CHATTERBOX - Lochwinnoch

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FANTASTIC SKIES AT NIGHT Stargazing session at Muirshiel Country Park on Friday 19th February at 7pm The last of the great pre-telescope astronomers, the story of Tycho Brahe involves kidnapping, strange pets, false noses, excessive drinking, bizarre deaths and the occasional bit of astronomy thrown in for good measure! This will be part of the presentation from John Pressly of the Coats Observatory at the Stargazing night at Muirshiel Country Park on 19th February. Come prepared for being outside looking at the stars at this ‘dark sky’ site as well as inside to hear John’s presentation. Cold weather and icy road conditions cancelled the January session, so this will be the first spring session of 2010 to be held at Muirshiel Country Park Visitor Centre and, weather permitting, we should get a good view of the night skies unaffected by the light pollution generated by nearby villages, towns and cities. To have a truly great view of the stars with the naked eye without traveling too far from urban comforts this is a great place to come. The park is open 24 hours a day, although there are no facilities available at night except on special evenings like this, when the toilets are open and coffees and teas are available in the centre to warm you up. So come along and experience a great evening with like-minded people. To book a place or for further details please call Muirshiel Visitor Centre on 01505 842 803. LOCHWINNOCH FARMERS’ MARKET in Fairtrade Fortnight on Sunday 7th March from 11am – 2:30 pm at Castle Semple Centre, Lochwinnoch The popular Lochwinnoch Farmers’ Market, on the shores of Castle Semple Loch, will hold its next market on Sunday 7th March 2010 as part of Fairtrade Fortnight. A good range of seasonal produce will be available providing everyone with an alternative to supermarket shopping on what is the last day of Fairtrade Fortnight. The suppliers are members the Scottish Association of Farmers Market (SAFM) or guests of Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. All produce is subject to availability. Product availability on the day is likely to include: Meats & Ayrshire Dry Cured Bacon; Aberdeen Angus Beef, Black Face Quality Lamb; Breads, Cakes and Confectionary, Vegetables and Handmade Soups, Fish & Seafood, Honey, Handmade Cheeses, Dressings, Olives & Things. The Lochwinnoch Fairtrade group will be guests at this market with a range of Fairtrade food and drinks to try and to buy, such as coffee, tea, dried fruits, chocolate, biscuits, cereal and sweets as well as some Fairtrade crafts. With Spring just about here, the market will provide the opportunity to dust down the outdoor gear and have a go at cycling or paddling a canoe or rowing boat on the loch while visiting Castle Semple. The boat and bike hire guys will be on site all day for an early spring opportunity to get outdoors on a bike or in a boat. Martin of Express Cycles will be offering FREE safety checks to everyone coming by bike to this Farmers Market. He will also have a new range of 2010 demonstration bikes on show as well as a a good selection of parts and spares. Please call him on Tel 01505 682 191 / 0786 779 0889 if you need any cycle parts or advice. For those who would like a leisurely day there will be lots of things to see, people to watch or a Fairtrade coffee to enjoy in the scenic surroundings of Castle Semple Visitor Centre. This is the first Lochwinnoch Farmers Market of 2010. The Summer, Autumn and Winter markets will take place on Sunday 6th June, Sunday 5th September and Sunday 5th December 2010.
RSPB LOCHWINNOCH What a cold start to the year we're all having! With all 3 lochs completely frozen, the severely cold weather will really be having an impact on our birds. We have seen some unusual sights as a result of the big freeze, as many normally shy birds have gathered around areas of flowing water, as these are the only places available for eating and drinking! These have so far included water rail, jack snipe, snipe, moorhen, grey heron, mute swan, whooper swan, dipper, teal, goldeneye and mallards, plus lots of black headed and lesser black backed gulls sitting on the ice. Woodcocks and brambling are also being frequently reported around the local area. On the reserve, the feeding station has been completely mobbed as hungry birds desperately try to eat and keep their energy up to survive the freezing cold nights. This has brought in lots of the normal species as well as some unusual sightings, including a yellowhammer (the first on the reserve for over 10 years), 10 blackbirds all feeding at the same time, reed buntings, fielfares and bullfinches. Whilst this cold weather persists, there are a few things to remember to make sure that our birds are well fed and looked after: 1. Feed your birds. If you normally feed birds in your garden or local park, please continue to do so. The birds will be relying on these food sources as there is very little else available at the moment. If you don't normally feed your birds, please consider doing so. Kitchen scraps and rotten fruit and vegetables can be just as valuable as seeds, fats and peanuts. There are, however, quite a few foods to avoid including salty, mouldy and stale foods and many dried foods. Also, avoid using left over cooking fats from meat/poultry as this can carry harmful bacteria and cause birds to become very unwell and die. For advice about feeding birds, visit http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/ helpingbirds/feeding/index.aspx 2. Put water out. People often forget that during times of frost and snow, although there is plenty of frozen water available, there is little or no drinking water available for birds. Just today, at a nearby loch, the swans were so thirsty from eating so much bread that they were almost choking on it. Five minutes of clearing a bit of slushy ice soon brought all of the swans over, who quickly swallowed the water down. You will have to check your bird bath, margarine pot or ice cream tub (whatever you choose to put water into) daily as it is likely to freeze overnight. Just pouring a kettle full of warm water will give the birds a drinking water supply again. 3. Don't disturb groups of water birds. Birds that usually rely upon water bodies for food, water and safetyfrom predators will be lacking in all of these things due to the severe frosts. It is vitally important that these groups are not disturbed as every time they have to move or fly away, this uses up more of the little energy that they have left. Please avoid walking near them or being tempted to do so because the birds are not as active as normal. Please also keep dogs under control where possible as they can easily cause distress to birds. 4. Keep your nestboxes up. Whilst this may not be something that people would usually consider doing or thinking about at this time of year, nestboxes can provide much needed shelter from the cold for many species in the winter. Wrens in particular collect in large groups and will roost together in nestboxes. You may notice them arriving at your box from dusk onwards. Over 50 have been known to roost together in one box! If you have a nestbox camera, it may be worth switching it back on during the winter to see if you have any creatures using your box as a roost site. For further advice about looking after your birds, please visit www.rspb.org.uk/advice/helpingbirds Thank you for all of your help during this freezing spell. The birds will certainly appreciate it as do we all, and you never know, you might get something new or unusual in your garden too! Finally, a really nice picture of the water rail, take by reserve manager Zul Bhatia on Christmas Day. Paula Baker, RSPB Lochwinnoch Visitor and Publicity Officer © Water Rail Copyright Zul Bhatia Keep up to date with news and events at RSPB Lochwinnoch. Wildlife viewing all year round, nature trails and hides open at all times, Visitor Centre open from 10am-5pm daily, Bird Feeding Station and Treetop Tower, drinks, snacks and a superb RSPB Shop. Daily activities for families, guided walks throughout the year, school holiday activities, try our monthly ‘Wildlife Challenge’. An ideal day out for everyone. For bookings and information, Tel: 01505 842663 or e-mail us at: lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk or visit: www.rspb.org.uk/scotland Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com Search ‘RSPB Lochwinnoch’, click on us and receive regular updates. Follow us on Twitter: at http://twitter.com/RSPBLochwinnoch Subscribe to the RSPB Lochwinnoch Blog! For weekly updates, visit: http://www.rspb.org.uk/ community/blogs/lochwinnoch/default.aspx and subscribe using the RSS link.
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CHATTERBOX - Lochwinnoch

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