Green Light for Discover Clyde Muirshiel

Wildlife on Screen

Thursday 3rd June 2010

MAY – JULY 2010

AT MUIRSHIEL VISITOR CENTRE, LOCHWINNOCH

£16,500 of LEADER funding has been awarded for the Discover Clyde Muirshiel Wildlife on Screen project.  New cameras will give our visitors the unique opportunitity to watch LIVE camera footage of one of our rarest birds, the hen harrier, only 40 minutes from Glasgow.

Hen harriers are one of our most threatened birds of prey due to persecution and habitat loss. There are only 600 breeding pairs left in the UK, the majority of which are in Scotland. Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park can support on average 10-12 breeding pairs, that is 2% of the national numbers. The area was designated as a ‘Special Protection Area’ in 2007 recognising the importance of this moorland habitat for the hen harrier population.

This year, these stunning birds have already been spotted displaying over the moorland in the Regional Park.  Until a suitable nest-site is located for LIVE filming we will be showing hen harrier footage from previous years at Muirshiel Visitor Centre.  Here there will be family friendly interactive displays, a Hen Harrier wildlife diary, wildlife feeding stations, childrens entertainment, walking guides as well as refreshments and our Countryside Ranger Service on hand to tell you what is happening and answer any questions you might have.

Muirshiel has a variety of trails for all abilities from the rugged mine track leading into the heart of the moorland to the gentle trails around the visitor centre that offer the opportunity for you to catch a glimpse of these remarkable birds.

As well as our hen harriers we have a wealth of wildlife in the Regional Park: wheatear and skylark can be seen flying around the moorland trails and you will probably hear the mewing of buzzards overhead.  If you are lucky you may spot a common lizard basking on the path up to Windy Hill.  Down by the river you can watch the dippers, remarkable little birds that can 'walk' under water in its search for food.  If you don't feel like venturing far you can sit down and enjoy a coffee in our visitor centre watching the birds at our feeding stations.

We expect the 2010 LIVE hen harrier footage to start sometime in June, although it does depend on the Hen harriers and a technically suitable nest location.  Previous years filming has been described as “Better than Springwatch” so to make it easier for visitors without their own transport to get up to Muirshiel to watch the footage or go for a walk, Clyde Muirshiel will be running a free bus service every Sunday from the 27th of June until the 18th of July.  The service will run from Lochwinnoch train station at 12 and 1pm and return from Muirshiel at 3 and 4 pm.  There will be drop-off / pick up from Castle Semple Visitor Centre as well.  For further information about the wildlife viewing project or summer activities at Muirshiel please contact the Ranger team on 01505 842 803 or go to the wildlife page on the Regional Park website at www.clydemuirshiel.co.uk.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

The cameras for this project are being part financed by the Scottish Government and the European Community Renfrewshire Local Action Group LEADER 2009-2012 Programme.

The Renfrewshire Heights ‘Special Protection Area’ designated in 2007 by the Scottish Government to recognise the important concentration of breeding Hen Harriers in the central moorland area of the Regional Park.  This is the highest level of wildlife protection in the UK.  It is based on European Commission legislation. This designation highlights the importance of the natural environment and the uplands of Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park.  The area covered extends from Muirshiel Visitor Centre over Duchal Moor to the Greenock Cut Visitor Centre and Leap Moor and includes Burnt Hill and Waterhead Moor in North Ayrshire.  This puts Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park’s core moorland area on a par with Ben Nevis, the Isle of Rum and ancient woodlands in the Clyde Valley in terms of habitat value for wildlife.

Muirshiel Visitor Centre, near Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire PA12 4LB tel 01505 842 803 is open everyday 11:00 to 16:00 hours from April – October and at weekends in winter providing Countryside Ranger events plus information on walks, wildlife as well as refreshments and a gift shop.

The Clyde Muirshiel Park Authority is a joint committee of Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and North Ayrshire Councils.

Clyde Muirshiel is a member of

AVAA - Ayrshire Visitor Attractions Association, a partnership group working together to develop best practise and promote the wide range and variety of attractions in the area for the benefit of locals and visitors, look out for the ‘Great Days Out Ayrshire’ leaflet or on the website www.greatdaysoutayrshire.com for details of members.

Visit Renfrewshire.com and a great place to find information and good deals on local accommodation, places to eat and other local attractions.

Discover Inverclyde.com This newly launched website provides a one stop location for information on attractions, activities, offers and events for visitors and local alike in the Inverclyde area.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:                           

FIONA CARSWELL Development & Marketing Officer, CMRP tel 01505 614 791

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