Mountain Wildlife

Arran has some of the most beautiful and interesting mountains in Scotland, and although none quite make Munro status (>3,000 feet) they are as dramatic and wild as any that you will find on the mainland. The mountains are home to some special wildlife and a walk in the hills this weekend revealed many of these iconic, rare and/or hardy species.

The higher moors are populated by lots of different kinds of upland birds from the rare hen harrier, to the noisy curlew. On this particular occasion we were lucky glimpse a golden plover- a gorgeous wader that nests on the ground in open moorland. On the mountain tops it is possible to see ravens, peregrine falcons, and even the very special golden eagle.

The mountains of Arran are fashioned from granite, a rough volcanic rock that formed in the magma chamber of a vast volcano about 65 million years ago. The soils are thin and the conditions tough, and many of the plans that survive up here are very specialised. The picture is of a fir clubmoss- a small tough plant- not a true moss, that grows in upland areas. its smaller relative, alpine clubmoss, is only found on the highest tops of Arran and is perfectly adapted to the thin soils and wild weather of the summits.

You are very likely to see red deer if you take a walk in the mountains on Arran. Other mammals include the field vole which is found all the way from sea level to the top of Goatfell. Field voles are a vital source of food for many of the island's predators including kestrels, barn owls and hen harriers. Even if you don't actually spot one, you may notice their tunnels and runs that form in the longer moorland grasses.

To find out more about Arran's Mountain Wildlife why not book a place on the Sundews, Red Deer & Golden Eagles walk on the 14th May? If you are feeling less energetic then don't miss the talk about Arran's Amazing Mountain Wildlife on the 13th May tat the Ranger Centre in Brodick.
The Sundews, Red deer and Golden Eagles walk is generously sponsored by Arranshand Business Development Services.

Stunning weather, fantastic views....

Ok so todays post is all about the views! I had a meeting at the Old Byre Showroom just north of Machrie today and wow- look at the views they have outside their back door!A herd of Red Deer stags on the hill behind the Old Byre

Stunning views of a snowy Beinn Bharrain to the North.... Fantastic!

If you go down to the woods today.....

.............You might meet Carol from the Co-operative in a slightly worrying bunny suit and lots of wildlife rangers with furry animal puppets (what is the collective noun for wildlife rangers?).
Whats going on? Well without breaking the official secrets act I can tell you that Brodick Ranger service have called in mainland reinforcements to help them prepare for the primary schools workshops during the festival, so Lucy from FCS and Linda from Eglington joined Kate Corinna and Liz for some seriously creative sessions at Shore Lodge last week.
The workshops will be sponsored by th Co-op, who are becoming one of our key partners. The picture is of Carol presenting the rangers with a cheque for £655 at an Arran Banner photocall! Look out for the article in this week's Banner: www.arranbanner.co.uk
Thank you!

A cold and crisp seashore safari.

After the wild weather of recent weeks the team at the Arran Wildlife Festival were VERY relieved that the day of our seashore safari for local businesses dawned cold and crisp!
We had a fantastic afternoon poking about in rockpools on the beach. The hands stayed warm enough to find some amazing looking beasties, fish, invertebrates, starfish and a few mysteries too. Thanks to Kate Sampson from the NTS Rangers, Howard Wood from COAST and Graeme Walker from SNH who lent a hand.
Afterwards we enjoyed a drink at Lamlash Golf Club and a chat about the 2009 festival and plans for 2010. A perfect end to a fab day.
Gerard Tattersfield from the Auchrannie Resort gets up close to a starfish.

Some of the diverse life to be found at low tide on a rocky shore, even at the end of November!


Answers on a postcard please? (Clue- it appeared to have an armoured body and was about an inch long...)

The moon rises on a perfect afternoon on the beach.

Whiting Bay Primary School wins a turtle

Remember the Cool Seas Roadshow at last years festival? All of the island's primary school children took part in a fantastic day of marine themed activities including life sized inflateable sea creatures.

The children created wonderful collages of sealife and best composition was judged by Howard Wood of the Community of Arran Seabed Trust. It was pure coincidence that Whiting Bay school won the competition (Howard is a resident in the village!).
In recognition of their fantastic artwork, last week the school won an adopted turtle, under the Marine Conservation Society's "Adopt A Turtle Scheme". Under the scheme, for as little as £3 a month, you can support the work of the MCS and other conservation groups in protecting turtles around the world. Whiting Bay Schools turtle was funded by the Wildlife Festival.

The children were presented with a certificate and information pack, as well as a toy turtle to enjoy.

To adopt your own turtle and to find out more about the scheme visit http://www.mcsuk.org/marineworld/adopt-a-turtle/turtle+adoption

Somethin’ Rottin’ in Sannox

On Saturday 12 September Graeme Walker from Scottish Natural Heritage clearly demonstrated that there was somethin’ rottin’ in Sannox.

During a two hour guided walk starting at the Fallen Rocks car park at North Sannox he shared his passion for the incredible world of fungi with over thirty residents and visitors. Well over thirty species of fungi were found and Graeme displayed his extensive knowledge in a most interesting way. The spontaneous applause of the participants at the end of event was a clear measure of their enjoyment of the experience.

Arran Wildlife Festival Chairman Jim Cassels said “This Fungus Foray was an excellent taster for the 2010 Arran Wildlife Festival which will take place from the 12^th to19^th May 2010 and involve over 70 guided walks, talks and events.”

Press Release: Fungus Foray to Launch the Arran Wildlife Festival

The Arran Wildlife Festival will be putting the “fun” in to Fungus with a special Fungus Foray on Saturday 12^th September.

Prepare to be amazed when you join Graeme Walker from Scottish Natural Heritage for a free guided walk at North Sannox to find out about incredible fungi and the astonishing hidden world beneath the soil. The two hour woodland stroll will start at North Sannox Carpark (NS015465) at 1pm.

Graeme said “The Arran Wildlife Festival takes place in May each year which is great for most local wildlife but not the ideal time for spotting fungi so we thought we would do something Autumnal to launch the next festival with a Fungus Foray. On this walk we will prove just what a rotten place Arran really is!”

Arran Wildlife Festival Chairman James Cassels is pleased to be launching the dates for next year’s festival. “We are already excited about plans for next year and are keen to get started. The 2010 festival will take place from the 12^th-19^th May and we will be celebrating our fifth year,” he says, “next Saturday’s Fungus Foray is a taste of what the festival offers so put these dates in your diary now and expect something really special in May.”

Last May the 2009 Wildlife Festival attracted hundreds of visitors to over 70 guided walks, talks and unusual events. Over the coming months the organisers are looking forward to presenting the highlights of the festival to meetings around the island. For more information please see the website www.arranwildlife.co.uk or email info@arranwildlife.co.uk. The festival co-ordinator Lucy Wallace can be contacted on 07825 644161.

Image credit: Amethyst deceiver (Laccaria amethystina) Graeme Walker