Posts for October, 2023

The talk will cover the history and work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission world wide and in Scotland, looking at the origins of CWGC, its principles, horticulture, architecture and archives, with a focus on some local stories.

This talk is about what makes a beaver a beaver, why they are so fascinating, how they have influenced the northern hemisphere in surprising ways and what the Cairngorm National Park Authority has been doing to bring this animal back to the Park and most importantly why.

A virtual journey on the majestic River Spey from source to sea, along the way taking in the beauty and diverse nature but also considering some of the challenges affecting the UK’s most scenic river. In 2000 David created ‘Spirit of the Spey’, a company facilitating Spey canoe journeys of 1 to 5-day duration, staying in hotels, en route. Now an envoy for several Speyside distillers, David offers river journeys which can include whisky experiences ~ with, always, the canoeing first!

Ben will speak about the work and preparations required for going on a 60-day solo expedition to the South Pole, and how it was for him as he skied across 700 miles to reach the Pole through the hostile polar environment.

This talk is centred on the visit to Scotland by George IV in 1822, it also looks at the conditions in Scotland prior to then and the longer-term consequences of the visit with a particular emphasis on Badenoch & Strathspey. Sir Walter Scott organised the pageantry of the visit and this talk follows the growth of Romanticism and the creation of an image of Scotland that has had lasting effects, particularly in the Highlands.

A Munros walk on the night of every full moon in 2018 during the unusual cycle of 13 that year which only comes round every 20 years. Using the moon names that we have adopted from the Native American tribes, each mountains(s) had to have a link with the relevant name for that month. Added to that was a piece of music and a drink, also with links to the moon name. Alan is an author of the mountain trilogy – Moonwalker, A Mountain Before Breakfast and Mountains of the Moon – which all focus on his night walking habits. He is also author an ebook series, The Moonwalker Chronicles.

Killiecrankie was fought in an hour or two in July 1689. Before that there had been four months of hell as opposing armies ravaged their way through Badenoch and Strathspey. This talk will examine the causes and consequences, and what happened where and when. Peter Mackay is a Boat Talks favourite and we are delighted to welcome him back.

Gairloch, Wester Ross and Galapagos Islands, Ecuador are both very special but very different places. The natural life of both will be explored in this fascinating Talk supported by stunning photographs with an emphasis on the bird life found in both places. We will be impressed, surprised and enthralled by the wonderful wildlife while also being concerned about the future ecology of both areas due to our impact.
Doors open at 7.00pm, Talk starts at 7.30pm
Admission £6 (under 16s free with an adult)
Season tickets still available at £45 for 9 Talks (last opportunity to purchase!)
Free tea/coffee
Pay by cash or card (cash preferred!)

Through the Summer of 2023, I have been the Survey Officer for the Rare Invertebrates in the Cairngorms projects, a groundbreaking collaboration between the RSPB, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Butterfly Conservation, The Cairngorms National Park Authority, Buglife, and NatureScot. Together we aim to restore the fortunes of six species of insect in the Cairngorms National Park. I will explore the highs and lows of surveying for four of these species, the Kentish Glory, Pine Hoverfly, Dark Bordered Beauty and Small Scabious Mining Bee, as well as their ecology, and share in some exciting developments in their conservation, as well as introducing some of the Cairngorms wonderful wildlife encountered along the way.

By the end of the course, the participants should feel more confident in the identification of ducks, geese and swans, divers, grebes, Shag and Cormorant, in particular those seen in the Cairngorms National Park and surrounding area. As well as specific help with identification we will cover the ‘how to do it.’ In this way, participants should see a way forward in how to improve their identification skills and have some useful hints and tips on telling difficult species apart.

Summary:
The course will be based in the Cairngorms National Park and run over two days and includes a day in the ‘classroom’ and day in the field. It will particularly cover those species of ducks and geese that can be difficult to identify with a focus on those species found in the Cairngorms National Park. The ‘classroom day’ will cover various aspects of wildfowl recognition including plumage, structure and flight plus a focus on how to tell more difficult species apart and other useful hints and tips. It will cover winter plumage of divers and grebes and eclipse plumage in ducks.
The field day will be out in suitable habitat for a selection of species to put into practice what was learned the day before. The course is run by Speyside Wildlife using one of our experienced guides, Duncan Macdonald.
Please note that the course does not cover gulls, waders, herons and egrets or crakes, however, a number of these species are covered in our Waders Masterclass, date tbc.

Course Schedule:
The course will take place on 25 – 26 Nov 2023 with the classroom day on day one and field day on day two.
Lunch is provided on the classroom day but please bring a packed lunch on the field day. On the ‘classroom’ day please bring paper and pencil and your favourite bird book – we tend to use the Collins ‘Bird Guide. For the field day please bring your binoculars, telescope if you have one, your bird book and paper and pencil to make notes also suitable clothing for a November day in the Highlands! Weather is obviously unpredictable.