Ospreys are large birds of prey that nest throughout the Scottish Borders after migrating to Scotland from West Africa in the spring.
With a five foot wingspan they’re an impressive sight – and if you are ever lucky enough to see one fishing, you’ll understand just why they are such efficient predators.
The birds nest along the Tweed river system and we’ll visit a number of sites over the courser of the morning to catch a glimpse of them leaving and returning to their nests – from a responsible distance.
After lunch we’ll head for our community woodland in Selkirk where you’ll become a conservation volunteer for the afternoon. It’s worth keeping an eye on the sky – we also see ospreys over the wood from time to time.
And as with all of our adventures, for every away day booked, we’ll donate a nature education session for a school or charity of your choice.
We’ll provide binoculars and spotting scopes so we can stay a safe distance away from the nests to avoid disturbing the birds. We’ll also provide transport (or a discounted rate if you want to use your own). We can never 100% guarantee sightings but during the breeding season there is usually at least one bird on or around the nest.
Once we’re done we will drive over to Selkirk for lunch at the popular Waterwheel restaurant, where there will also be a chance to learn about the reintroduction of Golden Eagles to the Scottish Borders. We’ll also visit the salmon information centre to take a look at the underwater camera on the cauld and find out about the amazing journey these majestic fish make up the river to spawn.
Afterwards we’ll take a stroll along the river back to Mauldsheugh Wood, our community wildlife project, where you’ll spend the rest of the afternoon as a conservation volunteer in the woods.
You’ll start with a woodland nature walk led by our experienced wildlife ranger, giving you the chance to absorb and enjoy your surroundings.
Activities can be as simple as topping up the bird feeders and sitting back to watch the wonderful bird life of the woods.
Or you can get your hands dirty helping to develop the community project – we’re currently working on a forest school for use by the community and local school groups.
Please note that prices are based on the use of your own transport: we can arrange minibus, coach or luxury vehicles at an additional cost. Contact us for details.
We run our nature adventures to give more people a chance to enjoy the wildlife of southern Scotland and to help cover the cost of our community nature and wildlife projects. All profits go back into the community interest company to enable us to continue to operate Mauldsheugh Wood, along with nature clubs, school visits and collaborations with other community groups.