Farm Wildlife Walks – Ayrshire

FARM WILDLIFE WALKS IS BACK! | Two years ago the Farm Advisory Service launched the Farm Wildlife Walks initiative, an attempt to promote grass-roots conversations around nature conservation and the positive impacts of nature-friendly farming practices in combating the biodiversity crisis.

The first of our Ayrshire meetings was held at Minuntion and Pinclanty farms, where we heard from the Warrender family and their efforts to preserve and diversify habitats across the business. The second meeting was at East Burnhead by kind permission of the Boswell family and we discussed sustainable upland management and did a bit of bird watching – spotting a hen harrier – one of Scotland’s national priority species and a protected feature of the designated site.

Attending both meetings was Mark Gibson, owner and steward of Craigengillan Estate. Located outside Dalmellington in East Ayrshire, Craigengillan extends to over 1,100 hectares of permanent pasture, native woodland, protected water features and an array of semi-natural habitats, comprised within a living landscape. Mark himself is a great proponent of heritage skills and has worked hard over his two decades at the estate for foster a culture of community engagement and public good. The estate also has a history of involvement in Scottish Government backed environmental schemes and has worked closely with NatureScot and the Rural Payments and Inspection Division over the years, as well as consultants and enthusiasts of all stripes.

So join FAS for the third Ayrshire meeting in the series, as we hear from Mark about the results of a recent wildlife survey that uses a blend of technology and on the ground expertise, take in a guided tour of some of the estate’s finest habitats and hear about the management behind them.

This meeting will be held on Wednesday 24 July from 5pm at Craigengillan House, Craigengillan Estate, Dalmellington, Ayr, KA6 7PZ.

All welcome, please bring clothing and footwear for the outdoors. A light supper will be provided.

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