256 January 2016 - Gryffe Advertizer

www.advertizer.co.uk january 2016
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Happy new year to all members, visitors and schools!
December was a very busy month with Christmas tree sales, conservation
work and many children attending the New Santa’s Grotto, so many in fact
that we completely sold out so if you missed out please book early for
next year. Although regarded by many as the quieter time of the year, the
next few months will see much activity, not only conservation work in the
woods and gardens but also gearing up for the snowdrop trails taking place
throughout February. We all look forward to seeing you on the estate soon
and the much anticipated opening of the Falconry Centre.
Dates for your Calendar:
Every Sunday in February we will have a ranger guided walk through the
snowdrop trail, these are from 1-2pm and 2-3pm. We will have a “Special
Moonlight Snowdrop Walk” in Feb the cost of this is £7.50 per adult and
£5 per child aged three or over. This is a pre book event please look at the
web site for details.
Waxwings Visit
The waxwing is a round bird, which is smaller than a starling. It has a large
Mohican-like yellow crest. It is reddish-brown with a black throat, a small
black mask round its eye
Waxwings have been visiting the estate this winter to feast on berries, the
birds don’t breed in Scotland but are winter visitors from Scandinavia. There
has been a very good season for them and large numbers ‘overflow’ their
home territories in what is known as an irruption, we then see increased
numbers stripping the bushes of berries.
Logs
Tearoom
Seasoned Logs available at Soft
Wood or Hard Wood - All logs are
produced on the estate
The Tearoom will be open at
weekends between 11am and
4pm.
In the garden
Further information call 01475
540505 or visit www.finlaystone.co.uk
We can normally expect January
to be our coldest month of the year, and probably the wettest also, with
average rainfall in the region of 200-250 mm; however even in these poor
conditions we can still enjoy the garden. Many shrubs and plants in our
winter border will be blooming; The Silk- tassel bush (Garrya eliptica) looks
stunning with its long silver catkins which can measure up to 14” (35mm)
in length; Viburnum bodnantense with their rose tinted flowers, (which are
sweetly scented) are still in bloom and are great value plants as they bloom
for most of the winter. Even though flowers are scarce at this time of year,
there are many evergreens; Conifers, Hollies, Mahonias etc which add
great structure to the garden (especially when draped with fresh snow),
they make great subjects for photographers and artists alike.
Winter vegetables now in season include Parsnips, Red and Green Brussels
Sprouts, Red Kale, Leeks and Purple Sprouting Broccoli.
Press cuttings
We would be grateful if you see anything about Finlaystone in the press
to cut it out and bring it in for our press files as these will help form the
archives of the future!
Volunteer news
Are you interested in doing some survey work? This is a great opportunity
for budding naturalists to hone their skills and for people interested
in nature to learn as we are planning on setting up several easy to do
monitoring schemes in 2015 – sampling lichens to assess air quality, bird
watching and wildflower I.D. No prior experience needed. Your data will be
used at a national level and could make a real difference to conservation
in Scotland.
And a big thank you to all the volunteers who help out in the woodlands and
gardens, we couldn’t run this place without you and we hope to see you in
the new year.
Volunteers required to help with Snowdrops
Regular visitors will be aware that February is Snowdrop time at Finlaystone
and many hours are spent lifting, splitting, selling and replanting these
magnificent plants. If you would like to be part of this activity, even if it is
just for a couple of hours, please contact Norah or Fraser on 01475 540505
or email shop@finlaystone.co.uk
Fraser Lang
Happy New Year on behalf of all the staff at Finlaystone
Kilmacolm Horticultural Soc
January lecture will be held in the New Community Centre, Kilmacolm, on
Wednesday 20th January at 7.30pm.
The subject of the lecture is
GARDEN BIRDS - a talk with
slides from the experts - the
Royal Society for Protection
of Birds (RSPB Scotland). Our
gardens provide a rich source
of nourishment and protection
for the birds, come along and
hear more. Everyone welcome.
Refreshments will be served
after the lecture.
Winter Waste
Local household waste and recycling centres will be open during the festive
season as follows. Both centres will be closed on Christmas Day and New
Year’s Day.
Renfrewshire: Middleton Rd, Linwood (nearest postcode PA3 3DP)
November to 29
February: Monday to
Sunday, 8am - 4.45pm
Inverclyde: Pottery
Street, Greenock PA15
2UH
October to March:
Monday to Sunday,
8am – 6pm