Aim
To purchase the Hessilhead Quarry Pond and approximately 12 acres of surrounding ground, which is adjacent to the Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre.
Reasons
The pond is a quiet haven for wildlife. For twenty years it had been used by Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Trust for the rehabilitation of wildfowl. It is an important feature of the rescue centre, and being able to guarantee its use was essential to the successful release of many wildlife casualties.
The 12 acres of ground acts as a buffer zone between the rescue centre and the busy road which joins the B777 and the A736. This helps to keep disturbance of the wildlife casualties to a minimum. It also includes the access road to the Centre.
Action
A purchase price was agreed with the owners, Howie of Dunlop, and the Quarry Pond Appeal was launched.
Why is the Pond so important to Hessilhead?
Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Trust cares for injured and orphaned wild birds and animals with the intention of returning them to the wild. Among the 3,000 casualties cared for each year, there may be 300 swans and 200 ducks, mostly mallards. Most of the mallards come as ducklings, rescued from unsuitable nest sites, for example, roof gardens, window boxes. These ducklings are reared at Hessilhead, and at approximately 8 weeks of age, they are moved to large wildfowl enclosures. Once their flight feathers are fully grown, the young ducks are then free to fly in and out of the enclosures, and for many their first stop will be the quarry pond. Food is provided daily at the pond, so the ducks are gradually rehabilitated to the wild. Without the use of the quarry, it would be impossible to release such large numbers of wildfowl from the Centre. Other release sites would have to be found, and rehabilitation facilities provided.
Although breeding swans are returned to their own territories after treatment at Hessilhead, many non-breeding swans and cygnets are treated each year. Some of these require a long period of rehabilitation, and the quarry pond provides the ideal site. The swans are fed daily and their progress is easily monitored.
Approximately 12 disabled swans also live permanently on the flooded quarry. Buying the quarry pond has secured their future.
Other species of waterfowl to benefit from the pond as a rehabilitation facility include moorhen, coot, little grebe, goosander, goldeneye and heron.
Otters
Much work has been done by Hessilhead on the rehabilitation of otters. Two otters in particular, Rumpus and Flo, were rehabilitated at the quarry pond. Much was learnt of their behaviour and development. It is anticipated that at some future date, other otters may be returned to the wild via the quarry pond. Owning the quarry pond will mean that fishing can be controlled, and fish stocks improved as required.
Roe Deer
Each year a small number of orphaned roe deer are reared at Hessilhead. They are given a soft release from the enclosures in which they spend the first winter. Recently, some good roe deer habitat has been destroyed locally. Planting part of the 12 acres will provide shelter and food for these deer.
Progress
Various fund raising events and donations to the appeal raised £8,375. The Community Environmental Renewal Grant of £5,000 brought this to £13,375. The deficit of £1,625 was made up by Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Trust, and the agreed selling price, £15,000, was lodged with the sellers' solicitors.
Development of the Quarry site
There were no major plans to change the quarry pond. It serves the wildfowl well as a rehabilitation site, and the only improvement could be to extend the island, giving a greater area of level ground for grazing and roosting.
The Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre access road was badly in need of repair, and there were plans to tarmac the road and landscape the adjoining unsightly disused quarry yard. Some habitat creation and enrichment was intended, providing shelter, food plants and nest sites for a variety of birds and butterflies, and shelter for small mammals.
Contact
Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Trust
Hessilhead
Gateside
Beith
Ayrshire
KA15 1HT
Telephone: 01505 502415
E-mail: info@hessilhead.org.uk
www.hessilhead.org.uk