The official launch of a wildlife-watching guide for North East Scotland took place yesterday (June 24) at Donmouth Local Nature Reserve in Aberdeen.
The guide was produced by the Aberdeen and District RSPB local group as part of their activities to mark their 40th anniversary this year.
The launch was attended by Deputy Provost of Aberdeenshire, Allison Grant, along with members of the RSPB local group and the local Scottish Ornithologist’s club (SOC).
The birdwatching guide was compiled by the chairman of the Aberdeen and District RSPB Local Group, Mark Sullivan, and RSPB Scotland’s conservation manager for Grampian and Tayside, Ian Francis, with help from local birdwatchers and naturalists. It was printed thanks to support from the local SOC and Aberdeenshire Council’s creative placemaking programme Be Part of the Picture.
Deputy Provost of Aberdeenshire, Allison Grant, said: “I am very pleased to see Aberdeenshire Council supporting the local RSPB group in their quest to create a new-up-to-date publication that is dedicated to the wealth of wildlife in the north-east of Scotland. Its maps and presentation in separate geographical sections is very helpful and I hope it will encourage animal lovers to visit us here in this spectacular area.”
Jenny Weston is the Chair of the North East Scotland branch of SOC. She said: “As Scotland\'s bird club, the SOC are proud to support such a useful guide for local and visiting birders alike. The North-east of Scotland is a brilliant birdwatching destination and this guide covers it well”.
The guide shows how to find birds and other wildlife at many sites including Donmouth and Girdle Ness in Aberdeen city. It is the most comprehensive guide so far on where to see birds in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire stretching to Banff in the north, St Cyrus in the south and west to Braemar. The authors hope that it will help people connect with the wonderful wildlife that lives in this part of Scotland.
Mark Sullivan said: “The north-east of Scotland is amazing for wildlife from seabirds in spring to waders and wildfowl in winter. It’s often overlooked by wildlife enthusiasts visiting Scotland, but even a brief visit to the area reveals an incredible richness of wildlife. Inspiring people of all ages to love nature is at the heart of what we want to do and this book will help everyone to find their own fantastic wildlife experiences. For 40 years we have provided support to the RSPB here in Aberdeen through volunteering. Producing this guide was a great way to mark the 40th anniversary of our group and to celebrate with lots of other people and organisations that value the wonderful wildlife that lives in North-East Scotland as much as we do. We could not have produced the book to the quality wished for without the help of Aberdeenshire Council and the Scottish Ornithologists Club (SOC), and we thank both organisations for their support.
The guide is now on sale at Waterstone\'s on Union St, Aberdeen, Yeadon\'s Bookshop in Banchory and Elgin, Deeside Books, Ballater with other outlets, or it can be ordered by downloading an order form from the Local Group Website.
The Aberdeen and District RSPB Local Group was founded on 10 March 1975. It has grown significantly since then and now has more than 250 members. As well as regular indoor events and field trips, they have worked with local RSPB staff over four decades to help north-east Scotland’s wonderful wildlife and have fundraised and volunteered for many local projects. For more information about the local group visit www.rspb.org.uk/groups/aberdee...