Big Nature Festival Levenhall Links, Musselburgh 21–22 May 2016

Home , Balranald Nature Reserve, Corrimony, Loch Garten, Loch Ruthven, Mill dam, Nigg Bay

Scotland’s big nature festival Levenhall Links, Musselburgh 21–22 May 2016

Event guide

bignaturefestival.org.uk #bignaturefestival Welcome RSPB Scotland

RSPB Scotland is delighted to The work of Puffin plight welcome you to Scotland’s Big RSPB Scotland Nature Festival 2016. It is no secret RSPB Scotland has chosen the puffin that Scotland enjoys a spectacularly RSPB Scotland is part of the RSPB, as the featured bird species for the diverse range of wildlife and some of festival and will be highlighting the most beautiful landscapes in the founded in 1889 and as the country’s largest nature conservation charity, we the good work being carried out to UK. This event is a fantastic way conserve these colourful creatures, to experience and celebrate this. inspire everyone to give nature a home. Together with our partners, we protect including a four-year EU LIFE+ threatened birds and wildlife so our funded project in partnership with Levenhall Links is an ideal setting for SNH and the Nicolson family to a day out in nature. The area is a thriving towns, seas, coast and countryside will teem with life once again. restore the Shiant Isles, in the Outer haven for wildlife and birds such as Hebrides, as a haven for seabirds. skylarks and reed buntings. Migrating birds such as curlews, oystercatchers RSPB Scotland relies on the support of its members, visitors, volunteers, Puffins are a crowd pleaser. Their Thanks to the support of our members, and sand martins are also found in this personalities are as colourful as their RSPB Scotland is working hard to protect reserve managed by East Lothian Council. local groups and partners to continue to campaign, conserve, protect, educate beaks and their curiosity and intelligence both the land and the seas that puffins endear them to us all. However, puffin and other seabirds species need. You We have a packed festival programme and provide experiences for people of all ages to enjoy the natural world. numbers are in decline, as is the case can find out more about these amazing this year with walks, talks, workshops, with most seabird species. birds and conservation efforts through our activities and demonstrations, and festival talks programme or hop aboard a more than 100 exhibitors showcasing So thank you for supporting the festival and the work of RSPB Scotland. Humans have thrown two main obstacles seabird cruise and spot puffins and other everything from wildlife tours and in the way of puffins’ life plans; invasive seabirds for yourself. holidays to specialist books and art. species and climate change, both of Live music and delicious food is also which have led puffins to be listed as For more information please visit: available throughout the weekend, so Contents vulnerable to global extinction on the rspb.org.uk/globalextinction whether you are a keen birdwatcher 2015 IUCN redlist. rspb.org.uk/shiantslife or are here for a fun-filled family day Puffin plight 3 out, we hope you have a fantastic time! Family highlights 4–5 Saturday at a glance 6–7 Stuart Housden OBE Site map 8–9 Director of RSPB Scotland Sunday at a glance 10–11 Join in the fun and fundraise to save nature! Scottish Birdfair 12–13 Visit East Lothian 14 Help save nature by taking part in our RSPB Scotland Charity Auction Event sponsors 15 family fun Passport to Adventure Our generous supporters have RSPB Scotland nature reserves 16 activities, try your hand at the RSPB donated a range of fantastic items and Scotland tombola or bid for amazing experiences exclusively for you. With prizes in our charity auction. something to suit all tastes and budgets,

Images: child by Helen Patience; puffins by Photoshot and Cultura RM help us give nature a home in Scotland (both alamy.com); all other images by Majdanik Photography. today! Bid online from 21 May at The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654. 770-1844-15-16 www.ebay.co.uk/usr/rspb 2 3 Family fun!

Keep the whole family entertained all weekend – from fantastic free activities, to some really fun fundraising – there’s loads to explore, learn, see and do!

Passport to Adventure RSPB Scotland Marquee

Pick up your Passport to Adventure at the Build homes for wildlife, learn about Nature Outpost and book onto activities, natterjack toads, have your face painted, including pond dipping and minibeast or visit our Membership Stand and hunts. Get a stamp for each activity you tombola. Check out our flower powered complete and report back to the base bat-mobile and get LEGO© inspired at the camp in the RSPB Scotland Marquee to Birds from Bricks Marquee. tell us what you have discovered and see if you are a star explorer!

Discovery Zone Story Tent

Join our workshops including kids Stop by the Story Tent and catch art classes with local artist Michael CBeebies presenters Rory Crawford Fallon, a rare opportunity to build your and Ferne Corrigan for a “Superworm” own LEGO© robin with renowned sing-along story time. Look out for CBBC LEGO© designer and author of Birds presenters Ricky and Leah Boleto who from Bricks Thomas Poulsom, a will be popping up all over the festival site. fascinating owl pellet dissection workshop and the opportunity to turn your children into foraging seabirds on the hunt for sandeels.

Leah Rory Boleto Crawford

5 Saturday at a glance Family-friendly activities:

10.30 am 11 am 11.30 am 12 pm 12.30 pm 1 pm 1.30 pm 2 pm 2.30 pm 3 pm 3.30 pm 4 pm 4.30 pm

BTO/SOC 10.30 am 11 am 11.30 am 12 pm 12.30 pm 1 pm 1.30 pm 2.20 pm 2.50 pm 3.20 pm 3.50 pm 4.20 pm Theatre Ruth Graham Jane Smith, Dr Larry Phil Taylor, Peter Paul Walton, Philippa Gullett, Ben Darvill, Ricky and Leah Stuart Ken Clark, Carruthers, Pettigrew, Artist. Griffin, WWT. RSPB Mawby, RSPB Scotland. RSPB Scotland. BTO. Boleto, CBBC Benn, RSPB Wolfshead RSPB East Lothian Wild Island Greenland- Scotland. SOC. Wild birds Curlews in Technology, Presenters. Scotland. Photographic. Scotland. Council. – RSPB on white-fronted Shiant Isles Dippers: a in our culture. crisis. tags and How to 2015 National Burning Bright. What is Mountain Oransay. geese. recovery much loved 40 mins 20 mins tracks. become a golden 20 mins Natura 2000 hares of the 20 mins 20 mins project. bird at risk. 20 mins reporter. eagle survey. day? Lammermuirs. 20 mins 20 mins 20 mins 30 mins 20 mins 20 mins

Talks 10.30 am 11.10 am 11.50 am 12.30 pm 1.10 pm 1.50 pm 2.30 pm 3.10 pm 3.50 pm 4.30 pm Tent Ben Darvill, Joanne Dempster, Category Ian Thomson, Alistair Lavery, David O’Reilly, Jo McIntyre, Jim Jermyn, Gardening Gordon Riddle, Zul Bhatia, BTO. Birding Glasgow Science Winners Scottish SOC. Raptor Field Studies Hessilhead Wildlife Photographer. Scotland Show SOC. Working RSPB Scotland. with your Centre. OPAL Landscape identification Council. Rescue. What Wildlife Manager. British with the Wildlife eyes shut. Polli:Nation Photographer workshop. Scottish should you do with photography – and European kestrel. of Tanzania. 30 mins Survey. of the Year. 30 mins spiders. a wildlife casualty? hints and tips. wildflowers. 30 mins 30 mins 30 mins 30 mins 30 mins 30 mins 30 mins 30 mins

Discovery 10.30 am 11.30 am 12.30 pm 3.30 pm 4 pm 5.15 pm Zone Michael Fallon, Artist. Leo du Feu, Artist. Thomas Poulsom, Anthony Stone, Josie Slade, Migrant bird Kids animal art Sketching in the Author and Designer. Birds Venturing Out. Aigas Field themed wine workshop. landscape. from Bricks LEGO© workshop Go with the flow, Centre. tasting with 45 mins 40 mins (subject to availability, booking water-based The owl pellet Cockburns at information desk required). expeditions. challenge. of Leith. 45 mins 45 mins 45 mins 60 mins

Walks 11.15 am 12.30 pm 1.45 pm 3 pm 4 pm BTO bird songs and calls walk. SOC waders and seabirds BTO bird songs and calls walk. SOC waders and seabirds Raised from the ashes. East Lothian Departs from Biodiversity walk. Departs from SOC stand Departs from BTO stand in the walk. Departs from SOC stand Council tour of Levenhall Links. Departs Talks Tent. in the Scottish Birdfair Area. Scottish Birdfair Area. in the Scottish Birdfair Area. from Wild About East Lothian Marquee.

Story 10.30 am 11.10 am 11.50 am 12.30 pm Bands will be performing throughout Tent Ricky and Leah Boleto, Rory Crawford and Ferne Ricky and Leah Boleto, Rory Crawford and Ferne the afternoon at the Story Tent. CBBC Presenters. Corrigan, Children’s TV CBBC Presenters. Corrigan, Children’s TV Puffin tales story Presenters “Superworm” Puffin tales story Presenters “Superworm” time – Harris the sing-along story time! time – Harris the sing-along story time! Hero! 30 mins 30 mins Hero! 30 mins 30 mins

Each day BTO Bird ringing Lawrence Clark, Reading is Braw RSPB Scotland Wild About Venturing out RSPB Scotland’s Firth of Forth throughout demonstration bushcrafts Yurt Passport to East Lothian water-based largest optics demo the weekend, Bird Ringing Tent Bushcraft Adventure Wild About East expeditions Optics Marquee seabird cruise Ventures Tent RSPB Conservation Pick yours up at Lothian Tent By the pond Departing from nearby there’s plenty Pond dipping Science Stand the Nature Outpost Inner Forth Fisherrow Harbour at 3 pm, going on outside with RSPB Scotland Minibeast hunts Scottish Birdfair area Music and bands RSPB Scotland Landscape Initiative shuttlebus available. our event Book at Nature with RSPB Scotland RSPB Scotland Afternoons at the Giving Nature RSPB Scotland marquees, Outpost Book at Nature Birds from Bricks Wildlife Story Tent a Home Village Marquee Book at the Maid of the Forth including: Outpost LEGO© Drop In crime scene RSPB Scotland stand, which is located in the Birds from Bricks Passport to Marquee RSPB Scotland Conservation Corner, by 1 pm. Marquee Adventure activity Bird Safari (subject to weather 6 Passport to Adventure and availability). 7 Sea Wall Festival Map

W E BTO and Musselburgh Market SOC Conservation S Theatre Corner Exhibitors Biodiversity Talks Tent

Wild About Story and East Music Tent Lothian

Demonstration area Discovery Food and Craft Birds from Artisan Zone Wildlife Marquee Bricks Food Crime Bushcrafts Scene RSPB Scotland Scottish Face Marquee Minibeast Birdfair Painting Hunt Pond Dipping Bird Nature Outpost – Ringing Pond Dipping activity sign up area Venturing Out

Optics Yurt

Tickets

Bird Hides, Shuttle Buses and Car Park Sunday at a glance Family-friendly activities:

10.30 am 11 am 11.30 am 12 pm 12.30 pm 1 pm 1.30 pm 2 pm 2.30 pm 3 pm 3.30 pm 4 pm 4.30 pm

BTO/SOC 10.30 am 11 am 11.30 am 12 pm 12.30 pm 1 pm 1.30 pm 2 pm 2.30 pm 3 pm 3.30 pm 4 pm Theatre Ellie Owen, Ian Poxton, Euan Dunn, Ricky and Leah Stuart Francis Daunt, Mark Wilson, Clifton Bain, Richard Graham Mark Eaton, Ken Clark, Wolfston RSPB SOC. Are RSPB. Boletto, CBBC Housden, CEH BTO. What RSPB Clarkson, NTS. Pettigrew, RSPB. Red Photographic. Scotland. merlins and The trials of Presenters. RSPB Isle of May. can we do for Scotland. The raven: nest East Lothian and amber Lord of the Skies. Seabird other upland being a puffin. How to Scotland. The Long-term Scotland’s The Celtic refurbishment, Council. list process. 20 mins tracking: a birds under 20 mins become a Galapagos seabird breeding rainforests. brooding and Mountain 30 mins conservation threat on reporter. Islands. research. waders? 20 mins rearing young. hares of the imperative. grouse moors? 20 mins 20 mins 20 mins 20 mins 20 mins Lammermuirs. 20 mins 20 mins 20 mins

Talks 10.30 am 11.10 am 11.50 am 12.30 pm 1.10 pm 2 pm 2.40 pm 3.30 pm Tent Mark Wilson, Daniele Muir, British Jeremy Brock. Ian Thomson, Ian Thomson, Calum Murray, Jo McIntyre, Fiona Guest, Scotia Seeds. BTO. Finding Dragonfly Society. Spanish Steppes RSPB Scotland. SOC. Wader RSPB Scotland. Photographer. How to manage and recording Easy dragonfly – birds of the Raptor ID workshop. A forked-tail Wildlife photography your meadow. nests for ID tips. Laguna de persecution – 30 mins from the trail. – high speed action 30 mins conservation. 30 mins Gallocanta. the facts. 30 mins photography. 30 mins 30 mins 30 mins 30 mins

Discovery 10.30 am 11 am 12 pm 1 pm 2 pm 2.30 pm 3.45 pm Zone Dr. David Michael Fallon, Artist. Craig Leitch Thomas Poulsom, Anthony Stone, Josie Slade, BTO birder quiz Hendrey, Kids animal art and Ellie Owen, Author and Designer. Venturing Out. Aigas Field Centre. and cake cutting. Chiropractor. workshop. RSPB Scotland. Birds from Bricks Go with The owl pellet 60 mins Don’t crane 45 mins Seabird LEGO© workshop the flow, challenge. your neck scavenger hunt. (subject to water-based 45 mins whilst bird 45 mins availability, booking expeditions. watching! at information desk 45 mins 20 mins required). 45 mins

Walks 11.15 am 12 pm 1 pm 2 pm 3 pm 4 pm BTO nest finding SOC waders and BTO bird songs and SOC waders and BTO nest finding and Raised from the ashes. East and recording seabirds walk. Departs calls walk. Departs seabirds walk. Departs recording walk. Departs Lothian Council tour of Levenhall walk. Departs from from SOC stand in the from BTO stand in the from SOC stand in the from BTO stand in the Links. Departs from Wild About Biodiversity Talks Tent. Scottish Birdfair Area. Scottish Birdfair Area. Scottish Birdfair Area. Scottish Birdfair Area. East Lothian Marquee.

Each day BTO Bird ringing Lawrence Clark, Reading is Braw RSPB Scotland Wild About Venturing out RSPB Scotland’s Firth of Forth throughout demonstration bushcrafts Yurt Passport to East Lothian water-based largest optics demo the weekend, Bird Ringing Tent Bushcraft Adventure Wild About East expeditions Optics Marquee seabird cruise Ventures Tent RSPB Conservation Pick yours up at Lothian Tent By the pond Departing from nearby there’s plenty Pond dipping Science Stand the Nature Outpost Inner Forth Fisherrow Harbour at 3 pm, going on outside with RSPB Scotland Minibeast hunts Scottish Birdfair area Music and bands RSPB Scotland Landscape Initiative shuttlebus available. our event Book at Nature with RSPB Scotland RSPB Scotland Afternoons at the Giving Nature a RSPB Scotland marquees, Outpost Book at Nature Birds from Bricks Wildlife Story Tent Home Village Marquee Book at the Maid of the Forth including: Outpost LEGO© Drop In crime scene RSPB Scotland stand, which is located in Birds from Bricks Passport to Marquee RSPB Scotland the Conservation Corner, 10 Marquee Adventure activity Bird Safari by 1 pm.(subject to 11 Passport to Adventure weather and availability). The Scottish Birdfair at Scotland’s Big Nature Festival

Levenhall Links in Musselburgh is one of the top birding sites in the Lothians. The number of birds to be seen throughout the year is impressive and the variety of species is unrivalled. It’s also one of the best sites for viewing birds at close range.

This year’s festival coincides nicely with Throughout the fair, the BTO and SOC photographers. You might also be Discover more of East Lothian. With the tides, meaning you’ll be able to get Theatre will be hosting a rich and varied tempted by a migrant bird-themed wine a dramatic and varied patchwork of even closer to nature and enjoy some programme of talks from some of the very tasting or the birder quiz – with free cake! habitats along 40 miles of coastline, a great birding around the site. BTO and best ornithologists and conservationists. correspondingly large number of bird SOC volunteers will be on hand at several Speakers will be discussing the worrying RSPB Scotland expert speakers will cover species can be seen within a relatively locations to pass on the latest sightings and population trends affecting Greenland subjects ranging from Scotland’s islands, small and accessible area. Pick up a point out what’s around. Plus drop by the white-fronted geese, dippers, Scotland’s to wild birds in our culture, the Celtic free guide to “Birdwatching on the East ever-popular ringing demonstration to get breeding waders, merlins and the rainforests, seabirds and much more. Lothian Coast” from the SOC stand. uniquely close views of birds in the hand. challenges faced by puffins. Put some of your newly-learnt skills to the With a fantastic range of guided walks, For more practical-based top tips, head test and meet other bird enthusiasts on talks and workshops also on offer, you’ll over to the Biodiversity Talks Tent and one of the many guided walks taking place have plenty of opportunities to fine tune the Discovery Zone. Here you’ll have the across the weekend. BTO will be running your ID skills and find out more about opportunity to improve your photography regular bird songs and calls walks and SOC birds and birding in Scotland. skills under the guidance of award-winning will be leading “waders and seabirds” walks. The East Lothian Countryside Ranger will also be running daily tours giving an insight into how this fascinating nature reserve transitioned from an industrial site to a birding hotspot.

In amongst all this, explore more than 100 exhibitors, try out the latest optical equipment, peruse a selection of wonderful wildlife art and books, stock up on your bird food and get inspired by the range of birding holidays on offer. Whatever your interest there’ll be something for you!

12 13 Thanks

We are extremely grateful to our fantastic sponsors and supporters who have given their help in lots of different ways. Without this assistance and the huge effort of more than 100 RSPB © B Scotland volunteers, we would not be RSPB Scotland is extremely grateful for LU©

B F able to host the event, so we want to the generous support of ScottishPower. H Y

L A

IN R

U G

EAR T say a huge thank you to all our sponsors,

F T O H Y H

I R

N P G

A T

R L volunteers, supporters and contributors!

T O

A H

U L

A O

M D

B C

O M

B © O

© COAST TO SURF SCHOOL Special offer for Big Nature Festival visitors 25% off at the RSPB online shop 25% plus free delivery. off Order online at rspbshop.co.uk (enter code NATURE at checkout), call 0345 034 7733*. Offer valid until 5/6/16.

To claim online or by telephone, please quote the following promotional code: NATURE (for online orders, please add the promotional code to the offer code box in the shopping basket). 25% discount excludes Giving Nature a Home and Bob merchandise, Made to order and personalised gifts, RSPB membership, gift cards, Pressies that Protect, Paramo clothing, optics including binoculars and telescopes, Moorcroft and Royal Crown Derby products, RSPB wine, sale and reduced items and stamps. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers. *Calls may be recorded for training purposes. 25% off 12.75 kg sacks of bird food at RSPB Loch Leven visiteastlothian.org To claim your offer at Loch Leven please present this page at the till. Limited to one per customer. Offer subject to availability and ends on 19/6/16. Offer excludes 12.75 kg Buggy Nibbles visiteastlothian.org and 12.75 kg High Energy Sprinkles. Offer not available in any other RSPB retail store. 15

F H Y P

IN R G

AR T

T O

C M

visiteastlothian.org Explore, discover ● Fetlar and enjoy Shetland

● Mousa Loch of Spiggie ● Nature Sumburgh Head with Noup Cliffs North Hill RSPB Scotland! ● ● Birsay Moors Cottascarth Marwick Head ●● ●Trumland ● ● ● Onziebust Key The Loons ● ● Mill Dam ● Brodgar ● Wild and wonderful reserves Hoy Hobbister Orkney Enjoy date with nature activities * Dunnet Head ● Great for families ● Broubster Leans ●Loch na Muilne ● Forsinard Flows

Isle of North Sea Lewis

North Uist Nigg Bay ● Udale Bay Troup Head ● ● ● Fairy Glen ● Balranald ● Loch of Tollie red kites ●Culbin Sands Strathbeg Inverness

Corrimony ● Isle of ■ Skye ● Dolphinwatch, Kylerhea Loch Ruthven LOCH GARTEN OSPREY sea eagles CENTRE, ABERNETHY Aberdeen ● ● Fowlsheugh Insh Marshes Glenborrodale

● Isle of Coll ● The Reef ● Loch of Kinnordy ● Coll Isle of Tiree Isle of Mull ■ Mull sea eagles Inversnaid Colonsay and Oronsay ● ■ Argaty red kites ● Stirling LOCH LEVEN Loch Lomond Loch Gruinart EDINBURGH GLASGOW Giving nature a home Islay in Glasgow ● The Oa ● LOCHWINNOCH Baron’s Haugh

Keep in touch ● Ailsa Craig

Facebook.com/RSPBScotland Ken Dee Marshes ● ■ Galloway kite trail @RSPBScotland Wood of Cree ● rspb.org.uk/Scotland ● Mersehead Mull of Galloway Crook of Baldoon

*visit our website for full details rspb.org.uk/Scotland