Enjoy autumn’s wild delights this weekend at Edinburgh’s exclusive wildlife reserve
The Scottish Wildlife Trust will hold a free open day at its Bawsinch and Duddingston Wildlife Reserve this weekend (Sunday 24 October), offering residents and visitors of Edinburgh a rare chance to explore a wildlife haven in the heart of the city centre.
Set to take place from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm, volunteer experts for the Scottish Wildlife Trust will be on hand on the reserve, which is normally closed to the public, to give guided walks and talk about the wildlife which can be found there, including great crested grebe, green and great spotted woodpeckers, and wintering wildfowl.
Julian Warman, Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Reserve Manager, said: “This reserve is a real secret sanctuary for wildlife, found only three kilometres from the centre of Edinburgh at the southern end of Holyrood Park.
“As we can only open the reserve’s doors at limited points throughout the year, this is a rare opportunity to enjoy the reserve and take advantage of the free guided walks on offer from our team of dedicated volunteers and reserve convenors who help us manage the reserve locally.
“Autumn and winter are the best times to see a variety of wintering wildfowl on Duddingston Loch, including Goldeneye, Tufted Duck and Pochard. Visitors can observe these birds from the comfort of the Connel Hide, as well as enjoying the beautiful woodland scenery with its autumnal colours.
“There are a number of nationally scarce plants on the reserve including tufted loosestrife, slender-leaved pondweed and needle spike rush, as well as many Scottish and locally scarce plants. Otter are known to be present and indeed one was seen swimming past the Connel hide during an open day last year.”
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NOTES TO EDITORS:
- Bawsinch and DuddingstonWildlife Reserve is open from 11.00 am until 4.00 pm on Sunday 24 October 2010. The reserve lies 3 km from the centre of Edinburgh, at the southern end of Holyrood Park. Please enter from the bend on Duddingston Road West Admission is free. Sturdy footwear is recommended. There is no disabled access available on-site.
- The Scottish Wildlife Trust is the largest voluntary body working for all the wildlife of Scotland, representing more than 35,000 members who care for wildlife and the environment. The Scottish Wildlife Trust seeks toraise public awareness of threatened habitats and species and manages over 120 reserves Scotland-wide.
- The Scottish Wildlife Trust receives financial assistance and support from a range of organisations, funders and individuals including Scottish Natural Heritage and People’s Postcode Lottery.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Julian Warman, Reserve Manager South East, Scottish Wildlife Trust
Tel: 0131 312 4775 or email: jwarman@swt.org.uk