Isle of Rum Year of Natural Scotland Ranger Events Programme Weekly favourites (on-going throughout the summer)

Transcription

1 Isle of Rum Year of Natural Scotland Ranger Events Programme 2013 Weekly favourites (on-going throughout the summer) Evening Talk: An Introduction to Rum If you want an insight into Rum s natural and cultural heritage, then you re welcome to attend this twice weekly lecture. Covering all sorts of topics from the sea eagle re-introduction to Rum s Mesolithic industrial heyday. Please note: This talk runs every Tuesday & Thursday at 8.15 pm in the Community Hall during the summer season. No need to book, all welcome. 3/ Discover Rum (guided walk) Have you ever wondered why Mesolithic man was living in this remote wilderness nearly 8,000 years ago? Did you know that Manx Shearwaters are by far the most common bird species on the island, but why don t you ever see them during the day? Join the Community Ranger on this relaxing two hour walk and find out the answers, see some amazing wildlife and discover much more. Please note: This guided walk is aimed at Wednesday day trippers, so if you ve been on the island for a few days, this probably isn t for you. If it is however, you can either turn up and buy tickets on the day, or book through Caledonian MacBrayne ferries Ltd (but this will be extra as this package includes bus travel to and from Fort William and ferry out). Meet at the ferry terminal at 1145 for a two hour (easy walk, of just under 2 miles). 5/ 2.50

2 Rum Seabird and Dolphin Experience- onboard the MV Sheerwater (boat trip) Rum is surrounded by an extremely rich marine environment and is one of the best places in Europe for seeing seabirds and cetaceans. During this two hour mini pelagic trip to the Island of Soay, encounter our most important breeding bird, the Manx Shearwater doing what it does best. There s a good chance of seeing a range of other sea life too, including minke whale, basking shark, harbour porpoise, bottle-nosed and common dolphins, or even rarer species like the sun fish, killer whale or leatherback turtle. Please note: this trip runs from late April - Mid September only, but will run on every Thursday over that period unless weather bad. Meet at the ferry terminal at c1230, back Interested parties or individuals need to register their interest in advance (at least the day before if possible). Please contact the Ranger on ranger@isleofrum.com 10/5. Where Eagles Dare (guided walk) Fortunately no Burtons or Eastwoods here, but plenty of the real thing... golden and white-tailed sea eagles. On this two & a half hour tour into Rum s interior, experience firsthand the eagle environment, and of course the birds themselves. Within a spectacular setting, learn about their identification, breeding biology, ecology and behaviour of Scotland s biggest birds of prey. A true Highland experience, not to be missed. Please note: Runs every Friday morning ( ). This guided walk is considered easy to moderate as covers a distance of approximately four miles, but on a relatively good surface. This walk may be cancelled at short notice if weather bad (eagles don t like the wind and rain). 5/ No need to book, unless a large group. Events by month April Otter Walk - 2 nd April (Tuesday) Spend the morning with the ranger exploring the beautiful coastline along the south side of Loch Scresort between Port Na Caranean and Caves Bay in search of the European Otter, an area of the island which has always been a well known otter hot spot. We ll search for tracks and signs of this elusive and iconic Highland species and hopefully we ll spot one too! Please note: This four hour walk sometimes runs along uneven and boggy ground, so please come prepared. Binoculars and telescope are provided. Places for guided walk are limited so booking is absolutely essential. Please Mike Werndly for further information or to book a place on ranger@isleofrum.com. Meet outside Community Hall at 0930 (back ). 5/ 2.50 Meet the locals - The Manx Shearwater: Night time colony guided walk 13 th April (Saturday evening)

3 If you wish to learn more about the amazing ecology and behaviour of this nocturnal species (on land anyway) and the current research that s being carried out on Rum, then you re welcome to join island staff from SNH and the local community from 1900 for a short lecture followed directly by a guided night time walk up to our nearest mountain colony on Hallival. Shearwaters return to their high top burrows to breed, and here you will sense the awakening of the shearwater city as the rushing wingbeats of the first arrivals are heard in the darkness. Soon the air is filled with birds, many calling eerily. The cacophony crescendos as birds call on the wing and from the ground, some on the surface, others from within burrows. This will certainly leave you with a lasting impression! Please note: This guided walk is hard, as terrain is uneven and difficult in places, but not impossible. And it will be dark of course! If you re accustomed to mountain walking, then this walk should not pose any significant problems. Participants of the night-time guided colony walk up to Hallival (c m) are asked to be at the Community Hall by 1900.We will aim to leave at 2000, and the outward walk up will take between 1 2 hours. We aim to be back down in Kinloch at approximately As you ll be out in mountainous terrain for many hours in the dark, it is imperative that you bring a reliable head torch (and spare batteries), appropriate footwear and warm/waterproof clothing (a chocolate bar and a flask is a good bet too!). Places for guided walk are limited so booking is absolutely essential. Please Mike Werndly for further information or to book a place on ranger@isleofrum.com Event free, please meet at the Community Hall at 1900 (with all necessary personal equipment required for walk). Kilmory Beach Clean and BBQ - Sat 20 th April It is estimated that over one million birds and 100,000 marine mammals die every year from entanglement or ingestion of plastic. It is a huge global issue representing a major threat to many species. Plastic never biodegrades, it just breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces and never disappears. It comes from many sources - the public, fishing activities and shipping. Unfortunately, like many others, our coast is littered with tonnes of plastic from fishing buoys to old welly boots. Please lend us your muscles to clean one of our most beautiful beaches at Kilmory, meet some of the locals and enjoy a lunch time BBQ too. Please note: Event free, and all welcome (donation for BBQ appreciated). Meet at Kilmory at c There may be lifts available, so please contact the Ranger on ranger@isleofrum.com nearer the time. May Spring Flowers - May 7 th (Tuesday) After a pretty dark wet and windy winter, we look forward to seeing many of our flowering plants again in the spring. Join the Ranger on this relaxing walk around Kinloch Glen and Village as we get close to a wide variety of moorland flowers as well as the inspiring combination of bluebells and primroses within the village woodlands.

4 Please note: Guided walk (easy walk), meeting point is outside Community Hall at 0930, back at c.1230.all welcome and no need to book. 5/2.50 Biodiversity of the Rocky Shore - May 20 th (Monday) When you look at the shore it might seem pretty empty, but in fact it is full of hidden life. If you dig in the sand, turn over a pebble or peer into a rock pool, you can discover lots of fascinating animals and plants, the diversity is quite amazing. If you fancy getting a closer look at this hidden world of wracks and anemones, then roll up your sleeves and explore Loch Scresort with the Ranger at low tide from Please note: Guided walk(easy to moderate as beach potentially slippery), meeting point is outside Community Hall at 0930, back at c.1230.all welcome and no need to book. 5/2.50 Rum Geology Day - May 21 st (Tuesday) Like many other places in the Highlands, Rum is testimony to a long and turbulent geological history. If you would like to find out more, please join local expert Jim Blair from the Lochaber Geopark as he takes you back to the islands formation. This relaxing guided walk will take you up onto the lower reaches of Hallival and Coire Dubh, so a relatively good level of fitness is required. Please wear appropriate footwear, clothing and some lunch as we ll be out all day. If you feel that a relatively high level climb is not your thing, there s still a chance to learn more about Rum s past as Jim will also be giving a geology lecture in the Community Hall from Please note: This guided walk is moderately hard, if you re accustomed to hill walking you ll be fine. Places for this guided walk are limited so booking is absolutely essential. Please Mike Werndly for further information or to book a place on ranger@isleofrum.com Meeting point is outside Community Hall at 0930, back around Free event Our Ancestors - May 28th (Tuesday) Even though the mountains and glens are now empty of people, their past still resonates within us wherever we are on the island. This is particularly apparent at Port nan Carannan, one of a handful of scattered old townships throughout the island. Here we will explore Rum s human past. Please note: This guided walk is at sea level but is graded as moderately hard, but if you re accustomed to walking over rough and potentially wet slippery ground you ll be fine. Meet outside the Community Hall at 0930 (no need to book). Back in Kinloch at c1400, so bring a bite to eat. June Wildlife Photography Workshop: June 1 st -2 nd (Saturday and Sunday) Photographing nature can be rewarding but difficult. If you re one of those people that often ends up capturing the furry or feathered behind of something fuzzy, or you ve completely missed anything that s even vaguely furry or fuzzy and want to improve your DSLR skills in the field, then this workshop is for you!

5 Help turn around your future photographic opportunities by joining professional photographer George Logan from Scottish Photography and IRCT Ranger Mike Werndly on this short weekend course. It s aimed at entry level participants and will focus on many things from macro, aperture and composition during informal indoor sessions and some great outdoor walks. Please note: Places for this weekend course are limited so booking is absolutely essential. Please Mike Werndly for further information or to book a place on ranger@isleofrum.com. The course cost does not include accommodation which will have to be booked separately, please see accommodation providers on the Isle of Rum website Also, please bring all camera equipment as not provided. 20/10 kids The Moths and butterflies of Rum - 10 th June (Monday) June is a fantastic time of year to see many of the butterfly and moth species found on Rum. In the morning, join the Ranger from 8am in the Community Hall and take a much closer look at some of Rum s fantastic moth species and help dispel any myth that moths are drab in any way! After lunch from 2pm you are welcome to come along on a butterfly walk up Kinloch Glen and learn more about butterfly recording and hopefully see many of the specialties of Kinloch Village. Please note: Guided walk over easy ground. Informal morning moth trapping session from in the Community Hall. Butterfly walk starts at 1400 (meet outside Community Hall), back around Free event Tree Identification workshop - 11 th June (Tuesday) Unless you live on Orkney or the Antarctic, trees are ever-present. Indeed many of us will stop to take time to appreciate their diversity, beautiful shapes, colours and textures without knowing what species we re actually looking at. If you need help to make accurate identifications or just want a bit of practice then join the ranger on this three hour morning workshop around the woodlands of Kinloch. Please note: Guided walk easy. Meet at the Community Hall at / 2.50 Meet the locals: Rum s Red Deer (midsummer camping trip) 21 st -22 nd June (Friday evening and Saturday morning) Take this great midsummer opportunity to join staff from the Kilmory Deer Project who will be closely monitoring pregnant female red deer at this time of year. Most calves born each year are caught within a few days of birth, and these are marked for future identification, weighed, and tissue samples taken for later genetic analysis, so you ll be getting a privileged insight into some of the projects important research. Kilmory is a fantastic place at any time of year, but the long days and close overnight proximity means that hopefully you ll get to discover a whole new side to the island s wildlife. Please note: Numbers limited, so booking essential, please contact the Ranger for further information on ranger@isleofrum.com. Please bring all food and camping equipment and suitable clothing. Binoculars and scope provided. Personal camping equipment will be taken down to Kilmory

6 by Land Rover on the Friday at 3pm (meet outside Community Hall), and the group will leave soon after on foot with the ranger for evening watching (eating and pitching tents will be fitted in around this time too, it s all pretty informal). It s a 5 mile walk (taking 2 hours) on a rough track, so is classified as a moderate walk. Saturday morning we ll be up early again for more of the same, but with an option of eagle or otter watching. Land Rover leaves back for Kinloch with equipment at 3pm, for those wishing to catch evening ferry. NO DOGS PLEASE. 10/ 5 July Damsels and Dragons - 2 nd July (Tuesday) Dragonflies and damselflies are really the essence of summer and there can be few more enjoyable ways of spending a morning than strolling along one of our many burns or sitting quietly at the edge of a lochan to watch their activities. Dragonflies and damselflies are fascinating insects with complex behavioural traits that are often easy to observe as they flutter and dart among the fringing plants. This guided walk aims to delve into their often unseen lives and will help you to understand their behaviour in the field. Through a bit of hands-on dipping, we ll also learn about their fascinating alien-like life stages. Please note: Guided village walk, easy. Meet at the Community Hall at 0930 (for 2 hours dipping fun) 5/ Kids Biodiversity Afternoon - July 12 th (Friday) Through hands-on games and exploration, take up Ranger Mike s challenge to spot as many different animals and plants in one afternoon as possible or take a closer look at the shore wars or follow a limpet trail. During our last activity, use your speed, strength and brain power to help your team mates win the biodiversity race! Please note: Energetic exploring and games, so relatively good fitness required. Meet outside Community Hall at 1300 (1600 finish). 5 adults, kids go free. All welcome, no need to book. Storm Petrels - 15 th July (Monday Evening) Storm petrels are tiny seabirds that breed on remote Scottish islands and headlands in the summer months, and like their larger cousins the manx shearwater, they spend the majority of their lives out at sea. Being such a small and vulnerable species they are easy targets for gulls, so they remain far out at sea during the day. At night it s a different story because it s safe to forage around our inshore waters closer to the island with fewer predators, and it is here that they are easier to monitor. If you would like to learn more about this enigmatic species then you re welcome to join the Ranger during this night time monitoring session. Here, storm petrels are captured under licence by use of mist nets (a safe, tried and tested method), from which they are carefully extracted by trained bird ringers. They are then ringed, weighed/measured and quickly released. The information gained from this study helps build a clearer picture of the species demography.

7 Please note: Guided walk moderate as uneven in places and as access to and from net site is undertaken in the dark, sincere thought must be taken before undertaking event. Please come with appropriate clothing (including head torch) and footwear. Places for this guided walk are limited so booking is absolutely essential. Please Mike Werndly for further information or to book a place on ranger@isleofrum.com As event is dependent on good weather, a last minute cancellation may apply. Approximate timings; meet outside Community Hall at 2000 back in village at / 2.50 August Kids Biodiversity Afternoon - August 26 th (Monday) Through hands-on games and exploration, take up Ranger Mike s challenge to spot as many different animals and plants in one afternoon as possible. Take a closer look at the shore wars and follow a limpet trail. During our last activity, use your speed, strength and brain power to help your team mates win the biodiversity race! Please note: Energetic exploring and games, so relatively good fitness required. Meet outside Community Hall at 1300 (1600 finish). 5 adults, kids go free. All welcome, no need to book. A Rum pony insight - August 27 th (Tuesday) Join SNH Reserve Officer Lesley Watt on an up close and personal look at the island s favourite four legged friend, the Rum Pony. Please Note: Guided walk easy. Meet outside Community Hall at 1330 (for about an hour with the ponies). All welcome (free) September The Beginners Guide to Fungi - September 2 nd (Monday) Slow right down and fix your eyes to the ground this September as we hunt the many fungi that will be on show around Kinloch during autumn. Enthuse over some of Scotland s 12,000 species of fungi; they come in all shapes and sizes, colours and smells so they re a great group for us to have a look at. Come along, get your book out and let s get into these great organisms! Please note. Guided walk easy. Please meet Community Hall at 0930 (we ll back for lunch!). All welcome, no need to book. 5/ 2.50 Meet the locals - The Manx Shearwater: Night time colony guided walk September 7 th (Saturday Night) If you wish to learn more about the amazing ecology and behaviour of this nocturnal species (on land anyway!) and the current research that s being carried out on Rum, then you re welcome to

8 join island staff from SNH and the local community from 1900 for a short lecture followed directly by a guided night time walk up to our nearest mountain colony on Hallival. Shearwaters return to their high top burrows to breed, and here you will sense the awakening of the shearwater city as the rushing wingbeats of the first arrivals are heard in the darkness. Soon the air is filled with birds, many calling eerily. The cacophony crescendos as birds call on the wing and from the ground, some on the surface, others from within burrows. This will certainly leave you with a lasting impression! Please note: This guided walk is hard, as terrain is uneven and difficult in places, but not impossible. And it will be dark of course! If you re used to mountain walking, then this walk should not pose any significant problems. Participants of the night-time guided colony walk up to Hallival (c m) are asked to be at the Community Hall by We will aim to leave at 1900, and the outward walk up will take between 1 2 hours. We aim to be back down in Kinloch at approximately As you ll be out in mountainous terrain for many hours in the dark, it is imperative that you bring a reliable head torch (and spare batteries), appropriate footwear and warm/waterproof clothing (a chocolate bar and a flask is a good bet too!). Places for guided walk are limited so booking is absolutely essential. Please Mike Werndly for further information or to book a place on ranger@isleofrum.com. Event free, please meet at the Community Hall at 1900 (with all necessary personal equipment) October The Rum Rut - 5 th and 12 th October (Saturdays) Take the opportunity to discover the island s wider natural heritage at one of nature s greatest spectacles, the red deer rut. Due to the research that s been carried out at Kilmory for over 40 years much is known about the red deer on the island. By joining field researcher Ali Morris you ll not only get the chance to observe these majestic animals close at hand, you ll get a first hand insight into the projects important work. Whether you re into photography, animal behaviour or just want to know what it was like working with BBC s Autumnwatch, it doesn t matter; you ll definitely appreciate the action. Please note: Guided walk moderate to hard as Kilmory is a 5 mile walk (one way). Meet outside Community Hall at We aim to be at Kilmory by 1130 and depart by 1330 (2hours in the field) back in Kinloch at c.530. All welcome, no need to book. 5/ 2.50 The Changing Season - 15 th October (Tuesday) During this walk we focus our thoughts on the complex relationship between climate and day length and the spectacle of migration. Many of our summer migrants such as swallow, willow warbler, and blackcap will be departing for warmer climes, whilst wildfowl and waders will be arriving from further north. Late summer butterflies will also be out on the wing on sunnier days and many fungi will be obvious among the damp forest glades. We can t compete on the scale and spectacle of the North American fall, but out native trees offer a subtler show nevertheless.

9 Please note: Guided walk easy. Meet outside Community Hall at 0930 (back 1230). All welcome no need to book, 5/ 2.50 Coastal Otter Walk - 29 th October (Tuesday) Spend the morning with the ranger exploring the beautiful coastline along the south side of Loch Scresort between Port Na Caranean and Caves Bay in search of the European Otter, an area of the island which has always been a well known otter hot spot. We ll search for tracks and signs of this elusive and iconic Highland species and hopefully we ll spot one too! Please note: This four hour walk sometimes runs along uneven and boggy ground, so please come prepared. Binoculars and telescope are provided. Places for guided walk are limited so booking is absolutely essential. Please Mike Werndly for further information or to book a place on ranger@isleofrum.com. Meet outside Community Hall at 0930 (back ). 5/ 2.50