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.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