Events & Activities

MArch – August 2010

Scottish Wildlife Trust | Autumn/Winter Events 2009 22

Aberdeenrodney Payne 01569 76374218 March 7.30pm Talk: A new breeding bird atlas for NE Scotland by Ian Francis. Main Lecture Theatre, Zoology Building, Aberdeen University. Free to members.

15 April 7.30pm AGM and talk: The Cairngorms Wildcat Project by David Hetherington. Main Lecture Theatre, Zoology Building Aberdeen University. Free to members.

May, June, July Outing. Places and times tbc. Free to members.

Angus & DundeeLiz houghton 01307 81830218 March 7.30pm Talk: Whales and dolphins in the 21st Century. Meffan Gallery, West High Street, Forfar Adult £3.50, child free.

22 April 7.30pm AGM and talk: Creepie crawlies on the cliffs. Meffan Gallery, West High Street, Forfar.

16 June 2pm Guided walk: SWT’s Balgavies Loch Wildlife Reserve. Meet at hide car park (grid ref: NO529509).

Events & Activities

Welcome to the March – August events guide

Go wild in Scotland from March to August and take part in one of our exciting events. There are lots of things to do and we have events suitable for all ages. All events are open to non-members unless otherwise stated.• Learn about wildlife in Scotland and other countries in our illustrated talks• Explore new areas by joining a guided walk • Find out more about our major beaver reintroduction project in Knapdale• Discover the wonderful Cairngorm wildlife

For all outdoor events and walks, please wear suitable clothing. It is advisable to phone prior to the event as changes can occur.

guIDE to sYMBoLs:

Admission/ticket cost

Adults only

Children 8 years +

Children must be with an adult

Family friendly

Disabled/limited access (call for details)

Bring packed lunch

Members only

Bring torch

Bring binoculars

Dogs welcome

Waterproof clothing / stout footwear

Livestock present

Parking nearby

Booking essential

Scottish Wildlife Trust | Autumn/Winter Events 2009 33

4 July 11am Guided walk: visit to Dumbarnie Links. Meet at car park, Main Street, Lower Largo (grid ref: NO422026)

8 August 10am Visit: Barry Buddon joint outing. Meet at car park, Monifieth playing fields (grid ref: NO503324).

AyrshireWendy Annan 01292 26417016 March 7.30pm Talk: The return of the beaver by Simon Jones, Scottish Beaver Trial Project Manager. Meet at The Green Room, the Refectory, SAC Auchincruive, Ayr.

20 April 7.30pm AGM and talk: Ayrshire reserves by Gill Smart, Reserve Manager for South West Scotland. Meet at The Green Room, the Refectory, SAC Auchincruive, Ayr.

Berwickshire rose Kay 01289 30754220 May 6.30 – 8.30pm Guided walk: summer evening walk – rhododendrons and lake. Meet at Dundock Wood car park, Hirsel, Coldstream. Adult £1, child free, SWT member free.

callandercherie Bettison 01877 33084722 March 7.30pm AGM and talk: The Trossachs water vole re-introduction trial by Katy Freeman, FCS Wildlife Officer. Meet at Bridgend Hotel, Callander.

clydeJenny Maskell 01360 770336David shenton 0141 776 55069 March 7.30pm Talk: Magpies and ravens – the truth, the whole truth and nothing like the truth by Iain Gibson. Meet at The Park Centre, Kirkintilloch. Adult £2.

21 March 11am Guided walk: Rowardennan circuit. Meet at main car park, Rowardennan, OS map 56, grid ref. NS360986.

22 April 7.30pm AGM and talk: Return of the native – the Scottish Beaver Trial by Simon Jones, Scottish Beaver Trial Project Manager Meet at Milngavie Lesser Town Hall, Milngavie. Adult £2.

Members centres

Rhododendron © Gatehouse Studio

Scottish Wildlife Trust | Autumn/Winter Events 2009 4

Members centres

22 May 10.30am – 3pm Plant sale. Meet at Demonstration Gardens, Dawson Park, Arbroath Road, Dundee.

Fife & KinrossElizabeth Adams 01333 45026718 March 7.30pm Illustrated talk: The natural history of Chile by Neil Corbet, SNH. Meet at Kinross Church Centre. Donations for refreshments.

21 April 7.30pm Illustrated talk: Eden Estuary – present and future by Ranald Strachan, Fife Coast & Countryside Ranger. Meet at Supper Room, Town Hall, St. Andrews. SWT member £2.

2 May 6 – 8am Guided walk: International Dawn Chorus Day by Janie McNeil. Meet at SWT Cullaloe Wildlife Reserve.

2 May 10am Search for molluscs: creatures of the intertidal zone by William Penrice. Meet at SWT Kilminning Wildlife Reserve, Crail.

8 May 2pm Guided spring walk: Kilminning towards Fife Ness. Meet at SWT Kilminning Wildlife Reserve, Crail.

15 May 8.30pm Moth and bat detecting evening: National Moth Day by Tim Brain. Meet at SWT Cullaloe Wildlife Reserve.

5 June 10am – 12 noon Coffee morning in aid of SWT: baking, plants, produce etc. Meet at Supper Room, Town Hall, St. Andrews. SWT member £1.50.

12 June tbc Botanical training day for volunteers: learn simple techniques, no experience necessary, skills can be used later. Places limited. Meet at SWT Cullaloe Wildlife Reserve.

25 May 11.30am Guided walk: Knapdale – home of the Scottish beavers. Meet at Barnluasgan Visitor Centre, east side of B8025 approx 1 mile southwest of Bellanoch, near Crinan. OS map 55, grid ref. NR790911.

22 May 2pm Guided walk: Jupiter Urban Wildlife Centre. Meet at Jupiter Urban Wildlife Centre, Grangemouth. OS map 65, grid ref. NT921810.

13 June 11am – 4.15pm Open day: SWT’s Loch Ardinning Wildlife Reserve. Meet at the reserve on the A81 between Milngavie and Strathblane. OS map 64, grid ref. NS563778.

20 June 11am Guided walk: Endrick Mouth, Loch Lomond NNR – woodland, loch and water meadows. Meet at Millennium Hall car park, Gartocharn, north side of A81. OS map 56, grid ref. NS427862.

Dundee & AngusLiz houghton 01307 81830225 April 5am Dawn chorus: Meet at Barry Mill (grid ref: NO534349).

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Knapdale

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19 June 2pm Visit to wildlife-friendly farm. Patrick Bowden Smith describes and shows his conservation work. Places limited. Meet at Pittarthie Farm, Elie.

27 June tba Discover pond dipping for National Insect Week. Book your place for a one hour session. Meet at SWT Cullaloe Wildlife Reserve.

11 July 2pm Guided walk: flowers, birds and butterflies led by Kate Morison and Gordon Corbet. Meet at Auchtermuchty Common.

24 July tba Outing: visit three SWT wildlife reserves in Fife. Pay by 15 June. Meet at Barnyards, Fleecefaulds Meadow and Bankhead Moss Wildlife Reserves.

8 August 10.30am – 3pm Reserve open day: Guided walks, nature trail, pond dipping. Meet at SWT Cullaloe Wildlife Reserve.

gallowaygraham smith 01644 4208818 June 10am Guided walk: baby birds at SWT’s Carstramon Wood Wildlife Reserve. Learn about the natural history of the woods and watch the birds feeding their young in the nest boxes . Meet at layby and main information point (grid

ref: NX590600).

20 June 1.30pm Guided walk: Knowetop Loch butterflies and dragonflies. Learn about the wildlife of this wetland reserve and watch out for the golden-ringed dragonfly and the large heath butterfly. Meet at layby opposite main entrance to SWT’s Knowetop Lochs Wildlife Reserve (grid ref: NX706788).

3 July 10.30am Guided walk: Knockman Woods. Learn about the flowers and insects that reside here and watch out for damseflies and dragonflies including the keeled skimmer. Meet at Knockman Wood car park, north of Newton Stewart. (grid ref: NX408674).

8 August 1.30pm Guided walk: Rockliffe butterflies. Learn about the butterflies and other insects found here and watch out for the purple hairstreak butterfly. Meet at main car park at Rockliffe (grid ref: NX852534).

Members centres

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Golden-ringed dragonfly © Laurie Campbell

Blue tit family © T Norman Tait

Scottish Wildlife Trust | Autumn/Winter Events 2009 6

Members centres

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Arduaine Gardens, a garden in the wilderness

Earlier in the New Year, I joined a select band of hardy wildlife enthusiasts from Lorn and Mid-Argyll Members Centre on a tour of Arduaine Gardens, a National Trust for Scotland property on the windswept Argyll coast of the Sound of Jura. Our guide was Head Gardener Maurice Wilkins also Chairman of Lorn and Mid-Argyll MC.

Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty and historical interest, this striking garden hides behind a shelterbelt of exotic conifers and native broadleaves that keeps out the worst of the wind. Famed for its collection of many exotic rhododendron species this garden also features many unusual plants from the temperate parts of East Asia and South America.

Our tour party threaded through a series of interlinked ponds and lawns, a woodland walk and finally reached a spectacular coastal viewpoint on the cliff-top, looking westwards over the nearby islands and out into the Atlantic. In amongst the horticultural specimens there was plenty to interest the naturalist with treecreepers busy foraging for food, buzzards flying overhead and whirlygig beetles being surprisingly active on such a cold day. In spring the ponds are teeming with frogspawn and the garden also supports a healthy population of newts.

A recent challenge for Maurice was the presence of Phytophthora ramorum, or Sudden Oak Death as it’s known in the US. This is a potentially serious fungal-like pathogen which attacks a number of plants, trees and shrubs particularly Rhododendrons and Viburnums.

Arduaine Gardens have recently launched a major fundraising campaign to ensure its long-term survival. If you would like to know more, visit http://www.arduaine-garden.org.uk/

Nick Wright, People and Wildlife

Scottish Wildlife Trust | Autumn/Winter Events 2009 7

glasgow & clydesideruth Llewelyn 0141 576 215121 April 7.15pm AGM and illustrated talk: The wildlife of South America by Neil Davidson. Meet at Hyndland Secondary, Clarence Drive. Adult £1 towards tea/coffee & baking. SWT member free.

25 April 11am Guided walk: Peregrines. Meet at SWT’s Falls of Clyde Visitor Centre. SWT member free.

15 May 11am Guided walk: wildlife and history of lower slopes of Ben Lomond. Meet at NTS Ben Lomond. SWT member £3.

Lanark AreaJason Newton on 01555 8938041 April 7.30pm Talk: The raptors of Loch Lomond by John Simpson, Central Scotland Raptor Study Group. Meet at St. Nicholas Parish Church Main Hall, Castlegate, Lanark. Non-members £1, SWT member free.

30 April 7.30pm Talk: An update: the reintroduction of beavers to Scotland by Simon Jones, Scottish Beaver Trial Project Manager. Meet at St. Nicholas Parish Church Main Hall, Castlegate, Lanark. Non-members £1, SWT member free.

Lorn & Mid-ArgyllMaurice Wilkins 01324 5597007 March 11am Walk: Isle of Luing. Ferry Terminal. Meet for 11am ferry

21 March 10am Walk: Glasdrum & Glen Creran. Meet at Glasdrum car park.

24 March 7.30pm Talk: A garden of British ferns by Alasdair Wardlaw. Meet at Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory.

18 April 10am Walk: Crinan Wood.Meet at council car park by coffee shop.

22 April 7.30pm Talk: The Knapdale beavers - one year on by Jenny Holden, Scottish Beaver Trial Project Officer followed by AGM. Meet at Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory.

16 May 10am Walk: SWT’s Shian Wood Wildlife Reserve. Meet at main car park, South Shian.

20 June 10am Walk: SWT’s Ballachuan Wildlife Reserve looking for butterflies and rare marsh fritillary on the Isle of Seil. Meet at layby below Kilbrandon Church.

Members centres

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Shian Wood Wildlife Reserve

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Members centres

Lothians Quintin Blane 01968 67001711 March 7.30pm Illustrated talk: Moths by John Harrison. Meet at 33 Melville Street Edinburgh.

27 March 10.30am Guided walk: Musselburgh Lagoons led by Nick Aitken. Meet at Goose Green, end of Balcarres Road, near river mouth (grid ref: NT347734).

17 April 10.30am Guided walk: Aberlady Bay led by John Harrison. Meet at reserve car park (grid ref: NT472804).

22 April 7.30pm AGM and members’ quiz: So you think you know your wildlife? Meet at 33 Melville Street, Edinburgh.

8 May 10.30am Guided walk: SWT’s Luggiebank Wood Wildllife Reserve. Meet at park-and-ride car park for Greenfaulds Station, Luggiebank Wood, Cumbernauld. OS map 64, grid ref. NT758730.

5 June 2pm Guided walk and wildfood picnic. Gore Glen led by Ian Edwards. Meet at car park behind Newbyres Hall on Main Street, Gorebridge. OS map 66, grid ref. NT344614.

1st and last sunday of Wildlife WeekOpen day: SWT’s Bawsinch Wildlife ReserveDuddingston Road West. Enter by wicket gate OS map 65, grid ref. NT003631.

24 July 9am Guided walk: Moths led by John Harrison. Meet at Aberlady Bay car park (grid ref: NT472804).

North AngusJoyce cooper 01674 6767831 May 10 – 12am Coffee morning. Meet at Old & St. Andrews Church Hall. Adult £1.

Perthcharlie McPherson 01738 55297212 March 7.30pm Talk: Wildlife of Antartica by Moira Hutchison. Meet at Luncarty Church Centre.

stirlingsue sexton 01786 8334098 March 7.30pm Talk: Wildlife in the Cairngorms National Park by Allan Bantick, SWT Chairman. Meet at Raploch Community Campus, Stirling. Child £2.

12 April 7.30pm Talk: The work of the Woodland Trust in Scotland by Jim Christie. Meet at Raploch Community Campus, Stirling. Child £2.

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Five-spotted burnet moth © Gatehouse Studio

Scottish Wildlife Trust | Autumn/Winter Events 2009 9

Visitor and Wildlife centres

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Falls of clyde, New LanarkWillie Buttery 01555 66526229 March – 25 June 10am – 8pm Peregrine viewing. Experience the closest views in the UK of nesting peregrine falcons. The fastest creatures on the planet. Watch from only 50 metres as life unfolds in front of you. Hear the never-forgotten call of these amazing birds of prey. The Falls of Clyde peregrines are justly famous, you must see them. If you are unable to visit the nest site call into the SWT Visitor Centre where you can watch on CCTV. Meet at Falls of Clyde Visitor Centre.

29 April, 5, 11, 22 May Evening - times will vary. Badger watches. An evening stroll through ancient woodland experiencing the sights, scents and sounds of wildlife at dusk. Your ranger will guide you to the best place to have the chance to view completely wild badgers emerging from their sett. Using hand-held detectors, discover some of the many types of bat living on the wildlife reserve. There’s even a chance to glimpse foxes, owls, deer and if you’re really lucky, the otters! Meet at Falls of Clyde Visitor Centre. Adult £8, child over 8 years £4, SWT member half price.

15, 29 May 7 – 9.30pm approx Family badger watch. Follow the clues to a secret sett. Aimed at a younger audience. NB. there is at least a 40 minute walk to the sett. Meet at Falls of Clyde Visitor Centre. Adult £8, child 8 years £3, SWT member half price.

5 June 11am – 5pm Buzzy bees. Come and see the observation hive. Learn about the honey bee, find out about beekeeping, taste

local honey and much more. Meet at Falls of Clyde Visitor Centre. Adult £3, child £0.50, SWT member free.

17 June, 15 July 10am – 1pm Woodland walks. With over 30 different types of tree within 1km of New Lanark, this walk is a great opprtunity to learn how to identify them and find out a bit more about their history and folklore. Meet at Falls of Clyde Visitor Centre. Adult £6, child £3, SWT member half price.

23 June, 27 July 10am – 1pm Corehouse walks. Join the ranger for a walk through the historic landscape and woodlands of the Corehouse estate. Meet at West Lodge, Corehouse. Adult £6, child £3, SWT member half price.

1 July 10 – 11.30am Bear hunt. Here’s one for the younger children - Bert the Bear is somewhere in the woods. Join the ranger to hunt for clues, spot other wildlife, find Bert and finish up in the Falls of Clyde Visitor Centre. Meet at Falls of Clyde Visitor Centre. Adult £6 child £3, SWT member half price.

July and August. Every Wednesday and sunday 2 – 4pm Clydeside saunter. The Falls of Clyde have provided inspiration to generations of visitors, as well as poets and painters including Wordsworth and Turner. Join the ranger for a walk along the Clyde to find out more about the landscape, the history and the wildlife of this amazing place. Meet at Falls of Clyde Visitor Centre. Adult £2.50, child £1, SWT member half price.

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Visitor and Wildlife centres

Loch of the Lowes, DunkeldPeter Ferns 01350 7273379 April 12 noon – 4pm Nature crafts for kids. Meet at Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre (grid ref: NO042436).

16 April 12 noon – 4pm Nature crafts for kids. Meet at Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre (grid ref: NO042436).

29 April 11am – 2pm Guided osprey walk. Meet at Dunkeld Tourist Information Centre (grid ref: NO026426). Adult £3, child free, SWT member £2.

27 May 11am – 2pm Guided osprey walk. Meet at Dunkeld Tourist Information Centre (grid ref: NO026426) Adult £3, child free, SWT member £2.

18 June 11am – 2pm Wildflower identification: orchids. Meet at SWT’s Keltneyburn Wildlife Reserve (grid ref: NN771496). Adult £2, child free, SWT member free.

24 June 11am – 2pm Guided osprey walk. Meet at Dunkeld Tourist Information Centre (grid ref: NO026426). Adult £3, child free, SWT member £2.

29 July 11am –2pm Guided osprey walk. Meet at Dunkeld Tourist Information Centre (grid ref: NO026426. Adult £3, child free, SWT member £2.

Montrose Basin, Montrosecaroline hendry 01674 67633624 March 10.30am – 5pm Digiscoping workshop. Meet at Montrose Basin Visitor Centre. Adult £4, family ticket £7.50, SWT member free.

7 April 10.30am Children’s activities: sea shells on the sea shore. Meet at Montrose Basin Visitor Centre. Child £2, SWT member £2.

7 April 9.30am Guided walk: tsunami revisited. Meet at Montrose Basin Visitor Centre. Adult £4, family ticket £7.50, SWT member free.

14 April 10.30am Children’s activities: bugs & beasties. Meet at Montrose Basin Visitor Centre. Child £2, SWT member £2.

5 May 9.30am Guided walk: spring along Seaton Cliffs. Meet at car park at the Whiting Ness end of Victoria Park, Arbroath.

15 & 16 May 10.30am – 5pm Optical fair. Meet at Montrose Basin Visitor Centre. Adult £4, family ticket £7.50, SWT member free.

13 June 1.30pm Guided family walk: rocks rock! Meet at car park at the Whiting Ness end of Victoria Park, Arbroath. Adult £4, family ticket £7.50, SWT member free.

13 June 1.30pm Guided walk: Re-tern to Montrose. Meet at Montrose Beach Pavilion.

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Visitor and Wildlife centres

20 June 11am Guided walk: Montrose Basin – a cultural history. Meet at car park at Old Montrose Pier, The Lurgies. Adult £4, family ticket £7.50, SWT member free.

7 July 10.30am – 5pm Digiscoping workshop. Meet at Montrose Basin Visitor Centre. Adult £4, family ticket £7.50, SWT member free.

7 July 11am Guided walk: Tayock transformation. Meet at Tayock car park.

14 July 10.30am Children’s activities: mud glorious mud! Meet at Montrose Basin Visitor Centre. Child £2.00, SWT member free.

21 July 10.30am Children’s activities: pondamonium. Meet at Montrose Basin Visitor Centre. Child £2, SWT member free.

28 July 10am Guided walk: baywatch. Meet at William Street car park, Ferryden.

28 July 10.30am Children’s activities: rockpool ramble. Meet at north end of Victoria Park, Arbroath. Child £2, SWT member free.

4 August 10.30am Children’s activities: pollinator patrol. Meet at Montrose Basin Visitor Centre. Child £2, SWT member free.

4 and 5 August 10.30am – 5pm Optical fair. Meet at Montrose Basin Visitor Centre. Adult £4, family ticket £7.50, SWT member free.

11 August 10.30am Children’s activities: clever camouflage. Meet at Montrose Basin Visitor Centre. Child £2, SWT member free.

Osprey © Fritz Poelking

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Jupiter urban Wildlife centre, grangemouthstephen owen 01324 486475 (07739 428203)3 April 2 – 4pm Family event. Egg-cellent Easter. Meet at Jupiter Urban Wildlife Centre (£2 per participant recommended).

9 April 2 – 4pm Family event (pond dip, games and crafts). Water babes – the lifecycles of aquatic creatures. Meet at Jupiter Urban Wildlife Centre (£2 per participant recommended).

17 April 2 – 4pm Community work day: the big Jupiter wildflower plant. Meet at Jupiter Urban Wildlife Centre.

1 May 2 – 4pm Family event (bug hunts, crafts and games). Give bugs a hand. Meet at Jupiter Urban Wildlife Centre (£2 per participant recommended).

9 June 7.30 – 9pm Wildlife Week guided walk: an evening stroll around Jupiter. Meet at Jupiter Urban Wildlife Centre(£2 per participant recommended).

12 June 2 – 4pm Widllife Week family event (guided walk, games, crafts). Bark, leaves and twigs - explore the world of trees. Meet at Jupiter Urban Wildlife Centre (£2 per participant recommended).

1 July 2 – 4pm Family event (animal tracks and signs): nature detectives. Meet at Jupiter Urban Wildlife Centre (£2 per participant recommended).

17 July 2 – 4pm Family event (guided walk, games, crafts): beautiful butterflies. Meet at Jupiter Urban Wildlife Centre (£2 per participant recommended).

29 July 1 – 4pm Family event (bushcraft activities, crafts, games): Jupiter bushcraft 1. Meet at Jupiter Urban Wildlife Centre (£2 per participant recommended).

7 August 1 – 4pm Family event (bushcraft activities, crafts, games): Jupiter bushcraft 2. Meet at Jupiter Urban Wildlife Centre (£2 per participant recommended).

Irvine greenspacesBrian Dawkins 01294 279376

highlands & Islands residential work partiesglen campbell 07920 468567

cathkin MarshKim McEwen 01236 457050

Isle of Eigg (March - septemberJohn chester 01687 482477

spey BayLaura smith 01343 82033931 March 11am – 1pm Children’s club: Wildlife Warriors. Meet at WDCS Wildlife Centre, Spey Bay (grid ref: NJ345654). Child £2.

4 April 11am – 3pm Easter egg hunt. Meet at WDCS Wildlife Centre, Spey Bay (grid ref: NJ345654)

Visitor and Wildlife centres

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7 April 11am –1pm Children’s club: Wildlife Warriors. Meet at WDCS Wildlife Centre, Spey Bay (grid ref: NJ345654. Child £2.

25 April 11am – 3pm Beach clean and funday. Meet at WDCS Wildlife Centre, Spey Bay (grid ref: NJ345654).

7 May 7 – 9pm Guided walk. Otter and osprey: the wildlife of Spey Bay. Meet at WDCS Wildlife Centre, Spey Bay (grid ref: NJ345654).

30 May 11am – 3pm Beach clean and funday. Meet at WDCS Wildlife Centre, Spey Bay (grid ref: NJ345654).

4 June 7 – 9pm Guided walk. Nature’s feast for the senses. Meet at WDCS Wildlife Centre, Spey Bay (grid ref: NJ345654).

20 June 11am – 3pm Beach clean and funday.Meet at WDCS Wildlife Centre, Spey Bay (grid ref: NJ345654)

2 July 7 – 9pm Guided walk. Tracking and the art of seeing. Meet at WDCS Wildlife Centre, Spey Bay (grid ref: NJ345654).

7 July 2 – 4pm Children’s club: Wildlife Warriors. Meet at WDCS Wildlife Centre, Spey Bay (grid ref: NJ345654). Child £2.

14 July 2 – 4pm Children’s club: Wildlife Warriors. Meet at WDCS Wildlife Centre, Spey Bay (grid ref: NJ345654). Child £2.

21 July 2 – 4pm Children’s club: Wildlife Warriors. Meet at WDCS Wildlife Centre, Spey Bay (grid ref: NJ345654). Child £2.

28 July 2 – 4pm Children’s club: Wildlife Warriors. Meet at WDCS Wildlife Centre, Spey Bay (grid ref: NJ345654). Child £2.

4 August 2 – 4pm Children’s club: Wildlife warriors. Meet at WDCS Wildlife Centre, Spey Bay (grid ref: NJ345654). Child £2.

6 August 8.45 – 10pm Guided walk: Creatures of the night. Meet at WDCS Wildlife Centre, Spey Bay (grid ref: NJ345654).

11 August 2 – 4pm Children’s club: Wildlife Warriors. Meet at WDCS Wildlife Centre, Spey Bay (grid ref: NJ345654). Child £2.

Visitor and Wildlife centres

Wildflower planting at Jupiter

Scottish Wildlife Trust | Autumn/Winter Events 2009 14

Go wild in Fort William!Children in the Fort William area have the chance go to wild this year as SWT and John Muir Trust team up with the Highland Council Rangers to bring a brand new wildlife club to Glen Nevis. Glen Nevis Junior Rangers met for the first time in January and have been meeting every month since.

The club is aimed at getting 5 – 12 year olds active, out of doors and inspired about wildlife and how to protect it. The first meeting focused on learning about the creatures that live in the Glen and how they get through our cold, northern winters. They also made some yummy treats for our wild feathered friends and warmed themselves up with some hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows.

The children are working towards both SWT starlet and gold awards and John Muir Awards. There is lots of fun to be had, with leaders planning everything from making chocolate nests and trying your hand at surviving like Jacobites, to making animal homes and learning about life underwater.

SWT’s People and Wildlife Officer, Donna Mathieson, said, “The launch of the Glen Nevis Junior Rangers is part of a wider programme aimed at inspiring children about their wildlife and we hope to create a lifelong understanding and appreciation of it. As Scotland’s leading wildlife charity, SWT aims to increase family involvement with its work across Scotland. I hope many children go along to this new club, get outdoors and most importantly have fun!”

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Watch groups

to find out more about Watch clubs near you, check our website www.swt.org.uk/kids/watch

Cramond club learns about survivalThe new Cramond Watch Club learned all about how wildlife manages to get through the harsh Scottish winter. They searched for insect life under tree bark and in the leaf litter, and were surprised at how much they found! To help birds make it through the winter, they got messy and made some fat balls from seeds, cheese, suet and fruit, and took them home to hang in their gardens.

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Watch Events

ArgyllDonna Mathieson 0131 312 471229 May Watch Group Meeting. Castle visit,Kilmartin.

18 June Watch Group Meeting. Music night, Kilmartin.

East LothianDonna Mathieson 0131 312 471221 March Watch Group Meeting. Conservation in action, Newhailes.

18 April Watch Group Meeting. Funky felt and fables, Newhailes.

16 May Watch Group Meeting. Birds at breakfast 2, Newhailes.

20 June Watch Group Meeting. House treasure hunt, Newhailes.

EdinburghDonna Mathieson 0131 312 471220 March Watch Group Meeting. Spring back to life, Cramond.

16 – 18 April 10am – 5pmAll day event: kids activities and information from SWT. Edinburgh International Science Festival, Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh.

4 – 6 June Gardening Scotland. Come and see our stall at Gardening Scotland, Ingliston.

galashielsDonna Mathieson 0131 312 471230 March Watch Group Meeting. Spring surveys, Galashiels.

27 April Watch Group Meeting, Migrant birds. Galashiels.

14 May Watch Group Meeting. Bats and moths, Galashiels.

25 May Watch Group Meeting. Habitat survey, Galashiels.

LochinverDonna Mathieson 0131 312 471217 and 31 March Watch Group Meeting. Watch Club. Lochinver.

MorayDonna Mathieson 0131 312 471227 March Watch Group Meeting. Art extravaganza, Lhanbryde.

24 April Watch Group Meeting. Spring birds, Lhanbryde.

taysideDonna Mathieson 0131 312 471221 March Watch Group Meeting. Spring has sprung, Scone.

ullapoolDonna Mathieson 0131 312 471224 MarchWatch Group Meeting. Spectacular spring, Ullapool.

28 April Watch Group Meeting. Peek in the pond, Ullapool.

26 May Watch Group Meeting. Marine wonders, Ullapool.

For information about members centres contact Nick Wright 0131 312 4750.

For information about submitting events to this leaflet, contact Debbie Russell 07544 412789, swtevents@hotmail.co.uk

For more information on any of the events in this leaflet, please contact the relevant members centre or visitor centre.

MEMBErs cENtrEsAberdeen Rodney Payne 01569 763742

Angus & Dundee Liz Houghton 01307 818302

Ayrshire Wendy Annan 01292 264170

Berwickshire Rose Kay 01289 307542

Callander Cherie Bettison 01877 330847

Central Borders Shirley McLaren 01896 822510

Clyde Jenny Maskell 01360 770336

Falkirk Andrea McCabe 01324 559700

Fife & Kinross Elizabeth Adams 01333 450267

Galloway Graham Smith 01644 420881

Glasgow & Clydeside Ruth Llewelyn 0141 576 2151

Inner Moray Firth Jim Miller 01463 713552

Lanark Area Josanne Newton 01555 893804

Lorn & Mid-Argyll Maurice Wilkins 01324 559700

Further Information

For information about protecting Scotland’s wildlife, please contact us:

Scottish Wildlife Trust Cramond House, 3 Kirk Cramond, Edinburgh EH4 6HZ 0131 312 7765 enquiries@swt.org.uk

Front cover thumbnails © XX

Lothians Averil Stewart 01506 842676

North Angus Joyce Cooper 01674 676783

Perth Moira Hutchinson 01738 828750

Pitlochry Richard Horobin 01796 474480

Skye Marjorie MacInnes 01470 521215

Stirling Sue Sexton 01786 833409

Upper Strathearn Bob Fryer 01764 670526

VIsItor AND WILDLIFE cENtrEsFalls of Clyde Visitor Centre Willie Buttery 01555 665262

Loch of the Lowes Visitor CentrePeter Ferns 01350 727337

Montrose Basin Visitor Centre Caroline Hendry 01674 676336

Jupiter Urban Wildlife Centre Stephen Owen 01324 486475

Spey Bay Wildlife Reserve Laura Smith 01343 820350

Irvine Greenspaces Brian Dawkins 01294 279376

Highland & Islands Glen Campbell 07920 468567

Cathkin Marsh Wildlife ReserveKim McEwen 01236 457050

Isle of Eigg (March – September) John Chester 01687 482477

WAtchDonna Mathieson 0131 312 4712