Eco Friendly Holidays

Dolphin watching

Go Wild & Green

If you're looking for eco friendly holiday accommodation, from a rural retreat in a farmhouse B&B to green-award-winning self catering cottages in spectacular settings, then visit the Wild & Green Escapes website for lots of ideas and information.

What's on the website?

• eco friendly holiday accommodation, much of it enjoying spectacular wildlife pretty much on the doorstep!
• wildlife operators, experts who know the best places to spot the best wildlife - from dolphins to eagles and much, much more
• our seasonal nature watch - what's happening in nature and the countryside now, what to look out for, from birds and animals to flowers and trees
• wildlife events information - check out our Wildlife Calender for year round info on top wildlife events in the UK, plus you'll find details on upcoming wildlife events via this blog!



Holiday cottages in amazing locations!

• ideas and inspiration for wildlife watching and eco friendly holidays - from How To Be Green On Holiday to our top spots to wildlife watch

Want to plan a wild and green holiday for you and your family?

Visit Wild & Green Escapes!

Another Great Last Minute Christmas Cottage Getaway

Coillabus Cottage, Mull of Oa, near Port Ellen, Isle of Islay www.islay-cottage.co.uk
holiday@islay-cottage.co.uk

Christmas £500 per week ; New Year £525. Both weeks taken together £850. Further discounts for two people parties.

Open fire, vintage vinyl collection, wintering geese and wonderful night skies!!

This very special cottage is situated in a beautiful secluded spot at the heart of a working hill farm four miles from the village of Port Ellen. Coillabus has three bedrooms and sleeps 6 but is also perfect for couples and is growing in popularity as a 'get away from it all' honeymoon destination.

With ever-changing views over grass, heather and sea to Kintyre and Ireland, no wonder many of our guests just stay put and enjoy the peaceful surroundings, enjoying a game of Coillabus croquet or trying to spot the Oa's resident Golden Eagles from the garden.

From Coillabus you can walk undisturbed for miles in any direction, discovering hidden bays, lochs and cliff-top paths. And we are only a short drive away from Islay's famous whisky distillleries, golf course, award-winning restaurants and miles of sandy beaches.

Coillabus cottage is the ideal base to experience the wildlife of the Oa as seen on BBC 2's recent springwatch series.

We are commited to providing environmentaly friendly holidays.

 

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Late Availability For Christmas

Wild & Green Escapes has just come across this special offer, great savings for a last minute Christmas getaway in stunning Scotland -

Amazingly Christmas is still available with these savings:
* Whole House sleeping 12 for £1750 saving £700
* Rose £600 saving £100 sleeping 2-4

*Honeysuckle House £1250 saving £400 sleeping 8+

Bluebell Croft, Strontian, Ardnamurchan, Highlands, PH36 4JA www.bluebellcroft.co.uk
sukie@bluebellcroft.co.uk
Bluebell Croft offers luxury 5 star self catering in Scotland with Honeysuckle House sleeping up to 8, Rose Cottage sleeping 2-4, or as the whole house sleeping 12 in great comfort. It is separated by a huge conservatory, normally used by Honeysuckle, which leads out to the giant hot tub, described by the Sunday Times as 'the best sited hot tub in Europe', a marvellous place to relax with a wonderful mountain view or under the stars. They also said 'the cottage and food are heavenly', and 'stunningly lovely fare'.



Both houses share a spectacular, elevated West Coast location on Ardnamurchan, with stunning views of mountains across the Strontian glen in the West Highlands of Scotland. Well behaved dogs are welcome with care. Perfect for wildlife enthusiasts and outdoor experiences being on the doorstep of the Ariundle Oakwoods a National Nature reserve. A wind turbine provides electricity and a wood burning boiler and solar array for hot water and heat.
Sukie and Bill have recently been runners up in the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards in the Green Category, come and find out why! If you feel like a night off Sukie can leave a casserole in the Aga or supper/dinner of up to 4 courses using all the wonderful ingredients from the croft and smokehouse. She is a former Rural Chef of the Year. Bill and Sukie are keen to share their life on a working croft with you and are almost self sufficient including milking a Jersey cow, keeping two pigs and lots of chooks, ducks and geese for meat and eggs. The veggie garden and poly-tunnel provide masses of fruit and vegetables in season which you can buy to produce fabulous meals with no food miles.

A Good Newts Story

Volunteers and foresters have pooled their resources to breathe fresh life into three woodland ponds.

Forestry Commission Wales and members of BTCV got together to rescue the ponds, which are important breeding sites for great crested newts and provide valuable habitat for other water-loving creatures such as frogs.

Two of the ponds – Parc y Van and Wern Ddu – are in the Welsh Government woodlands known locally as Caerphilly woodlands and the third, Tyn y Coed, is a large, long pond located in an old blocked quarry in a secluded woodland.

Parc y Van had silted up completely on one side, joining a small island in the middle of the pond to the surrounding path, while the path on the other side of the pond was falling away with erosion.
Volunteers spent three days digging out the silt, repairing the path and thinning out the vegetation – clearing out five black bags of rubbish along the way.

Wern Ddu pond, known locally as amphibian pond due to the high numbers of amphibian species there, including great crested newts, had also started to silt up and fill up with logs thrown in by passers-by.

Volunteers cleared away the silt and removed overhanging trees surrounding the pond, letting in more light.

The toughest challenge was with Tyn y Coed, which was so silted up in places it was only a few inches deep.
Some 15 volunteers, working with advice from Forestry Commission Wales conservation manager Rosalind Codd, spent over a week digging out silt and clearing trees and undergrowth, which were left around the pond edges as habitat piles.

Forestry Commission Wales forest ranger Emma Louise Felkin said, “All the ponds had naturally silted up over many years and had become dark and overgrown. Our woodlands provide essential wildlife habitats and this work will help the ponds to support more life, increasing biodiversity.”

The great crested newt is the largest of the British newts and Britain probably has Europe's largest population and is, therefore, very important to its continuing survival.
These newts, which are protected by law, need water-bodies such as ponds for breeding but, for most of the year, they live on dry land.

Save Juniper In Scotland

Landowners and managers across Scotland are urged to take action to save juniper from going extinct.
The call comes as Forestry Commission Scotland and Plantlife Scotland promote action to reverse the decline of this UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species.

Although Scotland is home to around 80% of the UK’s surviving juniper stock, only a third of the sites in Scotland have strong and secure populations. Restoring juniper in woodlands and at woodland edges could make all the difference to juniper’s chances of survival in Scotland, and ultimately in the UK as a whole.

New grants are now available from the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) to help landowners conserve and regenerate small populations of juniper and improve its long-term survival in sites across the country. 

Plantlife’s Conservation Manager Deborah Long said: “Juniper is badly affected by browsing and grazing animals, land clearance, land use change and uncontrolled muirburn – and old bushes aren’t producing much viable seed. It’s clear that juniper is not going to stage a comeback without our help – and thankfully landowners can help solve these problems. 

“Scotland’s juniper population is vital to the survival of juniper in the UK – and with concerted action we can help to revive the species and make it a common and widespread feature in our landscapes.”

The grant support under SRDP’s Rural Development Contracts is available for projects that:
• enhance juniper populations in and around new and existing native woods
• add juniper to non-native and mixed planted woods
• regenerate and expand small remnant populations
• stimulate supply of planting material by registering and managing self-seeded juniper stands.

Plantlife and the Forestry Commission in Scotland have surveyed the current status of juniper and are already working to conserve and regenerate existing juniper scrub areas. This includes assisting natural regeneration by controlling grazing and browsing, planting juniper in a bid to boost flagging or recently eliminated populations and planting juniper within existing woodlands to help broaden biodiversity. 

Plantlife’s Conservation Officers are visiting sites across Scotland where existing juniper populations are in need of help. If you own or manage a site with woodland juniper and where you would like advice on managing for juniper, contact Davie Black at Plantlife Scotland on 01786 469778  or email davie.black@plantlife.org.uk You can also download a management leaflet from www.plantlife.org.uk/scotland

Eco Friendly Holidays & Wildlife Watching

If you're looking for eco friendly holiday accommodation, from a rural retreat farmhouse B&B to green-award-winning cottages in spectacular settings, then visit the Wild & Green Escapes website for lots of ideas and information.

What's on the website?

• Eco friendly holiday accommodation, much of it enjoying spectacular wildlife pretty much on the doorstep!
• Wildlife operators, experts who know the best places to spot the best wildlife - from dolphins to eagles, from Scotland to Norfolk & Cornwall and much, much more



Wildlife Tours & Education in Norfolk

• Our seasonal nature watch - what's happening in nature and the countryside now, what to look out for, from birds and animals to flowers and trees
• Wildlife events information - check out our Wildlife Calender for year round info on top wildlife events in the UK, plus you'll find details on upcoming wildlife events via this blog!



Holiday cottages in amazing locations!

• Ideas and inspiration for wildlife watching and eco friendly holidays - from How To Be Green On Holiday to our top spots to wildlife watch

Want to plan a wild and green holiday for you and your family?

Try Wild & Green Escapes!

Wildlife Watching In Norfolk

Wildlife Tours and Education, Norfolk

Wildlife Tours and Education aim to give you value for money and a great time discovering and watching the wildlife of Norfolk.  They run Wildlife Days Out in Norfolk (Norfolk Safari), Birdwatching Day Tours in Norfolk and a Photographing Wildlife For Beginners Day.

They also do wildlife weekends and longer holidays throughout the UK and beyond.

Find out more via the Wild & Green Escapes website

Nature Watch With The Forest Diary

If, like Wild & Green, you enjoy learning about what is going on in nature and when, then you might like the Forest Diary currently being 'written' on the Forestry Commission website by the New Forest Keeper Maarten Ledeboer.

The diary has been running since the end of October 2011 and previous entries have included:

• Welcome to the diary
• Bats
• Fungi
• Timber
• Real Christmas trees
• Deer

You can catch up and read all of the diary entries on the Forest Diary webpage

Top Ten Winter Gardens To Explore

With the 'shortest day' fast approaching (Dec 21st) this time of year can seem dark and gloomy outdoors despite all of the festive illuminations.

When the weather isn't howling a gale, raining or snowing you might like to take the opportunity to get outdoors, get some fresh air and appreciate the beauty of nature - we're assured it's still there, even in the depths of winter!

With this in mind you might be interested in the National Trust's Top Ten Winter Gardens To Visit - the selected gardens are dotted all over the country and have been chosen because they look so good at this time of year.

Well worth a look, we think...

Find out more on the National Trust website

Eco Friendly Scottish Cottages

Burnbrae Holidays, Burnbrae Mill, Nenthorn, Kelso, Scottish Borders

Eco friendly four star cottages converted from a stone barn situated in a peaceful spot in the heart of the Scottish Borders.

The south facing conservatory in each cottage has views across the secluded garden, Eden Water and across the border between Scotland and England to the Cheviot Hills.

 It is perfect for wildlife enthusiasts to relax and view a wide variety of native wildlife. The fields and banks of Eden Water can be explored directly from your cottage.

Each light and airy one bedroomed cottage is generously equipped for 2-4 people for self-catering. PV solar panels on site provide electricity. Burnbrae grows its own wood for use in the wood burning stove in each living room.

Burnbrae aims to ensure that the overall effect of its business activities enhances the local environment, and has minimal detrimental impact on the wider environment, including impact on the availability of resources in the future. As evidence of success in this Burnbrae holds the gold award under the Green Tourism Business Scheme.
Find out more on the Wild & Green Escapes website

Wildlife Watching In The Scottish Highlands

Wild West Safari, Spean Bridge, Inverness-shire

Wild West offer a selection of safaris and wildlife experiences based in the Great Glen in the Scottish Highlands.

Red deer, osprey, sea eagle and golden eagle are amongst species regularly sighted. You can even join a searchlight safari to look for elusive nocturnal species such as pine marten which inhabit the forests.

Half day and full day trips are available. Daily trips to see the red deer rut run throughout October. Bespoke trips can be arranged. Bookings are recommended but not always essential.

Find out more on the Wild & Green Escapes website

Eco Friendly Welsh B&B Guidfa House

Guidfa House, Crossgates, Nr Llandrindod Wells, Powys

Guidfa House is a member of the Green Tourism Business Scheme, minimises its effect on the environment and is committed to a working in a sustainable way.
This elegant Georgian House has bright and spacious bedrooms with comfy beds, huge fluffy bath towels, soft bath robes and quality toiletries. The recently refurbished Coach House Suite has a super-king double bed, large sitting room & spa bathroom.

The elegant sitting room with its open log fire and beautiful original chandelier is an ideal place to relax at the end of the day. Drinks and wine are available from the bar if required and there are plenty of books together with local leaflets and maps to help you plan your stay.

Find out more on the Wild & Green Escapes website

Celebrate Christmas In Nature

Take a break from all that pre-Christmas rushing around and take time out to enjoy some candlelit carol singing in the magical surroundings of a forest.

The Forestry Commision are running a Candlelit Carols in the Forest event at
Haldon Forest, near Exeter, Devon on Tuesday evening, December 13th 2011.

The Forestry Commission also has lots of other festive-themed events taking place around the country, plus many of their forests also operate christmas tree sales too - visit their 'What's On' page for more information.

Luxury, Eco-Friendly B&B

Horseshoe Cottage Farm, Cropston, Charnwood Forest, Leicestershire Horseshoe Cottage Farm is a luxury, sustainable Bed and Breakfast located in the Charnwood Forest area of the National Forest.

Gold accredited by the Green Tourism Business Scheme Horseshoe Cottage has three en-suite bedrooms, are all beautifully decorated with natural features and exposed beams. All have showers and two have baths as well. The highest quality bed linen is used and large fluffy towels and bath robes along with locally produced, organic toiletries.

Local and homegrown produce is served at breakfast and dinner along with homemade bread, jams and cakes.

Welcomes walkers and cyclists; rurally located for a peaceful stay.

Find out more on the Wild & Green Escapes website

Eco Friendly Holidays In Wales

Cwm Broadwell Farm, Mutton Dingle, New Radnor, Powys
The perfect setting for a family reunion or a large party of friends, Brookside Farmhouse and Cwm Broadwell Barn are large holiday cottages that are self catering and both are situated in New Radnor, in the beautiful Welsh Marches.

Half way down the border between England and Wales, the properties are close to the Offa's Dyke footpath and the popular towns of Ludlow, Hay-on-Wye and Presteigne.

Stylish, modern and full of light Cwm Broadwell Barn is set in a beautiful private valley of 35 acres divided by streams and boarded by woodland rising up to the Radnor Forest.

Green Tourism Award Silver

Find out more on Wild & Green Escapes

National Trust Outdoor Events This Winter

The National Trust run a great range of events all year round, and over the winter you can still find some great reasons to get outdoors and enjoy the countryside and nature including:

• Celebrate Christmas - the National Trust are currently running events to celebrate the festive season
• Winter Walks - seasonal walks throughout December and January
• Guided Estate Walks with park/estate wardens on many National Trust properties are held once a month - check details for your local houses/estates on the events page on the National Trust website
• Walking for Health events are also held once or twice a month on some  National Trust estates, walks usually last approx 1 hour - check the details for your local houses/estates on the events page on the National Trust website

Enjoy!

Tree Clearance Boost For Wildlife

Roadside trees are being removed from two Carmarthenshire woodlands to make them more homely places for the rare plants and wildlife that live there.

Clearing some of the trees that run along the tracks within Pembrey and Penybedd woodlands will also pave the way for Forestry Commission Wales to carry out thinning operations – and help towards tackling climate change.
For the waste material from the roadside clearance will be gathered up by a machine called a brash baler and turned into compact bales for use at the nearby Western Wood Energy Plant.

Pembrey and Penybedd, which together cover 1,200 hectares, make up some of Britain's sand dune forests and are home to many rare botanical species, 31 species of butterfly, migrant songbirds as well as birds of prey such as sparrowhawk and goshawk.

Pembrey forest also forms part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Forestry Commission Wales Community Ranger Jonathan Price said, “We are carrying out this important work in order to improve the site for conservation reasons and to allow better access for future work programmes.
“It’s all part of the management of Welsh Government woodlands to enable them to provide environmental benefits both now and in the future."

Green Shopping On Your Holidays

Holiday Shopping @ Farmers Markets

When on your holidays in the UK you might want to do your bit for the enviroment and for supporting the local economy and local food producers by shopping at a farmers markets.

Wild & Green Escapes has done some research and these websites look useful for finding out when and where farmers markets are running throughout the UK:

* UK http://www.farmersmarkets.net/
* Scotland  http://www.scottishfarmersmarkets.co.uk/
* Wales http://www.fmiw.co.uk/

Happy shopping!

Wildlife Watching From A Glass Bottom Boat

Seaprobe Atlantis - Glass Bottom Boat Trips,  Isle of Skye, Scotland

Seaprobe Atlantis is Scotland's Only Semi-Submersible Glass Bottom Boat, operating from the Marine Conservation area at Kyle of Lochalsh and recently voted 'Best UK Wildlife Experience' by the Daily Telegraph June 2010.

Operating 4 trips per day from March to 31st October, a unique feature of the boat is the large underwater viewing gallery with 26 underwater windows.  All trips are guided, binoculars, refreshments and toilets are available.
Find out more on the Wild & Green Escapes website

Welsh Eco Friendly B&B

Beili Helyg Guest House, Cwm Cadlan, Penderyn

Relax in front of the log fire in the guest lounge, enjoy stunning views over the ancient and beautiful Cwm Cadlan Valley, and recharge your batteries with a good nights sleep.

This beautifully refurbished 18th century Welsh longhouse has won a GTBS Gold Award for its eco-credentials, but never compromises on comfort. The perfect place to escape from it all.

Three ensuite bedrooms, delicious, high quality breakfasts using own produce and fresh local ingredients.

Find out more on Wild & Green Escapes

Explore New Woodland Path At Benarty

Ramblers and hikers in Fife will now able to take advantage of a new woodland footpath and beautiful views from Benarty Hill, thanks to a project by the Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS).

After months of careful planning and community consultation, work has taken place over the last three weeks to create a new forest path connecting Ballingry to Benarty, which is now open for local people to enjoy.

The project, funded by FCS, aims to improve access to Benarty Hill and encourage people to explore their local woodland safely as part of the organisation’s commitment to enhancing community engagement within the area.

Jenny Ventham, community ranger at Forestry Commission Scotland, said: “After consultation with the residents’ forum of Benarty, the creation of the path was seen as an excellent investment, not only for the community but for the large number of visitors that visit the woodland each year.

“Encouraging local communities into their local woodland by providing easy access to doorstep facilities is a top priority for Forestry Commission Scotland. We hope that creating this fantastic new path will inspire more people to get out and explore the beauty of Benarty Hill and enjoy the great outdoors that Scotland has to offer.”

National Tree Week

It's National Tree Week from 26th  November until 4th December!

Organised by the Tree Council this event has been running since 1975 and there's lots going on across the country.

To find out how you can get involved and to find events near you, visit:

http://www.treecouncil.org.uk/community-action/national-tree-week

Sheep Set For Upland Forest Mission

A local farmer is set to send his sheep on a mission to improve the environment high in the hills above mid-Wales.Forestry Commission Wales hope Joe Phillips’s flock will play a key role in improving the upland habitat of Plynlimon in Hafren Forest.

Already, Forestry Commission Wales has felled 120,000 conifers across a 40-hectare area over the past three years and planted 10,000 broadleaved trees such as birch and rowan in their place.

Now, it has received £2,800 funding from Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust to maintain peatland areas adjacent to a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) as part of an ongoing programme to improve the upland habitats in mid-Wales.

Conservation At Work

Glencoe Lochan - Protecting and Enhancing its Future  

As part of their long term management plan for the site, Forestry Commission Scotland will be carrying out further upgrade work at Glencoe Lochan over the next few months.

Craig Millar, for the commission’s Lochaber team, said:“The woodland is a great amenity for the local community and for visitors to the area, and the planned upgrades will help deliver even more benefits. We’re planning to clear out invasive species  which includes removing the Rhododendron from the Lochan islands because it is currently acting as seed source, which only helps it spread.

“Combined with ongoing thinning and woodland improvement work over the next few years, this will allow light into the forest floor and encourage the establishment of a layer of diverse ground vegetation which has been ‘smothered’ by dense rhododendron and will also help to improve the existing trees."

Other work includes upgrading the path network around the Lochan. This will include working with the Fieldfare Trust, which works to improve access to the countryside for people with disabilities.

Craig added: “Once this is completed, there will be scope to plant new trees and introduce some non-invasive varieties of rhododendron, which will help enhance the visitor experience and help realise Lord Strathcona’s original vision for the Lochan."

The work is due to start in the next few weeks and be completed in March ahead of next year’s tourist season.
Access to the Lochan will still be possible as work progresses but visitors are urged to pay attention to information signage and follow any diversions.

Wildlife Events Coming Up

The Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust runs events all year round and forthcoming events include:

Beeston Wildlife Group Walk

Saturday 26th November - guided walk around the picturesque Attenborough Nature Reserve. 10am – 1pm.

Monitoring Owls and Birds of Prey in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire

Thursday 1st December

Come along to this Retford Local Group meeting and listen to Trust member Adrian Blackburn talk about his work in this important field.   

Find out more on the website of the  Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust

Eco Cafe, Garden Centre & Camping In Wales

Creation Gardens - café, garden centre and wigwams, Nantmel, Nr Llandrindod Wells, Powys

Creation Gardens is a plant centre set in the midst of the beautiful mid-Wales countryside. With a Tea Room that uses organic and locally sourced produce where possible, creation gardens make wildlife friendly gardening a speciality.

If you are an avid birdwatcher, it is worth bringing your binoculars as you may be fortunate enough to spot a Red Kite circling above.

Come and stay in beautiful mid-Wales in one of their very own camping cabins - wooden wigwams! Creation Gardens is the first tourist site in Wales to open wooden wigwams, built with the unpredicatble British weather in mind, they offer an easy alternative to year-round camping. Two Wigwams are currently available for hire.

Eco Friendly Perthshire B&B

Burnbank B & B,  Kinross, Perth and Kinross

A welcoming, luxurious B&B, situated in the charming small town of Kinross, close to Loch Leven and the beautiful Perth and Kinross countryside.

The B&B is proud to hold the Green Tourism Gold award and be Cittaslow supporters, implementing simple, practical ideas to reduce its carbon footprint and help the environment, without compromising on comfort and quality.

Burnbank harvests rainwater to water indoor plants, garden and greenhouse; has installed additional insulation so that the property requires less heating; and the en-suites all have water saving devices installed.

The B&B provides an extensive breakfast menu, using the finest local, seasonal produce wherever possible, including eggs from its own free range chickens. All bread and preserves are home made. Dinners, following the same criteria can be provided on request, if pre ordered.

Attention to detail makes your visit to Burnbank a special experience.

Find out more on the Wild & Green Escapes website
 

Eco Friendly Welsh Cottage and B&B

Cwmbiga Farm, Staylittle, Powys

High quality, eco friendly, accommodation on a farm set in its own beautiful valley in Mid-Wales.

Whether you wish to stay in one of the 4 star, Gold Award winning, eco friendly cottages or opt for bed and breakfast in the comfortable, fully modernised, Grade II listed farmhouse, Cwmbiga is an ideal rural retreat and a great base for an outdoor activity holiday, a quiet or romantic break or a get together with friends and family.

Cwmbiga is a 60 acre smallholding and wildlife haven set in its own valley in the Hafren Forest and the Cambrian Mountains.  Cwmbiga is also on a national cycle path (Sustrans Route 8).

For more details visit the Wild & Green Escapes website

 

Looking for an eco friendly holiday in the UK?

Dolphin watching

Go Wild & Green

If you're looking for eco friendly holiday accommodation, from a rural retreat in a farmhouse B&B to green-award-winning self catering cottages in spectacular settings, then visit the Wild & Green Escapes website for lots of ideas and information.

What's on the website?

• eco friendly holiday accommodation, much of it enjoying spectacular wildlife pretty much on the doorstep!
• wildlife operators, experts who know the best places to spot the best wildlife - from dolphins to eagles and much, much more
• our seasonal nature watch - what's happening in nature and the countryside now, what to look out for, from birds and animals to flowers and trees
• wildlife events information - check out our Wildlife Calender for year round info on top wildlife events in the UK, plus you'll find details on upcoming wildlife events via this blog!



Holiday cottages in amazing locations!

• ideas and inspiration for wildlife watching and eco friendly holidays - from How To Be Green On Holiday to our top spots to wildlife watch

Want to plan a wild and green holiday for you and your family?

So did we, that's why we created Wild & Green Escapes!

Scottish Beaver Trial Footage

The Scottish Beaver Trial is a five year trial re-introduction of Beavers to the Knapdale Forest in Argyll in Scotland and if you visit their official blog page then you can enjoy some great footage of the beavers going about their activities....

Visit the Scottish Beavers Blog

Find out all about beavers and this project on its website

Eco Award Winning B&B in Yorkshire

Low Penhowe, Burythorpe, Malton, North Yorkshire

It's always reassuring to stay at a B&B that has a good profile and has received fabulous reviews on TripAdvisor.


Low Penhowe, a Yorkshire bed and breakfast has won many awards for quality, service and its naturally friendly eco approach. The award winning Yorkshire Breakfast which will all be home-grown, home baked, or sourced locally within Yorkshire!

Eco friendly credentials include the Green Tourism Business Scheme Gold Award and various Alastair Sawdays awards.
Find out more on the Wild & Green Escapes website

Wildlife Watching On Mull

Mull Charters, Isle of Mull 

Mull Charters aim to provide you with the ultimate wildlife experience, taking small groups of people to see the magnificent White Tailed Sea Eagle in its natural environment around the coast of Mull.

Most trips result in amazing views of these spectacular birds taking fish from the surface of the sea, also look out for other species at different times of the year eg Golden Eagle, Hen Harrier etc. Sometimes you can encounter the local pod of Bottlenose Dolphins or harbour Porpoise en route.

Every trip has stunning scenery, a helpful crew and a taste of the wild, usually a hot drink and a biscuit as well! They also offer specialist trips for photographers, sea angling trips and visits to the historical Isle of Inch Kenneth.

Find out more on Wild & Green Escapes

Check out Mull Charters  youtube link for more wildlife watching experiences www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKVp6l0-99g

Woolly Thinking Helps Protect Fruit Trees

From the Forestry Commission - calling all Knitters!

The Forestry Commission is calling on nimble-fingered folk young and old to help knit a massive woollen duvet to protect young fruit trees from icy weather.

Forest chiefs, North York Moors National Park Authority volunteers and the Friends of Dalby Forest are working on a new forest garden and have planted 200 shrubs, trees and herbs near the visitor centre in 3,440 hectare (8,600 acre) Dalby Forest, near Pickering.

To protect the vulnerable plants as temperatures plunge a unique knit-a-thon is being organised to make a giant woollen blanket to cover the 100 metre square plot and keep the soil toasty. 

The amazing effort will culminate in a public “Stitch Up’ up event in Dalby on 20 November (1pm – 4pm) to link all the knitted individual panels together to make the ultimate blanket. 

People can help by knitting small panels themselves in any colour or design, measuring 30 centimetres square or more, and dropping them off at Dalby Forest Visitor Centre, Pickering Library or the Forestry Commission’s Pickering office on Outgang Road. Donations of wool and knitting needles are also needed as well as clean old blankets or towels which can be cut up into squares and stitched together.

Amongst the plants being nurtured are shrubs like raspberry and bilberry, apple and pear trees and many herbs.  The project is supported by the North York Moors Authority Sustainable Development Fund. 

For more information contact Petra Young on 01751 472771          
   . 
Get knitting!

Eco Friendly Lodge In Scottish Highlands

Fearnag Lodge, Milton of Farr, Strathnairn, Inverness

Substantial eco-friendly 3-bedroom log cabin (sleeps 5) nestling in the foothills of the beautiful Monadhliath Mountains in the Scottish Highlands.

Peaceful location on a hill farm 9 miles south of Inverness - only a short distance from Loch Ness, Culloden Battlefield and the Cairngorms. Ideally located for walking and touring with tremendous opportunities to explore this fascinating part of Northern Scotland. You can even bring your own horse (paddock and stable provided) to explore the extensive network of forest tracks nearby.

More details on the Wild & Green Escapes website

Find a Wildlife Event Near You

Looking for the opportunity to get outdoors and discover and enjoy some British wildlife this month?

The RSPB run events all over the UK, all year round, and there's usually something for everyone - with some events aimed at beginners or families with children, and other workshops and trips aimed at the keen wildlife enthusiast.

If you're in Cambridgeshire you might want to try the Autumn On Berry Fen tour with a wildlife warden on Saturday 19th November or the Early Winter Bird Walk on Wednesday 23rd November.

In Merseyside? How about the Wirral's Wonderful Waders event at Hoylake Shore on Saturday 26th November?

Visit http://www.rspb.org.uk/events/ and select what type of event you are looking for and in what county... it's as simple as that

Holiday Cottage Offers True Country Escape

Blaenglanhanog Holiday Cottage, Carno, Powys

Blaenglanhanog (pronounced Bline-glan-hanog in English), is set 1000 feet up in the beauty of the Cambrian Mountains. Situated at the end of a gated no through road, this 250 year old Welsh stone drover’s cottage is the ideal base for a holiday in stunning mid Wales.

This luxury three-bedroomed cottage will sleep 2 – 6 people in comfort.The cosy sitting room has an original beamed ceiling, inglenook fireplace with a state of the art log burner and is equipped with an LCD flat screen television, satellite receiver, DVD player & CD radio.

If peace and quiet is your thing, the nearest neighbour is about a quarter of a mile away and above the cottage is farmland and extensive forestry.

Find out more on the Wild & Green Escapes website

New Birdfair Announced For 2012

Scotland has announced there will be a first, annual Scottish Birdfair event in 2012. The 2 day event will be held in the delightful surroundings of Hopetoun House near Edinburgh and will run from 19-20 May.

The birdfair promises to 'have something for everyone' from knowledgable enthusiast to garden birdwatcher, and attractions include:

* 60 wildlife related trade stands
* informative talks
* guided walks and workshops
* famous faces and book signings

Tickets are due to go on sale soon and offer great value with a one-day-adult ticket priced at £12.

More details from:

http://www.scottishbirdfair.org.uk/

How To Be A Responsible Tourist

Like the idea of having a green eco-aware holiday? If you want to help protect and support the places you visit when on your holidays then you might want to consider these ideas:

·   Shop local – help support the local people and the economy by purchasing food from local butchers, bakers, farmers markets and delis rather than chain supermarkets where possible

·   Visit local events – craft fairs and local shows are a great opportunity to meet the people of the area, learn about rural crafts and traditions and help rural communities to thrive

·   Consider visiting areas at quieter times of the year away from the busy peak times, helping to ease things like congestion and pressures on the local environment

·    Think about leaving the car behind for one day of your holiday and plan an adventure instead – get the bus, the train, hire cycles or walk to and from your door

·   Treat your accommodation the same as you would your home in terms of turning off appliances, not leaving things on standby, and switching off lights when not in rooms, remember to still recycle items such as plastic bottles and packaging, cardboard, papers and magazines

·   When eating out look for establishments that are part of a town, county or regional ‘eat local’ campaign – they should display stickers in windows

·   When exploring the great outdoors remember to respect local flora and fauna, and observe any wildlife in such a way as not to disturb it

Discover loads of eco friendly holiday ideas on the Wild & Green Escapes website

National Park Photo Gallery



Lake District



There are 15 national parks in the UK and they all offer stunning landscapes to discover, explore and enjoy - from walking and wildlife spotting to horse riding or fishing, there's lots to see and do.




Wild & Green Escapes has discovered that the National Parks website hosts an impressive photo gallery where you can savour top class photos of the gorgeous landscapes in each and every one of the parks.

Visit the Photo Gallery, sit back and enjoy!

An Autumn Of Two Halves

A curious season for autumn colour is being observed by the Forestry Commission at Westonbirt, The National Arboretum in Gloucestershire.

Experts at the arboretum are witnessing a two-phased appearance of colour, brought on by the unusual weather experienced this year.

Whilst the dry spring brought on an early change in some trees thought to be ‘stressed’ through drought, the warm start to October has meant many other specimens have stayed green for longer.

The warm weather has delayed the cold snap which spurs on the chemical change required to produce autumnal reds, oranges and yellows. Colder nights are thought to be more conducive to bringing on good autumn colour.

Simon Toomer, Westonbirt Arboretum Director commented: “What began as an early show of autumn colour at the end of August, slowed during September and the start of October when the warmer weather re-appeared.

“This has meant that many of Westonbirt’s famous Japanese maples stayed green for longer than in previous years. However, the recent colder nights have speeded things up and we’re now seeing an autumn colour display we are much more used to.”

Autumn hotspots for colour include the National Japanese Maple Collection and Rotary Glade in Silk Wood, and Acer Glade in the Old Arboretum. Visitors can follow the appearance of autumn colour on Westonbirt Arboretum’s colour watch blog. Find out more at www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt-autumn.

Rare Butterfly Numbers Double

Recent monitoring results of Chequered Skipper butterfly numbers at Lochaber’s Allt Mhuic butterfly reserve on the north shore of Loch Arkaig show that numbers have increased for the second year running.

The butterfly, which can only be found in the UK at a handful of Scottish sites, in and around Lochaber and north Argyll, is staging a remarkable come-back after several years of decline.

After reaching a low point of only 3 counted on the reserve’s butterfly transect (a standard way of monitoring butterfly populations) in 2009, new management practices were introduced at the reserve, run by Forestry Commission Scotland, in 2010 and the recorded population has now increased five fold.

The reversal of fortunes is down to the commission using 15 Highland Cattle from its 100 strong Lochaber herd to graze specific areas during the year, benefiting the habitat and the food plants that Chequered Skippers prefer. 
Independent eco-consultant, Tony Millard, who has been monitoring the project since it began in 2002, said:
“These latest results are a terrific achievement for the commission’s local team, who all show a real passion for what they are doing. That is a brilliant result - especially as the poor summer has generally meant fewer butterflies across the UK.  The cows have done an excellent job and must take much of the credit!”

The Allt Mhuic reserve remains one of the primary sites for the development and refinement of grazing regimes for the conservation cattle herd based in Glen Garry. Approximately 100 cattle, in smaller groups are grazing areas at the Sound of Mull (Savary), Poloch, Loch Shiel (Scamadale), Glen Loy, Cow Hill above Fort William and the original site at Loch Arkaig – and during 2011, Chequered Skipper were confirmed on all of these sites.

National Parks Promote Local Food

If you're looking to be as 'green' as possible on your holidays, short breaks or day trips then you'll be aware that buying and eating local food and produce plays a key part in being a responsible, green tourist.

To help people source local food the National Parks website has put together a an online guide to where you can buy and eat local foods and drinks throughout the UK's 15 national parks.

Find out more on the Local Food website

Autumn Colours @ Exmoor

Exmoor National Park is running a guided walk called Autumn Colours on Wednesday 26th October, starting at 2pm.

This family-friendly walk, led by a ranger, will not only take in the autumn colours but also look at hedgerow bounty including berries, nuts and, of course, the wildlife.

For details of walk start point, prices etc visit the events page on the Exmoor National Park website

Lakes Goes Fairtrade

Grasmere

Food producers, retailers, tourist attractions, and organisations throughout Cumbria have pledged their support towards making the Lake District National Park a Fairtrade Zone.

Around 60 people attended this month's launch event which showcased the variety of local and fairtrade produce on offer.


Individuals and organisations are backing the campaign being led by the Lake District National Park Authority and the Cumbria Fairtrade Network for the area to become the world’s first national park Fairtrade Zone. The initiative will also encourage people and businesses to buy local produce that will benefit the local economy and the environment.

Chief Executive of the National Park, Richard Leafe, explained: “Food and drink is a huge contributor to the national park’s carbon footprint. This initiative aims to promote sustainability both home and abroad by increasing the uptake of Fairtrade products and promoting what we produce locally."

Wildlife In Northumberland



During the season you could spot
ospreys at Kielder in Northumbria

 Northumbria is a stunning county to explore - one of the least populated areas of England, and billed as the most tranquil palce in England, it offers everything from the forests of Kielder in the north west, to the moors and Cheviot Hills in the centre and open expanses of unspoilt, windswept beaches on the eastern edge.




The Northumberland National Park website is packed with information for the visitor and one particular feature that Wild & Green liked was its Wildlife Calender - here you can select the month during which you are visiting and then find out what wildlife to be on the look out for, plus there's even details on the best places in Northumberland to spot this wildlife.








http://www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk/understanding/springwatch/springwatchcalendar.htm

Wild Seasons Event

Scotland's stunning Dumfries & Galloway region is currently running Wild Seasons - an autumn collection of varied wildlife events.

Wild Seasons end on October 30th and there's lots going on including:

• Goosey Gander
• Wild Swan Feeds
• Hedgerow Safari
• Feeding Red Kites Open Day
• Autumn Colours Photography

Find out more on the Wild Seasons website

Wild Autumn @ Galloway

The Red Deer Range in the Galloway Forest, SW Scotland is hosting special talks in the red deer hide on Thursday 27th and Friday 28th October, 10am start.

Learn more about these spectacular animals and their equally spectacular autumn rut.

Special price (for these talks only) of £1 per person (Bargain!!)

For more details or to book your places call 01671 402420 or
e-mail: galloway@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

 

 

 

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/recreation.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/ScotlandDumfriesandGallowayNoForestGallowayForestParkRedDeerRange

Woodland Photo Comp

From the Forestry Commission:

Photographers urged to capture beauty of woodlands  

Children and young people throughout Wales are being urged to reach for their cameras to snap the beauty of our woodlands and celebrate the International Year of the Forest.

Forestry Commission Wales wants our future generation to capture a moment in time of one of our most beautiful and constantly changing habitats to help the United Nations raise awareness of the key role of forests and sustainable forest management in building a greener future.

Children up to the age of 18 are being invited to enter a photography competition, with the best entries winning an education visit for all their classmates to a Welsh Government woodland of their school’s choice.

The best entries for each of the two age groups – under 11s and 12 to 18-year-olds – will also receive high street gift vouchers to the value of £100, £75 and £50, and could see their images used in Forestry Commission Wales publications.

The competition is being run by the Woodlands for Learning (WfL) team, which engages with thousands of children every year as part of its ongoing programme of educational, community and recreational events using woodlands as a learning environment.

Entries should be sent to Ffion Hughes by no later than 18 November at ffion.hughes@forestry.gsi.gov.uk with the following details: name, age, address (and email address), school name and location, and where the photograph was taken. A maximum of three entries per person is allowed and the photographs must be taken in Wales.

Wildlife Watching In Scotland

Time and time again Scotland is rated as a top destination for spotting the wildlife - from deer ruts to leaping dolphins, from the elusive capercaille to the wild cat and the osprey.

In the 'Inspirational Ideas' section of the Wild & Green website we have put together our wildlife guide to Scotland, from reserves, woodlands and mountains to coast. Plus, links to some informative wildlife watching websites specific to Scotland.

You can also find details on our website about Glen Loy Wildlife who run wildlife holidays in the beautiful Scottish Highlands.

Before The Leaves All Fall...

With some stormy weather forecast this week in the UK you might want to try to catch some of the glorious autumn colours before the wind whips away all those leaves!

Don't forget Forestry Commission England's top ten spots for autumn colour spotting:

1. Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire 
2. Friston Forest in East Sussex
3. Bedgebury Pinetum in Kent
4. The Wye Valley in the Forest of Dean
5. Salcey Forest, near Northampton
6. Maulden Woods in Bedfordshire
7. Grizedale Forest, Cumbria, North West England
8. Castle Neroche near Taunton, Somerset
9. Bolderwood, New Forest
10. Mendip sites, Somerset 

Why don't you add your autumn photos to the Forestry Commission's facebook page or send a gorgeous autumn e-card to your friends and family?  Check our the new autumn website pages at www.forestry.gov.uk/autumn

Have Your Say On Tree Planting

The Forestry Commission in Scotland are inviting land managers, local authorities, the voluntary sector and community groups across Scotland to voice their opinions on how best to take forward woodland expansion in Scotland.

The call to gather views comes from Dr Andrew Barbour, the chairman of the Woodland Expansion Advisory Group. This 18-strong group of farmers, foresters, conservation, community and land experts, has been tasked with the job of providing Scottish Ministers with advice on identifying which types of land are best for tree planting.

Dr Barbour said: “One clear message from the Group is a desire to gather as many views as possible from a wide range organisations and individuals.We want to find out what others think are the opportunities for woodland expansion and what might be stopping it. We need to identify key areas of conflict over land use and importantly why the current regulations and consultation mechanisms do not prevent problems arising. We also need to hear as many practical and constructive ideas as possible on how we might overcome them."

A letter has been sent to interested bodies and individuals for their feedback by the 6th January 2012. Others may access the letter on the Commission’s Woodland Expansion Advisory Group website pages www.forestry.gov.uk/weag.

Anyone interested in giving their views can do so in writing to:
Woodland Expansion Advisory Group Secretariat
c/o Forestry Commission Scotland
Silvan House,
231 Corstorphine Road,
Edinburgh EH12 7AT

Or by emailing weag@forestry.gsi.gov.uk.