Thursday 26 January 2017



Blog update from Seasonal Education Assistant Jan 26th 2017

Hi! I’m new to the moorland project so thought I’d tell you a bit about my time here so far.


We have been working closely with students from Langholm Academy and Learning Base; some of whom are volunteering with us as part of their Duke of Edinburgh and Saltire Awards.
Tasks have included setting camera traps, (aiming to capture wildlife footage) restocking bird feeders, carrying out bird surveys and litter picks as well as putting up bird boxes along the Tarras.
We’ve seen lots of different wildlife including a Hen Harrier and have found some promising signs of otters along the Tarras – including their poo! This is also known as ‘Spraint’ and is distinctive due to its strong but not entirely unpleasant aroma. Hopefully we will catch some video footage of this most elusive of creatures having set up several camera traps along the burn.
I’m looking forward to meeting and working with more of the community over the next few months and am particularly looking forward to our Easter holiday events as well as the return of Moorland May.

 – More details coming soon – Watch this space!.....

3 comments:

  1. Welcome to Making the Most of the Moorlands. Glad to see you are enjoying your time on the project. Its great to have you on board. Best wishes for your time with the Project.

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  2. Good luck with getting footage of the otters. I've seen one up there. It was on the moorland road not that far along from the Borders cattle grid on the Newcastleton road in the early hours when I was out studying the Short-eared Owls. Not sure why it went over the road rather than under the bridge the small burn flowed through, but I didn't complain as I was able to watch it on the road for about a minute. Hoping to be back up there in March, so fingers crossed you get some Shorties this year. Bryan B.

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