Highland habitats under threat from alien invader
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WITH its Orchid-like purple-pink flowers, the Himalayan balsam appears an attractive and colourful plant.
But its discovery in countryside near Kirkhill last year was sufficient to spark alarm among locals.
For despite its appearance, the Himalayan balsam is an invasive plant which spreads rapidly, smothering other vegetation, including native plants, as it goes.
The discovery of dense clusters in gardens and woodland in the Clunes area above Moniack Gorge sparked fears that it would threaten the fragile flora and fauna habitats in nearby Reelig Glen — a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) featuring a dramatic "cathedral" of exceptionally tall trees.
However, the perseverance and Herculean efforts of a committed band of local residents appear to be paying off in the battle to eradicate it from this environmentally-sensitive area.
Their endeavours are now being hailed as a good example of effective community action to tackle the problem and it is hoped they will inspire those neighbourhoods in the Inverness area — including Glenurqhart — where invasive non-native plants are proving problematic.
Following last year’s discovery of Himalayan Balsam near Moniack Gorge, volunteer work parties were mobilised in late summer and again this autumn to physically uproot and destroy the alien plants where they were most abundant.
Among those involved were neighbours Gordon Fisher and Jim Murray of Muirton of Clunes.
"It was a local farmer who first spotted it," Mr Murray explained. "He drew it to our attention because he realised how problematic it could be.
"It is quite an attractive flower — almost like an orchid. It also attracts pollinating insects particularly bees.
"But once it takes root in the wild, it just grows voraciously and the whole eco-system is knocked out of kilter. It is very rampant."
Each plant has the capacity to fire thousands of tiny seeds a distance of seven metres where they can then lie dormant in the ground or be spread even further along water courses, or on the feet of trampling walkers and animals.
Four main sites were targeted with volunteers, including members of a local community woodland group, clocking up 89 man hours during a five-week period in August and September last year.
"We were wading waist-high through it in several places especially boggy areas and pulling it out by armfuls," Mr Murray said. "We didn’t want to use chemicals or sprays as that would kill other plants as well."
Volunteers returned to the area this spring to assess the effectiveness of last year’s action and to continue the work, now under the auspices of the Kirkhill and Bunchrew Community Trust, which aims to encourage social, environmental and economic development in the area.
Although the plants were still much in evidence, the dense clumps did not re-appear to nearly the same extent. Another significant factor is that the pulling sessions began much earlier this year and were repeated regularly from May until the end of September. "Obviously, we are doing something right!" Mr Murray said.
In total, about 12 dedicated balsam pullers turned out on 26 separate occasions and clocked up 113 hours.
A fifth site was also identified and cleared while adjoining householders were approached and agreed to work with the community trust to keep their gardens free of Himalayan Balsam. "People are generally co-operative and that is greatly appreciated," Mr Murray said.
The group is being supported by Forestry Commission Scotland staff who monitored the less accessible terrain along Moniack Gorge — so far no Himalayan Balsam has been discovered there.
Gordon Fisher, who has co-ordinated the project for the community trust, said the degree of control last year could only be described as "limited" due to the late start but is pleased to report an "excellent" success rate for this year.
He said all the identified sites will be revisited in spring and will again be monitored and controlled throughout the summer.
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has praised the work of the community volunteers for their hard work and perseverance.
Steve North, SNH’s operations manager for South Highland, believes that had they not acted swiftly it would have been a very different outcome.
"If they had not tackled it as quickly as they did, it would have got into Reelig Glen, which is a very popular area, and it would have changed it quite substantially," he maintained.
Although Himalayan balsam is still quite localised in the Highlands, Mr North acknowledges its presence — along with another invasive plant, Japanese Knotweed — has been recorded in areas such as the banks of the River Ness and burns in Smithton and Culloden.
He hopes residents in affected areas will be inspired to follow the example of Kirkhill and Bunchrew area residents. "They have shown what individuals can do if they put their minds to it," he said. "If enough people get involved, they can be successful.
"It shows these things cannot just be left to the council, SNH and other agencies. Everyone can play a part."
