newsletter of the Solway Firth Partnership

newsletter of the Solway Firth Partnership

Issue 40 Spring/Summer 2014

Solway SeaMonster wasRubbish!Page 7

Beware, AlienInvaders in theSolwayPage 8-9

Foraging forFood Around theSolway Coast2-13

Having served four terms as Chairman of the Solway FirthPartnership, Gordon Mann stepped down from the roleat the Board meeting on the 31 March 2014. Gordon

took on the Chairmanship in 2003, when the Partnership becamean Independent Company with Charitable status, thoughGordon’s involvement as a leading member of the forum goesback to its inception in 1994. During Gordon’s time with thePartnership, the forum has evolved considerably in terms of thevariety of work undertaken together with a correspondingincrease in staff. However, the Partnership continues to adhereto its founding principles of taking a holistic and integratedapproach to the sustainable management of the Solway involvingpartners from both the Scottish and English sides of the Firth. Iwould like to thank Gordon both personally and on behalf of thePartnership for the time and effort he has put into ensuring thesuccessful operation of the forum and express best wishes tohim for the future.My own involvement with the Partnership also extends back

to 1994 at which time I was a senior manager with the SolwayRiver Purification Board. For a number of years I chaired thePartnership’s advisory group until I left my management role withthe Scottish Environment Protection Agency in 2010. Currently,I am the Chair of the South West Inshore Fisheries Group(IFG), one of six similar forums established in 2012 by MarineScotland which aim to improve management of Scotland’sinshore fisheries (out to six nautical miles) and give commercialinshore fishermen a strong voice in wider marine managementdevelopments. Since 2010 I have been an independent Directorwith the Solway Firth Partnership and look forward to taking upthe reins as new Chair of the forum. Changes on the Board are mirrored by restructuring within

the Partnership’s team. Increases in workload, driven mostly bylocal demand and the need for the team to meet partners’ aimswith regards to the sustainable use of the area as well asproactive engagement in initiatives supported by fundingprogrammes, have resulted in a number of projects. To facilitatethese developments and ensure that the Partnership continuesto operate efficiently and effectively, two new posts have beencreated. Pam Taylor, who has been Project Manager since 2009, has

taken up a new role as Project Coordinator and will oversee anddevelop projects within the Partnership. Current projects

include: Out of the Blue, which seeks to provide support for theGalloway seafood industry to build on opportunities foreconomic development; two IFG projects aimed at improvingsustainability of the creel fishery; and developments in theSolway cockle fishery. Out of the Blue has been enabled bysupport from the European Fisheries Fund awarded by Dumfriesand Galloway Fisheries Local Action Group and Dumfries andGalloway Council. The sustainable creel fisheries projects arebeing supported by South West Inshore Fisheries Groupthrough funding from Marine Scotland. Solway cockle fisheryinvestigations are currently being led by Marine Scotland.Thanks are extended to Pam for successfully managing thePartnership for five years.The Project Manager post has been renamed Partnership

Manager to more accurately reflect the role and Clair McFarlan,who has been with the Partnership for three years as ProjectOfficer, has been appointed to this position. The PartnershipManager will deal with the more traditional work of the forumincluding collaboration with partners, strategy, marine planning,European marine sites, financial planning and personnel. TheProject Officer post vacated by Clair will be filled by externalrecruitment.Other staff changes include the imminent departure of Nic

Coombey, who has been working as Coastal Ranger for Makingthe Most of the Coast Project which is due to finish in thesummer. Nic will be taking up a new role with the Galloway andSouthern Ayrshire Biosphere Project and we wish him well inthis new venture. Also leaving the Partnership is Graham Plattwhose contract, supported by funding from work on the cocklefishery, ended in March.The Partnership’s mission is to support a vibrant and

sustainable local economy while respecting, protecting andcelebrating the distinctive character, heritage and naturalfeatures of the marine and coastal area. As Solway FirthPartnership begins its 21st year of operation, restructuring offersthe opportunity to move forward positively and allow the forum tocontinue to meet current diverse workload demands as well ascater for future developments such as Marine Planning. I lookforward as Chair to working with the 17 corporate members ofthe forum from both sides of the Firth and with the broadermembership of the Solway Firth Partnership to ensure thattogether we achieve our aims and objectives.

Alastair McNeill FCIWEM C.WEM MCMI

Chairman’s Column

2 Solway Firth Partnership

412-13

Solway AONB Celebrates 50 Years 4

The Work of the Solway Coast AONB Community Volunteer Group 5

Making the Most of the Coast Project – Look what the tide’s brought in 6

Solway Sea Monster was Rubbish! 7

Beware – Alien Invaders in the Solway 8-9

Exploring our Cumbrian shores 10-11

Foraging for Food Around the Solway Coast 12-13

Explore the Sabellaria Reefs with Ann Lingard 14-15

Region wide projects benefit from European cash 16

An Update from EFF North and West Cumbria Fisheries Local Action Group 17

Gatehouse in the Dark Ages 18-19

Dates for your Diary 20-23

Front Cover Image: Southerness Lighthouse, Nic Coombey, Solway Firth Partnership

Contents

7 8-9

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The Solway Coast in its present form hasbeen part of the landscape for 10,000years since the retreat of the last great

ice sheet. Since then, man has settled in thearea and has created a mosaic of habitats

some of which are relativelyunspoilt and others which havebeen modified. The Romans,Vikings, Reivers and eventuallywe have shaped the SolwayCoast into what it is today.There is a wide range ofhabitats, all of which arefragile, and need our help toconserve and enhance. They

include the sand dunes and salt marsh on thecoast, the unique lowland raised mires and theagricultural land. The Solway Coast Area of Outstanding

Natural Beauty (AONB) was designated inDecember 1964 in recognition of the quality ofits landscape and its significant historic andscientific interest. It stretches from Rockcliffe

in the North to Maryport in the South, coveringabout 115 square kilometres of the SolwayPlain. The primary purpose of this designationis to conserve and enhance the natural beautyof the area. It contains many locally, nationally and

internationally important features, somecentring on landscape and others on importantwildlife and heritage. Many features areprotected by designations and collectively theyindicate the high value of the area andunderpin the need to protect and enhance itfor future generations.The character of the Solway Coast is linked

to its coastal setting and remains relativelyunchanged and undisturbed which gives it astrong sense of remoteness and tranquillity.Celebrating its 50th Anniversary of

designation in 2014, look out for events andactivities throughout the year and join in withconserving this unique and special area. Fordetails contact: [email protected] phone 016973 33055.

Solway Coast AONB Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Allonby Coast

Countryside Agency, Charlie Hedley

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The Solway Coast CommunityVolunteer Group was set up toassist the Area of Outstanding

Natural Beauty (AONB) Team inmanaging their habitat restorationprogramme. Work takes placethroughout the AONB on wetland areassuch as Finglandrigg, Glasson Mossand Bowness on Solway reserve, aswell as Crosscanonby reserve, which issituated closer to Maryport. Volunteersalso assist with the protection of thenatural dune system, which runs alongthe coastal fringe between Silloth andMaryport. Regular work parties takeplace under the supervision of theRanger/Volunteer Co-ordinator GraemeProud whose role it is to assess whichtasks take priority, and to liaise withlandowners, local authority andgovernment bodies, as well as providingtools and equipment to carry out thetasks.

With important Sites of SpecialScientific Interest and Special Areas ofConservation to manage, the work canbe quite varied, and great thought goesin to the work procedures particularlywith seasonal projects such as gorsecutting, grassland management, pondmaintenance, hedge laying andreplanting. The group also have regularbeach litter picking sessions, which areusually well attended with at least twoper month advertised in the newsletter.However, it isn’t all work for the

volunteers as they are also encouragedto take part in survey work for creaturessuch as Natterjack toads, birds,butterflies etc. The Volunteer Group are treated on

occasion to BBQs and social eventswhere they get the opportunity to sitback and enjoy the delights of fish,burgers, sausages and on occasionbaked potatoes cooked in the bonfire.

The AONB team also invite thevolunteers to an annual Christmassocial, with guest speakers from allwalks of life.Graeme Proud is delighted to be

associated with such a dedicated groupof people, who care deeply for theSolway Coast AONB, its wetlandhabitats and reserves. Without thevolunteers’ commitment anddetermination to get the tasks done theSolway Coast Area of OutstandingNatural Beauty wouldn’t be the stunningplace it is today.Graeme is always keen to hear from

people who wish to get involved inhelping to protect such a unique area ofthe British Isles and can be contactedon 016973 33055 or [email protected]

The Work of the SolwayCoast AONB CommunityVolunteer Group

Graeme Proud, AONB Ranger

Solway AONB

Solway Firth Partnership6

Replenished with debris twice a day, the strandlinemarks the turning point of the last high tide andprovides endless material for the curious beachcomber.

It is here that the sea deposits seaweed and creatures torn upfrom below the waves as well as debris washed down fromrivers or washed off storm tossed ships. Often severalstrandlines can be seen on the same beach, each one astrange collection of objects sorted and deposited by the sea.Plastic debris on the beach is unsightly and because it is

not bio-degradable it will always be with us. Slowly breakingup into small pieces, the micro plastic particles float in ourseas and enter the marine food chain. Natural objects found on the shore provide clues about

creatures we rarely get a chance to see close up. A recentwreck of razorbills is a sad reminder of the death anddestruction caused by rough seas but gives us a chance toget a close look at these birds with their striking bills. Fronds of kelp tossed up on the strandline give us an

opportunity to see the tiny blue rayed limpet. Usually hiddenbeneath the waves, its luminous stripes seem unnaturallygaudy as it clings to a frond in a tangle of kelp. The ‘Strandline’ exhibition is open daily at The Mill on the

Fleet, Gatehouse of Fleet, until 11th May. See ‘Dates for yourDiary’ for details. The Strandline guide is available by e-mailing [email protected] or by visiting ourwebsite at www.solwayfirthpartnership.co.uk

Making the Most of the Coast

Look whatthe tide’sbrought in

Riaghaltas na h-AlbaThe European Fisheries Fund

Investing in Sustainable Fisheries

Making the Most of the Coastproject has published a beachcomber’s guide to the Solwaycoast called ‘Strandline’ and hasused the theme to develop a newexhibition which will tour Dumfriesand Galloway.

Bull huss egg case

Razorbill

Blue rayed limpet

All photos SFP

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Auchencairn school children visited a mysteriousMonster which had emerged at Red Haven beach.Created by Alice Francis as part of the ‘Making the

Most of the Coast’ initiative the Monster was inspired by theissues of unsightly marine litter, particularly durable plastic.Washed up on the strandline, the plastics break up intosmaller and smaller pieces which are then mistaken asparticles of food by marine creatures. Constructed from a frame or skeleton of driftwood bound

together with discarded rope, it was covered by plastic of allshapes and sizes collected by volunteers along the 200 milesof coastline in Dumfries and Galloway. Drilled, knotted, nettedand fastened, the plastic took on monstrous proportions overthe weeks leading up to The Environmental Arts FestivalScotland. This huge Solway Sea Monster made from foundplastics had a gaping mouth large enough to stand inside, andwas a symbol of Consumerism consumed.

The power of the winter storms returned the creature fromthe depths back into a tangled strandline of debris. A beachclean with the help of volunteers removed the litter which wassorted and sent to the plastic recycling facility operated byBPI in Dumfries.

Solway Sea Monsterwas Rubbish!

SFP

Alice Francis, the creator of the Sea Monster

Non-native species are animals andplants that have been introduced byhuman actions to parts of the world

outside their natural range. Most of theseanimals and plants do not cause any problemsin Great Britain; however, a few species cancause serious and permanent problems byharming our native habitats and species. Theycan be bigger, faster growing or morecompetitive than native species, and may alsohave fewer natural predators to control theirnumbers. As a result, some native species areoften unable to compete for space and food,which can lead to non-native speciespermanently taking over. These species arecalled invasive non-native species (INNS).These species can devastate the local

population of native species and changewhole ecosystems through competing withand displacing native species, spreadingdisease, altering the local ecology andphysically clogging and eroding waterways.Recreational facilities can also be adverselyaffected, for example, by reducing thepopulation of fish, restricting navigation andreducing the habitats and water quality of ourrivers and seas.

The Solway is an estuary with a variety ofindustry and activities taking place. There areimportant national and internationalcommercial shipping routes to ports on thesouth Solway and fishing is an importantindustry on both sides of the estuary.Stranraer is a major ferry and shipping portwith links to Ireland, England, Wales andfurther north in Scotland. Recreational boatusers also use and visit the Solway withactivities such as sea angling, scuba diving,sea kayaking, jet skiing, wind and kite surfingbeing popular. These factors mean that thereis an increasing probability that certain INNSare likely to arrive in the Solway. Solway Firth Partnership produced a

Biosecurity Plan in 2013 which highlighted theneed to develop a rigorous reporting,identification and recording system for marineINNS in the Solway. An identification guide,funded by Marine Scotland and theEnvironment Agency, has now also beenproduced. This waterproof pocket guide willhelp to identify the marine INNS of concern inthe Solway that might be found in ports andharbours, on seashores, on boat hulls andfishing equipment.

Beware – Alien Invadersin the Solway

Slipper limpet

SFP

GBNNSS

Wireweed


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If you are out andabout enjoyingDumfries &Galloway’s lochs,rivers or coaststhis summer,please support theCheck, Clean, Dry campaign andprevent the spread of non-nativespecies.The aim of the campaign is to

protect Scotland’s fresh and marinewaters from becoming threatened bythe introduction of invasive animalsand plants that don’t belong here.Animals, eggs, plant seed and viablefragments can travel undetected by‘hitch hiking’ with humans from onewater to another, hiding undetectedin damp conditions, such as onboats, fishing equipment andclothing. Although being promotedin Dumfries and Galloway the advicecan be used wherever you live in theUK. For more information visitwww.nonnativespecies.org/checkcleandryBy following three simple steps

when leaving or entering the water,we can help stop their spread:

Check your equipmentand clothing for livingorganisms. Pay particularattention to areas that aredamp or hard to inspect.

Clean and Wash allequipment, footwear andclothes thoroughly. If youdo come across anyorganisms, leave them atthe place on the coastyou found them.

Dry all equipment andclothing as some speciescan live for many days inmoist conditions.

Killer shrimp is a highly aggressiveand voracious predator and isregarded as one of the mostdamaging invasive species inWestern Europe.

Chinese Mitten Crabs arealready present in Cumbriaand may reach Dumfriesand Galloway by naturalmigration.

The potential introduction of the salmon fluke parasite (Gyrodactylussalaris) to the UK is a major concern to fishery managers.

Dumfries &Galloway CheckClean DryCampaign 2014

There are many non-native species tothe UK, but some species of particularconcern are:

Signal crayfish feed on fish and amphibianeggs, tadpoles, juvenile fish, aquaticinvertebrates, detritus and aquaticvegetation and are partly blamed foramphibian declines.

Zebra mussels can clog waterpipes, filters and turbines, andhave become a major pest inwater treatment works andpower station intakes.

If you would like a copy of the identification guide contact Solway FirthPartnership at [email protected] or download a copy fromthe website www.solwayfirthpartnership.co.uk

Environment Agency

Richard Sands

NNSS Trevor Renals

Paul Beckwith, BWW


Have you ever been for a coastal walk, looked out at ournot-so-blue sea and wondered is there anything inthere? Most of us know about the wealth of marine

wildlife that exists in the warm waters of the tropics but not somany of us realise that here in the Irish Sea we have reefsystems, seagrass beds, mussel beds and other marinehabitats that are also teeming with life.The coastline of north-west England is hugely varied with

many habitats and species of national and internationalimportance. Extensive mudflats can be found at MorecambeBay which are important for migrating wildfowl, and are hometo the best example of honeycomb worm reefs in the UK. Onthe north Cumbrian coast the sea cliffs of St Bees Head are

home to breeding black guillemots and the rocky shorelinesdotted along this stretch of coastline support rock poolcommunities including shore crabs, anemones, shrimps,gobies and a multitude of other creatures.The North West Wildlife Trust’s marine team recognised a

lack of opportunities for local people to get out and enjoythese special places. As a result, they set up the North WestShoresearch Project. This volunteer led programme aims toget local people and communities out spending time on theircoast and increasing their knowledge of local coastalenvironments. This helps us by creating a long-term datasetfor rocky shores which will help to inform and influenceconservation management efforts.

Exploring our Cumbrian shores

Seashore survey

Cumbria Wildlife Trust

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The project has been running since 2011 and our team ofvolunteers is still growing. The Cumbrian and Lancashirecoasts make up a long stretch of coastline and we are alwayslooking for more people to come and help us with our surveys.You don’t need to be a wildlife or marine expert to join theteam as full training is provided. This year we have run fivetraining workshops for new volunteers. In these sessions youlearn all about rocky shore creatures, how to identify them andthe survey methodology that we use. Then you can come outon a survey to practise your new skills, explore new placesand meet people with similar interests!

If the Shoresearch Project sounds like something you’d liketo get involved with, check out the Wildlife Trust’s website orcontact the North West Shoresearch Project directly [email protected] Or why not comedown to this year’s Beached Art Festival at St Bee’s Head onMay 10th where there will be an opportunity to take part in aShoresearch survey and see if you like it. Also at the Festivalwill be sand sculpture competitions, whale and dolphinwatches, games and crafts for kids, kite displays, a mobilerock pool and much more to ensure a fun filled day for all thefamily!

Beadlet anemone

Flat periwinkle Creran

Seashore Survey

Green Shore Crab

Paul Naylor www.marinephoto.co.uk

Cumbria Wildlife Trust

Jonathan Holt

Paul Naylor www.marinephoto.co.uk


Most wild habitats are crammedwith tasty, health-giving wildfoods if you know what to look

for. Hedgerows are rich with vibrantherbs in the spring and drip with fruit inthe autumn. Woods are good huntinggrounds for shade-loving edible plantslike wild garlic and wood sorrel andcome alive with fungi in the autumn. But the greatest abundance of wildingredients is found around our coast.This may seem surprising, as our

shores take the brunt of hostile and saltywinds. They are regularly pounded bystorms and high tides can rip up all butthe very deepest of roots.But the very hostility of the habitat has

forced coastal plants into someingenious adaptions. To resist wind and

salt, many have become succulent – afortuitous evolution for the human palate.Take sea beet for example – a coastalspinach that produces large, thick,glossy leaves all year round. It is thegenetic origin of many cultivated cropsincluding beetroot, sugar beet andchard, but tastes better and has a highernutritional content than any of them.Where cultivated spinach disappears tovirtually nothing when cooked, sea beetremains substantial and crunchy, with arich iron flavour and salty tang. Look forit above the strand line on shinglebeaches, clinging to sea cliffs andanchored to coastal defences.Where exposed shingle gives way to

muddy estuaries more nutritious,gourmet treats can be found. Most

Foraging tutor andchef, Mark Williams ofGalloway Wild Foodsdiscusses some of thewild foods you canharvest for free aroundthe Solway coast.

Foraging for food around theSolway Coast

All photos Mark Williams, Galloway Wild Foods

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people are aware of marsh samphire –another succulent plant that looks like amini ‘cactus’ – from its presence infishmongers. Less are aware that thereare areas around the UK coast where itgrows in large quantities and can beresponsibly harvested for pickling or asa mouth-watering accompaniment tolamb. Salt marshes boast even greatersucculent delicacies like sea aster (amember of the daisy family esteemed bytop chefs) and sea arrowgrass, whichlooks like ordinary grass, but has astrong and surprising kick of coriander.Even below the high tide line there is

super-abundance of wild food resourcesfor the mindful forager. Seaweed is perhaps the single

largest relatively untapped food

resource in the UK. When I mention thison my guided forays, the most commonreaction used to be “Yes, I know it’sedible, but it’s like chewing a mouthfulof salty rubber!” But this attitude ischanging. Lost traditions of seaweedconsumption in the UK are beingrevitalised by the esteem with which it isheld in newly emerging eastern cuisines.Emerald green sea lettuce makes avibrant addition to a stir-fry and laver ismore or less the same species as thenori that you will find wrapped aroundsushi rolls.While you are trimming seaweed from

the rocks, you can also keep your eyeout for shellfish. Mussels, winkles andrazor clams are plentiful in many areas,though foragers should keep a keen eye

out for potential pollutants, avoidshellfish during their summer spawningperiod and be aware of legal restrictions(notably on the harvesting of cockles).If all this weren’t enticing enough, the

warming effect of the sea means evenplants that aren’t specifically adapted forthe coast can thrive in frost-freeconditions. For the earliest, biggest,juiciest and tastiest blackberries andsloes – head for the coast!Never eat a wild plant unless you are

100% sure of its identity and edibility.To learn more about how to forage

safely, legally and sustainably, visitwww.gallowaywildfoods.com or bookonto one of Mark’s regular guided forays(see ‘Dates for your diary’ pages, 20-23).


Ann Lingard, who writes the Solway Shore Storiesabout the people who live and work along the coastand on the Firth, will again be running her informalguided shore walks on the south side of the Firth

Submerged forest near Beckfoot

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Depending on weather and tide, walks usually take inthe submerged forest, the Sabellaria reefs, and look atthe animals that live in the sand, in the pools, and cling

onto hard surfaces – or that end up on the tidelines.Burrowing sea-anemones, mussel spat, green sponges,Roman ‘loom-stones’, even alien animals that have been castup by the sea – you never know what you will find!

The Sabellaria ReefsAn eighth of a millimetre long, transparent, delicate,

planktonic, the Sabellaria larva is being swirled to and fro bythe currents in the sea. There may be tens of thousands of itspeer group in the sea around it, all needing to touch down onsolid ground. Larger animals in the plankton try to trap andeat them: mussels on the sea bed are pumping water acrosstheir gills, ready to filter them out and wrap them in stickymucus; there are worms with outspread crowns of tentacleswaiting to catch their prey: our larva unfurls its cluster of tinyspines to make itself prickly and unpalatable. It swims asstrongly as it can to reach that safe haven where it canconstruct its permanent home.Sabellaria is a honeycomb worm, related to earthworms,

ragworms and lugworms but unlike them, is a tube dwellinganimal that relies on food coming into contact with itstentacles that spread out around its mouth. The Sabellariareefs are built by these worms, not by coral, and this is whatmakes Sabellaria alveolata so special to Cumbria and thesouth Solway coast.Walkers interested in coming on a shore walk should book

a place as there are a maximum of ten places on each walk.Wellies are required (not walking-boots, trainers or sandals)and warm clothes. Walking-poles are useful as the terrain atthe bottom of the shore is always wet, mostly pebbly, andoften muddy. The walks are free, but voluntary donations towards the

guide’s travel and publicity expenses are always gratefullyreceived!For information about walks, booking details, dates and

times, see ‘dates for your diary’ pages or go towww.solwayshorestories.co.uk/shore-walker, [email protected] or phone Ann on 016973 21967.

Explore theSabellaria Reefs

Sabellaria tubes at AllonbySponge at low tide, Dubmill

Oyster lines at Dubmill Point

All photos Ann Lingard

with Ann Lingard


The Dumfries and GallowayEuropean Fisheries Fund(DGEFF) Axis 4, formally launched

in June 2012, awards grants to fisheries-related projects which demonstrateinnovation, increased communitycapacity and improved economic outputin Dumfries and Galloway’s fisheriesareas. The budget of around £1.1millionwas financed 50/50 by the EuropeanCommission and Dumfries andGalloway Council. The fund isadministered locally by the FLAGpartnership, a collective group offisheries, public, private and voluntarysector organisations, of which Dumfriesand Galloway Council is the leadpartner.Over a dozen projects have received

assistance from the fund and theyrepresent a wide sector of thecommunity. There is a widegeographical spread and projectsranging from Stranraer to Annan havereceived assistance. Projects include a

church restoration and maritime heritagecentre in the Isle of Whithorn; fishconservation and environmentaleducation projects for the region’syoung people conducted by NithCatchment Fisheries Trust; Harbourimprovement works around AnnanHarbour; installation of a public pontoonat Dalbeattie; Inshore rescue boat andshed in Port William; a salmon hatcheryon the River Cree; and a contributiontowards the redevelopment of Stranraerharbour to aid in the regeneration of thetown. The region’s two smokehouses‘Galloway Smokehouse’ and ‘MarrburySmokehouse’ have also receivedassistance to upgrade food preparationand eating areas and these will make amuch welcome addition to the region’sdining options, as well as creatingemployment and a demand for locallysourced seafood.Marrbury Smokehouse is one

example of a local project which wouldnot have been possible if it were not for

the funding available from the EFF. Theresult has been an upgraded bistro andthe creation of three jobs, with anexpected increase in demand for locallysourced seafood. The scheme has generated a lot of

interest from around the region, withover 50 expressions of interest receivedover the course of the project. Thecurrent funding round is now closed andthe next round of funding is currentlybeing finalised by the EuropeanCommission with an expected UK rollouttentatively scheduled for early 2015,with the scheme expected to run until2020. Once details are confirmed therewill be a formal launch of the new EMFFscheme in Dumfries and Galloway.Anyone interested in finding out more,

should contact the EFF ProjectAdministrator, Dumfries and GallowayCouncil on 01387 260513 or 07775032249. Visit www.dumgal.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=11472 or [email protected]

Allan Devlin –www.allan-devlin.photoshelter.com

Region wideprojects benefitfrom European cash

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In the third year of administering a£1.35 million fund from the EuropeanFisheries Fund EFF Axis 4, North and

West Cumbria Fisheries Local ActionGroup (FLAG) are calling for localbusinesses and community groups in theFLAG area, along the coastal strip fromBowness in Solway to Millom, to comeforward with any projects that they thinkcould be funded by the FLAG. Thedeadline for the funding of new projectsthrough this round of EFF funding isdrawing to a close in June 2014, and anygroups which have not yet benefited fromthis funding have only a short time left todo so. FLAG Programme Manager PaulCrooks said: “We would urge anycommunity groups or businesses withinthe FLAG area, which have a projectwhich fits with our core themes and valuesof supporting the fishing industry and its

communities, to apply for funding as soonas possible”.One of the recent projects supported

by the FLAG is the Fishermen’sApprentice Documentary Film beingproduced by Quondam Arts from Penrith,Cumbria. This project involves making adocumentary film about West CumbrianApprentices as they embark on their SeaFishing Industry Training Course inWhitby. For some of these young people,it will be their first time away from home,and this film aims to show the apprenticesprogress as they navigate their waythrough the many challenges to be facedbefore becoming qualified to take up aplace on a fishing boat. The film will beused to as an educational tool to givestudents in local schools and colleges aninsight into the fishing industry and thedetermination required to achieve success

in this challenging but rewarding career.Andy Booth, Director and producer of

the film for Quondam said, “We aredelighted to be working with the FLAG toboost the fishing industry in westCumbria. All industries need young peopleto energise them and help them grow, andwe are excited to be helping to achievethat.”Membership of the FLAG is open to

new members wishing to have a say inhow the fund is spent and in building asustainable future for the benefit ofeveryone in the coastal fishingcommunities. So if you are interested inbecoming a member, have a project ideayou would like to discuss, or would justlike to know more, please contact theFLAG office direct on 01946 67182 ordownload an application from our websitewww.cumbriaflag.org.uk

An Update from EFF Northand West Cumbria FisheriesLocal Action Group

Maryport Harbour


Gatehouse in the Dark Ages Trusty’s Hill, an ancient fort near

Gatehouse of Fleet, has inspired pupilsat Gatehouse Primary School to create

a wonderful series of ceramic panels nowdisplayed permanently in the school. Trusty’sHill is unique amongst the many ancient hillforts of Galloway for its Pictish SymbolStone – intriguing since south-west Scotlandwas inhabited by people usually perceived tobe Britons, not Picts.Back in 2012 an archaeological excavation,

involving local volunteers, was undertaken atTrusty’s Hill which confirmed the site wasoccupied in the 5th – early 7th centuries AD.The new evidence revealed suggests that thefort may have been some kind of royalstronghold occupied by Britons and

systematically destroyed by fire – and waslinked to other local sites such as Mote ofMark. Learning about the dig and finds helpedthe pupils understand this important site andbring it alive.The pupils met an ‘ancient Briton’ on the hill

who told them why and how a community livedin this fortified place, about their way of lifeand their trading links with Europe. Ofparticular interest was hearing about a typicalday in the life of a young boy or girl. Following the visit, and working with poet

Liz Niven and artist Andrew Adair, the classused the information they had gathered tocreate a collaborative saga poem, extracts ofwhich have been captured in the ceramic tilesthey produced.

You can hear the pupils reciting their sagapoem at the school on May 17th at 3pm whenLiz Niven will be talking about the project aspart of The Big Lit Weekend during Dumfriesand Galloway Arts Festival 2014.The tile panels and associated saga are

part of Gatehouse of Fleet in the Dark Ages,an All Our Stories project undertaken by theGatehouse Development Initiative andsupported through the Heritage Lottery Fund.The project also involved local people beingtrained as guides to the site and the creationof a touring exhibition which will be on at theMill on the Fleet from 17th May 2014. A set of cards have been produced of the

Trusty’s Hill panels and saga poem which areavailable from [email protected] further information on the project please

see the following link: http://www.gatehouse-of-fleet.co.uk/index.php/trusty-s-hill

A rustling sound from nearby bushes,'We'll move into attack',

he hears a fierce, gruff voice cry.The enemy was crawling towards Hill. It isn’t raiders, it’s battle fighters. 'Your fort will be ours',They cried in voices loud as bulls.

The Lord in shining chainmail, strong helmet, sharp sword, pounded on his warriors’ doors.‘Come protect our village’,He feared for the people of Trusty’s Hill.

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All photos Anna Johnson


MAYDaily to 11 MayStrandline Exhibition(Mill on the Fleet)10.00am to 5.00pmBooking: Not required

The strandline marks the turning point of the last high tide providing endlessmaterial for the curious beachcomber.Find out what is cast up on the Solwayshore in this exhibition from Solway FirthPartnership. Suitable for all ages.

Contact: Mill on the Fleet, 01557 814099 or visit websitewww.millonthefleet.co.uk

Meet: Mill on the Fleet, Gatehouse of Fleet, DG7 2HS

Cost: FREE

Friday 2 MayCrosscanonby Salt Pans:Restoration Work(Solway AONB)10.30am startBooking: Essential

Solway AONB staff will be carrying onwith the scrub clearance and weedremoval in and around the historic saltpans area. All tools will be provided butbring a packed lunch and wear suitableclothing.

Contact: Solway Coast Discovery Centre,016973 33055 [email protected]

Meet: Crosscanonby Road End Car Park on the B5300

Monday 5 MayDumfries Forage & Talk(Robert Burns Centre)1.00pm to 5.00pmBooking: Essential

Join expert forager Mark Williams ofGalloway Wild Foods for an eye-openingafternoon discovering the ediblelandscape. Short presentation followedby a stroll along the Nith to find andharvest spring wild food and then returnto the RBC to cook and eat it!

Contact: RBC Box Office, 01387 264808

Meet: Robert Burns Centre, Mill Road, Dumfries

Cost: Contact the RBC Box Office fordetails

Tuesdays 6, 13, 20, 27 MayMull of Galloway Guided Walk1.00pm Start Booking: Not required

Join the warden for a guided tour aroundthe Mull, a stunning location at all times ofthe year. Seabirds, flowers, butterfliesand bugs during Spring and Summer withmigrating birds during Autumn. Bringbinoculars and wear warm clothing andstout footwear.

Contact: 01988 402130 [email protected]

Meet: RSPB, Mull of Galloway, Drummore, DG9 9HP, NX155304

Cost: £1.50 members, £3 non-members,children free

Wednesday 7 MayRSPB Wetlands Management Day(RSPB Campfield Marsh)10.30am startBooking: Essential

Join Norman Holton, RSPB CampfieldSite Manager, for an interesting look athow the team manage the wetlandhabitats on site. Buffet lunch will beprovided at the Solway Wetlands Centreon site. Please wear suitable clothing andbring binoculars if you have them.

Contact: Solway AONB Unit on 01697333055, to book a place

Meet: RSPB Campfield Marsh Reserve (1.5 miles west of Bowness-on-Solway)CA7 5AG

Wednesdays 7, 14, 21, 28 MayWildlife at Wigtown Bay(D & G Council Ranger Service)1.00pm to 3.00pmBooking: Not essential

Meet Ranger Elizabeth Tindal who willguide you through the wildlife in the area.There will be binoculars, telescopes andbooks to help you see and identify birdsand other wildlife in Wigtown Bay.

Contact: 07702212728 [email protected] or visitwebsite at www.wildseasons.co.uk

Meet: Wigtown Harbour Hide, DG9 9ED

Cost: FREE

Thursdays 8, 15, 22, 29 MayMull of Galloway Guided WalkDetails as previous

Friday 9 MayBring a Friend Litter Picking Event(Solway AONB)10.30am – 12.30pm, Booking: Essential

Litter picking on Mawbray Banks, givingeveryone the opportunity to encourage afriend to join in an environment awarenessday. All equipment will be provided butplease wear suitable clothing and bring apacked lunch.

Contact: Solway Coast Discovery Centre, 016973 33055 [email protected]

Meet: Mawbray Yard Car Park (just off theB5300 on the seaward side in Mawbrayvillage)

Saturday 10 MayBeached Art(St Bees Beach)12.00noon to 5.00pmBooking: Required

Enjoy a great family day out at our sandsculpture competition at St Bees Beachnear Whitehaven. Includes rockpoolrambles, shore surveys, arts and crafts,guided walks, cetacean watching andmuch more.

Contact: 01539 816300 orwww.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk

Meet: St Bees Beach, nr Whitehaven

Cost: £3 per plot or watch for free

Saturday 10 May Wildlife Taster Day: Mosses(Solway Wetlands PartnershipScheme)10.00am to 4.00pmBooking: Essential

Become an expert in a day and joinbotanist Keith Watson for a crash courseinto the world of moss. Learn what makesthese plants special and how to identifythem. Come face to face with all differenttypes and find out why they are soimportant to the Solway. This is the first ina series of Wildlife Taster Days runningthrough the year. The days is suitable forcomplete beginners and novices alike,and are ideal for adults and older youngpeople interested in delving deeper intothe wildlife of the Solway and NorthCumbria. Bring a packed lunch, a drinkand wear layers, a waterproof coat andwellies. The day involves both indoorsessions and outdoor fieldwork.

Meet: RSPB Campfield Marsh (1.5. mileswest of Bowness-on-Solway) CA7 5AG

Contact: Solway Wetlands team on 01697333055 or [email protected] tobook your place

Cost: FREE

Sunday 11 MayReptiles of the Solway (SolwayWetlands Partnership Scheme)10.00am to 12.00 noonBooking: Not required

The Solway mosses are ideal habitats forsome of the UK's most beautiful andfascinating creatures: reptiles. Join NicolaEvans from Natural England on a walk tolook for shy and elusive adders andcommon lizards on Glasson Moss. Bringwarm and waterproof clothing and wearwellies as the route terrain can be wetand peaty.

Meet: Glasson Moss, contact the SolwayWetlands team for meeting place details

Contact: Solway Wetlands team on 01697333055 or [email protected] tobook your place

Cost: FREE

Monday 12 & 19 MayCrosscanonby Carr Reserve WorkDay (Solway AONB)10.30am startBooking: Essential

As part of our on-going management ofthis reserve we will be painting thebenches and picnic tables as well as on-going maintenance. All equipment will beprovided but please wear suitable clothingand bring a packed lunch.

Contact: Solway Coast Discovery Centre, 016973 33055 [email protected]

Meet: Crosscanonby Road End Car Park onthe B5300

Whilst every effort is made to checkthe accuracy of the information given,Solway Firth Partnership cannot beheld responsible for any inaccuraciesor wrong information contained hereand strongly recommends that youconfirm details/arrangements/chargesbeforehand.

May – September 2014

Dates for your D

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21Tidelines

Tuesday 13 MayOur Edible Landscape(The Belted Galloway Visitor Centre,Newton Stewart)8.00pm to 9.30pmBooking: Essential

Join Mark Williams, Scotland’s only fulltime foraging guide, for a fascinating lookat the edible and useful plants and fungithat can be gathered for free. Plants thatcure blisters, mushrooms that sterilisewounds, weeds that quench thirst andmuch more.

Contact: www.newtonstewartwalkfest.co.ukto book

Meet: The Belted Galloway Visitor Centre,Newton Stewart

Cost: £3 per head

Wednesday 14 MayBird Survey – Allonby to Mawbray(Solway AONB) Booking: Essential10.00 am to 12.00 noon

Come along and spend an hour or twoobserving and noting the bird speciespresent at this busy time of year. Pleasebring binoculars and suitable clothing.Roughly 4 miles in length.

Contact: Solway Coast Discovery Centre,016973 33055 [email protected]

Meet: Car Park opposite North Lodge inAllonby (North end of the village)

Thursday 15 MayMocha and Moths(RSPB Mersehead)9.30am to 11.00amBooking: Essential

Not all moths are dull brown and boring!With the help of our moth trap you cansee moths of all different shapes andsizes and find out a bit more about howthey live. Enjoy a hot or cold drink whilewe look through our catch.


Meet: RSPB Reserve, Mersehead, DG2 8AH, NX925561

Cost: Adult £5, Child £2, half price tomembers

Saturday 17 MayNatterjack Night(WWT Caerlaverock)8.30pm startBooking: Essential

A walk out onto the reserve to find therarest amphibian in Britain, the NatterjackToad. If we are lucky we may hear thetoad chorus as the male toads come tothe shallow pools to encourage thefemales to spawn.

Contact: Pam Mundy 01387 770200 [email protected]

Meet: WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre,Eastpark Farm, Glencaple, DG1 4RS,NY052657

Cost: Adult £7.50, Child £2.50,concessions £5, includes admission,members FREE

Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 MayWildlife Photography WeekendCourse (WWT Caerlaverock)Booking: Essential

Wildlife Photography Weekend Course atWWT Caerlaverock with experiencedwildlife photographers, Tom Langlandsand Bob Fitzsimmons. This course willdeal with macro and general subjects.



Cost: £170 per head

Wednesday 21 MayOff the Beaten Track(RSPB Mersehead)9.30am to 11.00amBooking: Essential

Mersehead has toads, deer, otters,badgers and of course birds! Join ourguided walk to see how many differentthings we can find and how we createhomes for nature.



Cost: £4 adult, £2 child, half price tomembers

Saturday 24 to Monday 26 MayMaryport Harbour FestivalBooking: Essential for music events

An expanded 3 day Harbour festival in the charming harbour town of Maryport.Incorporates annual trawler race, familyfunfair and live music covering all decadesand featuring rock legends WishboneAsh.

Contact: www.thefestivalcalendar.co.uk

Venue: Maryport Harbour, Cumbria

Cost: see website for details

Monday 26 MaySongs of Spring(WWT Caerlaverock)10.00am to 2.00pmBooking: Not required

Come and hear the wide variety of birdcalls and songs at Caerlaverock. Learnabout bird songs through games andactivities. Family event.



Cost: Normal admission prices apply

Friday 30 MayUnveiling of ‘The Big Issue’(Crichton University Campus)12.00noon to 1.00pmBooking: Essential

The Solway Centre for Environment &Culture invites you to attend the unveilingof ‘The Big Issue’, a new work by EdSlater. Prof Anne Anderson will formallywelcome this work, which the artist haskindly donated to the Solway Centre, intothe Henry Duncan Building. Lightrefreshments will be served.

Meet: Henry Duncan Building,The Crichton.

Contact: E-mail [email protected] book

Cost: FREE

Saturday 31 MayMoth Morning(RSPB Crook of Baldoon)Start 10.00amBooking: Essential

Join the Warden to identify the moths thathave been attracted to the moth trap thenight before.


Meet: Crook of Baldoon Nature Reserve,Wigtown, DG8 9AG, NX445530

Cost: £1.50 members, £3 non-members,children free

JUNETuesdays 3, 10, 17, 24 JuneMull of Galloway Guided WalkDetails as previous

Wednesdays 4, 18 JuneOff the Beaten Track(RSPB Mersehead)Details as previous

Thursday 5 JuneBusiness Conversations (Tourism)Booking: Essential as places limited

One of a series of events organised bythe Crichton Institute to bring togetherlocal businesses, leading academics andresearchers to discuss the issues andchallenges that face our localcommunities.

Venue: Crichton Institute, Dumfries

Contact: E-mail [email protected] details and booking

Thursdays 5, 19 JuneMocha and Moths(RSPB Mersehead)Details as previous

Thursdays 5, 12, 19, 26 JuneMull of Galloway Guided WalkDetails as previous

Friday 6 June to Saturday 7 JuneBioblitz! (Solway WetlandsPartnership Scheme)Friday 7.00pm to Saturday 7.00pmBooking: Not required

Save the date! The great Solway Bioblitz istaking place this summer. A Bioblitz is arace against time to record as much wildlifeas possible within 24 hours. Wildlifeexperts and the public will be joining forcesto explore and investigate the area west ofBowness-on-Solway on the shores of theSouth Solway, with basecamp at RSPBCampfield Marsh and the Solway WetlandsCentre. The event brings together thecombined forces of Natural England, theRSPB, Cumbria Wildlife Trust and theSolway Wetlands Landscape Partnershipand takes in saltmarsh, grassland, gravelpits and Bowness Common peat bog. It ispart of the 50th anniversary celebrations ofthe Solway Coast Area of OutstandingNatural Beauty.

Contact: Solway Wetlands team on 01697333055 or [email protected] formore details

Cost: FREE

Friday 6 JuneBug Explorers(RSPB Crook of Baldoon)2.00pm to 4.00pmBooking: Preferred

Can you spot a shiny leaf beetle? Do you know your bugs from your bees?Discover the fascinating world ofinvertebrates in this bug hunt aroundWigtown.


Meet: Wigtown Bay Visitor Centre, WigtownCounty Buildings, DG8 9JH, NX434553

Cost: £5 per family, £3 members

Friday 6 to Sunday 8 JuneSharkatagScottish Sea Angling ConservationNetwork (SSACN)Booking: Essential

Now in its sixth year, SSACN’s Sharkatagevent will take place at Drummore,Sandhead, Isle of Whithorn and BrighouseBay. A friendly angling event, the aim ofwhich is to tag and collect data on sharkspecies through the Scottish SharkTagging programme, with a particular focusthis year on ray species. Boat, kayak andshore anglers can all get involved.

Contact: For further information visit:www.tagsharks.com

Sunday 8 June Marsh Fritillaries at FinglandriggWood (Solway WetlandsPartnership Scheme)11.00am to 2.00pmBooking: Not required

Join Steve Doyle from ButterflyConservation on this walk to see Cumbria’srarest butterfly on the wing at FinglandriggWood National Nature Reserve.


Meet: Finglandrigg Wood NNR parkinglayby, on the B5307 between Kirkbamptonand Kirkbride

Cost: FREE

Sunday 8 JuneBioblitz Day(Rockcliffe, Dumfries & Galloway)10.00am to 4.00pmBooking: Not required

Come and help record wildlife atRockcliffe. A day festival of biodiversitybringing together wildlife recorders, bothexperts and beginners, to find, identifyand learn about as many plant and animalspecies as possible – all in a day.

Contact: DGERC on 01387 760274 or [email protected]

Meet: Rockcliffe, Dumfries & Galloway,NX847537

Cost: Free

Ian Findlay


Saturday 14 JuneKen Dee Guided Walk(RSPB Ken Dee Marshes)10.00am to 12.00noonBooking: Essential

Join the warden for a leisurely walk aroundthe reserve to learn how our on-going workon site is giving nature a home.


Meet: Ken Dee Marshes Reserve, CastleDouglas, DG7 2LY

Cost: Adult £4, child £2 for non-members;Adult £2, Child £1, Family ticket £10 formembers

Sunday 15 JuneA Walk on the South Solway Shorewith Ann Lingard, writer of SolwayShore Stories (Mawbray Banks)8.15am start Booking: Essential (Maximum 10 places)

Depending on weather and tide, walkstake in the submerged forest, theHoneycomb worm, Sabellaria reefs, andlook at the animals that live in the sand, inthe pools and cling onto hard surfaces.Walkers should wear wellies and warmclothing.

Contact: Ann Lingard 016973 21967 orvisit www.solwayshortstories.co.uk

Meet: Mawbray Banks, opposite Banks HillNursery and café

Cost: FREE but donations welcomed

Thursday 19 JuneWildflowers of Dumfriesshire(Eastriggs Natural History Group)7.00pm to 9.00pmBooking: Not required

Join Dr Chris Miles of Scottish NaturalHeritage and Plant Recorder forDumfriesshire to hear about the widevariety of wildflowers to be found in thearea.

Contact: www.dgwgo.com

Venue: Nelson House, Melbourne Ave,Eastriggs

Cost: £2 (includes refreshments)

Tuesday 24 JuneDevil Screamers(RSPB Wigtown County Buildings)3.00pm to 5.00pmBooking: Preferred

Swifts screaming through our towns andcities invoke images of warm sultrysummer evenings. But this could all bejust a memory if we don't act soon. Findout what is causing the decline in swiftsand what you can do to help theseenigmatic summer migrants.


Meet: Wigtown Bay Visitor Centre, WigtownCounty Buildings, DG8 9JH

Cost: Adults £4, members and children free

Sunday 29 JuneBug Bonanza(WWT Caerlaverock)10.00am to 2.00pmBooking: Not required

See how many different kinds of bugs youcan discover at Caerlaverock on thisfamily event.




JULYTuesdays 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 JulyMull of Galloway Guided WalkDetails as previous

Wednesday 2 JulyThe Moths of Annan(Gretna General Interest Group)7.00pm to 9.00pmBooking: Not required

Peter and Val Russell have been mothtrapping for two years so come along andfind out more about the variety offascinating moths they have caught in theAnnan area.

Contact: www.dgwgo.com

Venue: Richard Greenhow Centre, Gretna

Cost: Members Free, visitors £2 (includesrefreshments)

Wednesdays 2, 16 JulyOff the Beaten Track(RSPB Mersehead)Details as previous

Thursdays 3, 17 JulyMocha and Moths(RSPB Mersehead)Details as previous

Thursdays 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 JulyMull of Galloway Guided WalkDetails as previous

Friday 4 JulyMoth and Bat night(RSPB Crook of Baldoon)9.30pm to 11.30pmBooking: Essential

On National Moth Night we will be puttingout a couple of moth traps near to the carpark and using bat detectors we will gofor a stroll around the reserve to see whatbats are hunting the area.



Cost: Non Members £3, Members £1.50,children free

Friday 4 & Saturday 5 JulyWhitehaven LiveBooking: Essential

No Whitehaven Maritime Festival thisyear, but 2 days of live music featuringBob Geldof & the Boomtown Rats, theStranglers and Big Country.

Contact: see websitewww.whitehavenlive.co.uk for details ofevents, venues and tickets.

Saturday 5 JulyMoth Morning(RSPB Crook of Baldoon)10.00am startBooking: Essential

For those that could not make the mothand bat night we will be unveiling whatwas caught during the night before.


Meet: Crook of Baldoon Nature Reserve,Wigtown, DG8 9AG NX445530,

Cost: Non Members £3, Members £1.50,children free

Wednesday 9 JulyA Walk on the South Solway Shorewith Ann Lingard, writer of SolwayShore Stories (Mawbray Banks)4.00pm start Booking: Essential (Maximum 10 places)

Depending on weather and tide, walks takein the submerged forest, the Honeycombworm, Sabellaria reefs, and look at theanimals that live in the sand, in the poolsand cling onto hard surfaces. Walkersshould wear wellies and warm clothing.

Contact: Ann Lingard 016973 21967 or goto www.solwayshortstories.co.uk

Meet: Mawbray Banks, opposite Bank MillNursery and café


Wednesdays 9, 23 JulyBug Explorers(RSPB Crook of Baldoon)Details as previous

Thursdays 10, 24 JulyWalk to Rough Island(NTS Rockcliffe)2.00pm to 4.00pmBooking: Essential

Join the Rangers for a walk across themudflats to Rough Island at low tide.Discover some of the islands’ specialwildlife and enjoy the coastal views fromthe heart of the National Scenic Area.Wear suitable footwear.

Contact: Linda Marshall 0844 4932245 [email protected]

Meet: Rockcliffe public car park,NX847537

Cost: Adults £2, Children £1

Thursdays 10, 24 JulySunset on the Solway(RSPB Mersehead)8.00pm to 10.00pmBooking: Essential

Join us for a guided walk and see whatwildlife use the reserve at dusk. If we arelucky we might catch a glimpse of thebarn owl and bats hunting or hear thenatterjack toads croaking. Please bring atorch and midge spray.



Cost: £4 adult, £2 child, members half price

Fridays 11, 25 JulyA Grand Day Out(RSPB Mersehead)10.30am to 12.30pmBooking: Essential

Join the Field teachers for agrandparent’s day out. Bring yourgrandchildren along and find out whatactivities you can do in your own garden.




Wednesday 16 JulyRockpool Ramble (RSPB at Monreith)10.00am to 12.00 noonBooking: Essential

Discover the world beneath the wavesexploring one of the most diversebeaches in the Machars. Identify commonshells, seaweeds and other treasuresfrom the sea.


Meet: St Medan’s Bay, Monreith, DG8 9LJ


Friday 25 JulyMystery Moths(RSPB Ken Dee Marshes)10.00am to 12.00 noonBooking: Essential

Join the warden for an easy walk todiscover what turns up after a night'sinsect trapping at Ken Dee Marshes.


Meet: Ken Dee Marshes Reserve car park,Castle Douglas, DG7 2LY

Cost: Members £1.50, non-members £3,children FREE

Friday 25 to Sunday 27 JulyMaryport Blues Festival(Wave Centre, Maryport)Booking: No advance tickets

An epic 3 day music festival featuringmore than 100 blues musicians from allover the globe, on the main stage and inlocal pubs and clubs.

Contact: www.skiddle.com/festivals

Venue: The Wave Centre, Maryport,Cumbria

Cost: See website for details

Ian Findlay

23Tidelines

Sunday 27 JulyWalk on the Wildside(RSPB Crook of Baldoon)12.00 noon to 2.00pmBooking: Essential

Catch the tide with the Warden for aninformative walk through the reserve.Learn how the RSPB is ‘Giving Nature aHome’. Bring binoculars and walkingboots.




Wednesday 30 JulyWild Wednesday(RSPB Mersehead)11.00am to 4.00pmBooking: Essential

Come and join us and take part in funactivities looking at the wildlife around thereserve. Looking for the smallest animal tothe nosiest bird and discovering how youcan help the wildlife in your garden.


Meet: RSPB Reserve, Mersehead, DG28AH, NX925561


AUGUSTFridays 1, 22 AugustBug Explorers(RSPB Crook of Baldoon)Details as previous

Fridays 1, 8, 15, 22, 29AugustFamily Fun Friday (RSPB Mersehead)11.00am to 4.00pmBooking: Essential

Come and join us for a wild family dayout, with treasure trails, beach activities,minibeast hunting and more. Have funwith nature and find out how you can helpnature.


Meet: RSPB Reserve, Mersehead, DG28AH, NX925561


Tuesdays 5, 12, 19, 26AugustMull of Galloway Guided WalkDetails as previous

Wednesdays 6, 13, 20, 27AugustPond Dipping (WWT Caerlaverock)11.00am to 1.00pmBooking: Not required

Spend a morning with the warden ponddipping on the reserve. An event for allthe family – children must beaccompanied by an adult.




Wednesdays 6, 13, 20, 27AugustWild Wednesday(RSPB Mersehead)Details as previous

Thursdays 7, 14, 21, 28AugustMull of Galloway Guided WalkDetails as previous

Thursdays 7, 21 AugustMocha and Moths(RSPB Mersehead)Details as previous

Thursdays 7, 21 AugustWalk to Rough IslandNational Trust for ScotlandDetails as previous

Friday 8 AugustMud Walk(RSPB Crook of Baldoon)2.00pm to 4.00pm

Wigtown Bay Local Nature Reserve froma different angle, starting from theRSPB’s Crook of Baldoon. What makesan estuary? Mud, plants and wildlife setwithin the beautiful landscape of WigtownBay. You will need wellies as you will begoing out onto the mud.




Sunday 10 AugustA Walk on the South Solway Shorewith Ann Lingard, writer of SolwayShore Stories (Allonby)6.15pm start Booking: Essential (Maximum 10 places)


Contact: Ann Lingard 016973 21967 or go to www.solwayshortstories.co.uk

Meet: Allonby car park, oppositeTwentymans’ store


Tuesday 12 AugustMake Hay While the Sun Shines(RSPB Mersehead)11.00am to 1.00pmBooking: Essential

Come along to the reserve and find outabout the process of hay making and theimportance of hay making for wildlife.




Thursday 14 AugustA Walk on the South Solway Shorewith Ann Lingard, writer of SolwayShore Stories (Mawbray Banks)9.15am startBooking: Essential Maximum 10 places)



Meet: Mawbray Banks, opposite Bank MillNursery and café


Friday 15 AugustRockpool Ramble(RSPB at Monreith)St Medan’s Bay, Monreith Details as previous

Saturday 16 Species HuntScottish Sea Angling ConservationNetwork (SSACN)

The SSACN will be holding its secondspecies hunt at Luce bay and Port Logan.The aim is to encourage anglers tomeasure their catch rather than weigh itand calculate weights using SSACNgraphs. There are prizes across a rangeof categories for junior and seniorsections. Anyone can participate.

Contact: www.tagsharks.com/species-hunt-2014 for further information or to getinvolved in the event

Saturday 23 AugustSunset on the Solway(RSPB Mersehead)Details as previous

Saturday 30 AugustMoth Morning(RSPB Crook of Baldoon)Details as previous

SEPTEMBERMonday 1 daily to Sunday 7 SeptemberStars and Stripes(WWT Caerlaverock)8.00pm til lateBooking: Essential

Watch wild badgers feeding just outsideour comfortable observatory. Fair tradetea and coffee available, included in price.Wheelchair accessible. Tickets must bepaid for in advance.




Tuesdays 2, 9, 16, 23, 30SeptemberMull of Galloway Guided WalkDetails as previous

Thursdays 4, 18 SeptemberMocha and Moths(RSPB Mersehead)Details as previous

Thursdays 4, 11, 18, 25 SeptemberMull of Galloway Guided WalkDetails as previous

Wednesdays 10, 24SeptemberOff the Beaten Track(RSPB Mersehead)Details as previous

Friday 12 SeptemberA Walk on the South Solway Shorewith Ann Lingard, writer of SolwayShore Stories (Allonby)8.45am start Booking: Essential(Maximum 10 places)



Meet: Allonby car park, oppositeTwentymans’ store


Fridays 12, 26 SeptemberWalk on the Wildside(RSPB Crook of Baldoon)Details as previous

Ian Findlay

For further information, to submit an article or to join the SFP mailing list please contact:Solway Firth Partnership, Campbell House, The Crichton, Bankend Road, Dumfries, DG1 4UQt: 01387 702161 e: [email protected] www.solwayfirthpartnership.co.uk

The Solway Firth Partnership is a Scottish Company Limited by guarantee and without share capital underCompany Number SC250012 and a Scottish Charity under Scottish Charity Number SCO34376.Registered office: Campbell House, The Crichton, Dumfries DG1 4UQ

Published by Solway Firth Partnership. Design by Ian Findlay Design. Print by FP Commercial Print, Stranraer.

newsletter of the Solway Firth Partnership

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Transcript of newsletter of the Solway Firth Partnership