Out & About in Glasgow & Cumbernauld

Froglife is involved in all sorts of events in Scotland this autumn and Winter. Iain Maclean and James Stead are working on the Living Waters programme, creating and restoring ponds in Glasgow and North Lanarkshire. Thanks to The Conservation Volunteers (formally BTCV), we also have Faith Hillier on the team through their brilliant Natural Apprentice scheme . Faith has been with Froglife Scotland since January, helping with events and educational sessions to supplement our practical conservation work.

“I’m really looking forward to doing some autumn events, starting with a mini-bioblitz in Cumbernauld,” says Faith. “We’ll be helping survey for amphibians and reptiles as part of a count of as many species on the site as possible in one day. Then we’re encouraging people to help with practical conservation work to keep fit, teaching people about ponds, learning what you can make from natural materials and celebrating TCV’s Big Green Weekend in Glasgow.”

Iain and James are also putting together a busy programme of volunteer days, providing opportunities to get muddy and help restore habitats! These practical sessions are perfect for anyone looking to develop their skills in pond creation or management, or those with experience wanting to lend a hand. Transport can be arranged, and please let Iain know if you’d like to help: iain.maclean@froglife.org or 07772318950.The practical days are suitable for families with children aged 8 and upwards.  All under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

 

Muddy and Smiling: Volunteers on a pond creation day in Scotland

Details of all the events and how to take part are below.  Please note you will need to book into some of the events, particularly the training and volunteer days.  

Upcoming Froglife events and activity days:

• Saturday 1st September, 11am-3pm: Mini-bioblitz at Ravenswood Bog Local Nature Reserve, Cumbernauld. Help spot lots of wildlife on the site and take part in pond dipping, bug hunting and a tree walk. Suitable for families, individuals, beginners, and experts. Just come along to Ravenswood Bog any time from 11am-3pm. Meet at the ponds next to the main path.
• Saturday 1st September, 10-3pm: Hiberanculum Building with Iain and James in Riccard Johnstone greenspace in New Stevenson, Motherwell, Glasgow. Help create hibernation sites for amphibians and reptiles. Suitable for individuals, beginners and experts. You will need wellies, waterproofs, sunscreen and lunch. Meet at the New Stevenson building Glasgow University at 9 (please contact to arrange) or Cobbleton Road, just off Jerviston Street around 10am.  Please email iain.maclean@froglife.org or call 07772318950  to book.   
• Thursday 20th September, 10am-1pm: Green Gym Taster Day at Ravenswood Bog Local Nature Reserve, Cumbernauld with TCV. Suitable for all ages to get fit whilst improving this local green space. Come along with wellies, waterproofs and lunch. Meet at the main entrance to Ravenswood Bog.
• Saturday 22nd September, 10am-2pm: Pond Training Workshop at Palacerigg Country Park, near Cumbernauld. Suitable for landowners interested in creating ponds to attract amphibians. Booking is required, please contact Faith to reserve your place faith.hillier@froglife.org or 07927 379343 
• Saturday 29th September, 11am-2pm: Woodland Crafts at Ravenswood Bog Local Nature Reserve, Cumbernauld (with North Lanarkshire Council rangers). Suitable for families, individuals, and beginners. Just come along to the event via the entrance to Ravenswood Bog between 11am and 2pm.
• Saturday 6th October, 10.30am – 3pm: TCV Big Green Weekend at Jupiter Urban Wildlife Centre, Glasgow. Froglife will be having a stand at this Nature Discovery Day, open to everyone with special activities to introduce young people to wildlife on the site.  Pop along and join in. 
• Saturday 6th October, 10am-3pm: Pond Maintenance Day at Windlaw Marsh near Carmunnock. Suitable for individuals, beginners and experts. You will need wellies, waterproofs, sunscreen and lunch, meet at Glasgow University at 9 (please contact to arrange) or meet at Cathkin Braes Country park. Please get in touch to book as location may change! Email iain.maclean@froglife.org or call 07772318950 to book. 
• Saturday 3rd November, 10am-3pm: Pond Session Part 1. Digging out a pond shape in boggy area and transplanting plants to a nearby pond at Palacerigg Country Park Wildlife Garden. Please come with wellies, waterproofs and lunch. Meet at Palacerigg Country Park Visitor Centre (lifts can be arranged from Glasgow University). Please contact Iain.maclean@froglife.org or call 07772318950 to book.
• Saturday 1st December, 10am – 3pm: Pond Session Part 2.  Lining the pond in the wildlife garden and helping with other garden maintenance jobs.  Palacerigg Country Park Wildlife Garden. Please come with wellies, waterproofs and lunch. Meet at Palacerigg Country Park Visitor Centre (lifts can be arranged from Glasgow University). Please contact Iain.maclean@froglife.org  or call 07772318950 to book.
• Saturday 12th January, 10am to 3pm: Pond and Hibernaculum Day at Glencryan Woods.  Digging a small pond and extending a hibernaculum . Please come with wellies, waterproofs and lunch. Meet at Palacerigg Country Park Visitor Centre (lifts can be arranged from Glasgow University). Please contact Iain.maclean@froglife.org  or call 07772318950 to book.

We hope you can join us to improve habitats, learn more about wildilfe and just enjoy the great outdoors.

Tweet

Help Spot Invasive Plants

Froglife supporters have a great opportunity to take part in some citizen science and guide conservation action. The Environment Agency and University of Bristol have just launched a new version of their PlantTracker app to record the distribution of invasive plant species in the UK.

“Collectively invasive plant species cost the UK economy some £2billion per year and are the second largest threat to biodiversity after climate change,” explains project manager and wildlife photographer Dave Kilbey. “The PlantTracker project came about as the Environment Agency wanted an efficient method of locating and mapping priority invasive plant species within the UK. They approached the Nature Locator team at the University of Bristol to design a smartphone app that would enable members of the public to submit geo-located, photographic records of the invasive plant species they encounter. The result was the PlantTracker app, which is now collecting data on 14 different, mainly riparian and aquatic, invasive plant species.”

The project involves key partners including the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (BRC) and the Non Native Species Secretariat in order to ensure that the data collected is available to those that really need it.

“September should be a key month for recording many of these species as they'll be at their most obvious - so we're really hoping to alert as many people as possible to it in order to make a start obtaining a clearer picture of their distributions,” adds Dave. “The app has already begun to reveal interesting records and has alerted key organisations to the previously unknown presence of invasive, non-native species in their areas of responsibility. The only ingredient required is that lots of people use it and record invasive plants!”

Here are some of the plants to look out for (the app includes more information and ID tips):

Giant Hogweed

Parrot's Feather

Water Fern





Japanese Knotweed


• The app is available for both the iPhone and Android platform and can be accessed from the PlantTracker website here
• There is a results page here which provides a quick overview of results.  The data is available to anyone that needs it and will filter through to the National Biodiversity Network Gateway once validated.
• The Nature Locator project is also on Facebook
• Tips on native pond plants are available at the Froglife website here

Tweet

Photos: Dave Kilbey