Sir, Like others I was dismayed at the State of Nature report findings which show a major decline in Scotland’s wildlife and biodiversity as highlighted by Sir David Attenborough on Wednesday.
His comment “we must invest and take immense care in how we steward these stunning places if they are to survive” is the key but protection in small reserves has been shown not to be the answer.
There are many practical things that land managers can do every day to preserve the biodiversity that we currently have and to ensure it is in the best position to cope with climate change.
A very good example is with wading birds such as curlew, lapwing and greenshank, many of which have seen their numbers halve in the last 20 years all across Scotland. The reasons for this are as much to do with predation and habitat loss as with climate change and there is strong scientific proof behind this.
Some simple changes in land management can dramatically assist recovery of waders, such as the rewetting of rough grassland and effective control of predators such as foxes, crows and stoats etc.
Such measures are already standard practice on many of Scotland’s managed grouse moors where waders return to breed each spring. Owners are making a positive investment in stewarding these unique places as Sir David Attenborough has urged.
The Scottish Land & Estates Moorland Group along with RSPB and others want this message to be heard so more land managers put the obvious practical management solutions in place as a first step to halting biodiversity loss, as the government is committed to do.
We do not have to lament the decline of our wildlife, we can do something about it.
Tim Baynes. Scottish Land & Estates’ Moorland Group, Stuart House, Eskmills Business Park, Musselburgh.
Unlikely that cyclists wreak same havoc
Sir, John Strachan (Letters, May 21) while decrying Cycle Law Scotland’s campaign, demands that cyclists be subject to the same training and tests as drivers and goes on to speculate that cyclists may cause as many accidents as motorists.
He could prove it, too, if he can find the statistics.
Perhaps I can help.
Cycling deaths in 2012 hit a five-year high as 122 cyclists were killed on Britain’s roads last year. Of the 122 deaths, 106 are known to have taken place due to a collision with a motor vehicle, while a number of the remaining deaths are still being investigated.
In 61 of the fatalities, a car was involved. Lorries and HGVs were involved in 25 deaths, vans in 10 deaths, coaches or buses in five deaths, taxis in three deaths, and two fatalities occurred after a collision with a motorbike. In almost all cases, the driver of the motor vehicle involved in the collision was unhurt.
The point is, Mr Strachan, that while it’s true that a cyclist may cause an accident, it is extremely unlikely that they will wreak such devastation as shown above.
To make an equivalence as you do, between a bike weighing around 28 lbs and travelling around 10-14 mph, and a vehicle weighing a half-ton or more and travelling at 30-60 mph, has little to do with a lack of statistics but more to do with a lack of common sense.
George White. 2 Cupar Road, Auchtermuchty.
It wasn’t “anti- intolerance”
Sir, Your correspondent Jim Crumley has the freedom to side with the protesters who denied the same freedom of speech to UKIP leader Nigel Farage.
But this was not “anti-intolerance,” it was the opposite, an anti-English demonstration, both intolerant and racist and must surely be condemned by the vast majority of Scots, whatever their politics.
Perhaps the fact that the First Minister refused to condemn it for what it was gives us an insight into the way an independent Scotland would be run.
“Aye, we showed them”, is the classic rant of the intolerant and the bigoted. Drawing on the mantle of history to defend it simply shows we’ve got “previous”.
Bob Cummings. 35 Charlotte Close, Dundee.
Such outbursts help the cause
Sir, James Davie wonders how much intolerance would be shown to him when Scotland gains independence (Letters, May 21)?
Hopefully more tolerance than he shows to those he brands zealots for not having his nationalistic views on Britishness.
He might be amazed to know that most Scots do not share his obvious hatred of the EU and Britain’s ex-enemies, as he puts it, most of who are long deceased.
But, more power to your elbow Mr Davie. Hysterical outbursts like yours can only further the cause for independence.
Peter Bell. Muirton Road, Arbroath.
Grateful thanks
Sir, I would like to thank the person or persons who called an ambulance on Wednesday morning after my mother had a fall somewhere near Lidl in Cupar. She arrived safely at A&E in Kirkcaldy where she was treated. We are all very grateful to everyone concerned.
Judith Gillespie. Denhead, St Andrews.