Dalbeattie hedgehog conservation proposals
The community volunteer group want to reduce the speed limit to 20mph.
A hedgehog-loving community group has pulled together an action plan to further conservation and improve the wildlife habitat at a popular walking spot in Dalbeattie.
The Golden Hedgehogs Project – a volunteer-led initiative in the town – has put forward a series of proposals connected to Rounall Woods.
The volunteers, who work to enhance local biodiversity and conserve hedgehog populations, have made good progress in recent years but insist that more needs to be done.
In a statement to Dumfries and Galloway Council, The Golden Hedgehogs Project wrote: “Ongoing restoration is required to maintain and maximise the wood’s potential, for wildlife to flourish and to enhance its natural beauty.”
Hedgehogs are one of Britain’s most popular mammals but have undergone a decline, with populations particularly low in rural locations.
Dalbeattie has a historic link to hedgehogs, with the golden hedgehog symbol linked to the Herries ancestors of the Maxwells of Munches family and the Dalbeattie coat of arms, where “hérrison” means hedgehog.
At next week’s meeting of Dalbeattie Common Good Fund sub-committee, The Golden Hedgehogs Project members will seek the backing of councillors for a series of proposals that will support habitat restoration and rewilding activities at Rounall Woods.
This includes backing a 20mph speed limit in the area and the potential for installing ‘Beware Hedgehogs Crossing’ additional signage in strategic places.
They also want a review of the quarry pond, which has “significant unknown plant infestation”, as well as removing some trees and replacing them with a wider variety of species.
A community consultation day is also in the works at the Dalbeattie Community Initiative Office, providing the opportunity for discussion and sharing of information, and it is hoped that signage can be put in place at the woods once funding is secured.
A council report on the matter will be presented to councillors at next week’s meeting of Dalbeattie Common Good Fund sub-committee.
Council ward officer Kimberley Phillips wrote in the report: “All the proposals will be consulted on as part of the community consultation day, and
expert advice will be sought from appropriate bodies as part of the community partnership.
“At the time of writing this report no application to the Common Good Fund has been submitted from the group to this sub-committee.
“Rounall Wood and any proposed activity in the woodland has previously been subject to significant community feedback.
“Members may wish to consider and emphasise the importance of community consultation in relation to any proposals.”