Making the Most of Moorlands: Update

More migrants on the moor.

Saturday 23rd April 2016


More migrants returning this morning. Saw my first Whinchat of the year and heard a Cuckoo (also a first for 2016) at Harrier Corner. Also enjoyed stunning views of the male Harrier and witnessed a mating (another first). Lovely start to the day! After a quick coffee I headed along the Tarras from Rashiel and added a male Redstart and Tree pipit to the list of arrivals.




Male Whinchat singing at Harrier Corner






Male Redstart along the Tarras

 

Making the Most Of Moorlands: Update

Exploring the moorland with Hottsbridge Primary

20th April 2016


Spent a great morning on the moor with a lovely group of students from Hottsbridge Primary School in Lockerbie. We explored what makes a moorland, met some of the flora and fauna including mosses, heather, a common lizard and a newly emerged Emperor Moth and used our senses to connect to the atmosphere of the moor.

The sun shone and a great time was had by all. Big thanks to the great group of kids who made my morning a pleasure.

 

A beautiful day on the moor!

 

 

A newly emerged Emperor Moth

 

You mess with the Moorland staff you get a 'slug on the nose'!!

 



 

 

Making the Most of Moorlands: Update

Merlin Vs. Harrier - The battle continues.....

18th April 2016


Another worthwhile stop at Harrier Corner after the John Muir session this morning. There was some skydancing and the Merlin Vs Harrier war was still raging on with a male Harrier making the mistake of picking on the female Merlin today. The macho male Merlin was having none of that sort of behaviour and rushed to his lady's aid and a spectacular chase ensued with both species showcasing their phenomenal flying skills. Before too long the male harrier drifted off over Middlemoss and the pint sized hero returned to his rock to bask in his glory.





The male Merlin defends his lady's honour against a male Harrier.

 

 

The male Harrier gets his own back

 

The male Merlin makes another pass.

A male Harrier turns the tables on the female Merlin/

The next guided watch will be on Saturday 30th April at Harrier Corner, 8am - 12 noon. See you there!

Making the Most of Moorlands Update:

Migrants return to the Moor

15th April 2016


A short spell on the moor today turned up a couple of returning migrants in the form of a pair of Wheatear at Cronksbank and a Willow Warbler singing along the Tarras. A brief stop at Harrier Corner proved worthwhile with a male Harrier and a Raven suffering the wrath of the resident Merlin pair. A Short eared Owl had also been seen earlier on in the day. Rick.

A male Wheatear at Cronksbank today.

A Raven getting 'duffed up' by a Merlin.

A soggy Goat.

Award Winners!!

 We were very excited to be nominated for a Scottish Rural Award (www.scottishruralawards.org) a couple of months ago and were invited to attend the Awards dinner at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh on March 31st.

  Beckie Davies (Seasonal Education Assistant) and Margaret Pool (Vice Chair Langholm Initiative) accompanied me and we didn't think we stood a chance of winning as we were amongst some very esteemed company of fantastic National Charities doing incredible work across Scotland- so we were amazed when our wee community/education project won a Highly Commended Award in the Education Category.

Thank you to everyone involved in the project including staff, volunteers, project partners and funders, we couldn't do the work we do without you.

A huge thank you to our funders Heritage Lottery, Holywood Trust, Robertson Trust and M&S.

Making the Most of Moorlands: Update

 

A fantastic morning on the moor

Saturday 9th April 2016

We enjoyed another fantastic watch on Saturday morning at Harrier Corner. Regular views of both male and female harriers were enjoyed by observers from the Langholm area as well as those from Newcastle, Sunderland, Merseyside, Appleby, Geltsdale and an RSPB trip from Glasgow. Red Kite, mating merlin, brown hare and roe deer also put in an appearance alongside Raven, Kestrel and Buzzard. We were even treated to some skydancing just before noon. The weather was unusually kind again and enjoyed by both the bird watchers and birds with Stonechat, Curlew and Red Grouse also displaying. Thanks to everyone who came along, it was a cracking morning!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The RSPB Glasgow Local Group has posted a trip report including their visit to Langholm here:

                                              

 http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/glasgow/reports/

 

 

 

Making the Most of Moorlands Update: 6th April 2016

Living in a box.....

Got some great jobs done with Michael, one of our volunteers today. Cleared out some nest boxes, put some up and made a few open fronted boxes to try and attract something a little different..... Fingers crossed! Massive thanks to Michael for giving up his time and helping out.

Making the Most of Moorlands: Update

 

Wild Spirits of the Moorland - Saturday 2nd April 2016

Much fun was had on the 'Wild Spirits of the Moorland' session on Saturday. The group discovered their own totem animals and created a protective charm, became a wolf pack, crossed streams and followed ancient trails, found a variety of tracks and signs and explored both the past and present wildlife of Langholm Moor. We returned soggy but happy after a great day on the moor.

 

Thanks to everyone who joined us (your behaviour and enthusiasm was brilliant!) and a special thank you to Wendy Patterson who came along to help out.