Events and Activities Plant Local Area NeTwork (PLANT) is an informal grouping of botanists from the Forth catchments whose objective is to assist with the monitoring and conservation of the local flora. Throughout the spring and summer, the PLANT group goes out locally, monitoring rare plants particularly orchids. If you would like to become involved, please contact the organiser: Roy Sexton at 01786 833409 or RoyGravedigger@aol.com 2010 - 2011 Winter Talks Programme Our talks are open to all, whether or not you are a member of the SWT or from our area. Please note that there is a change from last year. Talks will be held on the first Tuesday of the month at 7.30 p.m. at the Raploch Community Campus on Drip Road, Stirling, FK8 1SD (behind Sainsbury's). (Click here for map). To cover costs e.g. hire of hall, refreshments, etc, we charge £2.00 (students £1.00). Visitors should enter the building through the glass-fronted area on Drip Road. There is a large car park nearby. Tuesday 5 October 2010 Tuesday 2 November 2010 Tuesday 7 December 2010 Tuesday 11 January 2011 Tuesday 1 February 2011 Tuesday 1 March 2011 Tuesday 5 April 2011 Walks Saturday 28 August 2010: 11 am - 3 pm Monday 11 October 2010: 10 am - 12 noon Plean Country Park Sunday 14 November 2010: 10.30 am - 2.30 pm Falkirk Members Centre Tuesday 21 September 2010 Tuesday 19 October 2010 Tuesday 16 November 2010 Tuesday 21 December 2010 Tuesday 18 January 2011 Tuesday 15 February 2011 Tuesday 15 March 2011 Tuesday 19 April 2011 Outdoor Events and Activities organised by The Ranger Service provides a whole range of events for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the outdoors. They are a great way to discover nature, explore new areas and enjoy the health benefits of being out and about. Children are welcome at all our events but an adult MUST supervise under 16s at all times. Unless otherwise stated all events must be booked in advance. For further information about the events, and to book, please call 01786 442971 during office hours. If you have booked a place and can't make it, please call to cancel so your place can be given to someone else. *Biodiversity Action Days - This is your opportunity to get some gentle exercise outside and give something back to the environment. For these days refreshments, tools, gloves and equipment are provided but please bring your own lunch. Dress appropriately for the weather and wear stout footwear. Outdoor Events and Activities organised Meet the wardens - For a chat and what can be seen from the new tower. Sunday 21 August - 2 - 4 pm. Book a place please Sunday 25 September - Drop in 1 - 4 pm. No booking required Sunday 24 October - Drop in any time from 10.30 am - 3.30 pm or stay for the day. No booking required WINTER EVENTS BELOW INVOLVE AN ENTIRE DAY OUT ON SOME OF THE BOG'S MORE REMOTE PARTS, WITH A WALK IN AND OUT Sunday 7 November - 10.30 am - 4 pm. Book a place please Sunday 12 December - 10.30 am - 4 pm. Book a place please Sunday 6 February 2011 - 10.30 am - 4 pm. Book a place please
A Year in the Life of the Scottish Beaver Trial
Simon Jones (Scottish Wildlife Trust)
Scotland's Wonderful Seas
Calum Duncan (Marine Conservation Society)
Conserving Our Native Plants
Robin Payne (Scottish Natural Heritage)
BTO Garden Birdwatch. Your Garden Needs You.
Mandy Cook (British Trust for Ornithology)
Wildlife Conservation in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park
Gwenda Diack (National Park Ecologist)
RSPB Reserve at Vane Farm
Chris Rodger (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (TBC)
AGM and Members' Night
Walk in Woodland Trust reserves around Glenquey near Muckhart led by WT volunteer, Jim Christie. Taking in a variety of habitats. Please book with: sextonsp@aol.com
and 2 - 4 p.m. Mine Woods, Bridge of Allan
Fungal Foray with expert Liz Holden. Organised by Stirling Ranger Service and must be booked in advance. Please call 01786 442971 during office hours.
Circular 'bird rich' walk down the upper Forth Estuary (5 miles) guided by our local Reserves Manager Alistair Whyte. Taking in the SWT Reserves at Cambus Pools, Tullibody and Alloa Inch. Please book with: sextonsp@aol.com who will supply details.
2010 - 2011 Winter Talks Programme
Talks, starting at 7.30 pm, are held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at the Christian Centre in Glebe Street, Falkirk.
Ravens and Magpies -
The Truth and Nothing but the Truth
Ian Gibson
Structures built by Animals
Prof Mike Hansell (Glasgow University)
St Kilda
Stephen MacDonald
Wildlife Down Under - Encounters (or not) with Wombats and others in New South Wales and Tasmania
David Shenton
Caledonian Pine Woods
John Mulgrew
East of Scotland Sea Eagle Project
Claire Smith, RSPB, Perth
Poisonous Plants
Dr Roy Sexton
AGM and Members' Slides
Stirling Ranger Service
Saturday 7 August - Sunday 21 August
Stirling Access Festival
This Festival celebrates Stirling's magnificent scenery, heritage and wildlife. Aimed at all ages and abilities everyone is invited to join in with free events taking place in some of the most picturesque parts of the Stirling Council area. More details will be available from this summer, online at www.stirling.gov.uk.
Saturday 28 August 8.15 - 11 pm
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Bat.
Experience the bats and moths of the Back Walk followed by a short walk to the Stirling Observatory for an informative and fascinating introduction to the skies above, all in the company of local experts.
Monday 30 August 10 am - 3 pm
*Ragwort and the rest, Doune Ponds
Now that the insects have made full use of the flowers, help us remove the Ragwort plants and then show some more TLC to this well-loved site.
Monday 6 September 1 - 4 pm
*River Walk, Bannockburn
Take some pride in the waters of the Bannock Burn. Help care for the wildlife, and make it a nicer place for visitors by clearing the litter and debris along the Bannockburn Heritage Trail. Wellies are advised, and waders for the more adventurous!
Saturday/Sunday 11/12 September
In association with the East Dunbartonshire Walking Festival, we will be co-leading a guided walk with the Mugdock Ranger Service in Stirling's south west corner. Contact the Mugdock Ranger Service for more information on 0141 956 6586.
tbc: Saturday 25 September
Whose side are you on?
Join the experts on our archaeological walk as part of Scottish Archaeology Month. An archaeologist will be transporting us back to the time of the Battle of Sheriffmuir as we guide you around the battlesite and the surroundings.The date and time has yet to be confirmed so call now for further information and to book your place on this exciting guided walk. Bring walking boots, lunch and weatherproof clothing.
Monday 11 October 10 am - 12 noon Plean Country Park and
2 - 4 pm Mine Woods, Bridge of Allan
Fungus among us
Why are moulds and fungi so important to us and how do you tell them apart? Expert Liz Holden will be on hand to guide us through this fascinating kingdom and introduce us to some of these amazing autumnal fruits.
Wednesday 10 November 10 am - 3 pm
*Mid-wood made good, Bridge of Allan
Join the Rangers to do some work on the woods that create a beautiful green back-drop to this special spa town.
Saturday 27 November 1 - 3 pm
Feed the Birds DIY, Plean Country Park
Come along to learn how to help our feathered friends through the cold winter months. Make your own bird box and bird feeders. All equipment provided.
Wednesday 8 December 10 am - 3 pm
*Back Walk BlitzI
It's always a challenge keeping the Back Walk and Gowanhill free of litter. Come along and lend a helping hand to remove litter from the paths, woodlands and grasslands below the castle.
by Scottish Natural Heritage at
Flanders Moss National Nature Reserve
Sunday 11 July - Meet 9 am. Book a place please
Look out for lizards - A short early morning walk around the boardwalk to look for lizards and maybe adders.
Sunday 15 August - Drop in 1 - 4 pm. No booking required
Make more of the bog - A Crafts day: Meet at the boardwalk, collect some natural materials and learn how to make them into something.
Meet the wardens - For a chat and what can be seen from the new tower.
Family Work Day - A chance to walk a little way out onto the bog's soft wet surface and cut down some dwarfed birches. The work involves saws and loppers and parents will need to supervise children. Wellies and old warm clothing advised. We'll probably get a bonfire going too nearby. Meet at boardwalk.
AND ARE SUITABLE FOR REASONABLY FIT ADULTS
Slash, Burn and Baked Potatoes - an autumn day cutting and burning invasive scrub on a flower-rich traditionally managed wet meadow.
Cut Your Own Christmas Tree - Help clear small pine trees from the bog for the day, then take home your own, personally selected, native Flanders Moss Scots Pine.
Woodland Tidy Up - Dismantle disused pheasant pens from Ballangrew wood on the western edge of Flanders Moss and salvage material for reuse or recycling.
For more information on the Reserve, go to www.nnr-scotland.org.uk