Emergency fundraising appeal launched after Highland wildfire devastates 50 per cent of RSPB's Corrimony nature reserve
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EMERGENCY fundraising is under way after a massive wildfire destroyed half a Highland nature reserve and sent decades of conservation work "up in smoke".
The RSPB has launched an emergency appeal after the huge wildfire near Cannich spread into the charity's Corrimony reserve and devastated roughly half of it.
"Rare wildlife, amazing habitats and many years of work are gone," said the stunned charity this morning.
The loss is particularly devastating for under-threat wildlife like the Black Grouse, which had been enjoying a growth in numbers in the reserve – with the number of male birds lekking (displaying to potential mates) increasing from 16 to 35 in the time the RSPB has run the reserve.
But they are said to have been "badly hit" by the fire.
The site was also actively working on rewilding in the region, with the RSPB hoping to plant and develop up to 750 hectares of Caledonian forest in the next decade.
Those conservation efforts have been devastated by the blaze.
And the RSPB is hoping its emergency appeal will help generate some of the money it desperately needs to begin rebuilding decades of work.
"The reserve near Loch Ness, was engulfed by the flames of a huge blaze, despite heroic attempts by firefighters, other landowners, our neighbours and local staff to stop the spread," said a spokesman.
"Huge swathes of woodland and moorland have been lost and birds such as Black Grouse and Scottish Crossbills have been hit at the crucial time when they’re raising their young.
"Right now, our teams are on the ground helping to control the fires and assess the scale of the damage. We urgently need your support to deal with this devastating emergency and to help restore what’s been lost in the weeks and months ahead."
They continued: "At this time of year Corrimony is usually teeming with life. But the massive scale of the wildfire has devastated wildlife when many species are breeding.
"On our heather moorland, ground nesting birds such as red-listed Black Grouse and Greenshank have been badly hit.
"The wildfire has ripped through woodland, destroying nests of the UK’s only endemic bird, the Scottish Crossbill, as well as many other species such as Crested Tits. On the ground, Common Lizards and frogs have had no time to escape."
"Over the last 25 years the team at Corrimony have made huge efforts to recreate and restore native Caledonian forest. Local school children helped plant trees such as Scot’s Pine, Birch and Rowen.
"In just a few days, years of hard work has literally gone up in smoke, with many of the trees burnt to the ground."
The RSPB said emergency donations will help it to continue to fight and control the still burning fire and pay for its "share of the firefighting costs".
The money donated will also go towards rebuilding efforts, such as work to replant the "vast swathes of woodland which have been lost" and also to help pay for the extra deer management that will be required in order to protect the young trees as they grow.
The money will also help the RSPB carry out vital monitoring work that will help it to assess the true scale of the fire's impact on the various species that call the reserve their home.
To donate, and to find out more, visit www.rspb.org.uk/join-and-donate/donate/appeals/corrimony-emergency-appeal.
