Engage with the Land ~ Saturday 30th July 2016 ~ 09:30 – 12:00
Ragwort Control and Education
Work parties are open to all.
Work parties are a great way to learn more about the Findhorn Hinterland while caring for it. By participating in a work party you will deepen your knowledge of local ecology and pickup some land stewardship skill.
Join us every month, 2pm and 4pm on the last Saturday of the month. We meet at the Hinterland Information Point in Wilkies Wood – that’s the blue dot marked “I” on the Hinterland map.
Tools and gloves are provided, if you have your own bring them along.
To gain inspiration and try to answer some of these questions, three FHT members visited the green wood craftsman Henry Fosbrooke working on similar buildings in the far north-west of Scotland for the Assynt Foundation.
Seeing structures gave ideas of dimensions and design that could be used in the Hinterland woods – 9m by 10m with a mono-pitch roof giving enough room to get both tractor and trailer under cover, tools and a space to keep FHT papers and books together in one place. The present shed is falling to bits and trustees now feel that it is more appropriate if tools and storage space are separated from those shared for personal use. The most likely location would be near the forest edge by the present entrance to Wilkies Wood from north Pineridge. Henry would certainly be open to sharing his skill and coordinating this venture if we were to go ahead.
Frogbit, Crowsfoot, Yellow Flag, Bogbean and … Yes all these freshwater aquatic plants and more were prepared and planted by a dozen enthusiastic Findhorn Hinterland Trust members in the wildlife ponds on the southern edge of Wilkies Wood. Froglife staff, Claire and Alistair, who are part of the Scottish Dragon Finder Project set up five years ago to raise awareness and help our native amphibians and reptiles, were there with all the equipment and knowledge to help us. It was a chance to learn and play together – one way of enjoying a second childhood whilst creating habitat for our fellow creatures.
These ponds are part of a network in the area providing important freshwater and wetland habitats. In an interactive presentation in the afternoon, we learnt that in the UK only 3% of the land is covered by these habitats yet they support 10% of our species and that 70% of freshwater flora and fauna are found in ponds. Over 80% of UK ponds are in poor condition. It was good to know that we were helping out in a practical way with something that is important!
As well as planting we had a chance to create hibernacula –overwintering shelters for frogs and toads – but one of the highlights was to be able to pond dip and explore what has already colonised our ponds. Great and Lesser Diving beetles, mayfly and damselfly larvae, tadpoles, bloodworms and pond skaters were all there and even common frogs and palmate newts. Dipping equipment and identification charts were left and we were shown the app that has been set up so that we can record sightings of reptiles and amphibians to help in the nationwide campaign for their conservation.
All tools, including nets and dipping equipment, will be provided. All you need to bring is plenty of enthusiasm, an open mind and a packed lunch. Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy footwear.
Wildlife Tracking Event – Sunday 11 September 2016
Hinterland Wildlife – A Tracking Adventure
Sunday 11th September 2-5pm £10 per adult
(accompanied under 16s free)
The Hinterland is home to some fantastic wildlife. On this nature adventure we will use tracking and other nature awareness skills to help us really get to know our wild neighbours.
Getting a glimpse into the hidden lives of animals can be an eye-opening experience and one that can deepen our appreciation of our local ecosystem.
Heron and fox tracks
The common lizard
To book please email Dan: [email protected], or call 07952 679640
www.danpuplett.net