Wildlife Surveying Workshops

Two workshops will be taking place in Ross-shire to provide training and advice for community groups and volunteers on techniques to survey bats and red squirrels.

The sessions, in Strathpeffer and Contin have been organised by The Highland Council’s Easter Ross Ranger, Martin Hind who is leading the Greenspace Community Wildlife Audit Project.

The Bat survey techniques workshop takes place at Strathpeffer Community Centre on Thursday 1st May from 7.15pm until 10pm.  Which is the whisperer bat and which is the water bat? Are you able to tell the difference from a Pipistrelle and a Daubenton bat?  Anne Youngman from the Bat Conservation Trust Scotland will be teaching how to identify the common species of bats found in the Highlands and also demonstrating how bat detectors can be used to identify the different sounds bats use to echo-locate when searching for their food.

Red Squirrels are under the spot light on Saturday 17 May with a workshop taking place at Contin Village Hall from 2pm to 5pm.  Juliet Robinson, Conservation Officer for Red Squirrels in the Highlands will be leading participants through the different techniques used in surveying these elusive creatures.  Learn to tell if a pine cone has been chewed by a red squirrel or a small rodent and to tell the difference between a Drey and an old crows nest.

Martin Hind said:  “These workshops are open to anyone who is interested in learning techniques to identify, record and learn more about the wildlife found on their doorstep.”

Places on the workshops are free but should be booked in advance by giving Martin a call on 01349 868563 or by sending an email to martin.hind@highland.gov.uk