North-east group launches free courses to explore landmark’s wildlife

Blair Dingwall

A north-east group is running a series of courses to educate locals about the wildlife around an iconic landmark.

The Bailies of Bennachie have organised a series of free events, outlining how to identify and survey mammals, birds and plants around the Mither Tap.

The course starts on the weekend of March 4 and 5 in Monymusk Village Hall with introduction to mammals sessions. This will be followed later in the year with days on otters, badgers, wildcats and deer.

In addition to using tracks and signs to follow the animals on the hill, the Bailies will be also deploying trail cameras to record them.

The birds course will start on March 18 in the hall with training on how to identify and record birds. Participants will subsequently help survey birds on the hill in spring and summer.

The plant course begins on May 6 at the Bennachie Centre, and those who sign up will help record the habitat of the area.

Anyone interested should visit: www.bailiesofbennachie.co.uk

There are limited places on the courses. For any queries, or to help with trail cameras, please contact: wildlife.bennachie@btinternet.com.