Minutes 20th Jan. 2009
17th Cowal Red Squirrel Committee Minutes 20th Jan. 2009
Present/Attending John Massey, Jan Ferguson, Heather Smith, Jim Downie.
1. Apologies: Susan Fitzpatrick, Dinah MacDonald, Ray Wood.
2. Minutes of Meeting 25th November 2009:
Proposed Jim Downie Seconded Heather Smith
Changes None
3. Matters Arising: None except John will E Mail members for committee volunteers.
4. Business of the group:
4.1. Members: 91
4.2. Finance: On Account £947.72 Bills Paid Nil Total £947.72
4.3. Other: John reported that he had spoken to Ray and was told that Ray was to have a heart operation and would not be returning to work afterwards. John to see Ray tomorrow to discuss details.
5. Planning Applications and Department: John reported that he was still waiting a reply from planning. Jim reported that he had visited the site at Whistlefield where they are proposing to erect 14 chalets. The site itself has no trees on it but is surrounded by ‘ancient woodland’ which should impact on the planning application. It was agreed that John will send a letter to the NP planning department raising our concerns of disturbing red squirrel habitat in surrounding woodlands. Jim to let John have planning details number.
6. Rope Bridges Update: John reported that he had received an electronic copy of the report, and Jim added that he had been able to get a further copy made at a reduced size as the original was too big to E Mail. The group agreed the points to be included in our recommendation of the report and John will send everyone a copy for approval before sending it to Stephen. John reported that he had been contacted by A&B Council regarding road-signs That were missing at Lochgoil.
After further discussion it was agreed that John use this contact to see if we can get further signs erected.
7. Feeding Boxes Update: Jim reported that we were completely out of peanuts now, but that Dinah was to pick some up on Friday. John informed and showed the group a feeder box that he had made. It was agreed that we would sell these boxes for £10 at our road-show events, and that membership was included as well. With the information pack that that is inside each feeder there is the potential for sustained squirrel sightings. John also showed the group a design to have a brand made to be burnt onto each feeder box to promote the group. The local blacksmith has quoted the cost of manufacturing the brand would be £50, and this was agreed by the group. John also reported that the total cost of the wood for the boxes would be between £20-£30, including the wood for Dunoon Grammar School project.
8. Training Update: Jim reported that he had visited the school twice and John once, and that the project agreed on would be that the children would manufacture feeder boxes and carry out survey work at ‘Puck’s Glen’. This would also help some of our work as ‘Grey’ sightings had been reported in that area. Jim also reported that he thought that the work may assist the children gaining the John Muir Award.
Jim mentioned that he had run into a problem on hair identification as he was finding a groove on both red and grey hairs which has not been the case up until now. Further investigation will be ongoing.
9. Website Update: Nothing to report.
10. Hunter’s Quay Woodland Plan: John agreed to contact Jackie McBurney to agree dates for the planned survey work in the spring, and will liaise with Jim.
11. Future Planned Activities: Jim suggested that we include ‘movies’ of squirrel activity in our presentation to make it more interesting for the forthcoming season. Jan agreed to film activity at the feeders in her back garden. Jim also informed the group of a link to some films that can be downloaded for educational purposes: www.arkive.org
12. Any other business: Nothing to report.
13. Date, Place and time of next meeting: Tuesday 24th February 7.00 pm Sandbank Village Hall.
