December’s NERD Club meeting. We had a great time in our Christmas meeting with a couple of hours of pulling invasive non-native rhododendrons out of the woods at Upper Woodburn. These are starting to invade the oak woodland and affect the bluebells. It is some of the best fun to pull them out by theContinue reading “Rhododendrons and a huge fire”
Author Archives: nager
Bird Ringing
NERD Club November meeting Our first meeting was in November 2024 and we were really fortunate to have Paul Baker and Claire Branston come to do a session of bird ringing. It was a fantastic afternoon and our total for ringing was 28 birds which was incredible. Special thanks to Paul and Claire who ledContinue reading “Bird Ringing”
Summer is buzzing
It’s been a while since I wrote something for the blog and today seems a good day for it – with wildlife teeming in the woods on my walk today. I was heading up through the woods, on my way to take out a few Himalayan Balsam plants that survived the cull of last yearContinue reading “Summer is buzzing”
Interdisciplinary Residency
We are delighted to be hosting an interdisciplinary residency organised by Dr Emily Doolittle, of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Emily is a Canadian composer and zoomusicologist. This retreat is for academics and artists from the Royal Conservatoire and St Andrews University (and their collaborators) but will be a pilot for future artist residencies atContinue reading “Interdisciplinary Residency”
Build a Hut Week
—– Now Fully Booked —– Come and join us for a week with Cross Cut (a cooperative of women who design & build ecological, sustainable structures) taking part in a 5-day supported hut build. We’ll be learning as we construct a small, off-grid, timber-framed hut. We’re building an insulated wooden hut on the site ofContinue reading “Build a Hut Week”
Good Rhodies – Bad Rhodies!
22 April 2022 We’ve got all sorts of rhododendrons at Upper Woodburn. Some specimen ‘nice’ rhododendrons that don’t spread and look beautiful and are generally well behaved. Like this beautiful red one that sets off the sunset behind the roundhouse so nicely and has just flowered this week. Unfortunately we also have plenty of theContinue reading “Good Rhodies – Bad Rhodies!”
Badgers!
25th July 2021 We went badger watching last night. Inspired by the photos of a guest, Lee Mills, who managed to capture some photos of badgers really close up while on a walk through the woods, we decided to go on a stake out. We had the essentials- midge head-nets, snacks and a picnic blanketContinue reading “Badgers!”
Rhododendrons
5th June 2021 I have a troublesome relationship with rhododendrons. On the one hand Rhododenron ponticum is a highly invasive species that is a particular menace to Scotland’s rare habitats, particularly the west coast’s Atlantic oak woodlands. And on the other hand they are absolutely stunning when in full bloom. But it’s not just theContinue reading “Rhododendrons”
An Ocean of Bluebells
10th May 2021 The bluebells are looking absolutely astounding this week. The ground is so densely covered with them we had to walk really carefully to get these photos. The wood sorrel is also flowering – also called the Alleluia flower because it flowers between Easter and Pentecost…. which I suppose is about this timeContinue reading “An Ocean of Bluebells”
The First Bluebells are out!
13th April 2021 So excited that the first bluebells are starting to appear in the woodland. It’s been a long winter and it’s still really cold at Upper Woodburn with a dusting of snow on the Campsie Hills a few days ago. Can’t wait until the full blue carpet comes out in a couple ofContinue reading “The First Bluebells are out!”
Upper Woodburn 