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wonders of nature Scottish Seabird Centre Members’ magazine
A new season:
Delving into the marine world 08 Easter activities 10 Dolphinwatch 18 National Marine Centre
Scottish Seabird Centre and the environment Sustainability and the environment are at the heart of everything we do. We have produced this magazine in an environmentally-friendly way. However, to help save trees and to reduce costs, you can receive your magazine by email – just contact membership@seabird.org or call +44(0)1620 890202. Also, sign up to our enewsletters to be kept up-to-date with our latest news.
News
06 Centre developments 08 Easter activities
Features
10 Dolphinwatch 12 Our amazing friends 14 Working with the community 16 Marine wildlife 18 National Marine Centre 20 Fundraising 30 Festival of Museums 32 East Lothian’s attractions 34 Working with interns 40 Holiday Club
Regulars
22 Gift Shop 24 Seabird Café 26 Volunteers 28 Boats 36 Education 38 Wildlife Club 42 What’s on 44 Kids
Visit us
Find us
February, March, September and October Monday – Friday 10:00 –17:00 Saturday & Sunday 10:00 –17:30 April – August Monday – Sunday 10:00 –18:00 November – January Monday – Friday 10:00 –16:00 Saturday & Sunday 10:00 –17:00
Scottish Seabird Centre, The Harbour, North Berwick, EH39 4SS W: www.seabird.org E: info@seabird.org T: +44(0)1620 890202
Design: Wordpicturestory / www.wordpicturestory.co.uk
03
Welcome from Tom The gannets are back! It was fantastic to see them returning to the Bass Rock at the end of February and each day we enjoy seeing what they get up to via the interactive live cameras in the Discovery Centre and on our website.
The National Marine Centre project is progressing well, with the full project team now in place. It’s great to welcome back Simpson & Brown as the architects, who are working very closely with the team at Event Communications on the exhibition design. Project Director, Grace, gives an update on page 18. There’s a marine theme this Easter with dolphins and crabs taking centre stage. And, with events for little tots and big kids, there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained. We look forward to seeing you all at the Seabird Centre soon and, as always, thank you for your continued and valuable support.
Tom Brock OBE Chief Executive
Update from Laura Welcome to the Spring edition of wonders of nature. It has been a busy few months as we have been working on all the plans for 2017. The marine theme is becoming more and more prevalent, with activities and events in the Centre, and National Marine Centre developments. We hope you enjoy learning more about life above and below the waves.
We have had submissions from two amazing supporters in this edition. Moira Dillet has been kind enough to submit
another poem to us and we also have an article written by Ken Reid, about his amazing cycling and fundraising adventures. Both are a must-read. If you have a story to tell, a photo to share, or something creative to send us, we would love to hear from you. Supporting the charity is now even easier, thanks to plans implemented by our Fundraising Manager, Charlotte. You can now donate via text or online –
Scottish Seabird Centre magazine
every little helps, so please support our conservation and education activity, and, of course, the National Marine Centre. Read on to find out more.
Laura Adamson Magazine Editor and Marketing Manager
04 Special thanks The Scottish Seabird Centre is an independent charity dedicated to inspiring people to appreciate and care for wildlife and the natural environment. Registered Scottish charity no. SC025837. Registered in Scotland no. 172288.
Special thanks
We are extremely grateful to all those who have supported us with their time, resources and money. Many of these remain anonymous; nonetheless we are all extremely thankful. None of our vital work would be possible without your help.
G C Gibson Charitable Trust The Geraldine Kirkpatrick Charitable Trust The Gordon Fraser Charitable Trust Grant Charitable Trust The HB Allen Charitable Trust H R Creswick’s Charitable Trust Hamamelis Trust Heritage Lottery Fund The Horace and Helen Gillman Trusts The Hugh Fraser Foundation Imlay Foundation Inchcape Foundation James Wood Bequest Fund James T Howat Charitable Trust Lindsay’s Charitable Trust The Mackintosh Foundation Martin Connell Charitable Trust Mary Andrew Charitable Trust Michael Marks Charitable Foundation Nancy Roberts Charitable Trust North Berwick Trust People’s Postcode Lottery Prince of Wales Charitable Trust Repsol Robertson Trust Roger Vere Foundation Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) Russell Trust The Scottish Government Scottish Enterprise Scottish Natural Heritage Sea Changers Shirley Pugh Foundation
Recent donors include: Alan Evans Memorial Fund Alice Noakes Memorial Charitable Trust Aviagen Big Lottery: Awards for All The Bilan-Cooper family Bothwell Charitable Trust Mrs Irene M. Brown (in mem) Bruce Wake Charitable Trust Castansa Trust John S Cohen Foundation Craignish Trust Creative Scotland Cruach Trust Cruden Foundation Ltd. East Lothian Council East Lothian Education Trust Ellem Foundation Sir Gerald and Lady Margaret Elliot Enterprise Rent-a-Car / Enterprise (Holdings) Foundation Faccenda Family Foundation FLAG (Fisheries Local Action Group) Forth Ports Ltd. Fujitsu Gamma Trust The Garfield Weston Foundation
Scottish Seabird Centre magazine
Sir James Miller Edinburgh Trust Slater Foundation Mr Derek Smith The Spear Charitable Trust St Mary’s Charity Stella Moffat Charitable Trust Susan H Guy’s Charitable Trust Sylvia Aitken Charitable Trust Tay Charitable Trust The Tennant Southpark Charitable Trust Mr Tommy Valenta Treasure Charitable Trust Viridor Walter Scott Global Investment Manager Walker 597 Charity Whitley Animal Protection Trust The William Dean Countryside and Educational Trust William Haddon Charitable Trust William Grant Foundation Yorkshire and Clydesdale Bank Foundation
05 Special thanks A huge thanks to the photographers and editorial contributors who have helped with this edition of the magazine.
Photography credits Images bring our magazine to life! We would like to say thanks to the following photographers:
Front cover: Kelp George Stoyle ©SNH Laura Adamson, Ruth Armstrong Photography, Sean Bell, Keith Broomfield, Gareth Easton, Jan Fergie, Andrew Grieveson, Keith Logan Photography, Greg Macvean, Tony Marsh, Gavin Mcdougall, Rob McDougall, Craig Newton, Phil Wilkinson. Dolphin pics © RSPB Scotland Ken Reid images courtesy of RNIB Brittle stars courtesy of Ben James ©SNH Festival of Museums images courtesy of A Miller and H Turner
Editorial contributions
This issue contains articles from valued contributors. Kirsty Nutt Kirsty works for RSPB Scotland as a Communications Manager. Her role is to promote what the charity is doing, and what people can do at home and in their local communities, to help give nature a home in East Scotland (an area covering the Northern Isles to Fife). On page 10 she describes an RSPB Scotland project in Aberdeen that’s helping to inspire people about the marine environment. Carrie Bevan Carrie joined the office team at the Scottish Seabird Centre in Spring 2015 and more recently joined Laura in the Marketing team as Administration and Marketing Officer.
Carrie grew up in Dundee, studied Chemistry and Business at the University of Abertay, lived in Edinburgh for several years before settling in North Berwick in 2000. Her career background is marketing in the financial services industry but is now enjoying the refreshing change, working within the tourism industry. She shares her enthusiasm for wildlife with her two children, Rufus and Freija. Rosie Hamilton Rosie attends North Berwick High School and is involved in many things within her community. She volunteers at the local day centre which she finds highly enjoyable and rewarding as well as her involvement with the Beach Wheelchairs charity. Rosie attends the charity’s board meetings and works alongside Alison Brown to market the charity. This includes the use of social media as well as meeting with key figures in the community to raise awareness.
Scottish Seabird Centre magazine
06 News
News from around the Centre Poem by Seabird Member, Moira Dillet
Radiant Razorbills Razorbills are just great seabirds! Lots of couples, of razorbills can be seen, Perched, very merrily, On the distant islands Situated, far out at sea – Safe and sound, Far, far from lands’ dangers gone – (The seabirds are at home). They shall survive quite well As long as they live in their natural world, Beside the seashores and, ever so high, cliff edges and rocky cliffs It has been foretold. Guillemots, and cormorants, alike, Also, can be found Perched, on high cliffs – Cormorants, can be seen, from the distant shore, drying their outstretched, black wings, in early morning sunshine Their silhouette black feathered bodies, stand sublime. Far away from the Coastal routes They are all far, far out at sea Enjoying their own Solitary island Their own true ‘sea home’ As if it had all been planned.
Donating made easy It is important to us that we engage with our supporters in the ways that are most meaningful to them. One of the things we are exploring is digital fundraising. We have just launched an online giving page at www.justgiving.com. You can view the new site visiting www.seabird.org and going to the Support pages. Quick and easy to use, it means we can keep you updated on activities and campaigns that are of interest to you.
An innovation which we are very excited about is text giving. We rely on our supporters to allow us to fund and deliver our education and conservation work. With text giving, visitors and donors can give up to £10 using their phone. We are also able to claim back gift aid, which means we can gain an additional 20% on each donation at no extra charge to the donor. How does it work?
All you have to do is text: BASS17 £10 (depending on how much you want to give) To this number: 70070 You will receive a follow-up text asking whether you want to gift aid your donation. This is a tick box, which is quick and simple. Our staff have been testing the system and can confirm it is quick and painless! We hope it will encourage people who have enjoyed their experience at the Centre to support our charitable work.
Scottish Seabird Centre magazine
07 News Update from the Discovery Centre team Alex Turnbull, Discovery Centre Manager
Don’t miss: Whale and Dolphin Weekend, 14 – 17 April A new season begins! Following a very successful season on both our grey seal colonies, Craigleith and Isle of May, we now turn our attention to the seabird breeding season ahead. There is no better place to start than the Bass Rock which only a few weeks ago was like a sleeping giant! For months it was exposed rocky outcrops and ridges on our cameras but in the next few months it will fill with the return of over 150,000 gannets!
Puffins will then be the next to return. They will arrive back from the North Sea, normally from around Easter onwards. Having spent their winter out at sea, puffins will be returning to assess their burrows, do the necessary spring cleaning, and ensure that everything is ready for the breeding season.
be a trail, presentations and talks, a special 3D film on whales and dolphins and other fun activities.
We will be running several different competitions during the start of the season involving gannets and puffins, as well as our Easter science shows, so keep an eye out for these on our social media pages and around the Centre.
These particular species will be covered over the weekend as well as a whole host of other cetaceans that we have here in Scotland and around the UK.
To mark our dolphin-themed science shows over Easter, the Discovery Centre will be hosting a Whale and Dolphin Weekend from Friday 14 to Monday 17 April. As well as the science shows, there will
We are lucky enough here at the Centre and around the Firth of Forth to sometimes see bottlenose dolphins, porpoise and even occasionally minke whales on our boat trips!
Once you have completed a trail, listened to a talk or seen a show, you may be interested in taking one of our boat trips. Although seeing dolphins and whales isn’t guaranteed, a trip around the islands is a great experience where you will be able to see a whole host of seabirds including gannets, puffins, shags, cormorants and fulmars, and there are discounted prices for Seabird Members. It won’t just be what is under the water that will be covered in the Discovery Centre over Easter. The gannets will be preparing to mate and produce eggs, so a perfect Easter egg hunt for our visitors! Keep your eyes peeled on the cameras for those eggs and let one of our team know if you see one.
Scottish Seabird Centre magazine
08 News
Easter fun This Easter, the Scottish Seabird Centre is taking inspiration from all things marine with a brand new interactive science show and a family-friendly puppet performance. Following feedback from Seabird Members, the Centre is offering these different shows to appeal to the wide range of children that visit: the puppet show is for little ones aged 2+ and the interactive science show is for older children, recommended for age 6+. What’s for Snack? 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 17 April 11:30 Included with admission Age 2+ What’s for Snack? is an interactive puppet show with new Seabird team member, Craig the Crab. With sing-a-long fun, young visitors will be asked to help Craig who has eaten some marine litter by mistake. He will be joined by some of his seaside friends who will aim to help him get rid of his sore tummy. Ocean-a-rific 1 – 17 April 14:00 Included with admission Age 6+ Older kids are invited to attend Ocean-a-rific with Dr Dolph Lingerin-aboot. With scientific experiments, games and gaffs, visitors are invited to help dolphins understand what is happening to the seas around Scotland. Malcolm Watson, Discovery Centre Supervisor and Seabird Science Communicator, who has written the shows, said: “We canvassed opinion and it was crabs and dolphins that people were keen to learn about this year. This is a really interesting fit as we continue to develop plans for the National Marine Centre.
“Not only that but we felt it was important to offer shows that will appeal to different age groups. With Craig the Crab and Dr Dolph Lingerin-aboot there will be lots of fun and games, but also important environmental messages about the current state of our seas and the world our marine wildlife inhabit. “All of us have an impact on the natural environment and by engaging children in a way that is fun, we hope they take away just a little something that will potentially impact their behaviour and attitudes.”
Visit www.seabird.org for further info. All included with admission and FREE for Members. Please request tickets on arrival at the Centre.
It’s dolphin-tastic and crab-alicious!
Scottish Seabird Centre magazine
10 Feature Kirsty Nutt works on the RSPB’s Dolpinwatch programme. Here she tells us what it’s all about!
Did you know that Aberdeen is one of the best places to see bottlenose dolphins?
Sure, there are other great (and more famous) places to see them in Scotland, such as Chanonry Point, but when it comes to sheer regularity of sightings, nowhere beats Torry Battery in Aberdeen. We’ve been running Dolphinwatch – a partnership between RSPB Scotland, VisitAberdeenshire, Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen Harbour Board and Whale and Dolphin Conservation – there for the last four summers and over that time we’ve seen dolphins on nearly 90% of the days. Every day offers a different experience. Sometimes you’ll see a lone dolphin swimming gently in the harbour, occasionally feeding. At the other extreme, you might spot a group of more than 20 or groups leaping, somersaulting and splashing around.
Interesting fact: Scottish bottlenose dolphins are the largest bottlenose dolphins in the world. Needing extra blubber to thrive in the cold North Sea.
One of my favourite memories from a visit last year was watching a dolphin that’d been moseying about suddenly hurtle across the harbour to bow ride on a ship that was coming in. Now whether that was to save some energy travelling or just for fun, I can’t say, but it certainly brought a smile to my face. The dolphins also often bring “oohs” and “ahhs” of wonder – like at a particularly theatrical firework display – and sometimes a squeal of delight, both from visitors from far flung places including Mexico, Canada and Malaysia and from locals, who often have lived nearby for years but have never seen dolphins before. There’s a serious side to Dolphinwatch too as the project aims to inspire people about marine wildlife and how they can help it. Many species of marine wildlife are in trouble and visitors can find out more about the threats to Scotland’s seabirds and take part in beach cleans to help protect our marine wildlife from the threats of litter. The Dolphinwatch team are also trained so that they can contribute to Whale and Dolphin Conservation’s
Scottish Seabird Centre magazine
Shorewatch programme which monitors the presence of whales, dolphins and porpoises in order to protect them. For the most part though, the dolphins are the major attraction. And as we start the fifth year of Dolphinwatch, I can’t help but reflect on how the dolphins are helping the city be seen in a new way. I mean, where else can you experience one of nature’s most wonderful wildlife spectacles so close to the centre of a city. This year’s Dolphinwatch runs on Thursdays to Sundays from 6 April until 20 August. Along with a variety of special events such as family fun days, a team of RSPB Scotland staff and volunteers will be on hand between 11:00 and 18:00 on every Dolphinwatch day equipped with binoculars and telescopes provided by Viking Optical, and plenty of expertise to help visitors experience the magic of our marine environment. Keep up-to-date at www.facebook.com / RSPBNorthEastScotland or www.twitter.com / RSPB_ NEScotland. #DolphinsABDN #RSPBDolphinwatch
Every day offers a different experience:
Dolphinwatch!
12 Feature North Berwick resident and Seabird friend, Ken Reid, took on a very exciting challenge in 2016. Here he shares his adventures.
In 1986 I was diagnosed with the sight loss condition, Retinitis Pigmentosa. The prognosis was pretty clear, I was going blind. Thirty years on, that has come to pass. I now see light and dark, and shapes if the light is right. I have never considered that I suffer from this condition, but it does affect a lot that I do. I have had to stop or change the way I do the things I enjoy. Amongst those changes have been the replacement of my solo bike for a tandem and my print books for talking books.
To mark the 30th anniversary of my diagnosis, I brought the bike and books together by cycling from Edinburgh to London in aid of RNIB Talking Books. Being blind isn’t easy; everyday tasks take on a new perspective when you can’t see what you are doing. So, I didn’t want my bike ride to be easy either. I headed first to Belfast, then Dublin and Cardiff, before arriving in London. That looked like 750 miles in the draft schedule, though turned out to be over 800! As I would be riding a tandem, I needed the support of a pilot. I realised that I’d be better off with several, with local knowledge. I didn’t know cyclists all around the British
Our amazing friends:
Edinburgh to London on a tandem Isles, but a request through various networks soon brought forward the volunteers I needed. None of the pilots were known to me, not even the pilot for the first stages. I’m hugely grateful to the bunch of strangers who I now count as friends, without whom I couldn’t have left my own street, never mind cycled 800 miles. My trip started on 29 July with a send-off by RNIB’s mascot, Sooty, amongst others! It was great to start in lovely sunshine. Sooty was also there when I arrived in London on 12 August, again in lovely sunshine! The second stage gave more typical Scottish weather, but also started to show the huge generosity of people all over Britain. Being rather wet when we stopped for tea and cake – essential cycling fodder – we gained the sympathy of the locals. When they heard of the trip we were on, the purses were out and donations flowed. This was repeated in so many different places along my route. I received donations of bed and breakfast, tea and cake, dinner, cycling tops, ferry fares and so many other acts of kindness. While these were gifts to me, I did not
Scottish Seabird Centre magazine
want a free holiday, so a donation in lieu of gifts in-kind will be added to the funds. Travelling through the British Isles on a bike helps to remind you of the rich and varied history of our country. From Edinburgh’s iconic castle, to the former coal mining villages of Lanarkshire. On to Belfast docklands, home of Titanic, to the battlefield on the Boyne. Past Harlech Castle and the Elan Valley dams. Then by Gloucester Cathedral to the glittering spires of Oxford, and finishing by the Houses of Parliament in London. But the one consistent factor was the kindness and generosity of the people. In addition to the donations in kind, I have received sufficient cash to pay for more than five new books for RNIB’s Talking Book Library. This matters because we know books change lives. Thanks to all who have donated.
Ken visited the Seabird Centre before embarking on his adventures. He popped along with Sooty for photos on the sun deck.
14 Working with the community Lesley Scott, Administrator for the Hatchery, describes the journey back to the sea for the Firth of Forth Lobster Hatchery.
Cute crustaceans:
the Firth of Forth Lobster Hatchery
Summer is coming and lobster fishermen are again preparing their boats to catch the ecologically and economically valued crustacean, the European lobster.
As lobsters enter shallower waters after hibernation, to feed and breed, the Firth of Forth Lobster Hatchery also returns to North Berwick Harbour in April, working with local fishermen to capitalise on the short breeding season. Global demand for Scottish lobsters continues. Lobster exports are up 40% from 2010, when the Firth of Forth Lobster Hatchery first started. Good for the economy but taking five years to grow to a catchable size with only around 0.005% of eggs surviving in the wild to adulthood (1 in 20,000) will there be sustainable lobster stocks for future generations of fishermen? The Firth of Forth Lobster Hatchery aims to enhance depleting lobster stocks by rearing eggs of caught ‘berried’ females into larval and then juvenile lobsters to be put back into the Forth, as well as releasing publicly sponsored V notched mature female lobsters.
Lobster Hatcheries have provided most of the recorded information known about lobsters, but more is needed to understand the ecology of the species. Working without any direct Government funding to support student placements and research, the Hatchery works to promote education and study, as well as encouraging sustainable fishing methods to maintain lobster populations. You can come and see lobsters being reared through their most vulnerable stages of development, away from their natural predators, in specially designed larval tubs and aquahives. The Hatchery production container is free to enter, open seven days a week at North Berwick Harbour during summer months. If you would like to help in any way: donate, group visit or volunteer during the 2017 season (May to September) then please contact the Hatchery. info@firthofforthlobsterhatchery.org.uk
The Seabird Centre and Hatchery worked in partnership over the winter, as the Discovery Centre hosted their exhibition, which was very popular.
Scottish Seabird Centre magazine
15
Rosie Hamilton, S6 at North Berwick High School, has been supporting the Beach Wheelchairs project and has written this article for the magazine.
Our caring town:
The warmer months are finally approaching and Beach Wheelchairs can’t wait to help people onto the beautiful beaches as the sun begins to come out again.
Ollie, from Windygoul Primary School, joined his classmates on a great trip to the rockpools. His teacher wrote: “Beach Wheelchairs is a fantastic resource which made my class trip to the Seabird Centre possible… Being able to use Beach Wheelchairs meant Ollie could stay with his class and enjoy a great day out at the beach.”
Even with the crisp air we have had over 100 hires since the beginning of 2016. However, we couldn’t do it without the support and generous donations from our community, which we are very grateful for.
Beach Wheelchairs have had a fantastic year and some exciting plans to come so keep your eyes peeled through our Facebook or website linked below. www.beachwheelchairs.org www.facebook.com / beachwheelchairsnorthberwick
One supporter is the Seabird Centre which we have joined forces with this year. They provide an excellent outdoor education programme yet accessing certain areas was troublesome for those who use a wheelchair. Now, all our chairs can be used on these educational trips allowing everyone to be involved in the fun!
North Berwick Beach Wheelchairs
Over 100 hires since the beginning of 2016 Beach Wheelchairs is a fantastic resource which made my class trip to the Seabird Centre possible…
Scottish Seabird Centre magazine
16 Feature Our friend, PR-guru and wildlife expert, Keith Broomfield, explores different marine wildlife.
A sunbathing fish, surely not? But yes, that is exactly what this shanny was doing, soaking up the sun’s rays in water no more than a few millimetres deep by the edge of the rockpool.
This stretch of coastline between Johnshaven and Gourdon has long been a favourite area of mine for exploring inter-tidal marine life. There are a huge variety of creatures found here and I never tire from seeking them out.
I was rockpooling near Johnshaven and because the sun was shining strong, I kept a special look out for shannies. Elongated and a member of the blenny family, it is one of our commoner rockpool fish and, rather strangely, likes nothing better than to bask in the sun with its body almost totally out of the water.
Not long after finding the shanny, I discovered some beadlet anemones in a pool on the lower shore. Deep crimson in colour, I can never resist drawing my finger over their tentacles. They are sticky to the touch and are so designed to entrap tiny marine creatures that pass by. Once disturbed, the anemone closes and shrinks into a little red blob.
Being cold blooded, I presume they do so to warm up and save energy, but there must also be risks attached by exposing themselves so much. However, the shanny is very wary and well camouflaged, and if you approach too close, it will quickly scoot into deeper water within the pool. The shanny can happily survive for several hours out of water and if it can’t find a suitable pool when the tide recedes it will spend the time under wet seaweed or in a rocky crevice. The shanny has even been known to slither across rocks from one rockpool to another, hence why it is sometimes known as the sea frog.
You always tend to find coral weed in more exposed coastal areas and to me its presence signals that the seas around are clean and healthy.
I also came across pink-tinged coral weed in some of the pools. Although it does look a bit like coral, it is in fact a calcified red seaweed that is shaped like a fern. You always tend to find coral weed in more exposed coastal areas and to me its presence signals that the seas around are clean and healthy. It is easy to overlook some of the commoner creatures in the inter-tidal zone such as limpets and winkles. This is a pity, for they are all truly remarkable. Limpets, for example, are the consummate rock shore survivors. Just imagine the wide extremes they endure, from cold winter frosts to scorching summer days, and then being submerged by the tides and enduring ferocious pounding from storms. But these algal grazers remain safe within their pyramidal shells and are perfectly adapted for life in one of our most demanding natural environments. This article first appeared in the Dundee Courier.
Scottish Seabird Centre magazine
Below the surface:
Marine wildlife
There are a huge variety of inter-tidal marine wildlife and I never tire from seeking them out. Look out for shannies, anemones, coral weed and limpets.
National Marine Centre update
With nearly 40 years’ experience, Simpson & Brown specialise in conservation projects, creative adaption of existing buildings and the design of environmentally-sound initiatives. The project team will be led by Partner, Andy Davey, with Partner, Susan Whittle and Associate, Jenny Phillips.
19 Feature Grace Martin, Project Director for the National Marine Centre, provides an update on the project, including the appointment of the original architects, Simpson & Brown.
We now have the full project team in place after a long period of procurement. This includes Simpson & Brown Architects and exhibition designers Event Communications.
We are delighted to have the original Seabird Centre architects working with us again. They were instrumental in creating the iconic and award-winning building, so they have sound understanding of the building and the area, as well as extensive experience working with sympathetic and sustainable heritage projects. Event Communications is working with us to develop the interpretation plan and exhibition design. The focus of the Centre’s current exhibitions will diversify to interpret, explore and share more widely the marine environment and marine wildlife – above and below the waves – with interactive exhibits. This involves working with wider groups and organisations including an advisory group that has been established with marine experts drawn from throughout the UK. The advisory group is led by Professor John Baxter: Principal Adviser – Marine for Scottish Natural Heritage and adviser to the IUCN Global Marine and Polar Programme. They are providing specialist advice and expertise on the development of the sciencebased content for the
exhibitions including sites of interest around Scotland, marine wildlife and habitats, current issues and how this can be interpreted in an inspirational way to visitors. The challenge will be prioritising what these are given there is so much to tell! We have also been working with other consultants to develop our delivery plans. This has involved extensive consultation with both local and national organisations including Scottish Natural Heritage, Marine Conservation Society and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland. A key focus of our new delivery plan proposal is to attract and engage new audiences. This includes an expanded education programme that will engage more schools and young people both in East Lothian and across Scotland. This will involve identifying potential partners where there are opportunities to work in partnership to deliver activities, share resources and help ensure activities can be sustained in the future.
Scottish Seabird Centre magazine
New partnership opportunities are emerging with Scottish universities who are undertaking research in the marine environment and interested in sharing their work with wider audiences. This could include new events, for example, where visitors have the opportunity to ‘meet the experts’ directly and find out more about the many fascinating, cutting-edge research activities underway in Scotland such as satellite tracking of seals, skates and basking sharks. This next period will be critical to the success of the project as we are working to meet tight timelines and secure the £2million match funding we need to bring our plans to life. Undoubtedly this is a huge challenge but we are committed to our vision and the extremely valuable role the Centre can play in informing and inspiring more people to learn about, help protect and conserve our marine heritage for future generations. For more info: www.seabird.org / nationalmarine-centre / 43
Fundraising
A trip out to the Bass Rock to thank the teams at Fujitsu, RBS and CMYK for supporting our new IT system.
21 Feature Charlotte Bray, Fundraising Manager, highlights how important support from donors is to the Seabird Centre and our future plans for the National Marine Centre.
Thank you to all our recent donors who have been so supportive. We are extremely grateful. In addition to the many individuals who gave donations, we received recent grants from the following organisations:
Castansa Trust, East Lothian Educational Trust, Gordon Fraser Charitable Trust, H R Creswick Charitable Trust, The John S Cohen Foundation, JTH Charitable Trust, Lindsay’s Charitable Trust, Nancy Roberts Charitable Trust, North Berwick Trust, The Russell Trust, St. Mary’s Charity, Tay Charitable Trust, The William Dean Countryside and Educational Trust and The Tennant Southpark Charitable Trust. We are also very appreciative of all those who have collection boxes for us, including Gannets Deli in Gullane, Gannet and Guga Café in Edinburgh and Seton Sands Holiday Park. Revenue funding is of particular benefit to us as a charity, as we are able to spend it where it will make the most impact. Plus, it’s now even easier to help us through our new online giving site and text giving (see page 6 for details). As you will have seen from the article on the previous pages, the National Marine Centre project is currently at an exciting stage. One of our major focuses now is working with potential organisations and individuals who can make significant contributions towards the £2million match funding we need by this summer.
A valuable resource: The Scottish Seabird Centre is a much-loved organisation doing very important work in the field of conservation and education.
Anna Dalrymple, Trustee of the G C Gibson Charitable Trust said: “We are pleased to be able to provide support towards this important project. The Scottish Seabird Centre is a much-loved organisation doing very important work in the field of conservation and education. We are excited to see what this next step towards the charity’s future will look like.” Nick Addington, CEO of the William Grant Foundation says: “William Grant and Sons has a long-standing relationship with the Scottish Seabird Centre, both via the company and our new Foundation. We are pleased to be able to provide support at this vital stage in the National Marine Centre’s development and hope that our pledge might help encourage other potential supporters to join the appeal.”
Securing this funding is vital to enable us to bring our plans to fruition. We were delighted to receive pledges from both the William Grant Foundation and G C Gibson Charitable Trust towards the National Marine Centre to help us reach this target.
Scottish Seabird Centre magazine
Thank you to everyone who has supported our charity.
22 Gift shop James McHardy, the new Seabird Retail Manager, picks a few items from what’s currently in stock. Lots more new items on the way for Easter!
Retail therapy:
Quirky, creative, cute, diverse, natural, delicious
Welcome to James A big warm welcome to James McHardy, our new Retail Manager.
James joined the Seabird Centre team in September 2016 having recently moved to East Lothian. He brings a wealth of retail experience, most recently with his own award-winning retail company in Ireland. James said: “I am very happy to bring my retail experience to the Scottish Seabird Centre Gift Shop and love coming to work in this stunning location. With the variety of high quality, local suppliers I am spoilt for choice when it comes to buying for our shop and I’m constantly inspired by the surrounding wildlife, sea and the local environment.”
The Puffin Man Look out for the new range of cards from Chris Wright aka the ‘Puffin Man’. He produces quirky, award-winning photography of the UK’s seabirds (especially puffins!) caught in moments from the hilariously ambiguous to the incredible!
Chris qualified for the British Institute of Professional Photography as a social photographer in 2013 and his approach to wildlife work has grabbed increasing attention with major awards and exhibitions. So much so, that wildlife became his main occupation when he discovered the joy of puffins and their other fellow seabirds. Puffins are a very special visitor to our British waters and as they are a threatened species Chris felt it was a good idea to put his puffin photographs on the map and spread the word as to why these fantastic little creatures deserve our awareness, respect and protection. A range of cards from the Puffin Man are now on sale priced from £2.50.
Scottish Seabird Centre magazine
Hood’s Honey Hood’s Honey have tended for their bees in the fields and hills of East Lothian for more than 60 years. In addition to their famous honey, Hood’s has painstakingly created a wonderfully diverse range of scented candles, honey soaps and natural skin care products. The candles all contain their very own finest Scottish beeswax, which has been used to seal every Act of the Scottish Parliament since its inception.
An incredible array of scents ensures everyone can find a favourite. Some top sellers include Prosecco & Strawberry, Rhubarb & Bramble and Mandarin & Grapefruit. They sound and smell almost good enough to eat! All hand creams, soaps and lip balms contain Hood’s honey and beeswax, and are handmade using the finest natural ingredients. A simple, healthy and invigorating way to bring a very special piece of the Scottish countryside into your home and help support the future of our brilliant bees.
Competition For your chance to win a collection of Hood’s Honey products simply tell us how many years Hood’s Honey have been producing their wonderful honey in East Lothian. Email your answer, your name and email address to info@seabird.org by 30 April 2017 with the subject: Hood’s competition. Good luck! (postal entries will also be accepted).
Scottish Seabird Centre magazine
24 Café The Seabird Café is the ideal location to enjoy stunning views and yummy produce. With a 10% discount for Members plus coffee loyalty cards!
A wonderful choice of high quality seasonal and locally-sourced food producers where possible.
Menu to suit all tastes Kids menu We know how fussy our little people can be so we aim to please our younger customers too! Kids can choose sandwiches, baked potatoes or toasties with various fillings or something a bit more filling (a firm favourite): yummy macaroni cheese! Vegetarian and gluten-free The Seabird Café menu offers a variety of vegetarian and gluten-free choices, please just ask one of our café team if you need more information. These menus are also available on our website. Happy days on the sun deck Don’t forget our fantastic sun deck to enjoy your meal. We enjoy an enviable location, boasting uninterrupted views over the Forth to the Bass Rock. Let’s not forget our four legged friends – well-behaved dogs on short leads are welcome to join you. Water bowls are provided on the sun deck and also in front of the main entrance to the Centre. Take-away Did you know you can order food and drinks to-go? So you can enjoy the Seabird Café menu al fresco!
Meet the team This issue we introduce Clare Morrison, our Café Supervisor. Many of you will have met Clare as she has been working with the Scottish Seabird Centre for quite a while! Where do you live? Prestonpans. How long have you worked at the Seabird Café? 9 years. Why do you like working at the Scottish Seabird Centre? It’s great working with such a supportive team and also feeling valued. Favourite thing about the Scottish Seabird Centre? Great views and the Seabird Café is the perfect location to enjoy them from. Favourite dish at the café? I love the cajun chicken nachos!
Scottish Seabird Centre magazine
Brilliant Bass:
We enjoy an enviable location, boasting uninterrupted views over the Forth to the Bass Rock.
Locally-sourced Whether you are popping into the Seabird Café for coffee and cake, or a tasty lunch, rest assured that we care passionately about the source of the food we serve.
The Scottish Seabird Centre’s aim is to offer high quality food, that’s seasonal and locallysourced where possible. We are very lucky to have a wonderful choice of high quality food producers on our doorstep, including: Andersons, quality family butcher based in North Berwick; Dicksons Fish Merchants from Port Seton; Bellhaven Smokehouse and Thistly Cross Cider both from Dunbar, to name but a few. We have a full list of suppliers available in the café and on our website.
26 Volunteers Sandy Forrest, Chair of the Volunteers, gives us an update on what they have been up to. Lots of fundraising and fun!
Since the last Members’ Magazine, the Volunteer Group has continued to be involved in a range of activities. Each new challenge is faced with great enthusiasm, whether it is thinking of ideas on how to raise funds or making decisions on how best to support the Scottish Seabird Centre.
Meeting and greeting visitors to the Discovery Centre remains our prime activity, where talking to visitors about the cameras and what wildlife can be seen on the islands, is enhanced by conversations about the proposed National Marine Centre – what an exciting project. Since the last magazine our fundraising events have included the ever-popular annual Jazz Night; an Apple Fest Coffee Morning in October, held at the Abbey Church, where surprisingly the baking was apple themed; a very successful Christmas Coffee Morning at the Hope Rooms in December; and a well-supported screening of the first Dr Bryan Nelson Memorial lecture on puffins, in February. Several Volunteers assisted at the stocktake in November and others played a part in recruiting new Members during Members’ Christmas Shopping Week, where we chatted to visitors and served mince pies and punch. We also met as a group to trim and sort used stamps, before sending them off in return for a small cash award.
As well as these major events, we continue to assist with admin tasks in the office; distribute posters and leaflets for events; assist Education with the Wildlife and Holiday Clubs; dress as Pirates and judge the costume competition; and attend fortnightly Seabird Café meetings and monthly meetings in the Education Centre. Two Volunteers have also spent numerous hours, collecting information on the Scottish Seabird Centre since its inception, and sorting this in chronological order so that the history of the Centre is preserved as we enter a time of change. Donations for special projects over the last year have included a sum towards the provision of a large sightings board for the Discovery Centre, which is updated daily with information about the birds that can be seen on the cameras. Updating of books for the children’s area is presently ongoing, plus a refresh of the soft toys and games in the exhibition area. The Volunteers do work very hard, but are rewarded by a great deal of enjoyment and friendship. We are always looking for new members for our group, and hope that some Seabird Centre Members might consider joining us. A note or call to the Office will receive a quick reply from us! It gives me great pleasure to work with such a committed group of people – please think about joining us.
Talking to our visitors:
Meeting and greeting visitors to the Discovery Centre remains our prime activity. Scottish Seabird Centre magazine
Latest news:
We will be launching a Members’ only version of the nature photography competition. News coming soon! We hope you will support us with this new version of the awards.
New season boat news
Maggie Sheddan: As I head home with ‘eau de gannet’ filling the air, I can’t wait for my next visit to this ever-changing wonder of the world.
29 Boats Easter means the start of boat season and there are a whole host of trips to choose from, all with a discount for Seabird Members.
New season: Back by popular demand, we are again running Isle of May landing trips.
We are all very excited about the launch of our 2017 boat season. Have you considered one of our landing trips to the Bass Rock or Isle of May? Read on to find out more…
“From mist enshrouded days, to the perfect blue sky, the weather is always the photographers’ challenge. The gannets endure it all. As I head home with ‘eau de gannet’ filling the air, I can’t wait for my next visit to this ever-changing wonder of the world.”
Bass Rock Boat Trips If you haven’t visited the Bass Rock before, nothing quite prepares you for the magnificent sight that greets you as you arrive. David Attenborough was impressed and so would you be as it is the world’s largest Northern gannet colony and BBC Countryfile Magazine’s Nature Reserve of the Year 2014 / 15 and 2015 / 16.
Whether you want to see the gannets from a boat, or land and explore, the Seabird Centre allows you unique access on our seasonal boat trips. We have departures from North Berwick most days during boat season, depending on weather and sea conditions. Sailing from North Berwick, the options are: Circle the Bass on board the Seabird Catamaran Cruise, visiting Craigleith to catch a sighting of the puffins, cormorants, shags and more on the way Head out to the Bass Rock on a faster, rigid inflatable boat. The Three Islands Seabird Seafari also passes the Lamb and Craigleith
Isle of May Landings Back by popular demand, we are again running Isle of May landing trips. This amazing trip includes two top wildlife destinations, landing on the Isle of May but also cruising past the Bass Rock.
The Isle of May boasts the biggest puffin colony (April to July) on the east coast of Britain, not forgetting other wonderful wildlife including guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, fulmars, shags, eiders, terns and seals. We are delighted to continue our collaboration with Scottish Natural Heritage and over the summer months they play host to a fantastic programme of events on the Isle of May: Sat 10 – Sun 11 Jun: Seabird Weekend Thurs 20 – Fri 21 Jul: Family Fun Day Sat 2 – Sun 3 Sep: Open Doors Weekend
Book a unique landing trip and spend 3 hours with an expert guide touring the island by foot – for wildlife and photography enthusiasts
Sat 30 Sep – Sun 1 Oct: Seal Weekend
Maggie Sheddan, our Senior Bass Rock Landing Guide, shares a memory of a photography trip to the Bass Rock: “The swell, the wind and the light are our main enemies but even the most challenging conditions can produce magnificent photographs, such as the mud-covered gannets, braving the torrential rain and gales under thunderous skies.
Don’t forget that we will be running the Forth Ferry between North Berwick and Anstruther this summer. Details of all our boat trips are available at www.seabird.org
Scottish Seabird Centre magazine
Save the date:
Saturday 20 May 2017
31 Feature Our friends at East Lothian Council Museums Service give us the low down on what they have planned to support Festival of Museums, on Saturday 20 May.
In the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, we celebrate the richness of East Lothian’s intriguing history, impressive cultural heritage and fascinating archaeology through our regularly changing temporary exhibition programme and at exciting Festival of Museums events. Full event details will be available on www.eastlothian.gov.uk/museums and via Facebook at East Lothian Council Museums Service. A Noble Gathering 10:30 – 12:30 John Gray Centre, 15 Lodge St, Haddington EH41 3DX, 01629 820690.
Join us at the fascinating Noble Gathering to explore the work of East Linton painter, Robert Noble RA RSA, PSSA (1857 – 1917). Noble inspired many artists to paint outdoors in the East Lothian countryside and championed progressive art and artists. Alexander Moffat OBE RSA will deliver a fascinating talk on the painter and there will be a tour of the major exhibition being held in the John Gray Centre to mark the centenary of the painter’s death. This immersive morning will be a wonderful insight into both the history of Scottish Art and the rich cultural heritage of East Lothian. Tickets £5, book in advance. Vintage Gala Day 12:00 – 16:00 Prestongrange Museum, Morrisons Haven, Prestonpans EH32 9RX, 0131 653 2904
Join us for a special time travelling gala day celebrating 65 years since the Pithead Baths opened in 1952! Come dressed up and prepared to enjoy Prestongrange at its bustling best! Highlights include evocative brass band performances, face painting, pony rides, vintage crafts for the whole family, Punch and Judy shows plus tales of mining might
and local life told by our guides and storytellers. This fun-packed afternoon will be a whirlwind adventure exploring Scottish history, incredible industrial archaeology and a rich local heritage of music, hard work and stories. Free entry, some elements are ticketed. Three events in Dunbar will be exploring John Muir and geology. Muir’s passion for geology started to develop as a child exploring the rocky coastline around Dunbar, but going on to challenge theories about the formation of the Sierra Nevada as an adult: Dynamic Earth hands on demonstrations and crafts – Deep Time and Scotland’s Time Lords 10:00 – 16:00 At Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery, 01620 820699. Donations welcome. Suitable for families. Angus Miller, Geo Walks – Families beach exploration: pebbles and cliffs 11:00 – 12:00 / 12:30 From John Muir’s Birthplace, 01368 865899. £5 per family.
Head down to the beach to explore Dunbar’s rocky story. Where did all these pebbles come from? Each pebble contains clues to the past, telling us about the volcanoes and rivers that used to be here and helped make Dunbar special. Angus Miller, Geo Walks – Geology walk, harbour to Belhaven 13:30 – 15:30 / 16:00 From John Muir’s Birthplace, 01368 865899. £5 per person (suitable for 12+ years).
A short walk along the Dunbar coastal path, to explore the different kinds of rock and the evidence of past activity. Distance 4km.
Scottish Seabird Centre magazine
32 Feature East Lothian offers visitors of all ages a great range of days out. Keep an out on the Visit East Lothian Facebook page for chances to win!
On our doorstep:
East Lothian’s Attractions Did you know the Scottish Seabird Centre works in partnership with other East Lothian attractions to encourage people to visit and spend time in the region?
East Lothian Tourism Attraction Group features a whole host of five-star visitor attractions including the Scottish Seabird Centre, National Museum of Flight, Musselburgh Racecourse and the John Gray Centre, to name but a few. The group works collaboratively to highlight all the great days out there are to be had on our doorstep. Easter sees the start of a major campaign and the marketing activity includes an STV advertising campaign, which features two adverts to appeal to families and adults, supported with online advertising via STV. There will be a Facebook campaign, where East Lothian fans have the chance to win a wide range of fantastic prizes each week including behind-the-scenes tours, champagne experiences, family swims, Bass Rock boat trips and more! Keep your eyes peeled on STV for the adverts, which feature families from across the region, and check out Visit East Lothian on Facebook for the chance to win a weekly prize! For more information on what’s on around East Lothian, pick up an East Lothian Attractions leaflet. www.visiteastlothian.org
Have you visited all of East Lothian’s amazing attractions? Coastal Communities Museum Dirleton Castle & Gardens Dunbar Leisure Pool Dunbar Town House Museum & Gallery Foxlake Adventures Glenkinchie Distillery Inveresk Lodge Garden John Gray Centre John Muir’s Birthplace Musselburgh Museum Musselburgh Racecourse National Museum of Flight Newhailes Preston Mill Prestongrange Museum Scottish Seabird Centre Seton Colegiate Church St Mary’s Church Tantallon Castle Tree-ditions The Brunton
Scottish Seabird Centre magazine
East Lothian highlights:
Keep your eyes peeled on STV for the adverts, which feature families from across the region, and check out Visit East Lothian on Facebook for the chance to win a weekly prize!
34 Feature Cailyn Bowen joined us for an internship at the end of 2016. She quickly became a valued member of the Seabird team. Here she tells us about her Seabird adventure.
My name is Cailyn Bowen and I was the Scottish Seabird Centre’s intern from Oregon. I spent three months with the Seabird team at the end of 2016, supporting both the Education and Marketing sides of the charity. Most of my work involved producing blogs, working with social media, writing strategy documents for different initiatives, and working with Wildlife Club on Fridays. I really enjoyed my time at the Centre and have learnt so much that will no doubt benefit my future career.
My time with the Seabird Centre was truly invaluable. I never imagined I would be involved in such amazing work and be trusted with so many projects. Some of my highlights include blog writing for Wild East Lothian, collaborating on social media with Laura, and photographing Holiday Club during the October school holidays. The wonderful projects and initiatives the Seabird Centre has allowed me to collaborate on are irreplaceable in their value not only to my professional development and career aspirations, but also to my personal growth. I’ve made some of the very best memories during my time here and even better connections with the people here.
I had no idea what to expect on my first day. I didn’t really understand the scope of the Centre’s impact on education, conservation and outreach. From learning about the local wildlife and getting on a boat to see the animals up-close, to seeing people come together to commemorate the life of a celebrated gannet expert, Dr Bryan Nelson – I’ve never met more dedicated people to wildlife conservation. Although I stumbled upon the Seabird Centre, I’m incredibly lucky to have been welcomed and guided by the members of the team. As I spent time with members of staff and learned about writing clear objectives for strategy documents, blogging tips and tricks for tourism engagement, and working with data to inform policy, I clearly began surpassing the theoretical knowledge I’d learned in school and moving into the ‘real world’ everyone warns you about in university – and it was brilliant. I finally had opportunities to get creative, like develop video for social media, challenge myself with content creation, and dive into projects and actually make a difference to an organisation rather than producing content just for marks. There’s nothing better than the feeling of seeing your work and ideas utilised. Between exploring the countryside, working on diverse multiplatform initiatives and simply walking around North Berwick, I can confidently say I felt at home. The Scottish Seabird Centre has been an amazing place to grow and learn, and has substantially furthered my academic and professional career.
Invaluable experience:
I really enjoyed my time at the Centre and have learnt so much that will no doubt benefit my future career.
Scottish Seabird Centre magazine
Working with interns
Making a difference:
There’s nothing better than the feeling of seeing your work and ideas utilised.
In the classroom with the National Marine Centre
Due to the success of these visits and the useful information they have provided us, I’ll be visiting a few other schools to meet with more children and talk about a range of topics and ideas.
37 Education Our Education Officer, Andrew, has been meeting with schools to get their feedback on education activities and projects for the National Marine Centre.
As part of our efforts to develop new education ideas and programmes, we have started taking some of our workshops into schools around the Lothians and finding out from local children what they’d like to see in the National Marine Centre.
ideas. The scheme is proving to be a valuable and exciting way of engaging children in the design of their own education programme, and we hope their ideas will help us engage thousands of future child visitors in the years to come.
To kick things off, Grace and I visited a P1 – 3 class at Athelstaneford Primary School. Grace talked to the pupils about sea creatures and the plans for the National Marine Centre, which led to lots of comments and questions! I then helped the children with their class topic on sea life, with some brave volunteers donning masks to make their own marine food chain. We also gave the children a chance to handle a selection of shells and other marine items to give them a ‘hands on’ experience of the sea.
Well done to P6a from Windygoul Primary School in Tranent, who were our School of the Month in January. Each month we pick a school and send them a certificate based on the following criteria:
The class was very helpful in our attempts to gain an insight into what children would like to see in the Centre. We used ‘scribble sheets’, on which the children could write and draw ideas about what they’d like to know more about and how they’d like to learn. We had a wide range of responses, with dolphins, turtles and the extinct Megalodon all proving particularly popular! I have also recently visited several classes at Aberlady Primary School. Their nursery classes loved telling me about their favourite sea creatures, and the P1 children were able to show me their favourite ways of learning new things. Finally, I met with the school’s Pupil Council, who were wonderful in articulating their thoughts on how to teach other children and young people about the sea, the life that lives there and the problems it faces. Due to the success of these visits and the useful information they have provided us, I’ll be visiting a few other schools to meet with more children and talk about a range of topics and
Demonstrated that they understood key workshop learnings Showed good listening skills Followed safety instructions throughout Most helpful and respectful to staff, volunteers, other visitors and one another Best behaved children Quality of relevant questions asked Left the Education Centre and relevant facilities in an appropriate condition
Highlights aplenty:
We had a wide range of responses, with dolphins, turtles and the extinct Megalodon all proving particularly popular!
Scottish Seabird Centre magazine
38 Wildlife Club Our Education Officer, Andrew, is the head of the Wildlife Club and here he gives an update on some of their recent forays into the great outdoors.
The North Berwick Wildlife Watch has had a busy term since returning from the summer break. We have welcomed many new members, particularly to our youngest group, the Wee Buds. We’ve been out and about in all weathers, learning all about nature, conservation and the great outdoors!
A highlight from the beginning of the term was an evening special – a sunset bat walk for our Senior Branch around the Newhailes Estate in Musselburgh. The local Ranger, Stuart Whittaker, led the group through the meadows and woodland of the estate as the night crept in, and we were thrilled to watch several pipistrelle bats circling above our heads. Our members even got to use bat detectors to hear their echo-locating calls as they approached. Our younger groups, the Wee Buds and the Junior Twigs, helped the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) with their Great British Beach Clean in September. They not only had to collect litter washed up on our beaches, but record the different things they found. The most common rubbish we found was cigarette stubs – 88 in little over an hour! Then came small pieces of plastic (76) and large pieces of plastic and food packets (22 of each). We submitted our findings to the MCS to help track where it’s coming from.
We finished the autumn term with a visit for all three groups to the National Museum of Scotland. We enjoyed touring the Monkey Business exhibit, where our members got to try out their own monkeying skills on the climbing frame! We also explored the recently opened Science and Technology Gallery and saw Dolly the Sheep! A fantastic term all round! If you’d like to know more about the Wildlife Watch, you can follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com / NorthBerwickWildlifeWatch
Come and join us:
A fantastic term all round!
We took the club to North Berwick Law in November where they helped Countryside Ranger, Sam Ranscombe, with picking and clearing ragwort away from an area used by the wild pony herd that lives there. Whilst the horses can usually avoid ragwort (it is mildly poisonous when eaten), at this time of year it becomes difficult to distinguish from other plants as it dies back, and horses can become ill from eating too much. By removing it from certain areas, the Wildlife Club were able to help protect the herd for the winter months.
Scottish Seabird Centre magazine
Wildlife Club news
Wildlife Club highlights:
We’ve been out and about in all weathers, and learning all about nature, conservation and the great outdoors!
40 Holiday Club Our intern, Cailyn, worked at the first ever Seabird Holiday Club and had a whale of a time!
Inaugural celebrations:
We were delighted with the success of our first Seabird Holiday Club during the October half term. We had a wonderful group of primary school children attending for four full days, engaging in a range of fun and exciting educational activities.
During our rockpooling activity, our group learned how to safely explore the rockpools without hurting any animals or the environment. They found many periwinkles, blennies, crabs and several starfish including a brittle star. This activity was a big hit with the kids and kept them busy for several hours! As the tide came in, our group gathered to talk about the different wildlife in each tidal zone. And when everyone made it back up to the Centre, they temporarily added some of their finds to the tidal tank in the Discovery Centre so other children could see them.
In October, the Centre had the pleasure of hosting 15 children for the very first Seabird Holiday Club.
A week with Holiday Club In October, the Centre had the pleasure of hosting 15 children for the very first Seabird Holiday Club. The group of varying ages (Primary 1 – 7), spent the days enjoying a whole host of activities led by our Education Officer, Andrew, and several volunteers. The Holiday Club was a great success with all the activities, arts and crafts and outdoor excursions.
The group participated in different science and environment focused activities including bird watching, nurdle hunting, rockpooling, rocket making, arts and crafts, and creating beach shelters. Our resident bird watchers expertly identified North Berwick’s winter waders including turnstones, redshanks, oystercatchers and many more. Even our youngest members were very excited to find birds and tick them off their list. When the group counted their finds, they compared North Berwick’s permanent bird residents with our winter visitors.
The last undertaking of the Holiday Club was creating wind turbines to generate electricity. They fashioned the blades out of paper and cardboard and used a hairdryer to see whose creation could generate the most volts of electricity. Our youngest pair took the prize for the most efficient turbine, but our whole group had a wonderful time with the competition. For more information about future Holiday Clubs and how to secure your child’s place, please call 01620 890202 or email education@seabird.org
During another beach activity, the Holiday Club split into groups to create beach shelters out of sticks, stones, twine and tarp. Once their shelters were stable and perfected, they gathered around to build a fire and roast marshmallows. They had great fun creating their shelters and lighting the fire with flint and steel.
Scottish Seabird Centre magazine
First-ever Seabird Holiday Club
42 What’s on Activities for young and old at the Centre from Easter onwards!
What’s on:
Scottish Seabird Centre’s Walking with Birds All the walks are on Wednesdays and start at 10:30. Please join us if you are interested in participating in one or more of our walks and please inform the named walk coordinator by phone or email in advance.
River Esk Walk from Musselburgh 19 April Meet at car park beside Esk, opposite Tesco store (grid ref 340725).
New members are always welcome. Please contact the group coordinator, Tony Elger (01620 842525) or Jill at the Seabird Centre: info@seabird.org Please wear sturdy footwear and allow for all kinds of weather. If you have binoculars, do bring them with you.
Easter fun:
Puppet shows, sing-a-long fun, scientific games and experiments.
Activities at the Seabird Centre
Coordinator: Tony Elger Aberlady Nature Reserve 17 May From Fisherman’s Bridge (grid ref 471805). High tide 07:20
Coordinator: Judy Greenwood Around Yellowcraig 14 June From Yellowcraig car park (grid ref 515856). High tide 06:16
Coordinator: Tony Elger Around North Berwick 20 September Meeting at Scottish Seabird Centre and arranging future programme in Seabird Cafe after walk.
Further details to be confirmed.
Easter at the Seabird Centre What’s for Snack? 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 17 April 11:30 Included with admission Age 2+ Interactive puppet show with new Seabird team member, Craig the Crab. With sing-along fun, young visitors will be asked to help Craig who has eaten some marine litter by mistake. He will be joined by some of his seaside friends who will aim to help him get rid of his sore tummy. Ocean-a-rific 1 – 17 April 14:00 Included with admission Age 6+ Older kids are invited to attend Ocean-a-rific with Dr Dolph Lingerin-aboot. With scientific experiments, games and gaffs, visitors are invited to help dolphins understand what is happening to the seas around Scotland. Whale and Dolphin Weekend 14 – 17 April Opening hours Included with admission Head to the Discovery Centre to join in the trail, presentations and talks, a special 3D film on whales and dolphins and other fun activities.
Ask for your tickets on arrival at the Centre. Scottish Seabird Centre magazine
Exciting events:
We are delving into the marine world this Easter for our family events. Join us for the dolpin-tastic and crab-alious fun!
44 Kids We would love to hear from younger readers about what you would like to see in our Members’ Magazine – get in touch! marketing@seabird.org
Make your own:
Origami fish Six easy steps to creating a really cute origami fish.
Step 1: Take a square sheet of paper. Fold it in half both ways to make creases and open it up again.
Step 2: Fold all four corners into the centre to make a diamond shape.
Step 3: Fold the top and bottom corners to the centre line.
Step 4: Open out the inside folds from the last step.
Step 5: Fold this new section in half.
Step 6: Turn the whole thing over. Draw on eyes and scales. You can even colour or decorate your fish!
Scottish Seabird Centre magazine
Colour by numbers Did you know that Scotland has coral reefs? Here is a reef scene from under the sea. Colour it in using the numbered colour chart. Try different shades to make it really colourful!
Colour by numbers chart: 1 = red 2 = yellow 3 = green 4 = blue
5 = orange 6 = grey 7 = brown 8 = purple
Fallen fact! The letters have fallen out of this seabird fact! Can you place them back in the boxes above to spell out a fact about puffins? Hint: the letters can only go in one of the boxes directly above them.
N N S O U F Y E A C R E F L N V E F P A W U P T Y O N I T N E I I T R S Scottish Seabird Centre magazine
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A 4th generation business – what to change: what to keep the same? Gilsland Park has been run by the Macnair family since the 1930’s. Bought by Dr Robert Macnair, a Doctor in Leith, who spotted the For-Sale sign during a weekend drive. He thought it as the perfect place for his patients to convalesce.
After Dr Macnair retired, John Macnair (senior) gave up his shepherding post and he and Pat took over the running of Gilsland. They developed the holiday park by clearing land, planting trees and building the first toilet and shower block in the 1960’s. In 1990, Bill and Anna Macnair took over management. Caravans at this point had changed beyond recognition, not only bigger than ever before but also now coming with central heating, double glazing and their own bathrooms. The 4th generation, Carlene and Adam Macnair, took over in 2013. Carlene and Adam grabbed the opportunity with both hands and have continued to develop the business. With the increasing trend for Staycations, the major focus and investment has been on expanding Gilsland’s holiday accommodation. Carlene said: “Some things change but some things stay the same and Gilsland Park remains family-owned and managed. The development of a stronger holiday fleet was a no brainer and in 2017 we will see a large investment and exciting developments. “Holiday accommodation is being upgraded so we truly can offer something for everyone and all budgets. Upgraded Glamping Cabins will be available as well as ‘the small but perfectly
formed’ Studios, ideal for families and couples alike – for those looking for a wee bit more luxury there’s even a studio with a hot tub! Our two and three bedroomed Caravan fleet are upgraded every year and offer easy, practical accommodation and finally at the top of the range are our increasingly popular three bedroomed Hot Tub Lodges. “So, whilst development of the business is important to us – always at the forefront of our plans is how do we keep unique ingredient of what makes Gilsland special, and our loyal friends returning year after year.” www.gilslandpark.co.uk
Holiday accommodation is being upgraded so we truly can offer something for everyone and all budgets. Upgraded Glamping Cabins will be available as well as ‘the small but perfectly formed’ Studios, ideal for families and couples alike.
Increasingly popular three bedroomed Hot Tub Lodges.
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