Newsletter 15

FDF is planning a new project focussed on bird life conservation in Durris Forests. The idea emerged at the 2003 AGM, as a response to the committee’s request to members for future project ideas. Further discussion revealed that the Kestrel is currently under threat in the UK due to the lack of suitable nesting sites.

To help conserve this beautiful bird, we are offering an opportunity to support this project by sponsoring a Kestrel Nest Box. For a pledge of £10, FDF in partnership with Forestry Commission Scotland will provide a unique nest box, installation and maintenance, and a certificate for the sponsor with location map. The perfect Christmas or birthday gift!

The Kestrel’s eyesight is 22 times more sensitive than a human’s, and no other hawk has so perfected the art of stationary flight as they search for small mammals.

Our plan is to install several nest boxes in Durris Forrest, between the Inchloan and Meikle Tulloch entrances. The connecting road skirts the farmland to the north providing suitable hunting grounds for the Kestrel, and ideal tree locations nearby for the positioning of the boxes.

We are also looking for assistance in constructing the simple boxes. If you are interested in sponsoring a nest box or can help in making them, please contact Mark Ansell on 01330 811371, ansells4@aol.com or any FDF Committee member.

Friends Board

If you have any suggestions, or would like to contribute to one of the working groups, please contact any committee member. ((: 01330-…)

Mark Ansell (811371) Mark Hagger (823418)

Molly Atkinson (811363) Sophie Trafford (811488)

John Coyne (844787) Helen White (811435)

James White (811756)

David Felstead (811884) (Membership Officer)

Kevin Peace (844625) (Forest District Manager)

Clune Wood Story Trails

The Story Trails are proving very popular. The recent path improvement work by FCS has greatly improved access to the Blue Trail. A leaflet detailing the story trails, their history and those who contributed to the project, has now been produced and distributed to local schools, nurseries, libraries and other information outlets. They are also available through the Forestry Commission Scotland area office in Kirkton of Durris, or any FDF committee member.

Planned development work to benefit horse riders in Clune includes a link path between the southeast corner of Clune and the Monthammock road. To protect the trails from damage, we ask local horse riders to avoid the Story Trails and the soft tracks in Clune, and only use the gravel roadways. This should ensure that all paths, in particular the story trails, remain accessible to everyone throughout the year.

FDF on the WWWeb

Check out the activities planned for 2004

and all the latest news on our website:

If you wish to receive this newsletter, or notice of events by email, please contact any committee member.

Is there further interest in another dry stane dyking course in the new year? Following the success of the event organised last Easter, John Coyne would be pleased to organise another session. Please contact John on 844787.

Durris kids take to the 'wids'

The children of Crossroads Nursery School have an exciting, safe place to enjoy outdoor lessons and playtime, thanks to Friends of Durris Forests and Forestry Commission Scotland.

The Commission has put up a secure fence around Cairnfauld Wood next to the nursery school and a gateway into it so that the children can enjoy the wood in safety. A path of wood chips has been laid to take them on a circular route through the wood, and a bench and table to work on have been installed in the middle of the wood to make an outdoor classroom.

“Some members of the Friends of Durris Forests whose children go to Crossroads Nursery School noticed there was a woodland next to the nursery that had the potential to be a good place for children to have outdoor lessons and to play if it could be made safe and secure.

“Many local people who are the parents and grandparents of children attending the nursery school will remember attending Crossroads when it was a primary school and playing in Cairnfauld Wood at playtimes. They wondered whether there was any way the current generation of children could enjoy it too.

“We have a partnership agreement with Forestry Commission Scotland for the management of the local Durris woods, so we asked the local office if they could do anything to help us make the woodland into a safe, secure, outdoor facility for the nursery school. This has been the happy result, and we’re delighted with it!”

“We were very pleased to help. This project is an example of the advantages of our working in partnership with local communities and other organisations to provide the maximum possible benefits from Scotland’s national woods and forests for everybody. We wish the children – and other visitors - many happy hours in Cairnfauld Wood!”

My favourite walk III: Elsick Mounth (north)

Here is a really fine walk especially in the autumn and spring when the trees and plants are at their best. Start at the entrance to Warren Wood half way up Sky Brae: the steep hill leading up to Ashentilly opposite Park Bridge Road. There is parking here for 2 cars, or start further up at Currackstane. The Elsick Mounth is waymarked with simple posts and arrows.

The path follows beside the burn for the first half mile, before climbing more steeply for a short distance. There are glimpses of the surrounding farmland at various points, framed by a variety of mature trees.

Bear right as you enter Ashentilly Wood and follow the forest edge round. Then cross a dell that can be muddy after wet weather and climb a short steep slope with views across to Denside of Durris. Either return the way you have come, or continue anti-clockwise around Ashentilly Wood to return to start. Either way is all down hill. The Ashentilly Wood also provides good mountain biking.

The Elsick Mounth is an ancient road that is the most easterly crossing of the Mounth range of hills. The more energetic may walk or cycle the path from Drumoak to Stonehaven. The Elsick Mounth is waymarked through Durris Forest.

Thinning has now been completed at Ashentilly Wood and Brachmont Wood. FDF discussed the operations beforehand with FCS, and care has been taken to preserve known paths. If you have identified any problems arising from the work, such as the circular loop south of Hilton, then please let us know.