Ranger explores wildlife from Antarctic to Abriachan

A Countryside Ranger has swapped her snow shoes for walking boots as she leaves a job in the Antarctic to spend the summer season working with The Highland Council’s Planning and Development Service in the Inverness area.

Mairi Nicolson, Seasonal Countryside Ranger for Inverness will be leading a fun family event in Abriachan Forest on Saturday 20th May to investigate some of the forest’s nasty nature and weird wildlife.

Mairi said: “The natural world has a tale to tell, it can be gruesome and horrible which makes it fascinating and fun to study. We will explore the forest and undertake activities to learn more about this strange world.”

Whereas Mairi has spent time in the Antarctic studying the environmental impact on penguins for the British Antarctic Survey at one of their biology laboratory bases she can easily turn her tracking skills to the wildlife of the Highlands. Looking forward to the event at Abriachan she said: “With any luck the weather will be kind to us next weekend when we hope to find mice, lizards and mini-beasts including insects, creepy crawlies and dragon fly larvae.”

‘Wildlife that gives you the willies’ is a free event for families and people of all ages.  The event takes place on the 20th May between 2pm and 4pm and participants should meet in the Abriachan Forest Trust car park.

The Highland Council Countryside Rangers are a partnership between The Highland Council and Scottish Natural Heritage with the aim of promoting public enjoyment and appreciation of the countryside and conserving wildlife.

For more information please telephone the Countryside Rangers on tel: 01463 724312.

For further information please contact Mairi Nicolson, Seasonal Countryside Ranger – Inverness, The Highland Council Countryside Rangers, Planning and Development Service tel:  01463 724313.