Ballogie Pre-school visit

Ranger Mike Martin on a recent visit to Ballogie Nursery. Click on the pic to enlarge.

Saturday saw the last of this year's 'hands-on' conservation with the John Muir Trust.

We fixed tree guards up at Corriebruagh.

As it was the last meet of the year, we also celebrated with mince pies and bubbly.

Next year's first meeting will be on January 21st: if youy would like to come along, contact us for details: ranger@glentanar.co.uk

JUNIOR RANGERS IN THE GLEN

The Cairngorms Junior Rangers came to Glen Tanar earlier this month.

Most of the day was spent fixing a footpath. Here they are at lunchtime.

If you are a teenager interested in becoming a Junior Ranger, please get in touch with the Ranger Service.

CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS

November's volunteer day was fine. Good weather let the group make good progress with the work, and also enjoy the sunshine.

The work involved fixing tree enclosures: to prevent browsing damage.

The John Muir Trust and Glen Tanar Ranger Service work together to arrange these days: if you would like to join in, please contact us:

ranger@glentanar.co.uk

VISITOR CENTRE REFURBISHMENT

We've restarted work on the Visitor Centre. The discovery of bats stopped work, but they've now gone off to their winter roosts, so the builders can return.
However, the delay means that our planned Autumn re-open is put off: it looks like New Year before we are back in.
Meanwhile, we will continue to use our temporary office, and of course be out and about as much as usual.

With Junior Rangers in Bohemia

In July, Head Ranger Eric Baird was 'mentor' to a group of Junior Rangers from the Cairngorms. We worked in the Bayerischwald National Park, and Sumava NP in Czech Republic, learning about the place and its people. Bavarian National Park Rangers were our hosts.
Next year, we hope to welcome Bavarian Junior Rangers to the Cairngorms.
The pic shows some of the group on summit of Grosse Falkenstein.

END OF SUMMER UPDATE

We're coming to the end of summer, and it's been a busy one for the Ranger Service.
Rangers Mike and Eric have each been working off-site with Junior Rangers: see posts on those.
Also, the Visitor Centre is being refurbished, so our office is a cabin in the woods: it's fine, but we're probably less efficient than usual.
We've had regular Health Walks, and volunteer work parties with John Muir Trust; and Active Aboyne is keeping us busy- preparing, delivering, hosting.

VISITOR CENTRE REFURBISHMENT

The Visitor Centre is being refurbished. We are sorry for any inconvenience in the meantime.

Toilets are available at the Car Park. Paths are open as normal. The Ranger Service has relocated, but we will be out and about as usual.

We can still be contacted on 013398-86072, or ranger@glentanar.co.uk

When the work is finished, the Centre will be more sustainable, more interesting, and more welcoming.

The work is being funded and managed by Glen Tanar Charitable Trust, with financial assistance from Cairngorms LEADER, and Cairngorms National Park Authority.

ADDERS IN THE GLEN

Look out for adders when next you visit Glen Tanar. The warm weather has brought them out, so you are very likely to see one, basking in the sun, or scurrying away.

And yes, they do bite: but only if provoked: so don't sit on them, and keep your dog to heel.
The picture shows its markings(click on it to enlarge), the zig-zag down its back, but colours do vary.

JUNIOR RANGERS

Junior Rangers have taken part in a major drive to plant native trees in the Cairngorms National Park. On Saturday (30 April 2011) under the supervision of Glen Tanar Charitable Trust Rangers and with the help of John Muir Trust volunteers, they planted lots of new trees on Glen Tanar Estate.

The oak and hazel trees were planted along a section of the Dinnet to Glen Tanar Core Path, which was recently constructed by the Cairngorms Outdoor Access Trust, and replaced non-native trees removed during the path construction.

Glen Tanar Ranger, Mike Martin, said: “I was really impressed by how hard the Junior Rangers worked throughout the day to plant these trees. They showed real enthusiasm for what they were doing, knowing they’re making a difference not just to Glen Tanar Estate but the wider Park, people and wildlife.”

HANDS ON CONSERVATION

Pix show John Muir Trust volunteers helping to clear weeds from our tree nursery.

It's great to see the volunteers back with us.
We have been planting native trees alongside one of the trails.

Later- probably April- we will be working further up the valley, beyond the old forest.
If you want to join our Saturday session, please get in touch: ranger@glentanar.co.uk

PATH DIVERSION (2)

The riverside path is now open: we have finished tree-felling.
However, still some stacks of wood to remove- on the S. Drive, just by the Fairy Lochan: look out for vehicles, dont climb on stacks, stay safe!

PATH DIVERSION

The riverside path, from Braeloine Centre downstream, is closed temporarily, because of tree felling.
You can still use most of this path, following the signs out from Braeloine, but then diverting away from the riverbank on the return section.
A map is on display at Braeloine showing the precise line of diversion, and there are signs on the route itself.
It will probably be about a week, from today, 25th January, to complete the work
A map of the paths is available from the Glen Tanar Estate website- click on the link below

http://www.glentanar.co.uk/images/glentanar-map-1000.jpg

DIGITISING THE PAST

House Party with Sir William Cunliffe-Brooks, who bought Glen Tanar Estate in the 19th Century

We have recently taken delivery of an automatic sheet feed scanner, and a slide scanner. This will let us digitise typescript historical material, and old slides and photographs.
This will let folk have access to the material, whilst protecting the originals.
Funding for the equipment came from Cairngorms LEADER. The project is being managed by Glen Tanar Ranger Service. We welcome volunteer help with the digitising process.