Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Fisheries Trust, and Wild Things are managing Giant Hogweed along the River Findhorn

VOLUNTEERS have helped keep foreign invaders from advancing any further along our shores.

Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Fisheries Trust (FNLFT) and environmental charity Wild Things have managed to hold back the Giant Hogweed tide along local sections of the River Findhorn, despite the Coronavirus lockdown.

FNLFT director Bob Laughton confirmed the ongoing maintenance project is funded by the Scottish Natural Heritage and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

He said: "Both said it wouldn't be prudent to carry on the work during the lockdown - it took a while to get permission but we caught up in May and June and have met our targets.

"We managed to treat all the areas we've done in the past including the River Findhorn above the A96 and most of the area between the A96 and Mackenzie & Cruickshank, but we didn't make it as far as Elgin as we'd hoped."

Locally, Giant Hogweed seeds from plants near the railway bridges which re-infests areas of treated river. Network rail are responsible for the local lines.

"Network Rail offered their support two years ago but we haven't seen much progress from them," said Mr Laughton. "There are greater health and safety issues by railway lines so we need their input to get the work done there. We are having a meeting to discuss the issue - we desperately need to get something going."

He added: "Wild Things have pushed on hard at Waterford. They've actually expanded their treatment this season despite getting fewer volunteers involved. We are all keeping the battle going."

It has been a challenging year for Wild Things habitat restoration project, primarily because they have not been able to work with the large numbers of volunteers of previous years. Despite this, four instructors and two volunteers have worked tirelessly from April to the present to ensure control of their project site at Moray Waste Busters. There are around 65 acres of native woodland from the landfill to where the river meets Findhorn Bay which was infested with Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Giant Hogweed.

Wild Things chief executive Luke Strachan said: "When Giant Gogweed infests an area, it becomes a significant public health hazard and as well as outcompeting native flora, which in turn reduces biodiversity and damages the ecosystem.

"Our site has been referred to as a Giant Hogweed jungle but year on year the prevalence has decreased. We are now in control of the vast majority of it and will continue expanding it as our resources and community support allow."

Mr Strachan confirmed that it is important to clear Giant Hogweed from the river before the coast and bay as the seeds propagate on the water side and the river flushes new seeds down the length of the river and into the bay where they are able to germinate on river banks, marshy wetlands and Findhorn village.

He said: "By tackling the problem on the river and working our way downstream, our strategy simultaneously protects the coastline and the bay. INNS are one of the greatest threats to our biodiversity in Scotland.

"We are locked in a real life struggle against a rapidly spreading, highly toxic, highly opportunistic plant that can grow over 12ft tall, shading out all natural competition. The day of the triffids is truly here and without on-going action and support, they will continue to encroach on native habitats, limiting access to both native wildlife and the public."