SpringWinter 2017 2014 It’s Your Neighbourhood

Clean Up Keep Beautiful is calling for It’s Your Neighbourhood local activities community groups to register for the include bulb planting, litter picking, filling community growing campaign, It’s Your planters and hanging baskets, improving Neighbourhood. pathways and accessibility and developing allotments. Waste & The campaign Recycling celebrates the In addition, achievements of groups are communities supported Fairtrade who have come through regional together to clean workshops, Fortnight up and green up which provide the neighbour- advice on hoods where funding, how to I-Bike they live, work promote the or spend work of the Aberdeen leisure time. group, how to recruit Last year 25 volunteers, Waxwing groups in practical advice Aberdeen joined and a chance to Invasion the It’s Your meet others in Neighbourhood the area and Ranger campaign, learn from each including other. Events allotments, residents Registration for Click side arrows to navigate & > groups, ‘Friends It’s Your corners to return to this page < of’ groups, Neighbourhood schools and opens on the Next issue... community groups. 1 March and continues through to the 16 April and it is free to take part in. This year the theme is ‘bird, bees and trees’ and each registered group will receive a If would like to be part of the campaign Sustainable packet of native Scottish wildflower seeds visit www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/iyn to ensure they get off to a blooming start.

The campaign is non-competitive and based on the three topics of Community FOOD Participation, Environmental Responsibility and Gardening Achievement. It is run by Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB), in partner- ship with the Royal Horticultural Society Aberdeen’s Environmental (RHS). Groups are assessed on their own News and Events merit and not compared against each other. Litter picking efforts by Rotaract Aberdeen, helped to clean up Aberdeen’s Broad Hill on 25 February.

A group of 11 volunteers from Rotary Club of Aberdeen Deeside and St Fittick Rotary Club collected 15 bags of litter during the clean up event.

Aberdeen City Council provided the group with equipment for the litter pick and collected the litter afterwards.

The group is planning another litter pick on the 23 April. If you would like to get involved in volunteering, or find out more information email: contact@ rotaractaberdeen.org.uk or on Volunteers clean up Broad Hill Facebook @rotaractaberdeen

Spring is just round the corner and you can be part of the Clean Up Aberdeen spring clean event. This is a great opportunity to get together with friends, colleagues or your community and clean up a local area. Clean Up Aberdeen

Aberdeen City Council’s Before Environmental Services can lend you litter picking tongs, high vis Clean ups are great fun and make a vests, gloves and black bags and noticeable difference to areas. Groups will uplift the collected rubbish. in Dyce, Cove, Bridge of Don, Kincorth, Fittie and Mannofield are already For more details, or to get planning to get out and clean up their help organising an event communities this spring. call 03000 200 292, or email cleanaberdeen@aberdeencity. Aberdeen Boat Club has already kicked gov.uk off their clean up year by filling 12 bags from the banks of the River Dee at the After start of February. Clean Up Aberdeen is part of Keep Scotland The club first got involved in clean ups in the Beautiful’s national mass-engagement wake of Storm Frank last year. From February campaign Clean Up Scotland. Clean Up to April 2016 the club carried out five clean Scotland aims to involve one million people ups, involving 42 volunteers who filled in action against litter and mess. 121 bags. Progress with Powering Aberdeen

Powering Aberdeen, is a major programme of carbon dioxide per year, as a result of to drive down carbon emissions generated these changes. across the city by looking at how we manage, generate and use energy and how This page highlights a new hydrogen we live and do business. fuelling station which was recently opened in Cove and a further 10 hydrogen fuelled Progress in delivering this plan continues Toyota Mirais vehicles brought to the city. across a number of areas. This month, Important mile stones in delivering the as reported on page 4, a new process for hydrogen strategy. recycling waste is starting in the city. Aberdeen leads A programme to improve energy efficiency The introduction of mixed recycling in buildings continues. This has included facilities will make it easier to recycle and over cladding of buildings in Seaton, the way in increase the range of items that can be insulation of buildings in Froghall and this recycled. Recycling reduces the amount of year the heat network will hydrogen carbon dioxide generated and by 2020 it is be extended to seven hoped to be saving around 16,000 tonnes large non-domestic Aberdeen’s second hydrogen refuelling buildings in the city station was officially opened in centre, which will deliver February, along with the launch of a significant carbon savings. fleet of 10 hydrogen fuelled Toyota Mirai cars.

The Aberdeen City Hydrogen Energy Storage (ACHES) facility is located in Cove and will serve cars and vans. The new site is in addition to the hydrogen Emission reduction Powering refuelling station at Kittybrewster which serves the hydrogen bus fleet. from schools and Aberdeen partnerships The station was funded by Aberdeen public buildings City Council, ERDF, Transport Scotland and NESTRANS, and was built and Aberdeen City Council reported an Powering Aberdeen seeks to reduce will be maintained and operated by emissions figure of 46,370 tonnes of CO2e emissions across the city and is building Hydrogenics. for 2015/16. This showed a 5% reduction partnerships to help encourage this. on emissions from Council operations Located in Cove, ACHES has four during the previous year. The programme continues work with local electric recharging points and has public bodies to identify ways of working the potential to produce 130kg of This figure covers energy used in public together to further reduce emissions. hydrogen per day. buildings, waste from schools and public Public sector organisations across buildings, council water usage and Aberdeen reported total savings of 6314 ACHES will help contribute to the travel conducted in carrying out council t CO2e over the last 12 months and have Aberdeen City Region Hydrogen business. Some of the performance generated energy using a combination of Strategy and Action plan 2015-2025 highlights are shown below: biomass boilers, solar PV, solar thermal as the fleet continues to expand. Ten and ground source heat pumps, reducing buses and a variety of vans and cars OUR BUILDINGS emissions from buildings and in some are in place, with more expected to be Improvements to energy cases exporting to the grid. added this year. efficiency in buildings saved 968t CO2 They are also seeking to encourage wider The 10 Toyota Mirai cars will be leased uptake of measures to reduce emissions for three years with five going to the STREET LIGHTING in the private sector and aim to launch a National Health Service (NHS), three to Introduction of LED lanterns web site and business network to support the Co-wheels car club, one to Scottish resulted in electricity demand this process. Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) reducing by 5% or 1075t CO2 and one to Aberdeen City Council. If you would like to get involved or have The project is part funded by the UK WASTE RECYCLING a good case study to highlight, please Government Office for Low Emission FROM SCHOOLS & PUBLIC get in touch with the Powering Aberdeen Vehicles (OLEV) and Transport Scotland. BUILDINGS (not domestic waste) Programme Manager, Terri Vogt at TeVogt@ Increasing recycling levels aberdeencity.gov.uk The Aberdeen Hydrogen Summit will saved 378t CO2 take place on 15-17 March. For more information visit www.h2aberdeen.com Your old general waste bin will then Introducing your become your mixed recycling bin, with a new waste and sticker to show it can take: • glass bottles and jars recycling service • plastic bottles • pots, tubs and trays Householders across Aberdeen will soon • food and drink cartons see changes to their kerbside waste and • paper, card and cardboard recycling collections with the introduction • metal cans, tins, aerosols of new recycling, waste and brown bin • foil collection routes. When you have a stickered mixed recycling The convenient recycling facilities are being bin you should use it straight away because introduced across Aberdeen and it is hoped your kerbside recycling box and bag will no that more people will be encouraged to longer be emptied. recycle, helping to reach the target of 50% by 2020. Once collected, the mixed recycling will be sorted at Aberdeen’s new state-of-the-art Grow in Your A new mixed recycling service will Materials Recovery Facility in East Tullos, replace the current recycling box and bag which is due to begin operating in Spring. Box Challenge collections. All recyclable materials will be collected Please check your new from a single wheelie bin, Waste Less calendar collection dates Aberdeen residents are being with no need to separate carefully, as your day encouraged to make use of their them, making the service Recycle More of collection may have black recycling boxes to grow even easier to use. changed. Remember to something edible this year. use your new collection calendar from You’ll also be able to recycle a wider range 6 March, whether or not you have received When your new recycling collection of materials including plastic pots, tubs and your new general waste bin. is in place, the black recycling boxes trays, as well as food and drink cartons. can make a great container for Brown bin collections for food and garden growing vegetables, herbs and salads. waste will continue unchanged. How will the new The Grow in Your Box Challenge recycling service work? Benefits of recycling has been developed by North East Wellbeing and Aberdeen Inspired, In early February, you received an Recycling has enormous benefits for the who are encouraging participants information pack in the post containing environment and for Aberdeen: to share how they get on. your new waste and recycling collection calendar, a letter and Frequently Asked • It reduces waste which can damage Tips to get started: Questions sheet that explains the changes. our environment. • It means that the council spends less on • Try growing two or three From 27 February and continuing for eleven waste disposal and treatment. different plants in your container, weeks, the Council will begin deliveries of • It allows the materials to be turned into different plants can support each new, slightly smaller general waste bins new resources. other. Find out more at: www. and information leaflets. You can check vegetablegardeninglife.com/ online for information about when to look You can find out more about the changes at companion-planting-charts.html out for yours. www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling • You can buy seeds from garden centres, online catalogues, from Mixed Recycling Bin Food & Garden Bin General Waste Bin friends who grow, or from local 4 Glass bottles and jars 4 All cooked and uncooked 4 Only for materials that seed swaps like the one at Seedy 4 Plastic bottles and pots, tubs food waste cannot be recycled Sunday at Aden Country Park on and trays 4 Flowers, plants, weeds 19 March. 4 Food and drinks cartons and leaves 4 Paper, card and cardboard 4 Grass cuttings and hedge • Check when and how your seeds 4 Tins, cans, aerosols and foil trimmings are best sown and make sure the bottom of your box has a number of holes, for drainage.

• Keep an eye on your plants and water them regularly.

• Visit www.facebook.com/North- East-Wellbeing-1346434868712994/ to find out more. Aberdeen has council, faith Climate Week successfully groups and renewed schools. Fairtrade City Climate Week North East is running Status, setting The Fairtrade from 18-25 March, with a packed an action plan Aberdeen successfully Foundation programme of events taking place and objectives acknowledged across the region. to underline the wide local renews Fairtrade status range of local Local organisations are hosting a wide commitment initiatives range of action themed events as they to Fairtrade to raise take part in Climate Week and Earth for the next 2 years. awareness and uptake of Fairtrade in Hour 2017, a global switch off of lights Aberdeen. Highlighting: for climate change. The award is made by the Fairtrade Foundation and includes setting • A successful event with Northlink Ferries The Climate Week programme is co- new targets and actions for taking for Fairtrade Fortnight 2016, which was ordinated by Aberdeen Climate Action Fairtrade further in Aberdeen, as used to drive awareness and purchase and offers something for everyone, well as providing an update on progress of Fairtrade. including films, panel events, talks, since status was last renewed. • Encouraging Northlink Ferries and St guided walks & bike rides, story telling Josephs’ Primary School to buy Fairtrade for kids, Donside community hydro Aberdeen was first awarded the Fairtrade cotton uniforms. tour, exhibits and zero waste cafes. status in 2004 in recognition of the strong • The growth of the Aberdeen Fairtrade support for Fairtrade within the city and the pledge scheme. For a full list of events visit www. achievement of five qualifying goals. climateweekaberdeen.org and to take Fairtrade helps farmers in developing part in the Earth Hour switch off go to Requirements include countries to achieve a stable income www.earthhour.org/ a wide availability of and the chance to trade their way out of Fairtrade products poverty. The next renewal of the accolade in local shops and will be due in November 2018. catering outlets, high levels of support To find out more about the FAIRTRADE from local people, Mark,visit www.fairtrade.org.uk businesses, the Aberdeen Adapts Everyone involved in sport in Aberdeen, Fairtrade Fortnight was asked to stage at least one event or A series of themed workshops took meeting that uses Fairtrade products; and place in January, bringing local to promote those events via the stakeholders together to explore Fairtrade Fortnight is a fun- ‘Aberdeen for a Fairer World’ opportunities for increasing climate filled highlight of the website. resilience in Aberdeen. year, when campaigners, businesses, schools and Aberdeen Football Club Around 54 people, from 21 organisations places of worship show their Community Trust, helped to attended the workshops, which were support for the farmers and celebrate the event, adding facilitated by Adaptation Scotland, as workers who grow our food in some Fairtrade themed part of the Aberdeen Adapts project. developing countries. elements into their community activities over Fairtrade Fortnight. The project aims to develop a positive The year Fairtrade Fortnight ran from city strategy for climate adaptation, Monday 27 February – Sunday 12 March In addition, the Trust showed their support to guide decision making. when thousands of people across the UK for Fairtrade as one of the latest groups to helped shoppers to make choices that take the Aberdeen Fairtrade Pledge. The workshops covered the themes of: change the lives of farmers and workers. Products that bear the Fairtrade mark The local pledge scheme enables city • Buildings & Infrastructure ensure that workers in developing countries business, organisations and schools to • Society and economy are paid a fair price for the products they receive a certificate when they make a • Natural Environment make, with a small premium going to pledge to use, promote or stock The Natural Environment workshop support local initiatives. Fairtrade products. included the use of touch table technology to gather input on In Aberdeen, the Fairtrade Steering Group To find out more or to take the Aberdeen visioning activities for the workshop. chose a sport theme to support the Fairtrade Fairtrade Pledge visit the Aberdeen City Foundation Council To find out more about the project go theme of ‘take website. to www.adaptationscotland.org.uk/ a break’. get-involved/our-projects/aberdeen- adapts I-Bike comes to Aberdeen

Our Energy A Cycling Officer has been appointed to deliver Although taking a ‘whole school’ approach, I-Bike to Aberdeen schools. The project aims there will be a particular focus on engaging Saving to encourage and promote cycling and other with girls who often undertake less physical forms of active and sustainable travel to activity than boys and addressing the primary school and in leisure time. to secondary school transition, where cycling Superhero to school levels traditionally drop. The Cycling Officer will work closely with The winner of a city primary schools school pupils, teachers, parents and the Rachael spent her first month meeting pupils competition to name an energy wider community to identify and address and staff, introducing the project and finding superhero mascot was recently barriers to cycling and active travel. out more about the area to better understand presented with a prize and certificate the local barriers and enablers of cycling. during the school assembly. Rachael Sparrow started work in the post in January and will initially be working She said: “I am very much looking forward Erin Petrie from primary 6 at with schools in the Bridge of Don and to working with all of my schools and hope Muirfield Primary School was won the Oldmachar clusters. that by working together we can increase the competition for a story submission level of active travel amongst their pupils.” about “Alfie Energy saves the Day”.

The energy mascot was created by the Council Energy Management Team to Active Travel Action promote an energy saving campaign in Plan Launched schools and other Council buildings. The Alfie energy campaign will be Aberdeen City Council has recently adopted rolled out to all schools in 2017 and an Active Travel Action Plan setting out Alfie superhero stories will be shared Council planning and design principles and in future editions of Green Times. policies in relation to active travel. Alfie will also be participating in Climate The plan includes a series of actions that Week 2017, at the Central Library. the Council and partners will seek to deliver over the next five years, with the aim of Introducing Alfie encouraging and enabling more walking and cycling in Aberdeen. Immediate priorities for active travel route Name: Alfie improvements are around Dyce, with an Works at: Sunshine Shelter Actions range from increasing and improving extension of the Dyce Drive pedestrian Best friend: Mum walking and cycling routes around the and cycle route and access improvements Nemesis: Dr Dark Aberdeen, to improving cycle training to Dyce Station now underway. Bridge of Superhero outfit: Green opportunities and investigating options for Don and the A90 north, extensions to the suit with lighting bolt on a bicycle rental scheme. Parkway and Ellon Road routes are currently it, green cape, black shoes being delivered and growing the path and black face mask. Elements of the plan are now being network along the River Don. Super power: Zoom about delivered, with an I-Bike Officer recently at superfast speed, mind recruited to work with schools, an updated The Active Travel Action Plan and future reading powers, ability to Aberdeen Cycle Map in development and progress reports can be viewed at click fingers & lights switch various routes being designed and delivered www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/lts off & stops water dripping. around Aberdeen. Hazlehead School celebrates Green Flag success

Hazlehead School has earned their second The school also took part in the Council A survey revealed that most of the fruit Green Flag award, successfully demonstrating Green Santa Initiative, to recycle old was being transported from abroad where commitment to the environment. electronic equipment. there are warmer climates. As a challenge, the school tried to reduce their carbon The Eco-Schools International Green Flag Global Goal 12: Litter footprint by buying locally grown fruits or Award is designed to encourage pupil-led, Every week the children conducted a litter even better some of the group even whole school action for the environment. patrol rota, to ensure all litter was being started growing their own. disposed of correctly. The school Eco Group has been learning The school Eco Group has been active for about the United Nations’ Sustainable A reward system was created that directly the last five years and has achieved Development Goals and has focussed linked into the school house points, so numerous awards and success. attention on actions which align with three everyone could help win points for their of the goals. Work has included: efforts. Data was recorded and tracked to Members represent children from Primary show success. 1 through to Primary 7, as well as members Global Goal 7: Energy of the local community and parents. With the help of janitor, Mr Bruce, the Global Goal 13: Food school energy consumption was monitored In line with healthy eating, the school track on a weekly basis and successfully reduced the origins of their snacks. through spot checks on classrooms.

The refurbishment included reglazing, new flooring and a sink and cupboard unit. The £65,000 refurbishment was funded by £40,000 from revenue underspend and remainder from the late Lorna Doreen Russell Legacy Fund. The Friends of Duthie Park and the Wood Group also contributed towards resources for the room.

At the beginning of January, Councillor Refurbished education room at the park Angela Taylor visited the David Welch Winter Gardens and took part in a Tropical The Education Room at the David Welch information booth at Glasgow Garden Festival Workshop with pupils from Ferryhill Primary. Winter Gardens has recently been during the 1980s before being moved to the refurbished, making it a warmer and more Winter Gardens. It has been used as a reptile Alan Amoore, from the Friends of Duthie comfortable venue for pupils and groups house, office accommodation and is now in Park, was also present learning about taking part in workshops at Duthie Park. use by the Duthie Park Rangers, as a venue artefacts from the tropical forests. The building was originally an for their workshops. Seaton Park Wetlands Engineering and planting work at the Seaton were counted, along with 13 jackdaws, 21 Park Wetland project was completed last crows, 3 magpies and 10 oystercatchers. summer and the area is now starting to Waxwing mature into a wildlife haven. As the weather warms up, the wildflowers will start to grow and flower, adding a invasion As last autumn and winter were relatively splash of colour and food, which will attract

Both photograph by Ian Talboys dry, the water levels stayed quite low more insects and birds. Over the last few months Aberdeen but the deeper pool towards the back of has seen large numbers of waxwings, the area held a good amount of water The water levels will continue to go up and which have attracted a lot of interest and attracted mallard ducks, snipe, and down depending on the amount of rainfall, as with local people, birdwatchers and oystercatchers to feed on a regular basis. this is how this wetland is designed to work. photographers. In the late summer, dragonflies and A new interpretation panel is being made to Waxwings visit the UK in the winter damselflies were seen laying eggs into the give information on the wildlife and history months, when food becomes scarce water and deer came down to drink at times of the area. in their summer range in Scandinavia. when there were not many people about. These berry eating birds sometimes It will also remind visitors that feeding the are seen in small numbers but every Now we have had more rain, the water ducks bread is not good for them; if visitors few years there is a much larger levels are rising, as predicted and even want to feed them they should try bird seed migration. more birds have moved in. or vegetation, such as lettuce, that is closer In one day in February, 87 mallard ducks to their natural diet of plant material. This winter there have been several flocks numbering into the hundreds of individuals. They have been moving around feeding on the rowan and cotoneaster berries from the trees and shrubs in cemeteries, parks, gardens and street trees.

This starling sized bird has a pinky coloured plumage, with a prominent crest on its head. Their wings have a bright, yellow flash and red Volunteer dots which is why they are called waxwings, as the red dots look like Ranger dots of red sealing wax used in days gone by to seal letters. Awards Flocks have been seen in areas such as Allenvale Cemetery, around Kingsgate and the Denburn, the The work of the Volunteer Ranger team Parks and Countryside Manager, Sandy Scott Northfield Outdoor Sports Centre, was acknowledged by the Countryside presented a certificate to each volunteer, Bedford Road and in Kincorth, as well Rangers Service at an awards ceremony and marking their total hours committed over as many other places. celebration lunch in December. the year.

Throughout last year the volunteers Volunteers are a vital part of the contributed an outstanding 1,174.5 hours of Countryside Ranger Service and without work with the Service, undertaking a variety them it would be impossible to get the of tasks to improve the safety, access and same amount of work done. biodiversity of countryside sites around the city. The Countryside Ranger Service expressed their thanks to the volunteer team for The team activities included gorse contributing time, skills and enthusiasm clearance, boardwalk repair, clearing over the years and to the Duthie Park overhanging vegetation and litter picking. Rangers, who allowed the use of their pavilion to hold the event. Ranger Service goes greener Hazlehead Woodland Thinning

The Countryside Ranger Service has taken the carbon footprint of the Council and delivery of a new Nissan 100% electric van. saving money on fuel and maintenance The vehicle has a range of over 80 miles costs. for a single charge, with the added benefit that on deceleration and braking the van Look out for the new van, which has an generates its own charge, taking the range eye catching livery. The vehicle is covered a bit further. in photographs of local wildlife habitats and species, featuring the coast on one The van which replaced a diesel fuelled side, heath on the other, woodland on the vehicle is helping to contribute to reducing back and wading birds on the bonnet. Thinning of Anderson Wood, in , is taking place as part of woodland All the photographs on the van management. are from the Countryside Ranger Service own collection. Anderson Wood is a well-established mixed woodland with Scots pine, Sitka spruce, larch, silver birch, beech and a few other kinds of trees. Thinning involves removing some of the trees to give the remaining ones more space to grow on to maturity.

The trees that are left are the ones which are best for wildlife and in a good condition, so mainly the Scots pine and broad leaved trees.

Over the winter the work has been completed with a timber harvesting machine that cuts down the tree, strips off the branches and cuts the trunk into lengths in just a couple of minutes.

To make sure you receive a copy of this Around 60 people attended a Countryside publication when it is released or if you Rangers session in January, giving the About Green Times would like to contribute to future public a chance to see the machine at editions contact: work at relatively close quarters. The event Green Times is produced in was a chance to find out about woodland March, June, September and email: thegreentimes@ management and how this is good for the December each year and aberdeencity.gov.uk woodland habitat, especially for animals includes information on local such as the red squirrel. transport, energy, waste, Eco telephone: 01224 522792 Schools and biodiversity The timber that has been removed has events and initiatives. or write to the editor: mainly gone for biomass fuel; it will be Business Hub 4, converted into wood pellets for biomass Previous editions are Ground Floor North, boilers, reducing the amount of gas or available on the Aberdeen Marischal College, oil used to heat buildings. The income City Council website www. Broad Street, generated from this work goes back into aberdeencity.gov.uk Aberdeen AB10 1AB managing our woodlands. What’s On

Outdoor Adventures This summer the Countryside Ranger Service has more events for all.

The Countryside Ranger Service now has an email mailing list which, if you sign up to, will mean you will get information about events and reminders about what is coming up as well as other useful and interesting information. If you would like to be added to the mailing list please send your email address to countrysideranger@ aberdeencity.gov.uk

Booking is essential for all events. To book a place or find out more phone or email: Saturday 25 | 10-11:30am Wednesday 5 | 10.30-11.30am & 1:30-2.30pm Managing Woods for Woodland Tales of Climate Change Aberdeen 01224 326429 Following on from the early Aberdeen Central Library countrysideranger@ morning squirrel spotting safari Using natural materials as aberdeencity.gov.uk this event will look in more props, families will be able to detail at how woodlands are engage more with the woodland managed for timber production, environment and find out about biodiversity, public access and to the creatures that live there March make them resistant to climate change. through story and drama. We will look at what the timber is used Meet at the Central Library reception. March events are part of for and how it can be a more sustainable Booking essential. Please call the Children’s Aberdeen Climate Change Week alternative to fossil fuels. Library on 01224 652507 to book and for Meet at the Aberdeen Crematorium further information. Thursday 23 | 2-4pm West Chapel car park. Donmouth to Don Hydro A walk from Donmouth to the Don Hydro April and back, starting from Donmouth, by the birdhide on the Esplanade, at 2pm. Saturday 1 | 10-12noon There will be good opportunities to see Foolish Facts…or Fiction? Thursday 6 – Sunday 20 birds and possibly otters! Led by Ranger Hazlehead Woods August | 11am -6pm Simon Whitworth, Jane Fullerton, Director Nature can be stranger than fiction, and on RSPB Dolphinwatch of Aberdeen Community Energy, who run this guided walk you must determine Torry Battery the Donside Hydro and Adam Ross, RSPB which information presented to you by Dolphinwatch is a free attraction where Membership & Engagement Officer. the Countryside Rangers is true or false. visitors can learn more about dolphins and Please wear sturdy footwear and clothing Remember: what you will be told about marine wildlife from RSPB Scotland’s team suitable for the weather, and bring a hot the plants and animals on this walk may of friendly and knowledgeable staff and drink and binoculars if you wish. sound ridiculous or convincing, but which volunteers at Torry Battery, overlooking information is true? Aberdeen Harbour. Saturday 25 | 7am-9am Meet at the large car park behind the Silent Squirrel Spotting Safari Hazlehead café. First Bus number 11 or Friday 7 | 5:45am-8:30am | Energetica Hazlehead Woods Stagecoach X17 will take you to Skene Road. On the Lookout for Otters Join the Countryside Rangers on an early Donmouth Local Nature Reserve morning journey to try and find signs of Monday 3 | 10-11.30am This event for fans of the “Beaste Dubh” the woods’ red squirrel population. These Rock Pooling at Cove hopes to provide early risers with views of woods are being managed to make them Residents of the rock pools need to be these charismatic creatures. Countryside more climate change resistant and tough where life is constantly changing Ranger Duncan will guide you to spots better for biodiversity. and every tide may bring in new arrivals. along the river where otters have been Please wear sturdy footwear Join a Countryside Ranger at Cove for an seen, so bring binoculars and a camera and clothing suitable for opportunity to explore the rock pools, in the hope you’ll see some otter activity! the weather, and bring meet some of the rock pool residents Birds and seals may also be seen in and a hot drink if you wish. and create some wild beach art. around the river. Meet at the far end of the Meet at Colsea Road car park. Meet at the bird hide on the Esplanade. Hazlehead Crematorium West Remember to bring wellies. First Bus numbers 1 or 2 will take you to Chapel car park. Bridge of Don. Saturday 8 | 10am-1pm Paw Print Pathfinders Kincorth Hill Local Nature Reserve Explore the history and wildlife on Kincorth Hill, with an easy to use orienteering map to follow trails around the nature reserve. Find the bronze panels of leaves and animal tracks. Meet at the Kincorth Hill car park off Abbotswell Crescent. First Bus number 18 will take you to Abbotswell Crescent.

Thursday 13 | 10am-11.30am Rock Pooling at Cove Cove Join a Countryside Ranger at Cove for an opportunity to explore the rock pools, meet some of the rock pool residents and create some wild beach art. Meet at Colsea Road car park. First Bus May Saturday 27 | 10am-1pm number 3 will take you to Cove Road. Woodland Crafts Remember to bring wellies. Saturday 6 | 10am-3pm Den of Maidencraig Local Squirrel Nature Reserve Saturday 15 | 10am-12noon | Energetica Woodland Come and join the Rangers for a relaxing A Donmouth Ramble Management morning in the reserve’s young woodland Donmouth Local Nature Reserve Hazlehead Woods creating some fantastic natural art and Spring is here! Join a Countryside Ranger Red squirrels crafts and making tasty hot drinks using on this circular walk around the Donmouth are once again an outdoor kettle. Local Nature Reserve. A low tide means we living in the woods of Meet at the Nature Reserve car park on should get views of a variety of wading birds. Hazlehead. Come and help the Rangers Skene Road. First Bus 11 or Stagecoach X17 Meet at the bird hide on the Esplanade. get rid of spruce saplings to encourage the will take you to Skene Rd. First Buses number 1 & 2 will take you to regeneration of Scots pines that are the the Bridge of Don. squirrel’s favourite food. Sunday 28 | 12-4pm Gloves, tools and hot drinks will be May Festival Saturday 22 | 2-4.30pm provided but please bring water and a Elphinstone Hall, University of Aberdeen A Tour of Girdleness and packed lunch. Meet at the far end of the Visit the Rangers in the “Hall of Mayhem” RSPB Dolphin Watch Aberdeen Crematorium West Chapel car as part of the May Festival 2017. At this Torry Battery park. First Bus number 11 or Stagecoach family friendly event you’ll be able to do Join a guided walk with a Countryside X17 will take you to Skene Road. some arts and crafts and join in with our Ranger to find out some local history indoor minibeast hunt! Drop-in event. and find out more about the wildlife Saturday 13 | 2-4:30pm of the area. There is a good chance of Take Me Back to Cove seeing dolphins in Aberdeen Harbour with A coastline walk from Cove harbour to RSPB Dolphin Watch. Burnbanks, with Countryside Ranger Bring sturdy footwear as the ground is Rob. Enjoy the views and wildlife, while uneven and may be slippery during the tracing the development of the area from walk. Meet in the Torry Battery Car Park medieval times. The walk ends at St. just off Greyhope Road. Buses 12 + 59 Mary's Episcopal Church. to Victoria Rd. Meet at the Colsea Road car park. First Bus number 3 will take you to Cove Road. To book a place or find out more: Saturday 20 | 10am-3pm Bracken-Busters 01224 326429 on Elrick Hill Come and help the Countryside Rangers countrysideranger@ pluck the new bracken fronds that are aberdeencity.gov.uk invading areas of heather moorland and NB All out door events will require warm help tackle the bracken menace. clothes sturdy footwear and waterproofs. Gloves, tools and hot drinks will be provided but please bring Young people under the age of 16 must water and a packed lunch. be accompanied by a responsible adult. Meet at the second car park If, after you have booked, you are not signposted for Tyrebagger Forest, able to attend, please phone to cancel on the left when you leave the A96. your booking as there may be others on a waiting list.