Feed

The grounds at Provanhall are beautiful and the sounds of willdlife waking up after a long winter were all around us. As we made our way around the grounds we identified suitable trees and with a marking paint from Ranger Greig we marked the trees that we would use. We had to think about the suitablility of each tree and also the position of the boxes, not to hot from a summer sun and not to cold from a chilling wind or breeze! To learn inside nature is a privilege that as the weeks go by we are recognising more and more. Its great to learn from our Ranger Friends and have examples of what they are talking about right in front of us. Listening and being part of a team helps us in a variety of ways and being part of something that will have a long lasting and profound impact on nature and hopefully our communities is certainly they way that we want to learn. Thanks to Senior Countryside Ranger (Glasgow) Allison Greig and Ranger Gavin as well as the team at the EXCELLENT Provanhall Community Team for making this day happen!!!

The boxes had been constructed with rough edges sanded down, nails neatly hammered into place giving the boxes strength and rubber hinges tacked into place. We had decided to make the boxes accessible to Blue Tits and Great Tits and so the diameter of the access holes had to be slightly different sizes. Weathproofing was our next job and so with a brown waterproof staining we coated our boxes with smooth even strokes. The finished boxes were number to help with future surveys and all that was now left was to find suitable spots for our wildlife friends....

Allison and her team had sourced the materials we needed for our nesting boxes from sustainable sources with reclaimed timber and rubber from old car mats being used. WIth the help of our support we initially put the pieces of the kits together and then positioned our nails setting them in place so as not to split the wood. Teamwork was a big part of this active learning experience and we needed the guidance of our Support Staff and Countryside Rangers to help us through the task. As we worked we talked and listened to each other, helping where we could and making sure that we were on track. We know by now that being busy and actively learning is where we want to be as we travel along our learning journey. The boxes were certainly coming together and our thoughts turned to questions for Ranger Greig and Ranger Gavin and as we asked we discussed and as we discussed we learned.....

Todays active learning adventure took place in the medieval buildings and grounds of Provanhall. Working once again with our friends from Glasgow City Councils Countryside Ranger Team we set about creating our very own bird boxes. Senior Countryside Ranger Allison Greig and her Ranger Gavin led the day with Nesting Box Kits, Nails, Hammers and a range of other tools at the ready. Once we had went through our risk assessment and safety checks we were good to go and the hammering began.....

We took the train to Irvine Beach to litter pick. This allowed us to develop life skills whilst doing some conservation work.

At Saltwells NNR today the group were doing tasks around the wardens base, one group were doing some tool maintenance which is really important to ensure they are safe to use. They used wire brushes to brush any mud off and then secured it in the vice to apply some WD40 to stop any rusting. Other students were using the sawhorse and bow saw to saw tree cookies or wood biscuits as one of the leaners described them :))) These will be used for decorations at a later date. Last year the groups used them to make Christmas decorations, we did string art using tacks and different colour string they looked amazing! I took a small group to do a litter pick around the reserve, due to the rain it was flooded in some parts and quite muddy. Using the litter picking equipment they collected cans, bottles, crisp packets and wrappers! we discussed the impact of litter on the environment and the wildlife.

At the turn of the year a friend’s teenage daughter spotted a kingfisher on the canal near where we all live. Not long after I spotted it in the same place and for a couple of days we sent blurry photos back and forward. This part of the canal is route 75 of the National Cycle Network and also John Muir Way. I can’t believe it’s been 5 months since I walked the John Muir Way, but during that walk I repeatedly saw kingfishers – I never tire of them. For my Conserver Award, I’ve logged this most recent sighting with iRecord and as part of my stitch-and-share plan, I’ve popped a little kingfisher on a bench on the towpath near where I saw it. I’ll check back to make sure it doesn’t become litter, but even if no one takes it home, hopefully it’ll raise awareness of the John Muir Way and the John Muir Award. This year I’m attempting #My200BirdYear – a challenge to see 200 birds in one year. January’s kingfisher went on the list which is now at 81. It started quickly, and will slow down, but it’s a good motivator to keep noticing what’s around me on walks and cycles. After my trip to the bench, I walked along the John Muir Way for an hour to deliver a present to a friend, keeping an eye out for birds. I also took a #2minutecleanup bag to litterpick on the way home – but there was almost nothing to collect. I know a local volunteer, Stan, is very active here so there was very little for me to do today apart from walk in the sun. :)