Wales- A Green & Pleasant Land!
Wales has plenty to offer the holiday maker - amazing wildlife, great scenery, stunning beaches and impressive mountains. It also has plenty to offer those of us looking for a greener eco-friendly holiday or short break.
Wild & Green has over 20 great places in Wales on its website that are all doing their bit for the environment. Wild & Green's eco friendly establishments in Wales include:
* Cottages
* Hotels
* B&Bs
* Log cabins
* Restauants....
*...even wigwams!
For more details visit the Wales pages on Wild & Green
Tuesday, 9 August 2011
Monday, 8 August 2011
Where To Find Wildlife Events
Wildlife Watching
If you're keen to learn more about 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:
If you're keen to learn more about 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. Find details of events near you by visiting:
- 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. More info at:
- RSPB runs a varied programme of wildlife watching events all over the country, more info at:
- Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucs - runs a varied programme of events throughout the year which include wildflower walks, British native trees walk, it's recognised as one of the best places to catch the autumn colours. For more details on Westonbirt events visit their website
- Wildlife Trusts - the subgroups of the Wildlife Trusts run events all over the country, more info at:
Friday, 5 August 2011
Green Holiday Shopping
Holiday Shopping @ Farmers Markets
When on your holidays in the UK you might want to do your bit 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!
When on your holidays in the UK you might want to do your bit 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!
Thursday, 4 August 2011
August Wildlife Watching Events
RSPB Wildlife Events In August
The RSPB run an amazing range of wildlife watching events all across the country and there's plenty of fascinating ones lined up throughout August including:
The RSPB run an amazing range of wildlife watching events all across the country and there's plenty of fascinating ones lined up throughout August including:
- minibeast safari
- birdwatching for beginners
- dragonfly watch
- puffin island cruises
- marvellous moths
- bat walk
- deer watch
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Wildlife Watching At Sea
Head To The Coast
Apparently the summer is a great time to head for the coast to try to spot whales, dolphins and porpoise, especially on the western side of the UK.
Resident pods of dolphins are to be found in Cardigan Bay, Wales, and Moray Firth near Inverness, Scotland but you could also spot whales and dolphins around much of the West coast of Scotland and also around Cornwall.
Dolphin and whale watching is strictly monitored in the UK so if you fancy trying to spot these amazing creatures then book yourself on to a proper organised boat trip.
Wild & Green has details of one such specialist operator, Marine Discovery Penzance, who run sea safari trips around Cornwall with the chance to spot not such whales and dolphins but abundant birdlife and grey seals as well.
More details on the Wild & Green website
Apparently the summer is a great time to head for the coast to try to spot whales, dolphins and porpoise, especially on the western side of the UK.
Resident pods of dolphins are to be found in Cardigan Bay, Wales, and Moray Firth near Inverness, Scotland but you could also spot whales and dolphins around much of the West coast of Scotland and also around Cornwall.
Dolphin and whale watching is strictly monitored in the UK so if you fancy trying to spot these amazing creatures then book yourself on to a proper organised boat trip.
Wild & Green has details of one such specialist operator, Marine Discovery Penzance, who run sea safari trips around Cornwall with the chance to spot not such whales and dolphins but abundant birdlife and grey seals as well.
More details on the Wild & Green website
Tuesday, 2 August 2011
Out & About In August
August Wildlife Watching
The Wild & Green website has been updated with ideas on what to look out for if you're exploring coast, country or sky this month - from what wildflowers are at their best now to what insects to keep an eye out for; plus it's berry time with blackberries and rowan berries spotted too...
More info on the Wild & Green wildlife watch page
The Wild & Green website has been updated with ideas on what to look out for if you're exploring coast, country or sky this month - from what wildflowers are at their best now to what insects to keep an eye out for; plus it's berry time with blackberries and rowan berries spotted too...
More info on the Wild & Green wildlife watch page
Monday, 1 August 2011
Forest News
From Forestry Commission Scotland:
Cows Return To Cow Hill
Cow Hill above Fort William could soon see the return of Black Grouse thanks to the intervention of Lochaber Forest District’s Highland Cattle herd. Acquired by Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) in 2001 the site has benefited from new paths to improve access and is the home of a local allotment project.The addition of six cattle to the site is expected to have a significant impact on the local biodiversity.Kenneth Knott, Environment Forester for the commission’s Lochaber team, said:“Using cattle to carry out work on sites such as Cow Hill, is a great way to improve the landscape and habitats in the area. Cow Hill was home to a large Black Grouse Lek for many years but after the removal of grazing animals in late 2003, the vegetation became too rank for the Black Grouse to thrive. By bringing the cattle back we hope to reverse that process.
“These animals have got a great temperament, can easily withstand the sort of weather that’ll get thrown at them up on the hill and, most importantly, they can forage on the poorer grasses and heather. Their grazing will help to ‘tame’ the site and, as well as providing benefits to other wildlife, this should help return the site to the sort of condition that is more favourable for Black Grouse.”
The rare Chequered Skipper butterfly is also present at Cow Hill and this is another – perhaps more important - reason for bringing cattle back onto the site. Chequered Skippers are found only within 25 miles of Fort William and nowhere else in the UK.
Tom Prescott, of the Butterfly Conservation Scotland, said: “Together with FCS we have pioneered specific management techniques – including cattle grazing - at the Butterfly Reserve at Allt Mhuic, Loch Arkaig, to benefit the Chequered Skipper butterfly and other important butterflies, such as Pearl-bordered Fritillary. This approach had great success, so we’re delighted to see this technique being applied across more sites.
“Applying these techniques at Cow Hill should improve the fortunes of Chequered Skipper and make it an easily accessible site for both locals and visitors to Fort William to see this rare and butterfly.”
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