Friends of Beecraigs Newsletter

August/September 2012
Diary Dates
26th August 28th August 1st Sept MTB trail practical with Clive Forth MTB trail practical 6pm Practical work with LCV 4th Sept 11th Sept 18th Sept 25th Sept 30th Sept

Issue 3

MTB trail practical 6pm MTB trail practical 6pm MTB trail practical 6pm MTB trail practical 6pm Pond clearance

Mountain Bike Trail practical work is continuing on Tuesday evenings meeting at the Sutherland Building starting at 6pm. Please let us know if you are coming along to any of these dates so we can prep tools in advance.

News
Storm Update The majority of the park is now open, however the Pale Blue Route remains closed for the foreseeable future. Access to Cockleroy is available via the footpath from the Bus Park. Please as always, pay attention to any signs or diversions you come across in the park. We thank you for your continued patience and support. MBT trail Update The mountain bike trail is well under way with a regular trail building night on Tuesday nights at 6pm. The storm damage is being cleared along the route next to the Bathgate road and the volunteer group is making steady progress along large parts of the trail. The Criminal justice team are also making good progress on other parts of the trail. A new red loop has been cut around one of the black sections to get the trail open ASAP. The next big thing we will be working on is the building of five board walks which will link all the sections of the trail together. There is another trail building day planed with our designer Clive (the date is still to be confirmed) which I would like to invite everyone to join us on. I would also like to thank all the volunteers and LCV that have given up their time to get the trail to where it is now and we have move a big step closer to getting the first loop open. Simon- Assistant Ranger

Animal Attraction We are now coming to the end of the calving season with 80+ Red Deer calves and 4 Highland Cattle calves with one more still to come. As we move closer to the autumn the Red Deer stags are preparing for the rut (breeding season). We would ask anyone with a dog to keep them on a lead and under close control whilst walking down the Deer walkway as they can become very aggressive during the rut. Rangers The Ranger team has been as busy as ever with a range of summer events. There is still plenty going on over the next few months as we say goodbye to the short-lived summer and gear up for the autumn. Why not come along on a guided walk to find out about the wildlife and history of Beecraigs, try an evening bat walk or join us on a food for free walk to see what nature has to offer.

Extras
Maintenance and Patrols You can find the folder containing maintenance tasks that need completing each month, at the Reception of the Visitor Centre. Any volunteers that are looking to carry out tasks within the park in their free time are welcome to come in and chose what they would like to do. The tasks range from simply walking routes, noting down any issues within the park to cutting back vegetation and cleaning signs, some only take 15minutes to complete others would task a couple of hours. If you are interested, please contact either Tracey or Hannah on 01506 844516/848944. Photo of the Month

Curious Roe deer fawn with mum grazing behind If anyone has a story, article, photo or anything else of interest that they would like to appear in the June/July issue please send it to Hannah by the 30th September at Hannah.crow@westlothian.gov.uk.