Guide in a Hide Peatland Special

Where: Birsay Moors Hide, Burgar Hill, Evie

When: Tuesday 14th May 10am - 12pm

With: RSPB Scotland

Cost: Free

Booking Required: No

Come along to the Birsay Moors hide where we’ll be hosting a Guide in a hide – peatlands edition. We’ll be looking out for some of our upland star species and the team will be on hand to chat about why peatlands are so important and what our plans are to restore peatlands on the Birsay Moors.

Watching out for Whales, Dolphins & Porpoises

Where: Yesnaby car park

When: Tuesday 14th May 11am - 1pm

With: Whale & Dolphin Conservation

Cost: Free event

Booking Required: No, drop by anytime

Contact: northernisles@shorewatch.org

Join Whale and Dolphin Conservation for a Shorewatch at Yesnaby. Shorewatch Coordinator, Emma, will be positioned at the car park with binoculars, so pop along anytime between 11am-1pm to learn about whales, dolphins and porpoises & how to spot them. Binoculars will be provided.

Painting & Drawing Group

Where: No 25, Bridge Street, Kirkwall

When: Tuesday 14th May 11am – 1pm

With: Orkney Creative Hub

Cost: £10

Booking Required: Yes via their website www.orkneycreativehub.co.uk

Contact: No25@orkneycreativehub.co.uk

Orkney Creative Hub are pleased to support the Orkney Nature Festival 2024. Come along to create your own nature themed project in our groups. We cover a range of arts and crafts from painting and drawing, using a variety of media, to needle felting and doodling, printing and knitting and crochet. All materials supplied, all skill levels welcome. Young folk under 12 will require an accompanying adult. Look up their website for more details and to book.

Ring of Brodgar Guided Walk

Where: Meet in Ring of Brodgar car park   

When: Monday 13th to Wednesday 15th May 1pm

With: Historic Environment Scotland 

Cost: Free event

Booking required: No, turn up on the day.

Contact: Historic Environment Scotland - Email: orkneyrangers@hes.scot

Join the HES rangers to learn more about the Ring of Brodgar and the wider landscape in which it sits. Discover just how much effort went into creating this wonderful site and what people think about it today.

Watching out for Whales, Dolphins & Porpoises

Where: Stromness: large bunker on Guardhouse Park Road

When: Tuesday 14th May 6pm - 8pm

With: Whale & Dolphin Conservation

Cost: Free

Booking Required: No, drop by anytime

Contact: northernisles@shorewatch.org

Join Whale and Dolphin Conservation for a Shorewatch just outside Stromness. Shorewatch Coordinator, Emma, will be positioned at the car park with binoculars, so pop along anytime between 6-8pm to learn about whales, dolphins and porpoises & how to spot them. Binoculars will be provided.

Saving Scotland's Wildcats

Where: Online Stream

When: Tuesday 14th May 6pm - 7pm

With: Saving Wildcats

Cost: Free but donations to the project are welcome

Booking Required: Yes https://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/events/saving-scotlands-wildcats-online-live-stream/

Contact: Events@rzss.org.uk

In 2023, Saving Wildcats carried out the first ever releases of captive bred wildcats in Britain, into the Cairngorms National Park. Hear from Helena Parsons, Saving Wildcats Outreach and Engagement Manager about how the project has progressed, and the community outreach work that was needed to ensure the success of the releases.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has been involved with Scottish wildcat conservation for over 10 years and continues to play a critical role in the long-term recovery efforts of this iconic species. Working together with project partners, the UK’s captive breeding holders for wildcats, and international specialists in species recovery, Saving Wildcats is the greatest hope for wildcats in Scotland.