Deveron Wildland

30/10/2026

30/10/2026

Training from Dan Puplett on skulls and bones identification as part of the Grampian Scottish Countryside Rangers Association training programme hosted by the Dorenell Ranger Service. So much to learn about our wildlife from their skulls and bones and other tracks and signs we find. An absolutely fascinating day. Maybe a skulls and bones theme for one of our upcoming nature journalling sessions? It was certainly perfect for Halloween weekend! Our first task was to put together an entire fox skeleton - I think we ended up doing a pretty good job. 💀 🐾

23/10/2026

Ranger Louise attended a brilliant day of education from SCRA (Scottish Countryside Rangers Association) Grampian on Identifying Grassland Fungi. Thank you to Balmoral Rangers, Georgia and Rob, for hosting, and Helen and Toni from Grampian Fungus Group for their expertise. We have a few wax caps scattered across Deveron Wildland but particularly concentrated at Cairnhead where we have a species-rich grassland that we will continue to manage for its biodiversity. Training like today helps Louise with identifying what we have here already and monitor for any changes.

19/10/2026

Cracking day for some hedge-laying. Laying revitalises established hedges by partially cutting through stems and bending them to a diagonal. This encourages new growth at the base giving a much more protected habitat and wildlife corridor. More shelter, cover and food is provided in this way for insects, mammals and birds. Nests are also better protected within the much denser hedge. At Deveron Wildland, we do conservation hedge-laying rather than the very neat and tidy competition-standard styles of hedge-laying you see more in certain regions in England. We aim to provide more hedgerows to act as wildlife corridors linking other habitats across the Estate. A huge thank you to Bobby and Garry for all their work today. We have plenty more to do over the winter but it’s a very satisfying job especially on a day like today.

16/10/2026

Another wonderful morning of nature journalling. We started with Sarah’s stories and some mindfulness then a scavenger hunt and some printing. Afterwards we had a treat with our teas and coffees - some yummy homebaked scones from Bobby with a selection of lovely homemade jams from Bobby’s Granda. We definitely think Deveron Wildland do the best nature journalling sessions in the world! 😀 Sessions are every third Friday of the month. They are free, all materials are supplied, and no experience is needed. Message us if you want to find out more.

13/10/2026

Amazing what you can see in a muddy puddle if you just stop to look for a few seconds. And, no, I can’t ID these but please let us know if you know what they are. 😁

05/10/2026

A lot of you will know Jenna, Ranger at Dorenell. It was lovely hearing her speak on the radio about how much she loves her job. 😻

Mark Stephen and Rachel Stewart with stories from the great outdoors

05/10/2026

A selection of books on the theme of wolves for our next book club meeting in November. We have borrowed the idea from to allow the choice to read all of these books or just one or two of them.
We meet at Deveron Wildland in the Haugh of Glass and chat about our book choices over coffee. We are a very friendly and informal book group and we'd love to have you join us. Especially as 2026 is the Year of Reading! More information from [email protected].

01/10/2026

Autumn brings time for a tidy up around Deveron Wildland. Volunteers have helped remove some more old fencing and debris. This month will see some hedgelaying, more earthworm counts and fungi surveying. October is also the last month for our Riverfly surveys and Bee Walks before the winter. And, of course, we'll take time to enjoy the change in colours and the atmospheric mists.