Forres Wildlife Watch Group entertaining and educating children for Scottish Wildlife Trust
Children aged 8-12 are being helped to appreciate the local environment by four resident experts.
Responding to an advert for volunteers by the Scottish Wildlife Trust last summer, Emma Menzies, Rachel Middleton and Jay Butler started Forres Wildlife Watch Group (FWWG), later adding country ranger, Tom Fredriksson.
Emma confirmed the group initially organised an excursion to Blair’s where they enjoyed pond dipping Loch in the sun and spotted an osprey.
She explained: “It’s really important for young people to get involved with nature and we wanted to provide opportunities for local young people to do so.”
The quartet have various backgrounds in wildlife and expertise. Jay is an ecologist with a great knowledge of plants and animals.
He said: “My grandmother instilled such a deep and profound love of wildlife that much of my life has been dedicated to its pursuit. Wildlife has given me a career, taught me maths, physics and how to communicate. It has also given me an unparalleled love of the natural world that I want to share with as many people as possible.”
Emma grew up in the countryside outside Forres.
She said: “I have always been surrounded by wildlife and loved it. The group has given me the chance to explore that passion and learn lots of new things too. I have lots of outdoors experience through my years in the Scouts.”
Rachel is a teacher at Drumduan School so adds her experience in education.
She said: “I am passionate about wildlife. I have been involved with wildlife groups before so was keen to start one here.”
And newest member Tom is a seasonal ranger in the Cairngorms.
He said: “I want to continue being involved in outdoor education and use my experience in the group.”
Most of their monthly sessions take place at Blairs Loch but occasionally run at Sanquhar or further afield at the beach or in local forests.
Highlights over the last nine months have included: catching insects and counting butterflies at Saorsa Seillean wildflower meadow at Altyre; rock pooling at Hopeman beach; tracking badgers and other night-time creatures at twilight; and, most recently, building bird boxes with a guest from the Strathspey Golden Eye study group.
FWWG will take part in the Great British Beach Clean in March then learn about and spot spring birds in April. ‘Mini beasts’ will be studied with the help of bug catchers in May and the group will return to Blairs Loch for another pond dipping session in June.
“Hopefully it will be as successful as last time!,” said Emma. “We enjoy exploring the incredible local places with the young people that join us. It’s great to get out and immerse ourselves in nature with no technology or distractions. I especially love seeing the young people’s enthusiasm and creativity when taking part in our activities.”
Jay loves passing on the enthusiasm and wonder of nature that his grandmother gave him.
He finished: “To have the opportunity to allow children to experience the unbounded excitement that the natural world has to offer is an honour and a privilege.”
Forres Wildlife Watch Group aim to run sessions on the third Saturday of every month. Email forreswildlifewatch@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page for more information.
