'Writing the Wild'

 As part of the Environmental Arts Festival Scotland, we organised a creative writing workshop called 'Writing the Wild' led by the wonderful writer Fiona Russell. We had a good turn out, great weather and a fantastic afternoon on the moor.

'Inspired by Moorlands' art exhibition

As part of  the Environmental Arts Festival Scotland (EAFS) we are hosting a satellite event at Langholm. 'Inspired by Moorlands' is an exhibition of artwork.. paintings, sculpture, poetry, field sketches and digital illustrations.. from local artists and visiting artists inspired by Langholm moor.

Come along to Langholm Town Hall
7th - 14th September
10 - 4pm 6- 8.30pm

a few examples of artwork

 

 

 

 

' Black Grouse' 2013 Illustration by Ayla Paul www.aylapaul.nl

' Blue Hare' Colin Blanchard  www.colinblanchard.com

Langholm Harriers update

After the activity and energy of a busy breeding season, this time of year can feel very empty. We've been so priviledged to watch the harriers arrive, display, nest build, incubate and raise young. The weeks following fledging were jam-packed with activity. The data from the satellite tags fitted by Steve Murphy at Natural England, allow us to follow the young birds as they begin to explore the world beyond Langholm moor.

The bird's first winter is a dangerous time for any young bird dealing with challenging winter conditions and new habitats. Young harriers (like many raptors sadly) face the added threat of illegal persecution which make this a very nervous time of year too.

In previous years,  some Langholm birds have made spectacular journeys - like McPedro who travelled through France and onto Spain and wintered there...

this map shows McPedro's journey back up to Scotland from Spain after spending his first winter there.

what will 2013/2014 bring for Grainne, Hattie, Blue and Miranda?


Grainne remains fairly settled on the moor, Blue has begun to explore in various directions but still in the general area. Hattie is spending more time on the southern edge of the moor and Miranda has gone furthest and made a move into Northumberland.

 

 

 

Langholm Harriers update

 

 

All four of the Langholm harriers are doing well. The birds are utilising an area approximately 12kms x 6kms. So far Miranda and Grainne have pretty much stuck together. Blue has been the more mobile of the juveniles moving 49.813 km in the week up to 25th August; Grainne 31.345km, Miranda 27.71 km and Hattie 21.36km.  The figures for distance travelled are the absolute minimum distance between the most accurate fixes, the birds will have travelled significantly further than the totals quoted. Miranda has made a slight foray over the A7, the next batch of data may tell us if this a temporary excursion or the start of a shift out of the natal area.

Harrier movements update 22nd August

All the young harriers are doing ok and still in the Langholm moor area. Hattie (117314) left the natal area yesterday for the first time and was tracked heading towards her sibling Blue (117316). The sisters Grainne (117313) and Miranda (117315) have established a definable home range on the western flanks of Roan Fell.

On the evening of the 22nd, the neighbouring broods finally crossed paths. Grainne (11713) and Hattie (117314)  were tracked simultaneously in the same air space..

August 2013 Harriers on the move.. almost

The young birds are now at the pioneer stage of exnatal dispersal. By this stage we'd expect the young harriers to be fully independent, killing their own prey and making mock stoops at anything that moves. Sociality between adult females and their offspring has been recorded up to 30km from the nest, however, the majority of young harriers go it alone soon after they start to roost away from the nest. The data this year has provided a good opportunity to look at whether the broods from the different nests interacted and apart from one or two weak fixes, it appears that there was little overlap in their home ranges.

117316 Blue (male)
117315 Miranda (female)
117314 Hattie (female)
117313 Grainne (female)

 

Hen Harrier Update: All four satellite-tagged harrier chicks are spreading their wings but remain close to their nest sites with their parents and siblings.