25th
May - 2nd June 2002
A week of unique opportunities to observe Highland wildlife in Caithness,
Sutherland and Ross & Cromarty.
The Highland Council Ranger Service....
Presents a
week of unrivalled opportunities to get close to the rare, beautiful and
unique wildlife of the North Highlands. Expert rangers will guide
you to view some of the birds, animals and plants that make the North
Highlands THE destination for lovers of wildlife.
Guided walks, illustrated talks, minibus tours and wildlife hides will
all be used to make this an unforgettable week of wildlife watching.
The Highland Council acknowledges the contribution made by Scottish
Natural Heritage and CASE to the running of these events.
Events are free except those requiring a contribution to
transport costs. These charges are highlighted in the programme.
In order to avoid disturbance to the wildlife, numbers
are limited on some of the walks. It is important to “BOOK YOUR PLACE”
by telephoning the number detailed in the programme.
Some of the walks will require a certain level of
fitness so please check for details when booking your walk.
FOR DETAILS AND TO BOOK
Contact:
Highland Council Ranger Service:
Tel: 01847 821 531
(between13.00-17.00)
or email mary.legg@highland.gov.uk
Please dress for the vagaries of a Highland summer.
Suntan lotion, waterproofs, stout shoes and midge repellent are
recommended for all the walks.
You may also wish to bring something to eat and drink. Dull coloured
clothing will also increase the likelihood of us seeing our quarry before
it sees us!
SORRY...
We would appreciate if all
children under the age of 16 are accompanied and that no dogs are brought.
For further information about Caithness, Sutherland and Wester Ross
including accommodation and places of interest, you might like to visit
the following web sites:-
www.assynt.co.uk
www.broraweb.freeserve.co.uk
www.caithness.org
www.celticfringe.org
www.coigach.com
www.dornoch.org.uk
www.dunnethead.co.uk
www.durness.org
www.helmsdale.org
www.highlandwildencounters.info
www.host.co.uk
www.lairghighlands.org.uk
www.letsgonorth.com
www.rspb.org.uk
www.sutherlandcommunity.co.uk
www.snh.gov.uk
www.ullapool.co.uk
www.visitjohnogroats.com
www.wildcaithness.org.uk
Timetable
Sat 25th May
Visit a black
grouse lek and search for waders of the Flow Country.
Meet at
the Ferrycroft Centre, Lairg.
Time 05.00-09.00. Minibus charge £2.00.
Dawn chorus on the
flows -“B”
Experience
the dawn on the RSPB Blàr
nam Faoileag reserve. Breakfast at Strathmore Lodge
available afterwards.
Meet
at the end of public road by Loch More.
Time 06.00.
Contact the RSPB for bookings/further details.
Tel: 01641 571 225 or
e-mail:forsinard@rspb.org.uk
Woodland Wanderings -“B”
A cycle ride into
Rhidorroch Estate to explore the variety of indigenous woodland from the
water loving alders to the “granny” pines, remnants of the ancient
Caledonian forests.
Meet outside
the Ullapool Museum with bikes
(bike hire available from Scotpackers hostel) and packed lunches.
Time 11.00-16.00. Family event.
Easy but dress for a boggy experience.
Puffins without puffing -”C”
Evening
observations at a colony near Durness.
Meet
Balnakiel beach, Durness.
Time 19.00-21.00.
Sun 26th May
Flying fishermen -“A”
See Osprey and Heron at their nests.
Meet
at Golspie car park.
Time 14.00-16.00. Minibus charge £2.00.
Raring to go -
“C”
Hunt for rare plants including Scottish primrose
and mountain avens.
Meet
Durness golf course car park.
Time 14.00-16.30.
Mon 27th May
Dawn Chorus in Flowerdale -“C”
Flowerdale
glen with its sheltered woodland is an ideal venue to hear the dawn chorus
develop. Optional follow on -Breakfast at the Old Inn then join the walk
from Rubha Reidh Lighthouse to view seabirds on the sea stacs.
Meet at the
car park at the entrance to Flowerdale estate. Grid Ref. NG 811 753.
Time 04.30-07.00.
Hands on Handa -“C”
An all day visit
to this special seabird island to view the thousands of breeding seabirds.
Meet at
Tarbet. Time 09.30-16.30.
Charge-£8.50 (ferry trip-weather permitting).
(Ferry £7.00, SWT £1.50)
Night Walk -“B”
Enjoy the
excitement of viewing wild badgers at a sett.
Meet Rosehall
Trail car park.
Grid Ref. NC 479 018.
Time 19.00-21.00.
Tues 28th May
Northern Limits -”A”
Explore the
extensive dune system of Dornoch for an amazing array of plants.
Meet at the
airfield carpark, Dornoch.
Time 10.00-12.00.
Invernaver, a
special place -“C”
Edged by sweeping dunes and backed by mountains
this reserve is famed for its arctic/alpine and peatland plants.
Meet
at Bettyhill car park.
Time 10.30-14.00. Bring Lunch.
In search of divers
-“B”
A car tour to
visit the best sites for red- throated, black -throated and great northern
divers.
Meet at Lochinver
car park by the petrol station. Time 11.00-15.00.
Weds 29th May
The kingdom of the Ptarmigan -“D”
A demanding walk
to explore the mountain kingdom of the fascinating ptarmigan bird.
Meet at the
Beinn Eighe National Nature
Reserve Nature Trail car park.
Grid Ref. NG 001 650. Time 10.00-16.00.
Packed lunches and drinks required.
Please be prepared for mountain weather conditions.
Limestone plants of Inchnadamph -”A”
Discover the
distinctive flora of this National Nature Reserve.
Meet at
Inchnadamph car park.
Grid Ref. NC 251 216. Time 11.00-15.00.
Seabird City -“B”
Enjoy the
sites, sounds and smells of a seabird colony set amidst the spectacular
scenery of the far north coast.
Meet
at the Harbour Cafe, Wick Harbour.
Time 11.00-14.30. Bring lunch.
"The unique wildlife of the North west’
An illustrated
talk by the local ranger on the wildlife that makes the North west so
special.
Meet at the
Assynt Visitor Centre, Lochinver.
Time 19.30.
Thurs 30th May
Otter watching -“B”
Learn what
clues to look for and field craft skills needed to find this endearing
animal. Wear “drab” clothing.
Meet at
Achmelvich car park.
Grid Ref. NC 057 246.
Time 07.30.
Divers and diverse beasts -“C”
A guided walk
across an area frequented by red and black throated divers.
Meet opposite
the Scourie shop car park.
Time 09.00-13.00.
Dunnet’s hidden
treasures -“A”
Explore the dunes
to see Scottish primrose, the most northerly small blue butterflies, seals
and divers.
Meet at
Dunnet car park (north). Grid Ref. ND 219 705 Time 11.00-15.00. Bring
Lunch.
Friday 31st May
Watery world of the salmon
Explore a
Wester Ross river habitat, home to salmon and trout. Wester Ross Fisheries
Trust staff will share their knowledge of these fascinating fish with you.
Details to be
announced closer to the time.
The intention is for the venue to be in South Wester Ross.
Night Walk -“B”
View wild badgers
at a sett.
Meet at
Rosehall Trail car park.
Grid Ref. NC 479 018. Time 19.00-21.00.
Sat 1st June
Visit a black
grouse lek and search for waders of the flow country.
Meet at the
Ferrycroft Centre, Lairg.
Time 05.00-0900.
Minibus charge £2.00
Seabirds, stacks and seals
A boat trip to view seabirds from John o’ Groats to Duncansby Head or
Stroma.
An RSPB event.
Details to be arranged. Please contact the RSPB on Tel: 01641 571 225 or
e-mail forsinard@rspb.org.uk
Otterly Marvellous -“C”
An early morning
otter watch amongst the spectacular north west scenery.
Meet at Scourie
beach. Time 06.00-09.00.
Minibus will take group to two locations frequented by otters (no
guarantees).
Sun 2nd
See osprey
and heron at their nests.
Meet at Golspie car
park.
Time 14.00-16.00.
Minibus charge £2.00.
WALK GRADES
Grade “A”
Walking on
established paths on various surfaces and slopes.
Grade “B”
Walking over paths
and rough/ boggy ground at low level - reasonable level of fitness is
required.
Grade “C”
Walking over
rough/boggy ground and some hills - a reasonable level of fitness is
required.
Grade “D”
Walking through
and over mountainous terrain - a good level of fitness is required.
DETAILS FROM A LEAFLET -
Designed by: The Planning and Development Service.
The Highland Council
Photos: Laurie Campbell |