Land of fire and ice!

In June 2009 I finished my HNC in Countryside & Environmental Management at SAC Auchincruive. Unfortunately financial circumstances meant that I could not afford to continue to do the HND (maybe in the future!).

Armed with my new found knowledge I was lucky enough to get on an international 5 week project working at the Skálanes Nature & Heritage Centre in the East Fjords of Iceland. Covering everything from volunteer management to practical conservation tasks I had a great time, made some good friends and gained some new knowledge and skills.

Returning to Scotland with mixed feelings I started applying for some of the limited countryside jobs on offer going into the winter season. Unfortunately I was unable to get paid work, but was taken on as a Volunteer Reserve Ranger by the Scottish Wildlife Trust/Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society at Spey Bay on the Moray Coast. This was a 3 month position (meals & bed provided) that involved a mixture of survey work, practical conservation and reserve administration.

2010 Finds me about to start working (paid this time) for the RSPB at Loch Garten on Operation Osprey. I have previously volunteered for the RSPB Osprey Watch at Aberfoyle, so to be paid to talk about Osprey is a dream come true.

Best wishes to my fellow students and staff at SAC Auchincruive. (Watch out...I may be back in the future)

Some photos below from my last year.....

Practical conservation work in Iceland on the Skálanes Reserve View of the Skálanes Nature & Heritage Centre in East Iceland View of the Wildlife Centre at Spey Bay in Morayshire Photographs of Dolphins taken from Spey Bay

Hello, dear readers!

Crystal here with huge apologies for lack of updates over the past year.

Term 3 in year 1 hit us pretty hard and then when it all finished, I went off to work as a seasonal ranger with the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park until the end of September when it was time to go back for my HND year at Auchincruive.

Working as a ranger with Scotland's first National Park was certainly an experience for a fresh faced newb. During the summer months where the visitor numbers peak, it's not unsurprising that the work largely concentrates on visitor management. I was based on the east side where you may have seen some of the anti-social problems reported in the news lately that the NP faces every year, it's a beautiful spot and 50000 people pass through it annually when taking part in the West Highland Way so I saw A LOT of visitors.

I had the opportunities to try various things with the NP - the police run patrols frequently and sometimes take a ranger along for the ride. This is great as the police have the authority and rangers have the countryside knowledge, working together means that we know as rangers that we have their back up when needed.

It was definitely a nice change of environment I appreciated. Before the NP, I had previously only worked in offices before, it's certainly different to be able to go into work and mention "I was doing a bat survey last night, think I got a pip" and instead of replies such as "Urgh" and "WHY would you wanna do that?" I get back "ooh common or soprano?"

Right, how about some photos?

The Millarochy office :) The Hippo boat the rangers use to access the island Inchcailloch Doesn't it look so idyllic and peaceful? A pretty typical sight for rangers More abandoned rubbish I've been asked to return to the NP this season which I've accepted so I'm quite happy and excited about that! This season starts in April for me so for a few months I'll be juggling and working which I'm a bit worried about but I'll try my best to cope! Last summer I also went sailing with the college by means of The Ocean Youth Trust. We sailed for a week along the West Coast of Scotland and it was by far the best time I've ever had in my life. It was like nothing I had ever done before, or thought I would be interested in doing until I was offered the chance to. I'll update a bit more on that later perhaps.

HND year has been pretty hectic so far, I've rarely gone out with the Conservation Society this year, much to my shame but since the academic year began, I've since bought a house with my boyfriend and have been tussled in the throes of a DIY nightmare!

However, this term has included an elective Conservation Skills which has had us out with the BTCV at 2 primary schools. Currently we've been at a primary school which is trying to build an eco/wildlife playground helping to build a path. Our assessment is based on this so I hope we do a good job!

Paul has since left the SAC (sad faces all round), I'll leave him to update with what he's been up to!

Term 3 - Week 2 - Clyde Muirshiel Country Park

Location: Clyde Muirshiel Country Park
Activity: Bird Watching (Hen Harriers!)


Female Hen Harrier on Nest

In fresh winds and the odd heavy shower we made our way up onto the moorland that forms part of the Clyde Muirshiel Country Park. After an interesting debate over the identity of some small birds (still unconfirmed) we were lucky enough to see a male Hen Harrier flying across the glen.

Hen Harriers are a red listed species of high conservation concern and the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) at Clyde Muirshiel Country Park is specially designated because of the Hen Harriers.
For more information on Hen Harriers please visit the RSPB Website


Male Hen Harrier


Female Hen Harrier


Female Hen Harrier
Photographs all taken from www.toothandclaw.org.uk (All copyrights apply)

Term 2 - Week 3 - Auchincruive

Location: Auchincruive Estate
Activity: Bird Ringing Talk

This week we received a talk on Bird Ringing from lecturer David Grant.

As well as being a lecturer David is also a licensed ringer for the British Trust for Ornithology and delivered a presentation on the reasons for ringing birds and methods used.

Many thanks to David for a very interesting talk, and we look forward to seeing him back for bird ID skills later in the term.

Anybody that is interested in Bird Ringing can find out more information at the BTO Website

Term 2 - Week 1 - Auchincruive

Location: Auchincruive Estate
Activity: Pond Maintenance

As the first year students had a site visit to Stevenston Beach Local Nature Reserve, it was left to the hardy second years to do battle with the vegetation surrounding the wildlife pond at the bottom of Mount Allan Wood.
The task was the removal of over hanging trees from the pond to allow more light into the woodland floor, this then gives ground dwelling plants a better chance to grow.
As normal, the cut wood was left in habitat piles to provide cover for insects, small mammals and birds.

Week 10 - Auchincruive Estate

Unfortunately things didn't quite go to plan for Week 10, due to unforeseen circumstances at Kelburn.

Instead, the Conservation Society was involved in a couple of different projects;
- Rhododendron Clearance
- Tree Felling
- Clearance at the Wildlife Pond
- Bat Boxes

Looking at the blog it might seem that we cut down an awful lot of trees, but the woodland we are managing at Auchincruive has been left to its own devices for many years, and fast growing species such as birch are crowding out slower growing species such as oak. Oak has greater importance in terms of biodiversity, and the birch and beach that we have been cutting down will soon re-grow. We also leave the trees that have been cut down in the woodland. As the trees rot down they provide food and shelter for insects, and habitat for small mammals and birds. All of which are important in the woodland environment.

Week 9 - BTCV Dunure

Location: Dunure
Activity: Moving Sand!!
Weather: Overcast, very cold (unless you happen to be Tom!!), dry


The project this week involved moving 2 tonnes of sand/grit for the BTCV down to a flat area by the shore that is being turned into a community labyrinth.
This involved filling wheelbarrows and making the 'interesting' journey down the grass slope and the 30ft drop to the site.
Not bad work for just 5 people!!