Well what an amazing period of weather we have had recently. It has allowed our brilliant volunteer force to carry out a huge amount of survey work on the reserve, but rather than listen to me talk about it we have asked one of our volunteers to tell you all about what has been going on...
Hello! My name is Sergio and I'm a residential volunteer at Forsinard, primarily assisting with survey work over the busy field season. I'm here to experience life in the Scottish Highlands, to learn more about British wildlife and to be a part of the RSPBs work. So far I've had a fantastic time, and would recommend residential volunteering at Forsinard to anyone wanting to get a good range of survey and practical experience, and who wants to participate in a fun and hardworking team environment.
We've enjoyed some really nice weather recently, with some members of staff sporting some very innovative sun burns, and the first midges of summer have arrived with the sun. The midges and other insect life support the large populations of birds like meadow pipits and skylarks, which in turn feed the spectacular birds of prey. We've had a lot of exciting sightings recently, including an osprey fishing and pine martens in the volunteer house's roof! The setting is spectacular and a hike up onto Ben Griam Beg in the heart of the reserve gives an idea of the vastness of Forsinard. The dramatic peaks of Ben Loyal and Hope to the West and Morven to the South are visible from almost anywhere on the reserve, often capped with snow.
View from Morven looking back across the peatlands towards Ben Griam and Forsinard
Survey work is focused on long term monitoring of upland habitats, measuring ecosystem responses to on-site management initiatives, or assessing the populations of key species of national conservation importance. Aside from birds, the major management and research activities at Forsinard revolve around the restoration of the natural landscape in this area, the bog, by removing non-native forestry plantation. Saying that we do, on occassion, get involved in some native planting in appropriate areas too.The RSPB is attempting to restore original, biodiverse ecosystems in areas such as Abernethy and Forsinard. This results in the strange situation where the RSPB is undertaking tree planting and afforestation in some areas, and felling non-native conifer plantations in others! Research at Forsinard is assessing how different clearance methods, such as mulching, affect the way the bog recovers.
As well as reserve management and monitoring, people engagement is a very important part of the RSPB's activities. School visits began this month, with local primary school children heading out to the bog with our field teacher in search of "mini-beasts", before returning to the visitor centre for a wildlife based arts and crafts session. More mature visitors are invited to join our guided walks, or follow the Dubh Lochan or Forsinain trails. (Details on the reserve page of the website www.rspb.org.uk/forsinard)
Lets finish this blog with some views of those crafty Pine Martens...
magnificent
, may have seen pine marten in forest of dean to quick for me to b sure