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Ancient Trees, Black Grouse and Pine Martens

Mark Stephen and Euan McIlwraith with stories from the great outdoors.

Our Scotland Outdoors podcast this week features Aberdeenshire based writer Ian Grosz. The ex-helicopter pilot is now researching and writing about the land around him, and he took Helen for a walk up Barra Hill to an old hill fort to tell her what it means to him.

A couple of weeks ago we heard about author Roger Morgan Grenville’s walk across the UK to raise awareness of the plight of the curlew and follow the progress of spring. Earlier this week, Mark and Roger had a chance encounter in a rather remote location.

Our Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Scotland Landward colleague Fiona Clark came across a deer that had just been hit by a car on her way home from work. We hear her story of what happened next and some advice on deer from the Scottish SPCA.

Mark heads to Deeside in the company of Balmoral Estate ranger Glyn Jones to try and spot Black Grouse lekking. They head out at dawn to see if they can witness the rather flamboyant display of the male birds.

Euan has pine martens in his garden, and he was a bit concerned about the impact they might have on the population of red squirrels that are also garden residents. He chats to Dr Emma Sheehy from Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels about the relationship between squirrels and pine martens.

Mark visits the Camusnagaul pollarded oak tree in Ardgour which is part of the 70 ancient trees and woodlands that have been honoured as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy for the Platinum Jubilee. He hears the story of the oak and what makes it so special.

And then we chat live to Geraint Richards, Head Forester to the Duchy of Cornwall who tells us more about the Queen’s Green Canopy and what it involves.

This week’s mystery bird apparently has a rather unique musical connection. Can you guess what it is?

1 hour, 30 minutes

Broadcast

  • Sat 21 May 2022 06:30

Landward

Landward

Scotland's farming and countryside programme