Nature’s Calender at Glen Tanar

Nature’s Calender with presenter Chris Packham will be re-shown on Wednesday 3rd of February at 11am on BBC2 and will then be available on BBC iplayer soon after.

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Wildcats

After attending a biodiversity seminar here in the Ballroom at Glen Tanar on Monday and hearing various speakers talking about the Wildlife that can be found on the Estate and how they are researching them I was amazed when on Wednesday I was looking out of the window in the Office and saw what I am 99% sure was a Wildcat!

After hearing Dr David Hetherington who is charge of the Cairngorms Wildcat Project speaking on Monday about Wildcats I instantly was looking for the markings of a Wildcat.  It was much bigger than a normal cat and had a shorter stumpy tail with black rings around it so I am convinced it was definitely a Wildcat.

Wildcat in the snow

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International Students Take A Walk On The Wild Side

Truls & Martin

Two Norwegian students, 21 year olds Martin Ofstaas and Truls Leidland, of Hedmark, Norway are undertaking a three and a half month work placement here at Glen Tanar Estate.  They will be undertaking a range of wildlife management tasks such as controlling foxes, crows and rabbits.  Also feeding the fish in the trout loch and carrying out maintenance on the riverbanks to give salmon fishers better access to the river, preparing trophies for stalking guests, and helping to manage deer marauding on farmland.

Both students are experienced in Norwegian wildlife management issues and wanted to learn about wildlife in another country.  Martin’s father is one of Norway’s very few professional hunting guides and Martin has worked with him since a boy.  Truls has just completed a year at Hedmark University studying wildlife management which invloves developing a concept of how man manages wildlife populations in different situations around the world and understanding wildlife habitats and their importance to managing wildlife.  He visited Scotalnd in January as part of the course.

Colin McClean, the Estates Wildlife Manager, says, “The students have learned that there are differences between Norway and Scotalnd in terms of wildlife management issues and wildlife such as Norway having a stronger hunting culture than Scotland with a much higher proportion of people involved in hunting.  Hunting is a recreational activity which people do for fun but there are very few jobs associated with hunting in Norway and Scotland has lots of river ghillies and game keepers which you don’t find in Norway.  Norway also manages a wider range of species than we have, including many that we have lost such as wolves, bears, lynx and beaver.”

Claire Bruce, owner of Glen Tanar Estate, says, Martin and Truls have been invaluable to us, both in terms of manpower and sharing the skills that they have.  Our focus at the Estate is very much on the ongoing conservation of the 25,000 acre estate’s natural heritage and additional help and fresh ideas are always very welcomed.  The students have also been involved in the activities which we offer on the estate such as Salmon and Trout Fishing and Deer Stalking and they have been monitoring and feeding the fish so that we can maintain sustainable levels.”

Claire continues, “Colin McClean, has been mentoring the two students during their time with us.  Colin maintains and seeks to enhance the high standards of land management already practiced at Glen Tanar and uses his extensive wildlife knowledge to educate visitors who want to learn more about the species that inhabit the estate.”

Martin says, “This is my first visit to Scotalnd and I am very impressed.  The first thing that struck me about the Estate was its beauty.  The scenery within the Cairngorms National Park is truly spectacular.  We are extremely lucky to be experiencing such good weather conditions because I heard the climate here was a little unpredictable.”

Martin continues, “Colin McClean, the Estate’s Wildlife Manager, has been our mentor and we have gained invaluable advice and skills during our time here.  We have learned about deer culling, preparing venison for sale, driving machinery like the Argo and ATVs, predator control techniques and all round experience in how a Highland Estate works.  We leave at the end of July and will be very sad to go.”

Truls comments, “When I first came to Scotland as part of my course in January I was so impressed I knew I wanted to come back.  Glen Tanar has been extremely hospitable and we have received a particularly warm welcome.  I look forward to returning very soon.”

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