Cairngorms Communities to create Big BioBuzz

Three simultaneous 24 hour events are being planned in the Cairngorms National Park to celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity in 2010.

The Cairngorms Local Biodiversity Action Plan is running events in the Park communities of Grantown-on-Spey, Kingussie and Ballater. ‘The Big BioBuzz Day’ will be held on 22 May 2010 to coincide with International Biodiversity Day and Scottish Biodiversity Week. The International Year of Biodiversity is a unique opportunity to increase understanding of the vital role that biodiversity plays in sustaining life on Earth.

The events are aimed at getting as many people as possible involved in biodiversity related activities in a 24 hour period. The goal is to collect as much information on the biodiversity in their respective localities as possible.

Staff from the Cairngorms National Park Authority, Ranger Services and other partners will help to identify wildlife, pass on knowledge and showcase obscure or unusual species. Local schools are also being encouraged to take part.

Each location will have a designated headquarters that may include other attractions such as story telling, a puppet show, green wood working, nature games, crafts, building bird boxes and lathe wood turning.

Cairngorms biodiversity officer Stephen Corcoran said: “The Big BioBuzz Day will be the main starting point for the International Year of Biodiversity in the Park. Wildlife and nature experts will be able to take people out and about in their local areas to experience the rich biodiversity the Cairngorms National Park has to offer on their very doorstep.

“There will be something for everyone starting with dawn walks to see wading birds and hear the dawn chorus continuing all through the day with a host of activities for families and budding amateur naturalists. As we move into the evening we will venture out to inspect moth traps and look for nocturnal species like owls and bats. We are also very lucky to have some of the best dark skies in Scotland right here in the Cairngorms, so we will be encouraging people to look up and appreciate this natural resource that many of us take for granted.

“I  hope as many people as possible come along to the Big BioBuzz Day. I would also like to encourage any communities or local groups in the Cairngorms National Park to get in touch if they would like to find out how to get advice and possible financial support for undertaking local biodiversity projects like creating wildlife gardens and ponds.”

A more detailed programme with times will be publicised closer to the event and depending on the success of the ‘Big BioBuzz Day’ a series of ‘mini-BioBuzz’ events may be rolled out throughout the year across the Cairngorms involving other communities and groups.

For further information contact Stephen Corcoran on 01479 870528.