Families flock to Forsinard for a fun day out
Pond-dipping, peat-probing and a treasure hunt were among the highlights at RSPB Scotland's Forsinard nature reserve as families took part in a Flow Country fun day.
They enjoyed learning more about this unique landscape by exploring the Dubh Lochan Trail, visiting the Flows lookout tower, delving into the deep pools and taking part in activities at the visitor centre.
It was a day to discover the Flow Country and visitors even had a chance to measure the depth of the peat below their feet. They were amazed to find it was almost four metres deep in places and learned that peat only forms at 1mm every year – indicating that much of the peat around Forsinard is over 4000 years old.
Children were delighted to find many creatures living in the pools, including damselfly and dragonfly nymphs, demonstrating the fine quality of the water in the pools. They enjoyed searching the Dubh Lochan Trail for treasure hunt clues which revealed the mystery creature of the Flow Country!
Back in the visitor centre there were lots of craft activities to keep little fingers occupied, from making dragonflies to creating peatland treasures. Youngsters also enjoyed being eco-warriors and preventing the release of carbon into the atmosphere when playing the interactive Carbon Capture game.
Learning development officer Hilary Wilson said: “It was really lovely to see so many families at Forsinard, enjoying being outdoors in this beautiful, vast and fascinating place. Why not make a journey to Forsinard and make it a family day out by catching the train and bringing a picnic?”
The next family day – Rocks, Stars and Planets – is a dark skies event with Caithness Astronomy Group on Saturday, September 14, from 11am to 3pm. This will be preceded on Friday 13th by an astronomy group evening talk in the Flows Field Centre with Matjaz Vidmar.
To register attendance, email beki.pope@rspb.org.uk
It was really lovely to see so many families at Forsinard, enjoying being outdoors in this fascinating place.
The visitor centre at RSPB Scotland Forsinard Flows is open daily during the summer, from 9am until 5pm. Guided walks take place each Friday. The Dubh Lochan Trail and Flows lookout tower are open all the year round free of charge.
The outdoor learning activities at RSPB Forsinard are provided as part of the Peatlands Partnership’s Flows to the Future Project, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
