Sponsor a Kestrel Nestbox

Friends learned more about the Kestrel and its habits through Kevin’s talk at the AGM in November. We also had two ‘prototype’ nest boxes on display.

Kestrels are under threat due to disappearance of nesting sites, as the field margins have been reduced by more intensive farming. There is also a scarcity of their main food supply, the vole. Although they also take mice, shrews, small birds, insects and earthworms, the vole is by far the most important food supply, with a Kestrel needing to eat 4-8 voles per day. Further comfort can be taken from plans by Forestry Commission Scotland to undertake a conservation project on the water vole, next year.

Kestrels have been sighted recently on Deeside, but we are under no illusions that a major challenge is faced.

Since our last bulletin, we have secured a supplier of nestboxes, of excellent quality and constructed to RSPB specification. They will be manufactured by Wood RecyclAbility in Pitmedden. This is a private company, which gives adults with disabilities work and training opportunities recycling waste wood, which would otherwise go to landfill sites. Besides nest boxes they also produce garden furniture, dog kennels and bird tables.

We now have 6 boxes with sponsors but are still looking for more. In conjunction with Forest Commission Scotland we will identify suitable sites and commence installation in January 2005, with the aim of having several boxes in place for the start of the Kestrel’s breeding activity in February. The revised charge of £15 covers the manufacturing of the nest box. A certificate will be provided illustrating the location of the sponsored nest box.

An ideal Xmas gift! To sponsor a nest box please contact Mark Ansell at ansells4@aol.com 01330 811371, or any FDF Committee Member.

Clune Wood Story Trails

Copies of the brochure for the Story Trails in Clune Wood have been sent to members and are widely available in libraries or from the Forestry offices at Kirkton of Durris.

Annual Report 2004…some highlights

Clune Wood Story Trail: a fine brochure was developed and published by FCS. Copies of the leaflet are available from the Forest Office at Kirkton. The blue trail was greatly improved with a durable surface underfoot. FDF was awarded the Aberdeenshire Green Butterfly award for this project.

Dyke building course: about a dozen enthusiasts learnt something of the skill of dyke building over two days in April.

Conservation days: two conservation events were held, focussed on removing self seeded sitka from deciduous plantations. They have made a major visual impact and the deciduous forest has been allowed to flourish.

Website and Newsletter: these important communication devices enable us to relate to members, the local community and the outside world.

Brachmont, Ashentilly and Warren Woods: we have worked with FCS to ensure that the outcomes of forestry thinning operations are positive on all fronts.

Cairnfauld Woodland Walk: working in partnership with FCS and the nursery/playgroup, we created an outdoor activity area and classroom in the wood south of the Crossroads nursery.

FDF on the WWWeb

Check out the activities planned for 2004

and all the latest news on our website:

www.friendsofdurrisforests.co.uk

FDF plan to hold a further dry stane dyke building course in April 2005. If you would like to learn the skill of dyking, please contact John Coyne on 844787. The course will be held over two days.

A dry stane dyking course was held in April of this year. About a dozen folk learned a new skill, and the evidence is there beside the Forestry Commission offices at Kirkton, where a fine newly rebuilt dyke stands. Good fun was had by all.

Cairnfauld Wood

The trail and outdoor classroom in Cairnfauld is much appreciated by the nursery and playgroup, and the young children. We hope that they will spend many happy hours in Cairnfauld Wood, and enjoy the opportunities of the forest.

Kevin Peace gave a fascinating illustrated talk on birds of the Scottish countryside, with a focus on the forest, and on those birds that were struggling to survive. Whilst the Capercaille was having difficulty, probably arising from climate change and land management, there were other species that were successfully re-established, or were developing of their own accord. Tales of peregrines and sea-eagles, as well as of smaller birds.

One species that is facing difficulty is the Kestrel, and ornithologists believe that a facilitation of nesting will encourage their establishment on the forest/field margins. See our nesting box scheme elsewhere in this newsletter.

At the Annual General Meeting at end November, the annual report and accounts were accepted. The FDF Board was re-elected. Please contact any Board member to tell us what you would like to do in 2005.

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

My favourite walk IV:

Bruntyairds to Monthammock

Start at the car park at the entrance to Bruntyairds Wood. Head due south along the forest road, skirting the open farmland to the west, known affectionately as ‘Murphy’s bog’. Turn on the first little used track to the right, and after 300m look for an opening into the dense forest on your right. There is a rudimentary log bridge over a ditch about 50m inside the forest.

A path has been cut through the dense sitka forest, leading you along a tunnel through the trees, until you emerge on the Pitcowdens side. The path rejoins a little used forest road and then descends toward the Monthammock entrance. There are fine views over Woodlands of Durris from the hillside here. On your left is an area left open on the side of a burn to encourage wildlife.

Bear right just before a concrete bridge, to reach the Monthammock entrance. Follow the tarred road for 1 km, turn right after Nibbetstane and climb the hill past Hilton to regain the car park.

This route can be followed in either direction. It may also be cycled, except for the short section through the wood, where tree roots make for a rather ‘technical’ ride, or more likely a push.

A new car parking area has been created at the entrance to Warren Wood, on Sky Brae – from Park Bridge Road, cross the South Deeside Road and continue up the steep hill – the car park is a few hundred yards up the hill on the right. This is also the northern end of the waymarked Elsick Mounth path to Rickarton and Stonehaven, following the old drove road.