Plant Survey
The lochs are a notable feature of the Colvend Parish landscape, in particular White Loch which forms a scenic backdrop to the main part of Colvend village. The Royal Society of Edinburgh generously gave the Community a grant to undertake a survey of these lochs.
Landowners and those living adjacent to the lochs were approached for permission prior to the survey work, and without exception they showed enormous interest in and support for the project.
There are six natural lochs in the parish and a significant number of man-made lochs and ponds. Various recent and historic surveys have shown that these provide an important resource for wildlife including aquatic and wetland plants.
This survey was undertaken to assess the changes and threats to these lochs and to set a baseline to assess further changes in the future. A total of 22 lochs and ponds were surveyed, mapping the main vegetation communities and recording the species present. Various published references and data sources were investigated to gather historic information on the vegetation and history of the sites. During the survey, a display of some of the plants found was organised at Colvend Community Hall and a talk was given about the project in the Community Hall as part of the Colvend series of winter lectures.
The survey has confirmed the importance of the lochs and ponds in the parish for plants. The water bodies were rather varied in character and many previously recorded species, including a number of species of local or county importance, were confirmed and several important new discoveries were made.
The full results of the survey are contained in the attached document.