RSPB Date With Nature Event

RSPB Events In October

The RSPB has a great selection of events coming up throughout October including:

• Seals @ Greatham Creek, Cleveland
• Brent Goose Watch, Essex
• Red Deer Rut, Cumbria
• Fungi Foray, Hampshire
• Goosey Gander, Dumfries & Galloway

For details on these and many other RSPB events visit the RSPB website

Kielder Wildlife

Wildlife in Northumbria @ Kielder

The stunning Kielder Forest in north western Northumbria, close to the Cumbrian and Scottish Borders has some amazing wildlife amongst its  250 square miles of varying habitats.

Wildlife around Kielder includes bats, birds of prey, red squirrels and badgers, plus, at the right times of year, you can see fungi and orchids, as well as, over the next month or so, some stunning autumn colours and scenery.

Visit the Kielder website and you'll find loads of information on things such as:

• what species to look out for at different times of the year
• the best spots around Kielder's forest to see the wildlife
• top tips on spotting wildlife
• the red squirrel centre and hide
• forthcoming events
• latest Kielder news

For more details head to the Kielder Wildlife & Nature website

Autumnwatch News

From the Forestry Commission:

BBC Autumnwatch Live makes Westonbirt its home  

Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, which is managed by the Forestry Commission, will host BBC Two’s Autumnwatch Live and Autumnwatch Unsprung for four weeks of this year’s series.

From the launch programme on Friday 7 October to the Cotswolds episode on 28 October, Autumnwatch Live will broadcast live from the arboretum’s Great Oak Hall. This year Michaela Strachan will join Chris Packham and Martin Hughes-Games to present the shows. The three will also be joined by a host of roving reporters from around the country.

From exploring autumn colour to taking a closer look at traditional woodland coppicing and the work of The National Arboretum’s tree team, Autumnwatch will delve into one of the country’s most famous autumn locations.

From their Westonbirt base, the Autumnwatch team of presenters will feature wildlife from across the UK and will also catch up with some of the stories featured on Springwatch.

In every programme, there'll be special features happening live, from science experiments to demonstrations of wild foraging cookery and countryside crafts. There'll be live quizzes the audience can take part in and live special guests adding depth and context to our stories.

Autumnwatch Unsprung will also be broadcast from Westonbirt. Chris, Michaela, Martin and special guests will discuss the big events and talking points of the week, as well as tackling viewer questions and solving wildlife mysteries.

The series will move on to its next Gloucestershire location, WWT Slimbridge, from 4 November.
More information on autumn at Westonbirt can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt-autumn and more details on this year’s BBC Autumnwatch Live can be found at www.bbc.co.uk/autumnwatch.

Where To Find Wildlife Events

Wildlife Watching Events

If you're keen to learn more about UK wildlife and fancy joining the experts on an event or guided walk then you could try the following websites to discover upcoming events near you:

• Forestry Commission - runs wildlife watching, flower spotting and many other events at forests all over the country.
• International Year of the Forest 2011 - the Forestry Commission is running many events, projects and initiatives to celebrate the 2011 International Year of the Forest.
• RSPB runs a varied programme of wildlife watching events all over the country
• Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucs - runs a varied programme of events throughout the year which include wildflower walks, British native trees walk, plus it's recognised as one of the best places to catch the autumn colours.
• Wildlife Trusts - the subgroups of the Wildlife Trusts run events all over the country
  

Forest On TV

From the Forestry Commission:

Wyre forest launches You Tube TV Channel  

The Wyre Forest has taken to the airwaves with the launch of its own interactive Youtube TV Channel.

Wyre Forest TV will feature videos promoting different elements of the Grow With Wyre Landscape Partnership Project; a scheme led by the Forestry Commission which was set up to help restore the unique landscape of Wyre, celebrate its rich working history and help rejuvenate the local land-based economy.

There will also be videos of wildlife in their natural habitats as captured by various cameras around the forest.
Anyone will be able to link their videos to the site, and visitors to the forest will be encouraged to upload and share their Wyre experiences for all to see

Grow With Wyre is running 18 separate projects to help restore the unique landscape of Wyre.
The Grow With Wyre Landscape Partnership Scheme consists of organisations including Natural England, Shropshire County Council, Bewdley Development Trust, Butterfly Conservation, Worcester County Council, Wyre Forest Study Group, Wyre Community Land Trust, Wyre Forest District Council, Bewdley Development Trust and the National Trust.

For more information about the Grow With Wyre projects visit http://www.growwithwyre.org/
To view the Wyre Forest TV Channel, go to http://www.youtube.com/WyreForestTV#p/f

Do You Know Your Fungi?

From the Forestry Commission:

Fungi Forage Events In October

Fungi fans of all ages are being invited to join expeditions through Dalby Forest, near Pickering, North Yorkshire to get to grips with mushrooms and toadstools.

The Forestry Commission has organised four fungi forages on Sunday 2 and 9 October led by local naturalist, Brian Walker, who has spent over 30 years in the woods as a forest ranger. Experts say trees are turning colour early due to the dry spring weather and fungi are also sprouting forth in good numbers.

Brian Walker said: “There are plenty of varieties about, helped by the more moist and warmer weather of recent weeks. Some giant puffballs have also been spotted – so big you would need a wheelbarrow to cart them home. There are hundreds of different kinds of fungi in Dalby, with species like the edible Cep a local speciality but plenty of other fungi are pretty nasty if eaten, so it’s really important to know what you are looking at.”

Walks take place at 10.30am and 2pm on both dates. The last session will cover easy going terrain, ideal for those who are less mobile. The cost is £6 per person and booking is required on 01751 472771, or at Dalby Forest Visitor Centre.

Go Wild In Cumbria

Do Your Bit To Help Wildlife

The charity Cumbrian Wildlife Trust has plenty going on this autumn and there are lots of opportunities to play your part in discovering and helping Cumbrian wildlife and the natural environment including:

* Enter Cumbrian Wildlife Trust's Wildlife Photographic competition, the deadline for entries is Nov 10th and there are lots of categories to choose from

* Have you been inspired by wildlife and nature? Submit your thoughts and memories to the Cumbrian Wildlife Trust who are collecting them all together to share with and inspire others - all of the memories will be strung to bunting and displayed at the Cumbrian Wildlife Trust's 50th birthday celebratory events next year

* Attend a Cumbrian Wildlife Trust event - for example, over the next week or so, there are several conservation work parties at various locations and a beach clean

* Visit a wildlife reserve in Cumbria

Wildlife News

From the Forestry Commission:

Success story for injured osprey

A two year old injured osprey from the Scottish Borders has been successfully nursed back to health and released into the wild. The osprey was originally found in the Yarrow Valley and had been entangled in pond netting but had managed to free itself. It was exhausted and wouldn’t fly, even after being kept overnight for two days by Diane Bennett of the Tweed Valley Osprey Project.

Diane said: “I had to force feed the osprey to keep his energy levels up and to prevent dehydration but he still wouldn’t fly, so I took him to the South of Scotland Barony Wildlife Hospital in Dumfriesshire for rest and recouperation.”

As the osprey was ringed, it was possible to trace the bird back to the Tweed Valley project. The bird will have migrated over to Africa and this would have been his first trip back into Scotland. The osprey spent two weeks in the care of Tricia Smith from the Barony Wildlife Hospital. After the all clear was given, Tony Lightley, wildlife manager with Forestry Commission Scotland, along with  Tricia, undertook some test flights with the bird. 

Tony said: “We needed to check whether he was strong enough to make it on his own. We eventually brought him back to the nest site where he was raised and waited with baited breath as he was released. He sat there for a few moments and then took off. It was a great sight to see.”

Both Diane and Tony hope the osprey makes it over to Africa safely and returns home again next year.

The Tweed Valley Osprey Project, a partnership between Forestry Commission Scotland, Kailzie Gardens and RSPB Scotland, has helped safeguard ospreys and allowed the public to enjoy them through two viewing centres at Glentress and Kailzie Gardens.

Top Spots For Autumn Colour

From the newsdesk at the Forestry Commission:

Don’t miss out on the beautiful colours as autumn comes early this year  - Top Ten Spots For Autumn Colour

Visitors are being encouraged to get out now and see the glorious autumn colours as they have arrived early this year, according to the Forestry Commission’s Westonbirt Arboretum Director Simon Toomer: “Autumn is a magical time of year and one of the best times to go for a day out in the woods. But this year we have been noticing that the leaves are already changing and autumn colours are arriving earlier than usual by nearly three weeks.”

Simon added: “Westonbirt Arboretum’s famous Japanese maples usually colour during mid to late October but are already starting to change now. There are many reasons why this is happening. The over-riding reason is day length but a number of other climatic factors such as a dry spring make a big difference. Due to this year’s dry spring the land was left extremely dry and we are seeing the delayed affects of this through drought stress. Obviously this can vary across England but I understand that areas of the Midlands are also already starting to see colour as well.”

To celebrate this special time of year, Forestry Commission England has named its top ten places to experience the sensory delights of autumn. From the ‘electric light bulb’ yellow of autumn leaves at Westonbirt to the amazing view from the Tree Top Way at Salcey Forest. Top spots include:

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 

This year, members of the public can also follow how quickly woodlands are changing colour using the Forestry Commission's interactive online autumn colour map. It’s easy to find the best colour near you, as each wood is rated from green to golden. As the leaves change colour visitors can leave comments and rate their local woodland.

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

September Countryside Update

Nature Watch In September

The Wild & Green Escapes website has lots of info on what to watch out for in nature this month - from birds and berries to trees and deer.

Find out what's going on and the best places to see everything from bird migration to deer ruts on the Nature Watch page on the Wild & Green Escapes website.

Where To Watch Autumn Colours

Catch Those Stunning Autumn Colours

Keen to spot some of the glorious reds, oranges and yellows on the trees this autumn?

Wondering where the best places to see this autumn spectacular are?

Pondering on where leaf colours have already changed and where they're about to change?

Keep tabs on autumn colour via these websites:

·         Forestry Commission Autumn Colour 

·         Perthshire in Scotland –  one of the best places to see autumn colours in the UK  

 ·        Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire – another top spot to catch the autumn colours 

Countryside Events

Highland Perthshire Autumn Festival
Sep - Dec 2011

Autumn is expected to be early this year and it's always great to see the gorgeous red, golds and oranges on the trees as the leaves change colour in preparation for shutting down for the winter to come.

Perthshire in Scotland is one of the best places to visit for seeing the autumn colours and the county hosts a Highland Autumn Festival between now and December with a number of great events and 'festivals within a festival' including:

*The Enchanted Forest: 7-29 October 2011

* Wild Connections: 8-16 October 2011

* Perthshire Amber: 28 October - 6 November 2011

Find out more on the Highland Perthshire Autumn Festival website.

Do Your Bit For Wildlife This Weekend

Dorset Wildlife Trust Event

Sunday 18th September 2011

If you're in Dorset this coming weekend then you could help the Dorset Wildlife Trust with the following events:

9am - Walk For Wildlife - enjoy a stroll, great scenery and raise money to support the work of the Dorset Wildlife Trust. Find out more via this link:

http://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/walkforwildlife.html

1.30pm - 3pm Beach Clean Up - help to clean up the beach, removing litter which could damage the wildlife, plus a strandline survey. Find out more by calling 01929 481044  or email
kimmeridge@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.ukkimmeridge@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk.

 

Wildlife Watching Holiday In Scotland

Glen Loy Wildlife, Banavie, Fort William

Glenloy Wildlife offers wildlife holidays in the majestic Lochaber region of the West Highlands of Scotland. Based in scenic Glen Loy, some 7 miles from Fort William, you will be treated to comfortable and cosy accommodation in Glenloy Lodge, with all meals and transport provided during your stay.

You can explore the many habitats in the area, which include woodlands, pinewood, rivers, lochs and coast. Wildlife in the area includes red deer, pine marten, black grouse, golden and sea eagle as well as more elusive species such as otter, basking shark, whale and wildcat.

More info on the Wild & Green Escapes website

Cornwall's Amazing Wildlife

Cornish Sea Safari

If you're heading to Cornwall in the coming months and like the idea of a boat trip to see the amazing local wildlife then you might be interested to learn more about Marine Discovery Penzance

Is Autumn Early This Year?

Recording Nature: Do Your Bit

The Woodland Trust and Visit Woods have recently reported that autumn will be early this year due to the dry (and early) spring.

If you'd like to record the various autumn sightings in your area and help these organisations and Nature's Calendar to build up a 'national picture of autumn' then you can download an Autumn Recording Form and find out what to look out for on the Visit Woods website.

Discovery Day In Wales

From the Forestry Commission

Forest Discovery Day to Celebrate International Year of Forests @ Wyre Forest  

To celebrate 2011 being the International Year of Forests, the Forestry Commission is holding a Forest Discovery Day at Callow Hill in the Wyre Forest as part of a national day of celebration.

The United Nations declared 2011 to be the International Year of Forests in an effort to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests.

The Forest Discovery Day, to be held on 11 September, will offer a range of free workshops and demonstrations to celebrate and promote the variety of work that goes on in and is inspired by the Wyre Forest.

Activities on the day include:

•  forest storytelling for all ages
•  apple juicing and identification, as well as orchard advice
•  craft activities including making forest bunting
•  ‘sustainability trail’ to provoke interesting ideas of how to live more sustainably
•  woodworking demonstrations, seed gathering and a session on bushcraft
• Other planned activities on the day include a health walk at 10.30am and a chance to take part in a nationally co-ordinated tree hug at 2pm – tree hugs will be taking place across all the Forestry Commission sites across England.
• The Forest Café will be offering a special autumn food menu and there will be opportunities to try local forest produce.

The Discovery Day event is part funded by the Grow With Wyre Landscape Partnership Scheme. To find out more about Grow With Wyre please visit http://www.growwithwyre.org/

Forest Discovery Day

From the Forestry Commission:

Forest Discovery Day At Whinlatter  

To celebrate 2011 being the International Year of Forests, the Forestry Commission is holding a Discovery Day at Whinlatter Forest in the Lake District. The United Nations declared 2011 to be the International Year of Forests in an effort to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests.

The Discovery Day, to be held on 11 September, will offer a range of free workshops and demonstrations to celebrate and promote the variety of work that goes on in and is inspired by Whinlatter Forest. You can also watch forest skills in action with logging competition demonstrations and chainsaw carvings.

The Forestry Commission will be joined by other organisations including the RSPB, Friends of the Lake District, Natural England and Keswick Mountain Rescue, who will talk about their work in the area.

Sally Burchall from the Forestry Commission at Whinlatter says: “Forests are important - a source of timber, a carbon store, home to magnificent wildlife, destinations for thrilling adventures, and a great escape from the pressures of modern life.”

More information about Whinlatter Forest can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk/whinlatter


 

Green B&B In North Yorkshire

Low Penhowe, Burythorpe, Malton, North Yorkshire

Low Penhowe,Yorkshire Bed and Breakfast, has won many awards for quality, service and its naturally friendly eco approach. Twice selected as Visit York's Guest Accommodation of the Year. Not forgetting the award winning Yorkshire Breakfast which is home-grown, home baked, or sourced locally within Yorkshire.

From the bedrooms you may keep an eye on the Highland Cattle and watch the chickens pecking around and laying the eggs for your breakfast!

Eco friendly credentials include the Green Tourism Business Scheme Gold Award and various Alastair Sawdays awards for its simple green approach.
More info on this and other eco friendly holiday options on the Wild & Green Escapes website

Green Holiday Cottages

Martin Lane Farmhouse Holiday Cottages, Burscough, Lancashire

Four award winning country cottages nestled in the heart of the West Lancashire countryside. Easy walking and cycling terrain, and just 2 miles from Martin Mere Wildfowl Trust.

Martin Lane use all eco friendly cleaning products and complimentary toiletries as well as harvesting rainwater to re-use, and all electrical appliances are 'A' rated. Their free range hens provide, they think, the best eggs ever.
More details on the Wild & Green Escapes website

Wildlife Events: Landrover Safari

Landrover Safari

Landrover Safari, Glencoe, Scotland

Sunday 4th September 2011
10:15 AM start.

3 hour Landrover Safari through impressive Glencoe with the National Trust, packed with information on wildlife and local geology and priced at just £25 per adult and £12.50 per child.

Booking is required, call 0844 493 2222