The Cairngorms LBAP area contains three rivers that are internationally important for their populations of freshwater pearl mussels - a priority UK BAP species. As part of the LBAP project, presentations on pearl mussels were given to important local groups such as estates, fisherman, local divers and SNH area staff. Numerous people, particularly river managers, fishermen and conservationists, expressed interested in the species, but complained they had no access to up-to-date published information. To overcome this, the LBAP project officer wrote a summary on all that was currently known about the species, in the form of an article for the journal British Wildlife. Copies of the relevant issue were distributed to key river managers in each of the three Cairngorm rivers, through the local Catchment Management Groups, and to contacts in the adjacent LBAP area. The feedback was positive, including two key estates who asked for as many copies of the article as possible, so that they could put copies in their fishing lodges for visiting guests to read.

Lowland raised bogs are one of Europe's most threatened habitats. North East Scotland is a key area, with approximately 10% of the natural resource. The Local Habitat Action Plan for raised bogs aims to translate UK targets into local action. A joint programme of practical action led by SWT and SNH is being initiated at many of the North East's smaller more fragmented raised bog sites. These sites do not currently have conservation designations, and are in need of management action, such as blocking ditches to retain water. The LBAP partnership is liaising with organisations working on peatlands at the national level, particularly the SWT, to ensure local action is fully supported and integrated with national plans. For example, up-to-date information from SWT on peat-free alternative composts is being distributed as part of a Gardening for Biodiversity initiative.

Pillwort (Pilularia globulifera) is a small aquatic fern which is an internationally threatened. Its distribution in Scotland has declined to only 25 sites. The main objective of the UK action plan for the species is to prevent the further loss of existing populations, and to expand the range of the species through re-establishing it at sites from which it is known to have been lost. Plantlife is the lead partner for this species, and its work in Scotland has been funded by SNH.

In Edinburgh, pillwort was last recorded in 1934. The Edinburgh LBAP therefore sets the targets of reintroducing the species at 4 sites, identifying other potential sites, and establishing a monitoring programme. Plantlife provided pillwort plants propagated from approved sources, and with the Scottish Wildlife Trust co-ordinated the planting of the potted pillwort plants in 1997, at a new pond in Holyrood Park and on farmland used for cattle grazing (which is thought to be beneficial to the plants' development) as well as three further ponds. All the ponds were monitored on a regular basis, and a number of plants had established themselves at all the sites within several months.

However by 2000, pillwort survived in only one of these reintroduction sites - a small pond which had an impressive sward in one corner, and outlying colonies elsewhere around its margins. At the successful site, important factors assisting pillwort establishment are thought to be lack of competition and fluctuating water levels.

In 2000, SNH approved the reintroduction of pillwort to another lost site. Bavelaw Marsh, in the Pentland Hills Regional Park, is subject to a water management regime to assist nesting waterfowl, and the new population will need to be closely monitored to see if the water management is compatible. Work will continue to re-establish pillwort at the failed sites and to consider further sites for planting. The primary concern is to monitor all the sites and to discover what factors determine the plant's successful establishment. Thanks to the dedicated action of a few individuals at the local level, with minimal resources, this attractive little fern can once again be found in the Edinburgh area, after an absence of nearly 70 years. It is too early to determine whether the population is self-sustaining, but this local action is contributing to the national target to restore the range of pillwort across Scotland.

Fife is playing an important role in the winter feeding of two nationally declining farmland bird species, the corn bunting and tree sparrow. The Fife Biodiversity Group, together with its partners the RSPB and Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG), has launched a pilot Farmland Bird Project, whereby four East Neuk farmers will receive a free FWAG Landwise Report and Farmland Bird BAP, together with the option of seed to create up to a hectare of wild bird cover. The farmers will be encouraged to manage their set-aside for these birds, and the RSPB will provide additional 'tailings' as required. This is a 5-year project with inbuilt monitoring, including a baseline winter survey.

Reed bunting are found throughout the British Isles, localised in northern, western and upland areas. The species has shown a marked decline in recent years, with a drop of over 50% in the UK population since 1975. In Glasgow, the reed bunting can be found at most wetland sites with an estimated city-wide population of some 150 pairs. Usually found in wetland habitats it was chosen as one of the three priority action species during Glasgow City Council's LBAP process. Wetlands were also selected as a priority.

A three tier programme to help maintain, and enhance breeding populations aims to increase the Glasgow population 25% by 2005: At four sites, monitoring and management of populations will continue, to maintain the total city population. Eight sites are identified where management, such as the creation of open water marginal habitats, should expand existing populations or establish new ones. Twelve other sites are to be investigated.

Monitoring work is co-ordinated by the Clyde Bird Recorder, with volunteer assistance from LBAP partners. The public are invited to participate and send in records, e.g. from gardens in winter. Actions have already resulted in an increase from 1-2 pairs to 5-6 pairs in just two years (see chapter 1.2).