installed a simple, wooden, one-way tunnel, to allow rabbits out of the meadow but not back in. By the end of day two we have completed about two thirds of the entire fencing required to hopefully secure the meadow from further encroachment by rabbits.
Another fantastic example of what can be achieved when folk come together for a conservation volunteer event. Thanks to everyone involved.
Day three? At least one more good working day is required to finish the rabbit proof fencing and we also need to secure under the field gate to the site. I am currently trying to programme in a possible date for further work. If you are able to offer any help with this extremely important volunteer work, please get in touch.
With kind help from volunteers and other supporters helping us to finance these initiatives alike, we can help to keep the Farr Glebe Meadow buzzing for many more years to come.
Paul Castle is the dedicated Countryside Ranger for North Sutherland and North Caithness with High Life Highland. Paul has devoted over two decades, to the ranger service of this area. His commitment reflects his love for the area, marked by its breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, friendly communities and rich natural heritage. Paul's work plays a pivotal role in promoting and protecting the wildlife, flora, and fauna that make this part of Scotland so extraordinary.
A Queen Bee Encounter in my Garden
Not all rare wildlife encounters require a trip to some exotic location involving great time and expense. Sometimes wonderful wildlife opportunities arise in surprising places or even at home. Sometimes it’s just a matter of scale. One such example happened to me in my very own garden in May.
Thank you for this! That's a wonderful bumblebee photo.