The Festival of Imbolc, World Wetlands Day and the Big Farmland Bird Count
Feb 1, 2025
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Guests include Keri Tomlin, an author and celebrant illuminating the roots of the Imbolc festival, and Anna Neubert-Wood from Wander Women, who shares her personal connections to this celebration. Harley Matheson, a conservation volunteer, takes listeners on a journey through Frankfield Loch, discussing the importance of wetland ecosystems. The conversation highlights community efforts like the Big Farmland Bird Count, emphasizing the changing seasons and wildlife conservation, while also touching on personal growth through nature.
Imbolc, marking the transition towards spring, emphasizes the significance of reflecting on personal growth and rejuvenation during winter's end.
The Big Farmland Bird Count actively engages farmers in monitoring bird populations to combat declines through improved agricultural practices and habitat management.
The HMS Unicorn restoration project highlights community involvement in preserving cultural heritage while fostering a sense of belonging among diverse volunteers.
Deep dives
Celebrating Imbolc and the Promise of Spring
Imbolc, celebrated on February 1st, signifies the halfway point between winter and spring, marking the transition towards warmer seasons. It is a time to recognize the first signs of life as nature awakens, with the first bulbs beginning to sprout and birds starting to return. The festival is linked to the goddess Brigid, who represents fertility, healing, and creativity, encouraging individuals to set intentions for personal growth in the coming months. As people gather to celebrate, they reflect on the importance of rest during winter and the opportunity to rejuvenate as the days gradually grow longer.
The Big Farmland Bird Count and Bird Conservation
The Big Farmland Bird Count, running from February 3rd to February 23rd, invites farmers and land managers to monitor bird populations on their land during a critical time known as the 'hungry gap'. This initiative aims to combat declines in bird numbers caused by agricultural intensification and habitat loss, encouraging farmers to adopt practices like supplementary feeding which have shown positive impacts on bird diversity. Research indicates that areas with enhanced feeding initiatives report healthier bird populations, emphasizing the essential role of agricultural practices in wildlife conservation. The count also provides valuable data on species trends, aiding future conservation efforts.
HMS Unicorn Restoration and Community Involvement
The HMS Unicorn, a 200-year-old ship undergoing a complex conservation project in Dundee, aims to restore its structure while fostering community engagement through volunteerism. Volunteers from diverse backgrounds contribute to the restoration work, gaining personal fulfillment and reconnecting with heritage, thus enhancing their sense of belonging. The project encompasses not only the preservation of the ship but also the interpretation of its historical significance for educational purposes. By including community members in the conservation process, the initiative seeks to promote wider appreciation for cultural and historical heritage.
Frankfield Loch: An Urban Wildlife Sanctuary
Frankfield Loch, located on the outskirts of Glasgow, exemplifies an urban wetland that is teeming with biodiversity, including various bird species such as lapwings and snipe. It serves as an essential habitat for wildlife and a valuable green space for local communities. Conservation volunteers actively participate in preserving this natural resource through habitat restoration, litter cleanup, and educational outreach. By engaging schools and local groups in outdoor activities, the project aims to enhance community well-being and foster a deeper connection between people and nature.
Art and Nature Interconnectedness at Jupiter Artland
Jupiter Artland, a contemporary sculpture park, faces the challenge of restoring artworks following damage from recent storms that uprooted several century-old trees, impacting both the landscape and the artistic installations. The site emphasizes the relationship between art and nature, highlighting how natural elements can influence and transform artistic expression. As the team begins the process of rebuilding, they aim to incorporate fallen trees into their restoration, showcasing the dynamic interaction between artistic and natural environments. This situation serves as a reminder of nature's power and the necessity of adaptive stewardship in both art and conservation.
Parts of the country are still recovering after last week’s Storm Eowyn including Jupiter Artland. The 100-acre sculpture garden on the outskirts of Edinburgh suffered quite a bit of storm damage as Mark saw when he visited earlier this week.
Rachel meets a group of volunteers from a whole variety of backgrounds who have come together to help restore the HMS Unicorn, a 200-year-old ship which is docked in Dundee.
Next Friday sees the start of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust’s annual Big Farmland Bird Count. Mark headed to their demonstration Farm on Deeside to find out why the Trust wants farmers and land managers to take part in the count, and what they do with the data that’s gathered.
We celebrate World Wetlands Day on Out of Doors as Mark visits Frankfield Loch on the outskirts of Glasgow. The site is part of the Seven Lochs Wetland Park and Mark explores an area he hadn’t visited before.
At 11am on 31st January people in Stranraer gather to mark the sinking of the car ferry, The Princess Victoria. This year marks 72 years since the disaster and Rachel heard the story from historian Elaine Barton as they met up at the site of the memorial to the sinking.
This weekend is also Imbolc or Saint Brigid's Day, the Gaelic traditional festival which marks the beginning of spring. We chat live to author and celebrant Keri Tomlin about the origins of Imbolc and its significance.
And Rachel also recently spent time with Anna Neubert-Wood of Edinburgh based Wander Women to find out what Imbolc means to her and how she’ll be marking it this weekend.
Earlier this week a film celebrating the globally vital landscape of The Flow Country being recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site was shown in Scotland for the first time. When Fish Begin to Crawl features specially shot footage with archive and new film by Flow Country residents. It also features an award-winning musical score. We’re joined live by its co-creators, composer Jim Sutherland and film maker Morag McKinnon.
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