Festival set to save young naturalists from extinction
A Scottish wildlife festival is set to save young naturalists from extinction, with over 100 family-friendly wildlife events, activities and adventures during the Year of Natural Scotland. The tenth Wild Spring Festival, taking place from 29 March to 31 May in Dumfries & Galloway and Southern Ayrshire, is addressing the recent claims by TV veteran Sir David Attenborough and BBC Winterwatch presenter Chris Packham that young naturalists have become an “extinct species.”
Interviewing Sir David for the Radio Times, Chris Packham said: "When it comes to children, the one species that is extinct in the British countryside is the young naturalist. I'm out there all the time and I just don't see the boy that I was and you were. That's a disaster in waiting, isn't it?"
Chris added: "…the passion has to come from the heart…You've got to want to set your alarm clock to go out and sit in a hide. Young people in particular are so disconnected from the natural world. It's a shame to think that there aren't kids out there".
Wilma Finlay, Chair of Destination Dumfries & Galloway said: “We would like to challenge more young naturalists to set their alarm clock and take part in one of the Wild Spring Festival’s many unique and surprising festival adventures that will get them up close to the wide array of animals, mammals, birds, fish and fauna.”
“From sharks, frogs and fishtails to badgers, red kites, barnacle geese and buzzards and from red deer, reptiles and red squirrels to bats, moths and bugs - there is a huge array of wildlife for them to discover throughout Dumfries and Galloway.”
“Many of the festival events are free and most are hosted by some of the country’s best wildlife experts, offering a fantastic opportunity for all budding Chris Packhams, Sir David Attenboroughs or Kate Humbles.”
Chris Miles, area manager for Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) in Dumfries said: "Events like the Wild Spring Festival, especially in this celebratory Year of Natural Scotland, are essential to help inspire the next generation to find out how wonderful the natural world is. If there are no young naturalists who are passionate about our native wildlife, we will continue to lose it; its future is dependent on what space we choose to give it. In everything we do we need to think about whether birds, bees and butterflies have enough wildflowers to feed on, enough wild spaces to live and whether our rivers are clean enough for fish to breed. Here at SNH, we're supporting a range of wildlife projects through our grants that encourage young people to get involved and make a difference."
Festival events take place across Dumfries & Galloway and the recently designation Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere, which recognizes the outstanding natural environment and the way in which the local community works to conserve it.
For further information about the festival, visit wildspringfestival.com. For accommodation see: visitsouthwestscotland.com or visitscotland.com.
Wild Spring Festival events for children and young people include:
Stars and Stripes Badger Watching (Nightly from Monday 1 April to Sunday 14 April, 8pm start) – watch wild badgers feeding just outside what is possibly the most luxurious badger observatory at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Caerlaverock Centre. Cost: Adults £7.50, Concessions. £5, Children £2.50. Refreshments included. Further information and bookings (essential): Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust 01387 770200. Tickets must be paid for in advance.
Treasure Hunt on Horseback (Sunday 31 March, 1pm – 2.30pm and Sunday 7 April, 1pm – 2.30pm). Follow the clues through the magical landscape of Craigengillan Estate, by Dalmellington, Ayrshire. Cost: £20 per person. Further information and booking (essential): Craigengillan Estate craigengillan.com
Trek to the Secret Cages (Thursday 4 April, 9:45am - 1 pm). A 5km walk from Mossdale to the Secret Cages where Red Kites were reared and released, taking in views and wildlife along the old railway line and the Raiders Road, with a scavenger hunt for children. Waterproofs, sturdy footwear and binoculars recommended. Booking essential. Calum.murray[at]rspb.org.uk
Bugs and Beasties! (Thursday 4 April 2pm – 3.30pm). Come along and join in the famous Logan Botanic Garden bug hunt then make a bug house to take away. Cost: Adults £5.50, Concessions £4.50, Children £1, Family £11
Wildlife Detectives (Friday 5 April, any time between 10am & 2pm). Solve the clues and search out the wildlife on this waymarked nature trail in the Newton Stewart woods. Meet at Blairmount Park car park west of the Douglas Ewart High School. Cost: Voluntary donations to Cree Valley Community Woodlands Trust.
Have fun with nature at RSPB Mersehead - Family Fun Friday (Friday 5 April, 11am - 4pm and Friday 12 April, 11am - 4pm). Treasure trails, beach art competition, pond dipping and more. Meet Mersehead RSPB Reserve DG2 8AH.
Open Day at South of Scotland Wildlife Hospital (Saturday 6 April, 11am – 4pm). Find out about the work of the hospital and take a tour (patient numbers permitting). Free children’s activities. Meet: SoSWH, Barony Campus, Parkgate, Dumfries. Cost: Free, but donations appreciated. Further information: SoSWH 01387 860461 or baronysoswh[at]sruc.co.uk
Open Day at Red Kite Feeding Station (Saturday 6 April, 1:30pm - 4pm). Free entry to the red kite feeding station at Laurieston. The RSPB red kite team will be on hand to demonstrate the kite 'Feeding Frenzy' and answer any questions. Binoculars and telescopes provided. Meet: Bellymack Hill Farm - kite feeding station, Laurieston, DG7 2PJ. Further information: Calum Murray 01556 670464 calum.murray[at]rspb.org.uk
Meet the Queen (Monday 8 April 2pm – 3.30pm). Join experts in the search for Queen bumblebees and other garden invertebrates. Learn how to identify the common species and get tips to make your garden more wildlife-friendly. Meet: Logan Botanic Garden. Cost: Adults £5.50, Concessions £4.50, Children £1, Family £11. Further information: Richard Baines 01776 860237
Shark Conservation (Tuesday 9 April, 1pm – 2pm). Take a journey below the waves and learn about the ocean's ultimate predators... sharks! Find out more about sharks, skates and rays around Scotland and learn about the work of the Scottish Shark Tagging Programme. Meet: Logan Botanic Garden. Cost: Adults £5.50, Concessions £4.50, Children £1, Family £11. Further information: Richard Baines 01776 860231
Water Wonders (Tuesday 9 April, 2pm – 4pm). Enjoy pond-dipping with the family at Eskrigg Nature Reserve. Meet: Eskrigg Nature Reserve, Lockerbie. Cost: Voluntary donation. Further information: Jim Rae. Lockerbie Wildlife Trust 0773 9987009.