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.