Caithness Countryside Volunteers

Bird box build – Dec ’11

Kirsty MacLeod — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:24:35 +0000

We met on Sunday (11th) at Seadrift in Dunnet to make some bird boxes. We had a successful morning and built 16 boxes. These are for smaller bird species such as sparrows and great tits, and will be distributed around the county. This event was phase two of a larger project funded by the Caithness Partnership Environmental Fund Programme, sponsored by Scottish Natural Heritage & Highland Leader.

We then enjoyed a nice buffet lunch to end our last project of the year!

Thor House – Nov ’11

Kirsty MacLeod — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:17:13 +0000

I missed this one so update to follow…..

Patrick Sinclairs Grave – Oct ’11

Kirsty MacLeod — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:48:16 +0000

We met on Sunday 30th in Lybster to clear the path to Patrick Sinclairs’ Grave. It was 2 and a half years since we last visited and cleared vegetation here, and it was well grown over again. This time we managed to locate the original path and bridge to the grave. Cutting back lots of whins and a few trees we managed to make it easily accessible. Hopefully people will start using it again now, helping to establish the route and keep it clear.

St Johns Pool – Sept ’11

Kirsty MacLeod — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:35:28 +0000

On Sunday 25th we met at St John’s Pool to give the new bird hide its first coat of wood preserver. With a good turn out we managed to get the entire main body of the hide done in time before the rain started, and ready for winter. After a hard mornings work we then enjoyed some lovely soup and cake!

For more information visit: http://www.stjohnspool-birds.co.uk/

Wick Riverside – August ’11

Kirsty MacLeod — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 15:24:34 +0000

A bit of a wash-out! Strong wind and driving rain made for a quiet event. With just the Ranger + 2 and some horrendous weather we quickly gave up on trying to weed a flooded path, and unblocking the culverts was impossible with them all under water. Instead we retired to my house for tea and cake!

Newtonhill Woodland – July ’11

Kirsty MacLeod — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:55:28 +0000

We were back to Newtonhill woodland this month (Sunday 3rd) to continue the job of planting trees in the new community woodland.

June ’11 – No event this month :(

Kirsty MacLeod — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 13:53:13 +0000

Salmonberry at Tister Farm – May ’11

Kirsty MacLeod — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 13:52:35 +0000

Details to follow…..

Wildlife Garden at Thrumster Primary School – April ’11

Kirsty MacLeod — Thu, 12 May 2011 13:24:42 +0000

We met on Sunday 10th to undertake a range of environmental projects at Thrumster Primary School wildlife garden. A number of broadleaf trees were donated by Forestry Commission Scotland and Caithness Countryside volunteer, Melanie Spirit. We planted and fitted rabbit spirals to each tree. We also tackled the overgrown willow bower, cutting it back and restoring some shape to it. The existing trees in the wildlife area were cut back and planters and borders were weeded. We were supported on the day by head teacher, Mrs Mackay, parents, pupils and local residents.

Marina said: “The beautiful weather on Sunday inspired the volunteers to get stuck in with the work and their efforts have made a great impact on the wildlife area. Thanks to the volunteers, the school children and local wildlife will enjoy and use the garden even more.”

Wildflower meadow – March ’11

Kirsty MacLeod — Thu, 12 May 2011 13:19:16 +0000

For our second event in this month (Sun 27th) we ventured further afield than usual to help Paul Castle in Bettyhill (though he was late because he forgot to put his clock forward!). The Farr Glebe is an important site for the rare great yellow bumblebee, and the meadow was in need of some small scale management. The grass had already been mown so we were raking it up again to encourage higher levels of flowering. This year we focused on areas that weren’t mowed and raked last year.