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EventsLocal Events A selection of local events relating towildlife are listed below. For a full listing of local events in the Speyside area please go to www.greaterspeyside.com Wildlife Events from The Green Diary MayScottish Wildlife Trust Regular midweek volunteering opportunities, including Aberdeen pick up every Wednesday. Help Scotland’s wildlife reserves and keep fit at the same time. Contact mstevens@swt.org.uk Tel: (01466) 780164. Aberdeen Countryside Project Environmental volunteering opportunities around Aberdeen. Ring us for details on Tel: (01224) 711129. BTCV Conservation Volunteering/ Green Gyms Volunteering sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays at locations throughout Aberdeenshire and Moray. Green Gym sessions in Aberdeen on Mondays 11am - 2pm and Fridays 10:30am - 2pm. Booking on Tel: (01224) 724884. WDCS Wildlife Centre Visit the Centre daily 10.30am - 5pm at Spey Bay to find out more about the Moray Firth and its wildlife – talks on whales and dolphins, walks and wildlife at Spey Bay, Adopt a Dolphin and tours of Scotland’s largest Icehouse. For details Tel: (01343) 820339. Balmoral Rangers Luxury Land Rover tours - Daily 2.5 hour Land Rover tours to see Scottish wildlife on the Balmoral Estate’s parkland, forests and moors and mountains. Meet: Balmoral estate office, £45/person (includes Castle entry). Booking essential on Tel: (013397) 42534. Balmoral Rangers Guided Woodland Walks every Wednesday in May 2-4pm, free once grounds entry fee paid. Meet:Balmoral Carriage Exhibition, book on Tel: (01339) 755059. Friday 2nd May WDCS Wildlife Centre Otter and Osprey walk – come and find out more about these great creatures. Suitable for all ages, children must be accompanied by an adult. Suitable clothing should be worn, bring binoculars if possible. Meet at WDCS Wildlife Centre, Spey Bay 7-8.30pm, book on Tel: (01343) 820339. 'Under the Surface' Boat Trips with Moray Diving, Lossiemouth. See what creatures lie under the ocean's surface using the latest mini-remotely operated submarine technology. We'll also look out for dolphins, seals and seabirds. Call Bill Ruck at Moray Diving on 07775 802963. Saturday 3rd May 'Under the Surface' Boat Trips with Moray Diving, Lossiemouth. See what creatures lie under the ocean's surface using the latest remotely operated submarine technology. We'll also look out for dolphins, seals and seabirds. Call Bill Ruck at Moray Diving on 07775 802963. Aberdeenshire Rangers Bailies of Bennachie work party each month on the hill for 14yrs+. All welcome, bring suitable gear, gloves, packed lunch and drink. Tools and tea+coffee provided. See www.bennachie.org or Tel: (01467) 629969. Moray Ranger ‘March winds and April showers bring forth sweet May’s flowers’ – join the Ranger in beautiful, flower-filled grassland south of the Spey Bay Wildlife Centre on an enjoyable short walk to enjoy the May flowers. Meet at the car park, Spey Bay, 2.30 – 3.45pm. More details on Tel: (01343) 543451. Aberdeenshire Rangers A walk in the woods - Help to celebrate ‘Walk in the Woods’ month with a springtime stroll through Brownside Wood, situated between Banff and Turriff. Discover how the wood is managed and the wildlife wonders hidden in the woodland. All welcome, children must be accompanied. Meet at Brownside Wood 2-4pm – full directions on when booking (essential) on Tel: (01261) 813299. Sunday 4th May 'Under the Surface' Boat Trips with Moray Diving, Lossiemouth. See what creatures lie under the ocean's surface using the latest remotely operated submarine technology. We'll also look out for dolphins, seals and seabirds. Call Bill Ruck at Moray Diving on 07775 802963. Aberdeenshire Rangers Birds O’ the Broch - why not drop in on the Seashore Centre and help to record the birds and other wildlife within the area? All species records and details will be passed to NESBReC. 2 sessions: 10am – 12noon and 1-4pm. For details contact the Fraserburgh Seashore Centre Tel: (07786) 021786. Forestry Commission Aberdeenshire Bin Ranger Club meets near Huntly on 1st Sunday of the month for 8 - 12 year olds who want to learn more about the woodland environment. Activities treasure hunts, pond dipping and bird watching. Booking essential on Tel: (01466) 794161. Monday 5th May Balmoral Rangers Celebrate the dawn chorus with the Ranger on an early morning stroll around the woods to listen to, learn about and record birdsong to help compile the new British Trust for Ornithology National Bird Atlas. Meet at Alltcailleach woods, Glen Muick 6 – 8am, booking essential, Tel: (013397) 55059. Moray Ranger Beach, skerries and a hard rock highway. Come for an idyllic circular 5-mile moderate walk along the sands of Cullen Bay to Portknockie and back. Meet: Cullen Harbour, 11am – 3pm, Tel: (01343) 557048, mob: 07967 748937. Tuesday 6th May WDCS Wildlife Centre Local Action Group meeting. Discover the wildlife of the River Spey, the fastest flowing river in Scotland with Bob Laughton of the Spey Fishery Board. Meet at the Gordon Arms, Fochabers (adults only) 7-9pm, details on Tel: (01343) 820339. Saturday 10th May Glen Tanar Ranger Service Hands on conservation day on the second Saturday of the month. Do your bit for the environment - we might be building bird boxes, creating insect banks, tree planting etc. All welcome, meet at Aboyne Academy Reception area 9.30 am or Braeloine Visitor Centre for 10am. Booking please with Alan Melrose 013398 86222, contact for Ranger Service is Tel. (013398) 86072. Aberdeenshire Rangers Five farms and Troup Head walk (approx 8 miles moderate walk). Crossing farmland and following paths, we’ll start at the site of a coastal fort near Pennan, head west through Troup House policy woodlands and onto the cliff tops to Scotland’s only mainland Gannetry. Come eye to eye with a gannet and find out about the area’s natural history and the Scottish Access Code. Bring a packed lunch, wear suitable gear, adults only. Meet at Cullykhan car park, off the B9031, approx 1 mile west of Pennan 10.30am – 4.30pm, booking essential Tel: (013398) 87453. Aberdeenshire Rangers Beside the seaside, beside the sea! Kids, bring your parents and a bucket and spade to have fun exploring the fantastic beach at Cruden Bay and making sand sea monsters! Event for 8-12 year olds; under 8’s must be accompanied by an adult. Meet by Ladies’ Bridge, Cruden Bay, 10.30am – 12noon, booking essential on Tel: (01771) 622857. Sunday 11th May Aberdeen & District RSPB Day Outing to NTS Leith Hall. Meet at the car park at Leithhall [OS37 541297] at 10am, details Tel: (01651) 806252. Manor Park Project Aberdeen (formerly Healthy Roots) Volunteer at Aberdeen’s only community-led, wildlife-friendly public park, including planting, weeding, art work etc. Meets on the second Sunday of each month 1- 4pm starting at the park entrance next to the swings on Manor Walk, Aberdeen. Contact: healthyrootsaberdeen@yahoo.co.uk Tel: (01224) 276810. Saturday 17th May Aberdeenshire Rangers Discover Fetternear, 10am – 12noon. Join the Ranger to unravel the secret history of the Estate using the flora and fauna as your guide. All welcome, children must be accompanied. Meeting details on booking (essential). Tel: (01467) 681470. Aberdeenshire Rangers Butterfly identification & recording workshop. Learn how to identify butterflies & contribute records to Butterfly Conservation’s national recording schemes & the North East Scotland Biological Records Centre (NESBReC). Suitable for beginners or improvers, includes presentation on Scottish species & visits to local sites. Bring a packed lunch. Meet at the Burn o’ Vat Visitor Centre 10.30am – 3.30pm, booking essential on www.nesbrec.org.uk or Tel: (01224) 273633 . Aberdeenshire Rangers Sand dune spectacular. Come for a walk through the dunes at Balmedie Country Park – find out how sand dunes are formed, what holds them together and what could possibly live there?! All welcome, children must be accompanied. Meet 2-4pm at the Visitor Centre, Balmedie Country Park – car parking charges apply. Booking essential on Tel: (01358) 742396. Sunday 18th May E. Grampian Coastal Partnership Seawatch Survey to watch for whales, dolphins and other cetaceans – meet at Girdleness by the foghorn, 1-5pm, all welcome, binoculars provided. For more details Tel: (01224) 498251. Aberdeenshire Rangers Glen Tanar circular (9 miles, easy) Landranger map No 44 Ballater. This circular walk starts at the car park at Braeloin in Glen Tanar, rises over the Firmounth Road, an ancient cross country route, and into one of the few remnants of the old Caledonian Pine Forest for which this area is famous. We return round the Strone, descend by the Water of Allachy, and go past Glen Tanar House to finish. Cost: £14, adults only. Meet our bus at Gordon House, Blackhall Road, Inverurie 8.30am - approx. 4pm. Booking essential on Tel: (01467) 681470. Thursday 22nd May Aberdeen & District RSPB Day outing to Rattray Head. Meet: Rattray Head car park [OS30 102577] at 10am, details on Tel: (01651) 806252. Friday 23rd May Moray Firth Partnership Conference: How will planned oil drilling in the Moray Firth affect you? Are the plans for new coastal communities and developments along the A96 corridor economically or environmentally sustainable? Is the expected increase in boat traffic going to affect the dolphins? What’s a gansey and what’s its future in the Moray Firth? These questions and more will be tackled at the Moray Firth Partnership conference in Inverness on Don’t miss out. To book your place,email: info@morayfirth-partnership.org or Tel: (01463) 225530. Saturday 24th May Moray Ranger - Two events: 1. Up with the lark and going for a song – dawn chorus at Millbuies Country Park near Elgin at 3.30am. Listen to the hushed silence as you arrive (wrap up warmly), perhaps broken by the hooting of a tawny owl, or the fluttering of foraging bats. Suddenly, a lone blackbird bursts into song as the new day dawns, and before long all the other minstrels of the wood join the chorus. At around 5am finish off with tea and toast in the park ranger’s hut. 2. Go take a hike and head for the hills into the Moray moorlands between Birnie and Rothes, led by the Ranger - great views and wildlife, plus the Linn waterfall and the beauty of the path along the ‘Dounie’ to Rothes (10 miles, moderate). Meet at Bardonside car park at the very end of the main road north from Elgin to Birnie (Thomshill) 1-5.30pm. Booking please for both events on Tel: (01343) 557048, mob: 07967 748937. Aberdeenshire Rangers Sand Dune Safari - A morning of fun for all the family as we take part in the Local Nature Reserve celebrations. Drop in at Philorth and discover the inhabitants of this LNR, through a range of activities including bug hunting and river dipping. All welcome, children must be accompanied. Meet at the car park, Waters of Philorth Local Nature Reserve 11am – 1pm, booking essential on Tel: (01261) 813299. Sunday 25th May Aberdeenshire Rangers The Black Feather Jacket Gang- come and take an easy walk around a blossoming broadleaved wood, hear the birds’ songs, and visit the wood’s own rookery (this year’s rook “teenagers” should be hanging about in their black feather jackets) and learn more about these much maligned, intelligent corvids. All welcome, children must be accompanied. Meet at Den Wood, near Old Meldrum OS Ref: NJ 814 306 2-4pm, booking essential Tel: (01358) 726417 / 07786 021780. Moray RSPB Supporters Group Outing to Drynachan to see cuckoos, harriers, woodland birds. Meet at Dulsie Bridge (GR NH 932415) at 10am, all welcome, please book first Tel: (01343) 543467. Monday 26th May Balmoral Rangers Watch the birdie. Assist the rangers as they undertake a survey of the birds in Glen Muick. The results of the survey will be used to help compile the new National Bird Atlas. Training provided, event run as part of Scottish Biodiversity Week. Easy three mile walk – Meet 1.30-4.30pm at The Spittal of Glen Muick Visitor Centre, booking essential Tel: (013397) 55059. Friday 30th May Aberdeenshire Rangers Moths on the moss - As part of Local Nature Reserve Celebrations fortnight we will be looking at the moth life of Portlethen Moss (proposed Local Nature Reserve) with Helen Rowe (Grampian Moth Group) and learning to identify species - we will also have bat detectors with us. Bring a torch and wide-brimmed hat or sunglasses (to shield eyes from moth trap light). All welcome, children must be accompanied. Meet at the south-east entrance to the Moss on Bruntland Road 9pm til late, booking essential Tel: (01569) 768292. Saturday 31st May WDCS Wildlife Centre Beach Clean – come and help tidy this lovely wildlife-rich beach. All ages welcome, under 17’s must be accompanied by an adult. Wear suitable clothing, safety equipment will be supplied. Meet at the WDCS Wildlife Centre, Spey Bay, 2-4pm, for more details Tel: 01343 820339 Aberdeenshire Rangers Bug idol! – Strichen auditions. Come and join in the search amongst some of the smallest residents in Strichen Community Park for that special Minibeast with the ‘X Factor’! Look in the water, up a tree, under a stone and in the air – minibeasts are everywhere! Please wear wellies. Aimed at 8-12 year olds, under 8’s must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at the car park, Strichen Community Park 10.30am – 12noon, booking essential Tel: (01771) 622857. Aberdeenshire Rangers Arnhall Amble - did you know that this little oasis of green, within the bustle of Westhill, was once the site of an ancient loch? Join this gentle stroll during Local Nature Reserve Celebration Week and find out more. All welcome, children must be accompanied. Meet at the tennis court car park, Arnhall Moss, Westhill 1.30 – 3pm, booking essential Tel: (01467) 681470. Kemnay Wildlife Explorers Children’s wildlife club: Farming and Conservation. A visit to the award winning conservation project at Tullo Farm, Oldmeldrum. Meet at the farm at 12.30pm. Bring a picnic lunch, wellies and waterproofs, 50p per child. Booking is essential for this event on Tel: (01467) 643859. Mon 2nd & Wed 4th June Aberdeenshire Rangers Minibeast safari. As part of Westhill Gala Week, come along and explore your local nature reserve looking for some of the smaller residents in the woodland area. All welcome, children must be accompanied. Meet at the tennis court car park, Arnhall Moss, Westhill 6.30 – 8pm Places are limited so booking essential Tel: (01467) 681470 Saturday 7th June Aberdeenshire Rangers Rocks, snails butterflies and seals - at the start of Scotland’s National Week for Wildlife, walk from Cowie to Garron Point to explore the varied flora and fauna of this very special site north of Stonehaven - treasures aplenty for naturalists of all abilities (beginners or experienced) to discover. This moderate walk involves some rough walking on rocks - please wear strong footwear, suitable gear and bring a packed lunch, all welcome, children must be accompanied. Meet at the Cowie end of Stonehaven beach-front (GR: NO 880868) 10.30am - 4pm, booking essential on Tel: (01569) 768292. Sunday 8th June WORLD OCEANS DAY Aberdeenshire Rangers World Oceans Day Celebrations - join the Rangers to investigate the rock pools below Macduff Marine Aquarium, with loads of activities going on in the aquarium too. All welcome, children must be accompanied. meet at Macduff Marine Aquarium 11.45am – 1.45pm, booking essential Tel: (01358) 742396. Aberdeenshire Rangers St Combs to Strathbeg Lagoon moderate walk. From seals and sea birds along the shore, to butterflies, moths and wild flowers in the sand dunes - plenty to find on this walk. Bring a drink and snack, all welcome, children must be accompanied. Meet at Shore car park, end of Gordon Street, St Combs 9am - 1pm, booking essential on Tel: (01771) 622857. Site Last Updated - 18/06/2010 15:53:18
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