Successful St Johns Pool work day thanks to efforts of volunteers

A record number of volunteers turned out on Sunday (12 March) to assist with habitat enhancement work and access improvements at St Johns Pool near Dunnet in Caithness.

Members of the Caithness Countryside Volunteers were joined by representatives from the Caithness Broch Project to create a dynamic team of enthusiastic volunteers. A range of jobs were completed including weeding, landscaping the islands, ditch clearing, path building, clearing vegetation and not forgetting, a successful team building exercise to fix camouflage screening to the viewing hides.

Julian Smith, bird reserve owner, was delighted with the fantastic turn out and work completed on the day. He provided lunch for all the volunteers who assisted with the work and thanked them for their efforts.

The Caithness Countryside Volunteers continued after lunch with their AGM. Jay Wilson, from the John O’Groats Trail, gave an update on the work of the trail and thanked the volunteers for their efforts last year.

Marina Swanson, Highland Council ranger said: “As always, I am so grateful to our wonderful volunteers who turn up at these events. The weather was particularly kind on Sunday and there was a real buzz around the pool with everyone pulling together. We look forward to the birds arriving shortly and taking up residence. Thanks also to the Smiths for a lovely lunch.”

The Caithness Countryside Volunteers is oranised through the Highland Council’s Planning and Infrastructure Countryside Rangers and is always looking for new members. If you wish to find out more about the group, please contact Marina Swanson on 01847 821531 or e-mail marina.swanson@highland.gov.uk

John’s Pool and The John Corbett Memorial Hide are situated on the north side of St.John’s Loch between Thurso and John o’ Groats. Access is free and open to the public all year round and well worth a visit.