252 September 2015 - Gryffe Advertizer

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52 the advertizer t: 01505 613340 e: info@advertizer.co.uk Windows on Wildlife Update The Windows on Wildlife Project aims to bring people closer to wildlife, gaining a unique insight to the furry & feathered inhabitants of Castle Semple Country Park. Project Officer Hayley Douglas gives us an update. Wildlife News The heavy rainfall has unfortunately claimed another otter casualty on top of the female from last month. This time it was one of the two cubs, a young dog, who was found on the road and brought to me late at night, not long after he had been knocked down. This casualty really saddened me as we have done so well over the last few years in raising the awareness of drivers that otters may cross the road, which has seen the installation of the two ‘Caution Otters’ signs to replace the handmade (and my favourite), ‘Slow Baby Otters’ signs. It has been almost 3 years since we last lost an otter on the road which was back in the early days of the Windows on Wildlife Project. You may remember Bob, our big dog otter who was the first otter that we caught on camera. Sadly he was caught out by the heavy rainfall and killed on the road. His son, Rob, then took over the territory after he matured and is still the resident dog otter. The cameras have captured fantastic interactions between all the resident otters and have really allowed us to promote their existence in the area. I am often asked if fencing could be put up to stop the otters crossing the road but this just wouldn’t be feasible. Most of the time they swim under the bridges but when the levels are high they won’t do this. The truth of the matter is that otters are low to the ground, slow, dark animals and can be hard to see as they cross the road. They are more likely to cross the road when it is raining so please get the message out there that, if it is or has been raining PLEASE slow down and watch for the otters. Most people in the area haven’t seen one and if you take your time driving on the A760 you might just spot one or more of these charismatic mammals. More Info… Details can be found on the Park’s website page www. clydemuirshiel.co.uk or by emailing wow@clydemuirshiel.co.uk. Footage can be viewed on the Park’s Youtube channel or on the WoW Facebook page. Talks to groups can be arranged if you are interested in finding out more about your furry and feathered neighbours. As we say goodbye to August, and with the kids back at school, we can reflect on a wonderful summertime had by all even though it was very wet. The estate is blooming with colour and from the Overnight Camping to the Duck Races and Falconry Day, we have had wonderful feedback from our visitors young and old. Our new Falconry Centre is near completion so look out for our Grand Opening Day coming soon. Tips of the month; now is the time to plant spring flowering bulbs; Daffodils, Crocus, Grape Hyacinth, and others, but wait until later in the year to plant Tulips. Watch for frost reports, and bring tender plants inside before the first one. For events in September, please see our What’s On section in this issue. Visit www.finlaystone.co.uk for more information Bridge Of Weir Horticultural Society Details of the Flower Show will appear in next month’s magazine. Despite cool and showery weather, there has been a great show from many garden shrubs and flowers. Hydrangeas and Hypericum are very floriferous this year and Roses and Clematis have also flowered well. Roses with single, 5-petalled flowers fare better in changeable weather and are less likely to suffer bud rot or bud drop. Double flowers rarely produce pollen and are, therefore, less attractive to bees. After flowering, prune rose stems back to sturdy new growth and an outward facing bud to encourage more flowers. Clematis cope very well with variable conditions. It is myth that a clematis likes its feet in the shade and its head in the sun. It is not the shade that the roots require, it is the water that lies in the shade. If clematis are given adequate watering and adequate mulching they will happily flower in full sun. If, as predicted, we are in for more varied and extreme weather patterns then choosing plants and shrubs to reflect these changing conditions will prolong their flowering season and help the bees. Nipping out for a little deadheading between the showers will also extend the flowering season. Thursday 8th October will find us getting together for our first meeting of the new season in the Royal British Legion. Our guest speaker will be Robert McCaw FCI Hort. Who will talk about the Plant Hunters. We look forward to meeting any new members and, of course, any visitors.
www.advertizer.co.uk september 2015 53 53 Welcome to Scotland’s largest Regional Park Scottish Multi-Class Regatta 3 - 5 September It’s time for the Scottish Multi-Class Regatta! Come down and support your local teams on Saturday 5th at Castle Semple Loch and watch all the sailing action! All of our colourful hansa 303 dinghies look amazing when they are out competing, just see some of the amazing images online from Race 2 the Games 2014. Summer Event Fun! Our summer family events were a great success with some families needing carrier bags to take all their crafting creations home with them! Amongst the entertainments were lovely butterfly creations, amazing and huge dens were created and families have enjoyed cooking bannock bread over traditional campfires. Doors Open Day The Inverclyde Tourist Group are providing a FREE bus from Kelly Street Greenock, on September 13th at 1pm, up to Greenock Cut Visitor Centre. Contact Jean MacKenzie of Inverclyde Council if you would like to book a space! Castle Semple is the week prior and the Rangers will be running Tower Tours on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th September. Outdoor Activity Courses There are still courses available if you want to learn a new skill or try out a new sport! Plus there’s always our kayaking, canoeing, powerboating and sailing taster sessions, there are also team games and archery if water isn’t your thing! Looking ahead we also have a Junior Multi Activity Week in the October break! New ‘What’s On’! The new ‘What’s On’ is out at the end of this month! Look out for it coming into Visitor Centres soon and pick up your copy. Keep up to speed with events and activities taking place on the Park’s Facebook facebook.com/ClydeMuirshielRegionalPark or Twitter @Clydemuirshiel pages. Plant Sale For Charities Duke of Edinburgh Programmes at Clyde Muirshiel The Park has recently expanded our range of expeditions and skills to suit Duke of Edinburgh students of all abilities. Park Special School students East Ayrshire recently completed their Bronze overnight expedition canoeing around Loch Lomond with the support and guidance of Clyde Muirshiel Outdoor Activity Instructors. Get in touch with dofe@clydemuirshiel.co.uk if you know of a group of 14-24 yr olds who could benefit from a tailored programme! Ride 63 Club News See facebook for details, we meet on the last Thursday of the month and new time of fortnightly on a Sunday morning. Full details on Ride63 facebook. Email the Secretary at ridesixtythree@ gmail.com to become a member or email the Park at routes@ clydemuirshiel.co.uk for more information. CMRP Online Keep up to speed with events and activities taking place on the Park’s Facebook facebook.com/ ClydeMuirshielRegionalPark or Twitter @Clydemuirshiel pages. Regular Events Mondays (put not public holidays) - Lochwinnoch Community Walks meet 10.30am at The Cross, Lochwinnoch. Weekly Volunteer Groups - Newcomers always welcome! Thursdays Castle Semple Conservation Volunteers, Adult group, from 12.30pm – 3.30pm. Saturdays Greenock Cut Conservation Volunteers, Adult group, 10.30am – 2.30pm. Sundays Castle Semple Young Volunteers, 12-18 yr olds, 10am – 12noon. End of season plant sales in the centre of Kilmacolm at the Cross outside the Library and Cargill Centre on Saturday 12 September from 10am - 12noon. Admission Free, donations welcome. Beneficiaries - Parklea “Branching Out” receives 40%, the net remaining to SG Beneficiaries. Disabled access and dogs welcome.
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252 September 2015 - Gryffe Advertizer

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