Caithness Countryside Volunteers Help Out At Forsinain
30th January 2014
The Caithness Countryside Volunteers ventured across to Mackay country this month to work on a �boggy� project on the flows of Sutherland. The peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland are a globally important habitat and the RSPB are currently undertaking work to restore some areas of former conifer plantation back to native bog.
The Caithness volunteers were put to work on a part of the reserve called Forsinain which is in the process of being restored. The volunteers removed young conifers saplings which have set seed in the felled areas. Claire Foot, RSPB Assistant Warden said �It was fantastic to have the help of the Caithness volunteers alongside our own residential reserve volunteers. Everyone was so enthusiastic and we managed to get more done than I had hoped possible. The public can visit Forsinain and walk the nature trail, details are available at rspb.org.uk/Forsinard.� �
The need to conserve the peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland has been recognised since the 1980�s. Paul Turner from RSPB explains �At Forsinard Flows RSPB Scotland has been actively blocking drains and restoring damaged areas of bog on deep peat since 1995 and volunteers alongside local contractors have been a key part of that effort.
This work is now internationally recognised as significantly contributing to combating climate change as well as improving water flow in our rivers and allowing key moorland birds such as golden plover, short-eared owl and curlew to return. And all that is great for attracting visitors to the Far North. The Caithness Countryside Volunteers have so many tasks they could be tackling, we really appreciated them making the time to support us.�
The Caithness Countryside Volunteers meet monthly to work on projects around the county, new members are always welcome. Please contact Kirsty.rosie[AT]highland.gov.uk for more details.
Related Organisations
Related Articles
Caithness Countryside Volunteers AGM and Work Day
See poster for details..
Caithness Countryside Volunteers Work Day and AGM
CCV work day and AGM..
Day of action at Caithness bird haven
After an extremely busy breeding season, most of the nesting birds have now left St Johns Pool, near Dunnet which gave the Caithness Countryside Volunteers the ideal opportunity to get into action before the winter migrants begin to arrive. The volunteers undertook a range of activities such as wood preserving the viewing hides and fence posts.
Caithness Volunteers enhance habitat for the Small Blue butterfly
Members of the Caithness Countryside Volunteers turned out in force on Sunday (30 October 2016) to assist with a habitat enhancement project for a rare butterfly species in the Dunnet Bay area. Dunnet Bay is home to the most northerly colony of the Small Blue Butterfly whose caterpillars depend solely on kidney vetch as a food source.
Caithness Volunteers enhance habitat for the Small Blue butterfly
Members of the Caithness Countryside Volunteers turned out in force on Sunday (30 October 2016) to assist with a habitat enhancement project for a rare butterfly species in the Dunnet Bay area. Dunnet Bay is home to the most northerly colony of the Small Blue Butterfly whose caterpillars depend solely on kidney vetch as a food source.
Volunteers Spruce Up Mey Bird Hide
Members of the Caithness Countryside Volunteers were pleased with the dry weather on Sunday morning as they were busy painting the second coat of wood preservative at the Loch of Mey bird hide. The local Scottish Ornithologists' Club (SOC) were fortunate to access a grant from the Action Earth Awards to pay for the wood preservative, brushes, wood and guttering to undertake vital repairs at the bird watching facility.
Save The Sound Of Summer - The Great Yellow Bumblebee
The sound of bumblebees buzzing around our flowers on a warm sunny day is a sure sign summer is here. But bumblebees are also an essential part of the countryside, responsible as they are for pollinating our crops and wildflowers.
Caithness Volunteers Get Giant Hogweed Under Control
Members of the Caithness Countryside Volunteers, with direction from John Parrott from Coille Alba, undertook control measures on Giant Hogweed along the Wick riverside last weekend. Growing to 20 feet high, this impressive plant was once planted in gardens but has become a problematic invasive species in Britain, particularly along river banks.
Environmental volunteering is key to healthier, happier, more employable young people, says SNH chairman
Scotland’s young people can become healthier, happier, and more employable by taking part in environmental volunteering, according to the chairman of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). An estimated 90,000 people take part in environmental or wildlife volunteering in Scotland each year.
Wick High Pupils Build Bug Hotel
Pupils at Wick High School have been regularly working with the local Highland Council countryside ranger at Newtonhill Croft Woodland over the last 6 months. The youngsters have been working in all weather conditions and have undertaken a wide range of tasks such as hedge cutting and tree planting.
Search Our Site
Information
What's On
Submissions
