Posts for January, 2024

Monday 13th: Bat and Moth Evening, Upper Deeside

8.30pm – 10pm, Braemar

Our evening will start by looking at the marvellous moths that have been caught in the light traps from the previous evening. We will then go on a short walk to watch and listen for bats that are emerging to hunt insects. This event is suitable for families.

We will explore the wildlife of the Cairngorm mountains on this guided walk around Glenshee. Weather permitting we aim to use the chair lift to ascend a munro called the ‘Cairnwell’. We will search for mountain wildlife such as Ptarmigan and Mountain Hare as well as alpine plants. If the chairlift is not running then we will walk up the tracks from the ski centre. A reasonable level of fitness is required for this guided walk (especially if the chair lift is not operating!). This event is suitable for families.

Join this fun, hands-on event that’s great for all the family! You will see a wide variety of beautiful and intricately patterned moths up close and personal, all caught the previous night by Dan and Rachael. This event is suitable for families.

We will enjoy a 5km/3 mile walk through Caledonian Forest in Upper Deeside looking for birds of prey, carnivorous plants and a variety of insects. This event is suitable for families.

Saturday 18th May 2024: Dawn Chorus, Upper Deeside

6am – 9am, Braemar

Join this introduction to bird songs and calls as we listen to many species in along the River Dee and Caledonian woodland. Get to know the commoner species and understand a little more about how to identify different bird calls and songs. This morning is suitable for beginners right through to expert birders!

Over two days and nights we will look for Dark Bordered Beauty in the Aspen stands of the Dee, Aberdeenshire. This species is scarce and will require a focused trapping effort as well as daytime searches. We will also operate traps at higher altitude to try for a couple of Scottish specialities. Target Species include Dark Bordered Beauty, Northern Dart and secondary species include Northern Arches, Cousin German, Chestnut-coloured Carpet, Grey Mountain Carpet, Pretty Pinion, Dark Tussock and Scotch Annulet. Two nights, two days, starting on the evening of 2nd August, finishing lunchtime 4th August.

We will be showing the film ‘The Bough Breaks’ which has, at its heart, the work of visionary conservationist and ecologist, Alan Watson Featherstone. His charity, Trees for Life, has been restoring Scotland’s ancient Caledonian forest since the 1980s.

The film also explores the wider ‘Rewilding’ movement and how its model of large-scale forest restoration can mitigate some of the global conservation and climate crises currently threatening life on Earth.

Alan’s personal journey illustrates the urgency for more individual responsibility in the stewardship of our planet and the enormous legacy one man can gift to the future, by staying true to his personal vision.

This award-winning film (75mins) was produced by the small team at Mousehole films and the screening will be followed by a Q & A session with the film makers.

Tea and coffee will be available.

Contributors to the film include those listed below, who each explain how Alan’s approach has inspired them and why it is so important we follow his lead:

– George Monbiot (Orwell prize-winning journalist, activist and author of Feral and Regenesis)
– Roy Dennis MBE (pre-eminent conservationist and author of Restoring the Wild)
– Dr Duncan Halley (Norwegian Institute for Nature Research)
– Shaila Rao (Ecologist, Mar Lodge Estate/BBC Springwatch/Winterwatch)
– Dr David Hetherington (Ecologist and author of the Lynx and Us)
– Dr Louise Ross (University of Aberdeen’s School of Biological Sciences)
– Paul, Sophie and Louise Ramsay (Bamff Wildland)
– Lynn Bowser (Argaty Red Kites)
– Molly Doubleday (RSPB Capercaillie Advisory Officer)

Boat of Garten’s Family Fun Day is back!! Put the date in your diary today!
The day will be packed with family fun and games, a Makers Market and Food Trucks with awesome cuisine.
📅 Saturday 22 June 2024
⏰ 12:00
📍 Boat of Garten Community Hall
If you are interested in holding a stall, or showcasing your produce, please get in touch.

Are Car Boot Sales your ‘thing’? If so, book in for our first sale – it’s in August this year!
📅 Sunday 25 August 2024
⏰ 12:00
📍 Boat of Garten Community Hall
Our Car Boot Sales will happen in August (outdoor), September (outdoor) and October (indoor) this year.
If you are interested in holding a stall, please get in touch.

Remember, remember… the 29th of September!
📅 Sunday 29 August 2024
⏰ 12:00
📍 Boat of Garten Community Hall
Our Car Boot Sales will happen in August (outdoor), September (outdoor) and October (indoor) this year.
If you are interested in holding a stall, please get in touch.