Kelburn Wildlife Watch Club has won second place in a wildlife competition for southwest Scotland. The wildlife-themed extravaganza, this year hosted in Kelburn, brought six junior wildlife clubs together to compete in wildlife challenges with points awarded for each game, knowledge and also for behaviour.

 

The games included the pollination game, involving dressing up as giant bees and fighting other insects to get to the pollen found in giant colourful flowers. Another game involved imitating badgers on their nightly forages, and a third was based on the pirate legends of the south coast of Scotland.

 

Also in attendance was a giant beaver, representing Scottish Wildlife Trust, with whom the Kelburn group are affiliated. The beaver took part in the final, leaders race, which involved collecting water in a container balanced on its head whilst running the gauntlet of plastic-ball wielding children!

 

The winner of the challenge was The Squirrel Club from Dean Castle Country Park in East Ayrshire who took home the Wildlife Club Challenge cup, and will now have the honour of hosting the event next year. In addition, the club which displayed the best attitude was Eglington Country Park group from east Ayrshire, who get to take home the giant mushroom trophy for the year. Last but not least, the winner of the leaders’ race was Kelburn, who took home a bat detector, and ID guide, donated by Scottish Wildlife Trust.

 

Kelburn Countryside Park Rangers run the monthly Wildlife Watch Club in association with Scottish Wildlife Trust, where children aged 8 – 12 years explore the flora and fauna of the park, and play wildlife and conservation-themed games. A fun day was had by all, and it sets a high standard for next year!

 

 

Wildlife Watch is the junior membership scheme of Scottish Wildlife Trust, and is affiliated with over 20 Wildlife Watch groups. Join up to the Scottish Wildlife Trust as a junior member and receive great magazines throughout the year, a guide to watching wildlife, a cool membership card, and action badges to collect! Only £18 for the year!

 

Kelburn Countryside Centre is set in Kelburn Estate near Largs, which covers an area of over 3500acres. The heart of the estate is walled in and contains beautiful woodland walks, waterfalls, ornamental gardens, and a wacky castle covered in colourful art! The estate rangers are on hand to offer information and assistance.

 

Watch is the young people’s branch of Scottish Wildlife Trust and The Wildlife Trusts partnership. Since 1971 Watch has been involving young people and their families in discovering and celebrating their environment. Today local Wildlife Trusts support nearly 400 Watch groups run by volunteers, within local communities and in schools across the UK.

 

 

SWT 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. SWT seeks to raise public awareness of threatened habitats and species and manages over 120 reserves Scotland-wide.

 

SWT receives financial assistance and support from Scottish Natural Heritage and the People’s Postcode Lottery.

Clara Govier, SWT Tel: 0131 312 4747