Nature Connections – East Dumfriesshire

Nature Connections – East Dumfriesshire is a project made possible through funding from the National Lottery Awards for All. The project focuses on connecting communities in East Dumfriesshire with biodiversity and the natural environment. As part of the project SWSEIC & SUP will be delivering 24 wildlife or nature themed events in the area. These will range from guided walks, to talks to nature themed art. Further details can be found below.

Events

All of the events listed below are 
Booking required for some events and activities – details given below where appropriate.

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Eskdalemuir Community Hub

Nature Friendly Gardens and Bug Hotel Making

Friday 15 May,  Eskdalemuir Community Hub Garden 

• Nature Friendly Gardening Talk 2-3pm, all gardeners
• Bug Hotel Building with Lisa, 2-4pm, all ages

Introduction to Wildlife Recording

Sunday 7 June, 10am – 1pm. Ages 16+

• An introduction to wildlife recording & citizen science and how to get involved.

Moth Day!

Friday 4  September, 10am – 2pm. All ages.

• Get hands on with a garden moth release, learn about different moth species and moth crafts
• Collect a camera trap to take to your own garden, to see what wildlife you can find!

What do we have here?

Thursday 24  September, 6 – 8pm. All ages.

• A social evening to share your own wildlife experiences, watch local camera trap footage and hear about what rare and super-star species have been found in the local area, a chance to add your sightings and nature stories to our ‘people’s field guide’.
• Tea/Coffee and biscuits provided.

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Xcel Youth Project – Langholm

Guided Nature Walk

Tuesday 7 July, 1 – 4pm, All ages.

• A guided walk with Xcel Youth along the river in Langholm.
• Starting from the Xcel Outdoors site

Outdoors Day – Moths!

Thursday 6 August, 1 – 4pm. All ages.

• A moth trapping event involving the kids and partners at Excel Youth in Langholm.

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Brydekirk Village Hall

Facebook page

Guided Nature Walk and Talk

Sunday 17 May, 12:30 – 3pm. Age 16+.

• A talk on what wildlife we know about in Brydekirk and the surrounding area, followed by a guided wildlife walk along the River Annan in Brydekirk.
• Booking essential: https://fienta.com/brydekirk-river-wildlife-walk

Willow Weaving at Brydekirk Village Fete

Saturday 12 September, 1 – 4pm. All ages.

• Willow weaving with Karla Pearce, to make your own bird nester or feeder using willow

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Eaglesfield Village Hall

Moth Day!

Saturday 13 June, 10am – 1pm. All ages.

• An introduction to moth trapping with involvement from the local community.

Bat Walk, Talk and Crafts

Friday 12 June, 8.30pm. All ages.

• A talk on all thing bats followed by a walk and supported by arts and crafts activities for the family.
• The bat walk will start when dusk sets in and last around 1 hour.
• Booking essential: https://fienta.com/eaglesfield-bat-walk

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Tarras Valley Nature Reserve, Langholm

Minibus transport to the reserve will be available, picking up from Kiln Green car park.

Dragonfly Walk and Talk, Lower Reserve

Saturday 4 July, 10am – 1pm. All ages.

• A training day on how to find, identify and record dragonflies and damselflies.
• Minibus transport available from Kilngreen Car Park, Langholm leaving at 9.45am- returning at 1pm. To book a space, please contact info@swseic.org.uk.

Bioblitz

Saturday 1 August, Drop in 10am – 4pm. All ages

• A collaborative event in Langholm where all hands will be on deck to find and record as many species as possible.

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Hutton Community Initiative, Boreland

Introduction to Wildlife Recording

Sunday 7th June, Boreland Village Hall, 2 – 5pm. Ages 16+.

• An introduction on what it is and how to get involved with citizen science and wildlife recording. Including camera trap volunteer training and collection  .

Guided Nature Walk

Sunday 21st June, 10am – 1pm. Ages 16+.

• A guided wildlife walk along Dryfe Water.
• Booking essential: https://fienta.com/boreland-wildlife-walk

Nature Art: Paper Making with Old Mill Arts

Saturday 13 June,  2-4pm. Ages 16+

• A guided workshop on how to make paper.
• Booking essential: https://fienta.com/nature-art-papermaking-with-plants

Bat Walk, Talk and Crafts

Thursday 3  September, 7:00pm start. All ages.

• A talk on all things bats, followed by a guided walk to look for them. Artist Jess Raine will be leading bat-puppet making and crafts in the hall for families before the walk.
• The bat walk will start when dusk sets in and last around 1 hour.
• Booking essential: https://fienta.com/boreland-bat-walk

What do we have here? Local wildlife highlights talk and community sharing event

Sunday 13 September, 2-5pm. All ages.

• A social afternoon to share your own wildlife experiences and hear about what rare and super-star species have been found in the local Boreland area – and a chance to add your sightings and nature stories to our ‘people’s field guide’ being co-created with illustrator and live graphic artist Emily Tough.
• Tea/coffee and cake will be provided.