Open Space consultation meeting change of date

Please note that the Open Space consultation meeting which was to be held tomorrow has been changed to 20 August 2014 at 7 p.m. within the Fraser Centre.

Please attend this meeting if you possibly can, as it is important that we identify to EDC the areas that are valued as green and open spaces, which include areas large and small like our park, Mugdock Country Park, Craigton Woods etc

Queen's Baton Relay route

Queen's Baton Relay route
Day 36: 19 July - East Dunbartonshire

The itinerary for the day will be as follows:
07:55 Bearsden
10:00 Milngavie
11.30 Bardowie
12:05 Lennoxtown
13:30 Milton of Campsie
15:00 Kirkintilloch
17:35 Lenzie
17:50 Bishopbriggs

For full details of the route and places visited,  please see:
http://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=23363

Further information and details:
http://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/news/latest_news/let_the_qbr_fun_and_festivitie.aspx

In addition we have received notification from the council of an art exhibition beginning this Saturday at the Lillie Art Gallery in Milngavie. "Organised by The Balmore Trust, the display showcases artwork from Namibia, one of East Dunbartonshire's 'Second Teams' in the Commonwealth Games and a country with which our area, through The Balmore Trust, has a long-standing relationship."

Shots heard 2

We have received the following communication from the council:

The farmer at Balvie Farm is using auditory bird scarers which imitate the sound of gunfire to protect newly planted crops from damage by wild birds.

This is common practice in the farming community although I understand that bird scarers have not been used at this farm in the past. Consequently their operation has caused concern to some local residents.

There are two types of scarer being used at the farm. A firework blast is set off once in the morning and once in the early evening which creates a very loud single bang - this appears to be the one causing the most disturbance to local residents.  The second type is best described as a firecracker which emits a lower level bang every 15 to 20 minutes.

Alternative means of scaring the birds have been attempted by the farmer, however these have been ineffective.

The main reason for complaints from some of the local residents has been the early start time of the firework blast in the mornings.  It is recommended that auditory bird scarers used in the vicinity of residential properties are not used before 7am or after 10pm and should not be fired more than four times in any hour.  I understand that the firework has been set off before 7am on occasions, however after visiting the farm I have been assured that this will not happen again.

I have requested that the farmer does not use the firework before 8am on Mondays to Fridays (fired between 8-9am) and 9am on Saturdays (fired between 9-10am) with no firework blasting on Sundays.  The evening firework blast will take place between 5 and 6pm every day, with the exception of a Sunday.  The farmer will only use the lower noise level firecrackers from 7am every day as this is necessary to protect the crops while they are most vulnerable.  The use of the scarers will gradually reduce over the next few weeks and their operation will cease by the end of July, therefore any disturbance will be short lived.

The farmer has been asked to inform this Service in advance of any future bird scaring operations, this information can then be passed onto yourself so that nearby residents can be made aware of the situation.

I hope this information is of assistance.

Shots heard

MERA have received several concerns regarding shots/blasting being heard, especially early in the morning including Saturdays and Sundays and throughout the day.  It would appear that this is also distressing some family pets.

MERA contacted the local police on 2 July and to date have not had a response.  We also contacted the local quarry who have confirmed that it is not them.  They have received several phone calls regarding this.  We believe the sound is coming from a local farm, and is taking the form of controlled explosions to scare the birds.  We have taken the issue up with Lorraine Darling of EDC also and have sent a reminder to the Police.  As soon as we have more information we shall advise accordingly.

We have been assured that it is not gun shots.

Plants in Craigton Woods

A provisional species list of plants in Craigton Woods is now available at
http://www.mera-milngavie.co.uk/docs/craigtonwoodsplantlist-20140806.pdf

If you can add to this list, please let us know.