Witches and Waxcaps

We braved the rain on Saturday afternoon for a guided walk organised by Plantlife looking at the various mushrooms and fungi on the Haddo House lawn. The short, un-fertilised grass of the lawns and gardens is a rare habitat anywhere in the country and is a hotspot for amazing multi-colored waxcaps and weird coral fungi.

Probably due to the warm weather the waxcaps are coming out late this year and the show, especially on the parterre garden, is getting better by the day. You  have to get pretty close to the ground to get photos so wear waterproof trousers or be prepared to get very wet knees and elbows...

Going Bump In The Night

As the nights are drawing in, things are getting a little bit spooky and it's time to brave the annual Halloween Tea Party. Dress up in your best Halloween costume and join Griselda the witch, along with some other ghouls and ghosts creeping around the house. Places are limited so book as soon as you can to avoid disappointment!

If you want to try something genuinely nerve-wracking, Be Free are organising a Fire Walk in the park on Sunday afternoon. The event starts at 3pm with the actual fire walking happening around 5pm. You can find out more about Be Free on their Facebook Page and you can find details of the event itself here.

Project Works Update

There's been another little flurry of activity on the project this week. The asphalt his going gone down in the entrance way and outside the Pheasantry (which has intermittently required unplugging the power to my cabin and therefore removed my access to the kettle. I've worked at home a bit this week). The coloured resin path is due to be laid middle of next week and then the entrance way will be pretty much finished. The big machinery is continuing to be a massive attraction for the younger visitors. I'm considering abandoning the whole adventure playground idea and just parking a yellow digger and a tipper truck next to the path. They'll find it just as much fun.

The lovely black iron gates into the National Trust garden are back in place as well, and the painting on the Golden Gates is coming along beautifully. There are more new benches appearing and new cycles racks (and a fantastic horse hitching rail which looks like it's come straight out of A Fistful Of Dollars) outside the stable block.

Spies, Signs and Secret Squirrels

On Tuesday I had a visit from Steve the local Scottish Wildlife Trust Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels Officer. Red Squirrel aren’t always that easy to see- I’ve had just two glimpses of them since I’ve been working here. However, there are signs of them all over the park and I had a very instructive walk learning how to ID squirrel-eaten hazel nuts and squirrel-stripped spruce cones.

We’re looking at running some surveys to see which parts of the park the squirrels are using and then potentially setting up a ‘Squirrel-Watch’ point with feeders and a viewing screen. If you’d like to help out, see some squirrels, and could spare a few minutes to check a survey box while you’re walking round the park then leave a comment or drop a quick email to haddovso@btconnect.com to get involved.

One thing you definitely notice as you walk round the park is the amount of fungi springing up everywhere. Several of the dead or dying trees out in the park are covered in bracket fungus, big pale mushrooms or pale yellow Honey Fungus, making them look like the oozing swamp from a fantasy adventure movie. The lawns in front of the house are another good spot, with rare Waxcaps and coral fungus in the grass. If you want to find out more, experts from Plantlife are running a Fungi walk around the gardens and grounds from 1-3.30pm this Saturday, more details at http://www.plantlife.org.uk/things_to_do/activities/aberdeenshire_guided_fungi_walk or contact scotland@Plantlife.org.uk.

Unsolved at Haddo

For something completely different, how do you feel about becoming a spy this Sunday? Haddo are holding a couple of events as part of the Unsolved Festival- mystery tours, talks with crime writers and storytelling workshops held in National Trust properties across Aberdeenshire.

Here at Haddo, we’re hosting Operation Espionage- an event run by proper ex-intelligence and military officers (I’m told you can tell, should you be able to tell with a spy..?). Starting with a map and a few clues, you follow the spy trail around the park, meeting contacts and avoiding surveillance from suspicious characters hiding in the woods…

Once you’ve had some practice at being a proper spy, you can help David our local ranger and become a wildlife detective with Live and Deadly. Grab your detective booklet, follow the trail and solve the clues to unravel the deadly crime scene and claim your prize!

For more information about the Unsolved Festival, and the events at Haddo see http://www.nts.org.uk/Unsolved/WhatsOn/Diary/ and follow the links for Sunday’s ‘Operation Espionage’ and Saturday and Sunday’s ‘Live and Deadly’ events.

Project Update

View from the portacabin window this week

The regeneration work is still creeping towards a finish. Benches are starting to appear, the weather has helped some of the grassed areas green up much more quickly that I had expected, and there’s turf going down in places where the seeding hasn't quite taken. The asphalting hasn't started (a bit delayed by half term and the wet weather) but there's a nice selection of kit parked outside the office window (and delighting quite a lot of 6 year old boys) just waiting for it to start...

Settling In...

Three weeks into the job and I've just about managed to walk round every section of the park at least once (I even managed to find Kemble's seat on Tuesday after walking past it about five times in the past fortnight). I'm sure there's still a few paths and hidden corners I've not discovered yet but at least I'm not likely to get lost any time soon.

One photo of a bird. Many, many photos of empty
water and ripples.

The far end of the lake is becoming one of my favourite bits of the park. The Bullfinch I mentioned in the last post are regular in the trees by the bridge. You don't always see them, but you can hear them making their slightly sad little calls as you walk past. There's also lots of very shouty Treecreepers running up the pine trunks in the Craigie Wood. On the water there's a couple of families of Little Grebe (or Dabchick if you're from down south...). They're fantastic and frustrating in equal measure, if you've got a spare half an hour try and see if you can get a camera on whatever random spot one reappears in after it's dived...

Friends of Haddo

While I've been pottering around looking at birds (and doing a bit of proper work in between), the Friends of Haddo have been doing some heavy lifting in the Discovery Garden just by the car park. On Thursday, along with some Community Service volunteers, they dug the footings for the wooden bridge that's going to go by the big pond. There's a bit of spoil out side the garden which will be moved soon, and just be careful of the holes if you're in the garden over the next week.

We're hoping to organise much more volunteering over the next year, including a regular Volunteers Day once a month to tackle some of the big jobs in the garden and park. 

One of the only two Fallow Deer
in North East Scotland.

If you're think you might be interested in volunteering, of joining the Friends of Haddo then come along to the Friends annual open evening in the tearoom on Thursday at 6.30pm. It includes a free talk from Glenn Roberts of NESBReC on recording local wildlife, and it's a great way to see what the plans are for the Friends area over the next year. 

If you can't make Thursday evening, then drop into the portacabin any time (when I'm there!) and you can pick up some information or just have a chat about helping us out.

Haddo Arts Festival

The Arts Festival has been going on all this week, and runs until Sunday evening. Most of it have been running in the evenings but there was a Tea Dance on Wednesday afternoon which meant there were lots of frilly dresses and smart shoes mingling with the dog-walkers' waterproofs and wellies in the car park. You can find this weekend's schedule of concerts (including a comedy night tonight with Fred Macaulay and Tweedy the Clown) by clicking on the link at the side of this blog.

Project Update

The major regeneration project in the park is creeping towards its end now, and some of the individual projects (the new Cascade Bridge, the Well) are just about finished.

The Scots Mile Bridge is looking very smart and is open again and at the top of the Scots Mile, the two Fallow Deer are back on their plinths.

Sneek Peak. Like the floor tiles!

The new toilets in the Pheasantry are essentially finished too, although we can't open them- until the path along the front of the building is safe to use- I'm told the asphalt for that and the new entrance path will go down some time next week. Most excitingly (for me, anyway) the new Visitor Centre and office are well on the way, the flooring went down early this week and the electrics have gone in as well.  I'm keeping my eyes peeled for the new interpretation boards which should be the final thing to go in before I can move me and my laptop and the kettle into our new home.

Welcome To Haddo!

Hi everyone, and welcome to my first blog as the new VSO at Haddo House and Country Park. 

Previous office at RSPB Fowlsheugh
- slightly different to Haddo!

I’ve been in the job for nearly two weeks now- mostly spent getting to know all the other people who work in and around the park, house and estate and doing a lot of background reading to catch up on the regeneration project.

I’m not completely new to the area around Haddo- I’ve been up here since 2011 when I moved up to work for the RSPB on their North East Coast reserves, mostly based at Loch of Strathbeg up near Crimond but also working on the seabird colonies at Troup Head and Fowlsheugh.

Before that, I’ve worked for various nature and wildlife charities, doing everything from counting dolphins with Whale & Dolphin Conservation at Spey Bay, to talking about sharks at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth

Will be getting very familiar with this
view over the next few months!

I also spent three years with the English Osprey re-introduction project down at Rutland Water, so I’m looking forward to seeing a couple of them over Haddo lake in the spring. In the meantime, I’ve been getting more familiar with the autumn (winter?) wildlife around the park- Bullfinch and Water Rail by the lake and finally a single Red Squirrel (which have been very elusive every other time I’ve visited Haddo…) on my drive in yesterday morning.

The main part of my job will be working on the next phase of the regeneration project. This means developing the ‘people’ side of the park, encouraging more visitors, working with local schools and helping to run more and better events.

I’m also aiming to start some volunteer projects in and around the park and the house, including gardening, work parties and running regular mammal and bird surveys.

If you’d like to get involved with any of that (or if you just want to say hello and have a chat about Haddo) then I’m in the portacabin usually Monday to Friday and my door’s always open (unlocked anyway, the rain gets in if I leave it open). If I’m not there you can email me on haddovso@btconnect.com, leave a comment on this blog or contact me via Twitter www.twitter.com/Wild_NEScot

Diana Spencer,

Visitor Services Officer

Haddo House & Country Park

Last Blog by Seasonal VSO

It's been a wonderful summer at Haddo, I couldn't have asked for better weather.  I think I've only had a jacket on two or three times all summer "Amazing, what a difference from the last couple of years".  However, summer is nearly over and so is my time at Haddo, I have enjoyed working here over the summer and I've enjoyed meeting everyone. 

Thanks to everyone that has made me feel welcome.  A special thank you to Peter Fraser who has been very supportive throughout my time at Haddo and to the landscape services team (Jim, Audrey & Melanie) who have not only made me feel very welcome but, have also been very helpful. They have done a great job maintaining the park over what has been a very busy summer.  Not an easy task I might add, as they also help to maintain several areas outwith the park e.g. Ellon, Tarves, Methlick, Balmedie to name but few and the railway line that connects them. 
 

Early Years Conference

 

The Early Years Conference on Saturday the 7th Sept was a great success.  A big thank you to Caroline Crawford for organising that.  The weather held out and everyone seemed to enjoy the taster events held in the afternoon.  Hopefully, everyone will have left feeling inspired, and with a few ideas for their own outdoor learning activities.

 

Coming Events

 

BushcraftUK will be at Haddo from 12th Sept to 15th Sept 

The NE Scotland members of BushcraftUK are staying down at Haddo Country Park from Thursday 12th Sept  to Sunday 15th Sept.

 

They are planning on holding a few demonstrations for some of their newer members but would like to invite any members of the public that are interested, to come along and join them.  The best time to do this would be between 1 - 4pm on Sat 14th Sep as this will be when most of their experts will be available for demonstrations.

 

The following topics will be covered:

 

Fire lighting techniques

Knots

Camp craft

Purse nets

Tinder's (natural & man made)

Bushcraft tools

Interested parties should meet at the porta-cabin in the Haddo car park at 1pm on Sat 14th Sep

 

Aberdeenshire’s Unsolved Crime and Mystery Festival

Could you be a double agent?
Fancy helping out this festival?

Aberdeenshire’s Unsolved Crime and Mystery Festival is looking for volunteers to help out with this year’s Spy event which will be held at Haddo Country Park on Saturday 19^th and Sunday 20^th October.

We are looking for volunteers to act as double agents in Haddo Country Park. For this there will be a requirement to attend a short training session in the afternoon on Saturday 21 September in the Park (Time to be arranged).

If you are interested in getting some events experience or would just love to get involved then please call the VSO on Tel: 01651 851815  or email haddovso@btconnect.com

Alternatively contact emma@pi-communications.co.uk or call 07977134614.

HADDO REGENERATION PROJECT – UPDATED  August 2013

CHAP construction is now on-site with their main office base within the old shop opposite the car park.  The project has commenced with expected completion towards the end of 2013. 

The CHAP team are working on the restoration of the Pheasantry and installation of a new toilet block within the Pheasantry.  This work may take a number of weeks to complete. We apologise for any inconvenience but would ask visitors to make use of the toilets within the NTS stable block, near the car park or the porta-loos by the Pheasantry .

CHAP are also working on the restoration, refurbishment and creation of a number of components throughout the park e.g. new adventure play area in the old gravel pit, shelter by the weir and the reinstatement of a new cascade bridge. In addition to this several monuments are under-going refurbishments e.g. Waterloo obelisk, urn monument, and deer statues.

Resurfacing of footpaths is almost complete and the development of a new car park and walk at Craigie wood are close to completion.  When complete this walk will enable visitors to enter the existing park via the gates at the top left hand corner of the deer park wall or at the new cascade bridge

Please be aware that there are a number of other activities around the park, including some tree felling and the restoration & refurbishment of the Avenue Bridge & Golden Gates.  In the interest of public safety, the main Avenue Bridge remains closed to the public. However, the Kelly Bridge is open and provides access to the Golden Gates and the path around the lake.  We ask for your patience whilst these activities take place and hope that you will enjoy seeing the changes around Haddo during 2013. 

For more information please do not hesitate to pop into the temporary office on the car park and have a chat or contact the VSO on 01651 851815 or email Haddovso@btconnect.com

Goodbye from me, and Keep enjoying Haddo

Wild Flowers, Butterflies & Bees

A leisurely stroll through Haddo at the moment will reveal a stunning array of wild flowers, currently in bloom throughout the park.  The wild flower meadow and wild flower strips are teeming with wildlife, including numerous species of, bees, damselflies, butterflies and moths.  The diverse range of wildflowers at Haddo, provide a vital habitat and food source for much of our native wildlife.

 

Left: Carder bee on knapweed



Right: Red tailed bumble bee on knapweed

Summer Has Arrived

Summer Has Arrived

Well I think I can safely say that summer has arrived.  It is a miracle the sun is still shining here at Haddo “Wooohooo". The park has been very busy and everyone is enjoying this fabulous weather we have been experiencing. There have been picnics a plenty, barbeques sizzling and despite the on-going works, everyone seems to be having a fabulous time.  But remember folks to slip, slap, slop on that sun cream!!!

First blog by Teresa, Haddo's VSO for the summer.

Hello everyone, my name is Teresa and excluding the Haddo regeneration update; posted on the 16th June, this is my first blog as the seasonal Visitor Services Officer (VSO) for Haddo House and Country Park.  

I can't believe this is the start of my fourth week at Haddo; the time has really flown by.  My temporary office is in the porta-cabin situated in the main car park of the country park.  A huge thank you to all the staff and regular visitors to Haddo that have taken time out of their busy schedules to pop into the porta-cabin and introduce themselves.  I have enjoyed meeting everyone and surely appreciate everyone making me feel very welcome. 

Update On The Restoration & Regeneration Project at Haddo



CHAP Office



CHAP Construction

CHAP construction is now on-site with their main office base within the old shop opposite the car park.  The project has commenced with expected completion towards the end of 2013.