293 February 19 - Gryffe Advertizer

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The Advertizer
Help Stop
Wildlife Crime
If you witness a suspected wildlife
crime in action call 999 immediately
and ask for the police.
For all other enquires call your local
Police on 101. Alternatively, contact
your local Police Force directly.
If you wish to
anonymously
report a wildlife
crime online
please contact
Crimestoppers.
Gryffe Hillwalking Club
Gryffe Hillwalking Club was formed in 1985. We are
based in Houston (west of Glasgow), but our members
live dispersed throughout Renfrewshire and beyond.
We have a very mixed membership, from those who
like to walk with a group and have a social day, to
experienced mountaineers including seven of us who
have completed all the Munros in Scotland. Some, due
to family and other commitments, venture out only a few
times each year, while others get out on the hills every
other week.
The Club is affiliated to Mountaineering Scotland, which
gives members access to discounts at various shops
(10-20%), huts, insurance and other benefits.
Want to find out more? See our website:
gryffehillwalkingclub.com or email the club secretary
(Paul Prior) at: paulrprior@gmail.com or call/text him
on 07747 847181 for more information.
RSPB Lochwinnoch
Despite the dull winter weather, there
is plenty of exciting wildlife to be
explored here at RSPB Lochwinnoch!
The Barr Loch has continued to
provide fantastic displays of wintering
waterfowl – with the ongoing presence
of large numbers of coot, wigeon and goldeneye to be
seen; as well as several shoveler, great crested grebe,
tufted duck, and many others.
On the woodland trails you will hear many birds starting
to sing their spring songs, sung to stake out breeding
territories and attract mates. There is much competition
for territories, and the Robin’s (Erithacus rubecula)
spring song can often be heard from December onwards
in milder years. If you listen carefully on the woodland
trail, you may also hear Great tit (Parus major) singing
- their call can be easily remembered as it sounds like
they are calling “teacher, teacher”!
If you want to find out more about the reserve and the
work that goes on here, then why not come along on
our Wetland Guided Walk on Sunday 10th February?
The walk will be led by our warden Dan, who will take
you around the reserve and point out the interesting
wildlife to be found here. Dan will also tell you about the
current and future management of the reserve because
conservation involves much more than just leaving
things alone!
For further information about any of our volunteering
roles, or any of our events, please contact any member
of staff in the Visitor Centre, email us, or call us.
For more information about the reserve or any of
our events, please call 01505 842 663 or email
lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk.
BoW Hillwalkers
Andy Shand
Birds, Buddhism and Blue Whales
- an illustrated talk
Friday 1st March
@ 7.30pm
McMaster Centre
Donaldson Drive
Renfrew
PA4 8LX
All Welcome
The Bridge of Weir Hillwalkers have a full programme
of walks over the next few months including visits to
Ben Ledi, the Sma’ Glen The Brack and hopefully a
return trip to the Chain walk in Fife.
There are weekend trips to Braemar and
Ardnamurchan proposed and the International
section is off to Saas Fee in Switzerland.
Check out our Facebook page or donwwsmith@
gmail.com if you want to find out more.
Gary Prescott
(The Biking Birder)
Green Birding and the Adventures
of The Biking Birder – an
illustrated talk.
Friday 1st February
@ 7.30pm.
McMaster Centre
Donaldson Drive
Renfrew
PA4 8LX
All Welcome
Deadline date for our March 2019 issue - Friday 15th February - you don’t want to miss it!!