ECO actively supports and promotes conservation initiatives in respect to the monitoring and protection of Orkney’s natural environment and from intentional and accidental degradation in any form.

Local ECO members include naturalists, biologists, teachers and environmental consultants who are actively involved in local projects in respect to the monitoring and conservation of the natural environment. The ECO evening meetings lead to lively debate and are a focus for keeping local people informed of the increasingly complex and changing environmental developments within the isles. Situated off the far northern coast of Scotland Orkney enjoys an oceanic climate with mild winters and cool summers. These factors have contributed to the rich diversity of wildlife and habitat of the islands. There is a wide variety of land and marine species both resident and breeding or as migrants recorded in Orkney. This is a reflection of the diverse nature of the Orcadian habitats condensed in a relatively small geographical area. There are freshwater, marine and brackish water lochs plus burns and ditches as well as the encompassing marine habit. Terrestrial habitats include machair, maritime heath, blanket bog, species rich wetlands and montane vegetation.

The Orcadian archipelago has on the whole escaped the effects of industrial pollution due to its remoteness from the industrialised centres of the world. This does not mean that Orkney has escaped the influences of the commercial world. There has to be a balance between the natural heritage and the sustainable development of the local economy. There are many areas of conflict and concern, ECO plays an important role in being one of the few truly independent non-government organisations that raise and respond to issues that threaten the conservation of the local wildlife. On a local level changes in agricultural practices in recent years have lead to a reduction in the diversity of habitats and species with a corresponding degradation of the landscape. Aquaculture has contributed to pollution in the marine environment with disease and escapees contaminating the native fish populations, in particular the sea trout. ECO routinely responds to all applications for fish farm developments in Orkney expressing concern for their influence on the local wildlife. “Management” of the local seal population by the local aquaculture and inshore fishing interests has raised issues of national concern, and recent shootings of seals on Orkney’s beaches have shocked many people nationwide. ECO has continued to maintain a strong and uncompromising position in our objection to the killing of seals. We have also raised objections to the effects of predator deterrents on wildlife such as herons, otters and cetaceans.

Recent developments in renewable energy projects have led to concern into the effects these will have on the local wildlife and as a new industry there is little anecdotal evidence to refer to. The internationally important population of Hen Harriers in Orkney may be particularly vulnerable to wind farm developments. The access roads to these structures improve public access to the remoter hilly areas favoured by these ground-nesting birds, disturbance in the breeding season is inevitable and may have a devastating effect on the survival of this precarious species, especially in a poor breeding year. Wind farm proposals have led to much local debate and ECO has responded strongly to the Key Issues Report for the proposed Framework for Renewable Energy Developments from Orkney Islands Council (OIC). ECO supports the sustainable development of renewable energy without compromising the natural environment and local character of the islands. Historically the destruction of the links and dune systems throughout Orkney to provide sand for agriculture and construction has led to the degradation and loss of habitat for many species. The lack of a credible minerals strategy and poor enforcement of planning consents has led to a destructive “free for all” attitude towards extraction. This has been addressed by OIC in the development of a Minerals Strategy for Orkney and the appointment of an enforcement officer. ECO made an emphatic response to the key issues report for the Minerals Strategy and continues to confidentially monitor any breaches in planning consent we become aware of. One of the most severely degraded links systems in Orkney, the Bu sands in Burray, is still being subjected to sand extraction. This is the last known site in Orkney for the dark green fritillary, a smaller winged race to those found elsewhere in Britain. The nationally scarce and local priority species the great yellow bumblebee (Bombus distguendus) is also recorded from this botanically rich area. ECO supports the use of alternative recycled materials in the construction industry and for the sustainable extraction of sand only from sites that are actively accumulating material.

The proposed development of the Golta peninsula on Flotta is currently of concern to ECO. The site is an important area of undisturbed coastal heath, a nesting area for Arctic terns and is one of the few sites for the locally rare Wood Sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) and the lovely evergreen Hay-scented Buckler Fern (Dryopteris aemula). The Calf of Flotta supports a small population of a rare clone of the native aspen (Populus tremula) and the Lesser Adder’s Tongue (Ophioglossum vulgatum) and Wood Sorrel is found on the top of the island. This island would be totally engulfed by the proposed hub. There is a freshwater pool utilised by the shy otter and the surrounding area has frequent cetacean sightings. Golta has some of the best conserved remains of WWII sites and buildings in Europe which are an important aspect of the Orcadian cultural heritage. It is a distinct possibility that economic and commercial interests will override the conservation of the natural and cultural heritage of this area. The immense quantity of sand and aggregate required for this development may make a mockery of the newly established Minerals Strategy. The Stanger Head quarry on Flotta may be re-opened. The quarries are species rich and the head itself has records for locally scarce plants and ferns including Sherard’s downy rose (Rosa sherardii), sea spleenwort (Asplenium marinum) and Hart’s-tongue fern (Phyllitis scolopendrium). ECO will make sure these factors are not over looked in any new developments in the area.

The fresh and brackish water lochs, pools and burns with the associated wetlands support a wide variety of species. The islands providing nationally and internationally important sites for over-wintering wildfowl including goldeneye, pochard, wigeon, greylag geese and whooper swans. In the summer these sites provide important breeding grounds for waders and wildfowl. These habitats have records for many national Priority Species such as the European otter (Lutra lutra) and five stonewort species (Characeae) plus Local Priority Species such as the common toad (Bufo bufo), brown trout (Salmo trutta), red-throated diver (Gavia stellata), great silver water beetle (Hydrophilus piceus) and the blue tailed damsel-fly (Isnura elegans). The 13 species of potamogeton and at least three hybrids recorded from Orkney freshwater sites plus the 12 species of stoneworts in conjunction with the bird population make the Orcadian aquatic environment a very precious part of the overall ecology.

These habitats have in recent years been subject to diffuse pollution due to domestic and industrial inputs, changes in farming methods, canalisation of burns and destruction of the surrounding heath and wetland areas. This has led to the enrichment of these sites which contributes to excessive growth of dominant water plants such as Canadian pondweed, fucoids and algae and a subsequent reduction in biodiversity due to the loss of less dominant and more sensitive species. This can have a devastating effect on the overall ecology of these sites by disrupting the food chain. Over-wintering birds may die of starvation or fail to breed due to poor condition. The excessive plant growth reduces light penetration to deeper water reducing the distribution of rooted plant species and associated microfauna, in effect causing the bottom of the lochs to become a species desert, excessive decaying vegetation then delivers a further species-destructive mantle over these sensitive sites. The Orkney lochs are shallow which means light penetration to the bottom flora should in most cases be good which is one of the main reasons why these lochs are so important for overwintering birds. In the last 10 years there has been a measured and significant reduction in the extent of the beds of aquatic plants in the Harray Loch. The same processes will be having an effect on all the lochs in Orkney that are subject to diffuse pollution. Currently are changes taking place with land management that should help reverse these destructive processes. ECO encourages the development of more sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices within the Orkney Community and will monitor and report any malpractices that threaten Orcadian wildlife.

ECO members are actively aware of the many threats that endanger the local wildlife. Every species is important. No one species stands alone. The delicate balance between all life and the environment is so intricate that any issue that disrupts this balance has to be considered not only on a local level but globally too. Although ECO is primarily concerned with environmental issues within Orkney, the organisation does not consider these issues in isolation to environmental factors worldwide. Pollution and climate change affects every living creature on this one earth. ECO works with various animal welfare groups campaigning to change the Conservation of Seals Act 1970, which provides inadequate protection for the important populations of grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) and common seals (Phoca vitulina) found around our shores. For more information on the inadequacies of the Act, read “The Conservation of Seals Act 1970: The Case for Review” (doc).