Golden Plover Award Winners 2013: Edinglassie, Donside

The presentation: Heather Trust Chairman Malcolm Hay, GWCT Scotland Chairman
Andrew Salvesen, Dunecht Estate owner Charles Pearson, Edinglassie Head Keeper Derek Calder
and Factor Stuart Young.

The first Heather Trust and GWCT Golden Plover Award for Moorland Management was presented

to Edinglassie Estate on Donside last weekend at the Scottish Game Fair. 

Part of Dunecht Estates, the 15,000 acre Edinglassie Estate has been involved in a wide range of

scientific research activities over the past twenty years while simultaneously functioning as an

outstanding and productive grouse moor. Having contributed to the work of the Joint Raptor Study

based at Langholm during the 1990s, Edinglassie also helped to blaze a trail for peatland restoration,

blocking ditches and “re-wetting” moorland long before it was considered to be standard

conservation practice.

In recent years, Edinglassie has helped scientists to understand a great deal about the management

of ticks, and annual “ticks on chicks” counts demonstrate that trial control measures are bearing

fruit. Perhaps the key to the success of these measures has been the estate’s ability and willingness

to work as a single unit, even incorporating neighbouring tenants to manage the threat posed by

ticks.

Over the past few years, Edinglassie’s use of flubendazole grouse grit has reduced worm burdens in

the grouse stock to such an extent that the estate is now trialling a “grit holiday” under close

observation by scientists from a range of organisations and institutes. This “withdrawal” research

assists grouse managers across the country as we consider the future of medicated grit.

Alongside these central research themes, the managers of Edinglassie are currently planning the

overhaul of existing commercial forestry. These woodlands will be allowed to regenerate with native

species to the benefit of a diverse flora and fauna. A strong and healthy population of black grouse

thrives at Edinglassie, along with a range of waders not only associated with heather moorland but

also upland pasture and farmland.

The winners were presented with a framed print of a golden plover by GWCT Scotland Chairman
Andrew Salvesen at a ceremony on Saturday 6th July.

Having made a start to the new Golden Plover Award, it is hoped that Edinglassie will not only 

become an  example for others to follow but that also it will stir a sense of competition when 

applications for next year's award are being taken.