330 November 2022 - Gryffe Advertizer

out & about
Guid Widi Wal
Sunday 13th November - 10am to 12noon at RSPB Lochwinnoch
Nature Reserve, Largs Road, Lochwinnoch PA12 4JF. £5 - £12.50
Call 01505 842663 for further information.
Explore the wonderful wetlands to be found at Lochwinnoch! Our
warden will take you around the reserve and point out the interesting
wildlife to be found here. They will also tell you about the current and
future management of the reserve because conservation involves much
more than just leaving things alone!
Whether you have a general interest in wildlife, or would like to hone your
wildlife watching skills, then this is the walk for you! Stout footwear and
clothing suitable for the Scottish outdoors are strongly recommended.
Sant’s Misin Ride
1st to 24th December as per opening hours at RSPB Lochwinnoch
Nature Reserve, Largs Road, Lochwinnoch PA12 4JF
£3 per child. Normal entry fees apply for non-members
Santa’s reindeer were supposed to be helping
him out by finding out what some of the
wildlife here at RSPB Lochwinnoch would like
for Christmas, but have got themselves lost!
We need your help to see if you can find the
reindeer and complete the list of presents for
Santa.
As you explore our woodland trail, see if you
can spot any of the missing reindeer whilst keeping an eye out for some
of our special wildlife creatures that will tell you what they’re hoping to get
as presents! Find all the reindeer and complete the wish list for presents
and we’ll give you a special reward for completing it!
Next Deadline...
#331 December: 9th November
Brige Of Wi tuta Socit
We have enjoyed a slightly warmer, drier autumn, but this month, expect
colder spells and towards the end of November sleet or snow showers.
This still gives gardeners time to tidy, collect fallen leaves and mulch
around shrubs e.g., acers and azaleas. In nature, falling leaves cover and
mulch the forest floors, these duly break down and provide nutrition for
the trees. Divide large clumps of perennials, particularly those growing in
a circle around the dead centre. Dig up the old crown and put in recycling,
it has done its job and pot up plants for family, friends – and members!
Don’t over-tidy! Leave flower and seed heads alone as these will provide
shelter for insects. At ground level ladybirds or the chrysalis of next year’s
butterflies will be hibernating in the leaf mould. Collect self-seeded plants
- Forget-Me-Nots and Perennial Geraniums are easy to spot. Re-pot in
good compost, water and place in a sheltered area to over-winter.
Plant any forgotten bulbs, as long as the ground is frost-free. Tulips
usually go in last to avoid Tulip Fire/Botrytis. Throw away any tulips with
small black spots – this is Botrytis in its infancy. Discard these in general
recycling. Start off indoor bulbs. Remember to choose bulbs which have
been brought-on especially for early
displays. Read the growing instructions if
aiming for a display at a particular time!
With milder weather, there are more
occasions when summer plants enjoy late
bursts of colour. Here’s a Passion Flower
which didn’t get the chance to flower last
year - earwigs nibbled the outer petals
and ate the tender contents. It’s now
in a container and spent the summer
putting on root growth before belatedly
producing buds which flowered last
month. By covering the stems with a
sticky viscose-type cream, boarders were
successfully repelled! This took time, but
it worked!
Fireks et t pp on etu
Inverclyde’s annual fireworks display is set to pop when it
returns next month following a three-year absence.
The extravaganza, which is free to attend, returns to the skies above Battery
Park on Saturday 5th November.
This year’s display will be set to a score of contemporary pop music from
the last year.
The fireworks will start at
7pm, but there will be food
stalls and entertainment,
including fairground rides,
from 5pm.
The Battery Park car park
will be closed to the public
and the area is expected
to be busy, so people
are advised to arrive in
good time and use public
transport where possible.
local community, local business, local life ......... 38