THE CORNCRAKE
Frank Rennie
Friday 28 July at 2pm
Public talk
An Lanntair, Community Room
FREE: ALL WELCOME
Duration: 1 hour
The Corncrake is an illusive summer visitor to the western islands, but it is a bird that is more often heard than seen. In this illustrated talk, Frank Rennie builds upon the account in his recent book on the species and describes several of the fascinating aspects of this bird which has become an almost iconic representation for crofters and nature conservationists alike.
Frank Rennie was Professor of Sustainable Rural Development at the University of the Highlands and Islands, with a special interest in Human Ecology. He is the author of many books, including most recently 'The Corncrake: an ecology of an enigma' and also the award-winning "The Changing Outer Hebrides: Galson and the meaning of place". He lives in Lewis, where he continues to be active in community development initiatives.
For further information, please contact: mairi.carrey@bumblebeeconservation.org
Remote Scotland Expedition
July 2023
During the Outer Hebrides Wildlife Festival, the University of Glasgow Remote Scotland expedition has been conducting fieldwork in the Isle of Harris investigating the bumblebees of the machair, wader birds and the Eurasian otter.
As well as outreach work with Leverhulme Memorial School, the group are celebrating our local wildlife through sharing their wildlife photographs with local communities in an online gallery as part of the Wildlife Fringe festival.
Bumblebees across the UK are in decline and some populations can be found in their last strongholds on the machair in the Outer Hebrides. Claire Whitehead vis carrying out bumblebee and habitat surveys in the machair along the West Coast of Harris to allow further understanding of why bumblebees thrive in the machair. Excitingly, she has spotted some rare Great Yellow Bumblebees!
Josh will survey the shoreline on Harris to gather baseline data on the abundance and diversity of Harris’ wader birds. This will also help aid the investigation of future population trends. In recent decades, wader bird populations have been falling across the UK. Josh is greatly interested in gaining greater insight into these alarming population dynamics.
Kieran is leading a project which collects and analyses otter spraints found on Harris to further understand the influence of plastic pollution and Toxoplasma gondii on the diet of the Eurasian otter. Increasing abundances of microplastics in the environment poses a threat to otter populations, leading to fertility issues and carcinogenetic effects.
For more information, please contact:
Instagram @uofgremotescotland
![Eurasian_Otter_6_-_(Grace_McAteer)[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cfcaf3_af0df353ff9b4f22a5cf303b7681fcd2~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_229,y_0,w_292,h_500/fill/w_106,h_182,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Eurasian_Otter_6_-_(Grace_McAteer)%5B1%5D.jpg)
Eurasian Otter, Isle of Harris (Grace McAteer)
INSECT EXPLORERS
CREATIVE WORKSHOP in English
Thurs 20th July
10am-11.30am
2pm-3.30pm
The Sunken Garden, Lews Castle Grounds
Booking essential through An Lanntair, to book follow link here: Insect Explorers - An Lanntair
Duration: 1 and 1/2 hours
Insect explorers
Make tiny new insect friends in this fun and creative event in the Sunken Garden in Lews Castle grounds. Pre-school children and their parent or carer will search for insects, hear the story of The Bug Collector / An Cruinniche Meanbh-bhiastagana in the tepee; take part in sound and movement games and help to make a bug hotel. The workshop is free but booking is essential at www.lanntair.com.
MACHAIR BINGO
Isle of Harris
Friday 21 July at 2pm
FREE, family event: 5+ years
Location: Seilebost Beach
FREE EVENT But please phone or email to confirm your intention to come along.
Tel: 01859 503900
Find the flowers and collect the points on your bingo card. Family event at Seilebost Beach.
All welcome!
For further information and bookings please contact:
Tel: 01859 503900
INSECT EXPLORERS
CREATIVE WORKSHOP in Gaelic
Friday 21st July
10am-11.30am
2pm-3.30pm
The Sunken Garden, Lews Castle Grounds
Booking essential through An Lanntair, to book follow link here: Insect Explorers - An Lanntair
Duration: 1 and 1/2 hours
Insect explorers
Make tiny new insect friends in this fun and creative Gaelic-medium event in the Sunken Garden in Lews Castle grounds. Pre-school children and their parent or carer will search for insects, hear the story of The Bug Collector / An Cruinniche Meanbh-bhiastagana in the tepee; take part in sound and movement games and help to make a bug hotel. The workshop is free but booking is essential at www.lanntair.com.
AMAZING WHALES
CREATIVE WORKSHOP
Wednesday 5 July 11.30am-3pm:
Sporsnis, Lionel, Isle of Lewis
Booking essential through An Lanntair - to book follow the link here:
Amazing Whales creative workshops - An Lanntair
Duration: 3 1/2 hours
Bring a packed lunch.
Children age 9 – 12 can explore the ocean depths and learn about whales through music, movement and making with An Lanntair’s arts workers.
AMAZING WHALES
CREATIVE WORKSHOP
Thurs 6th July, 11.30am – 3pm, Tarbert Community Centre, Tarbert, Isle of Harris
Booking essential through An Lanntair - to book follow the link here:
Amazing Whales creative workshops - An Lanntair
Duration: 3 1/2 hours
Bring a packed lunch.
Children age 9 – 12 can explore the ocean depths and learn about whales through music, movement and making with An Lanntair’s arts workers.
AMAZING WHALES
CREATIVE WORKSHOP
Fri 7th July 11.30am – 3pm
Grinneabhat Centre, Bragar, Isle of Lewis
Booking essential through An Lanntair - to book follow the link here:
Amazing Whales creative workshops - An Lanntair
Duration: 3 1/2 hours
Bring a packed lunch.
Children age 9 – 12 can explore the ocean depths and learn about whales through music, movement and making with An Lanntair’s arts workers.