Making homes for minibeasts event 

Would you like to attract more creatures to your garden and help our minibeasts? Bumblebees, slugs, ladybirds, butterflies, flies, aphids, centipedes, worms, spiders, snails, moths, beetles, ants, hoverflies –all our fascinating minibeasts need somewhere to live so the Council Rangers are running a bug house building event next week in Badenoch and Strathspey. 

As David Attenborough said:  “If we and the rest of the backboned animals were to disappear overnight, the rest of the world would get on pretty well. But if they were to disappear, the land's ecosystems would collapse. The soil would lose its fertility. Many of the plants would no longer be pollinated. Lots of animals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals would have nothing to eat. And our fields and pastures would be covered with dung and carrion. These small creatures are within a few inches of our feet, wherever we go on land – but often, they're disregarded. We would do very well to remember them.” 
The workshop takes place in Carrbridge from 2pm to 4pm on on Thursday 21st July. 

Saranne Bish from Highland Council Countryside Rangers said. “Everyone enjoys seeing birds in the garden or a hedgehog. But these lovely beasts need insects to feed on in order to survive. You can help them by creating your very own wildlife homes and putting them in your garden or on a window-ledge.” 

Suitable as a fun family activity, anyone interested in coming along should meet up with Saranne at the village car park Grid ref: NH 907 227 just before 2pm. The session costs £4.50 for adults, concessions are £3.50 and £11/£15 for families. 

Countryside Rangers run many events and guided walks which aim to help raise awareness and encourage appreciation of the scenery, wildlife and heritage of the Highlands. A programme of Ranger Guided Walks and Events is on the council’s website at: www.highland.gov.uk/countrysiderangerevents