Maryburgh Community Archives

Clean-Up Day, May 2026

Moth Survey

The May Clean up day didn’t start as normal on the Saturday Morning, but started the evening before. On Friday the 8th May a moth survey was prepared with 3 moth traps to be used. Two traps were supplied by Mary, the county recorder for Butterfly Conservation, with a third moth trap supplied by one of the Woodland Group Members. Mary arrived with her two moth traps at 7:00 pm on Friday evening.

Hebrew Character Moth – Image By Siobhan Fraser

Large Moth Trap, lit up at night by the garden pond — Large Moth Trap – Image by Ian Fraser

The two traps were set up in a back garden in Birch Drive ready to collect any moths hunting during the night of the 8th. The other moth trap was set up in a garden at the other end of the woodland. When the traps were set up, the evening was a bit colder than we would have liked, but everyone was hopeful if the weather remained dry with only a light wind we would have some success overnight. Unfortunately the weather conditions were not conducive with the moth survey and when the traps were checked the next morning only 3 moths had been caught in the traps due to a very cold night with the temperature at less than 3 degrees. One moth in each trap. After identifying and photographing the moths the results were uploaded to the iNaturalist website. The three moths were then released, and the moth traps packed away ready for next time.

The Clean-Up

Area 8 of woodland Beech saplings being thinned — Area 8 being Thinned Out – Image by Ian Fraser

By 10:00 am on Saturday morning the Maryburgh Community Group had gathered in Birch Drive ready to carry out the May clean-up day. With many of the volunteers on holiday only 6 volunteers started work on clearing the Beech saplings within the woodland. Three members of the group started clearing the remaining saplings within area 8 of the 10-year plan. Another 2 members removed the remaining saplings within area 11 of the plan. One member of the group removed the Sequoia cones that were lying on one of the informal tracks within the woodland. This made it much easier and safer for walkers, especially anyone with mobility disabilities to walk through the woodland. Once the track was clear of cones volunteer was able to join the three other members clearing the Beech saplings. The saplings cut down were then stacked in neat piles to rot down and provide habitats for small mammals, invertebrates, fungi and other woodland species.

Refreshments

After 2 hours work in the woodland all the volunteers were able to return to Birch Drive. Alongside the normal sausages and rolls some other members of the Woodland Group had tea and coffee with sausage rolls and cocktail sausages ready for everyone. All this was within the shelter of a member of the woodland groups garage to keep the volunteers dry from the rain. More tea and coffee was available from the back of a volunteer’s car, equipped with a portable gas cooker.

More Help Needed

More help is always needed to maintain and improve the woodland for the benefit of everyone in the community. If you cannot spare a couple of hours to join us for some fun in the woodland, why not help out in other ways. You can now make a donation using our PayPal online system. All donations will go to help with the future development of our community woodland.

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MCWG Live Work Group

Clean-Up Day, April 2026

The first Saturday of April 2026 was also Easter Saturday so we weren’t sure if many volunteers would be able to attend, especially as there was a storm forecast for the afternoon. However, we didn’t need to be concerned as we had 11 volunteers. We were really happy to welcome a new volunteer along.

About 3 years go we consulted with the community regarding what they wanted in their woodland. Following that we drew up a 10-year management plan for the woodland. All the work that we are undertaking within the woodland complies with this plan. We have a lot of non-native beech regeneration, and to a lesser extent, western hemlock. We have permission under our Tree Preservation Order (TPO) to remove this non-native regeneration to allow the native regeneration to grow and thrive.

Compartment 10

A couple of months ago we started clearing the beech regeneration from Compartment 10. This month we returned to the area and tackled a small area of very dense beech regeneration. With 11 volunteers we soon cleared the beech away and were pleased to see some native regeneration, along with some “memory tree” regeneration. There’s at least one Grand Fir.

While we were doing this one of the volunteers armed with picker and black bag started to tackle some of the litter that has been dropped, or blown, into the woodland.

In the woodland, Compartment 10, looking towards the area that was cleared on Saturday 4 April 2026 — Area cleared, and small fir tree regeneration now visible. Photo by Siobhan Fraser

Compartment 11

Although Compartment 11 has a lot of very large, mature beech trees it didn’t have too much beech regeneration. What there was, was mainly around the edges or in bands across the area. These were tackled and removed.

!!! Tree Down !!!

As we were working we were approached by some local residents. They had been out for a walk and had come across a tree that had come down and was partially blocking Dunglass Road. Several of the volunteers, armed with Caution signs, saws and loppers and personal protective clothing headed down to deal with tree. We were very pleased the residents had mentioned this to us. If you are out in the woodland, and find a tree down or something else that you think we should know about, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Compartment 12

Time was marching on, but that didn’t stop us starting Compartment 12. This will be quite a slow compartment as we are starting to work our way into an area that is predominantly native trees and there’s a lot of natural regeneration in this area. So, we are having to check each tree before we cut it to make sure that it is only the beech regeneration that we are removing.

We will have to continue tackling this area in future sessions.

Start of Compartment 12 - with the beech regeneration removed — Beech Regeneration removed, now left with native regeneration – photo by Siobhan Fraser

The Compartment Map

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MCWG Live Work Group

Clean-Up Day, March 2026

3 volunteers cutting down small beech trees and one volunteer walking down the track with a Work In Progress sign – Photo by Ian Fraser

The first Saturday in March 2026 and 6 members from Maryburgh Community volunteers headed into the Woodland to carry out the monthly clean-up day. Due to other activities in the Maryburgh area this month there were fewer volunteers than normal. Now that the dangerous branches of an oak that overhang the core path leading up from Dunglass Road had been safely removed by the tree surgeons the remaining Beech saplings within compartment 8 could be safely taken down.

The saplings cut down were then stacked in neat piles to rot down and provide habitats for small mammals, invertebrates, fungi and other woodland species. The stack also provided nutrients for the soils and acted as wind breaks to protect the plants in the understory.

Refreshments for All

After 2 hours work in the woodland all the volunteers were able to return to the open green space by Birch Drive. Other members of the Woodland Group had tea and coffee with biscuits ready for everyone. All this was within the shelter of a Gazebo erected by members of the woodland group to keep the volunteers dry from the rain. More tea and coffee was available from the back of a volunteer’s car, equipped with a portable gas cooker.

A dead hedge of cuttings with two volunteers – Photo by Ian Fraser

More Help Needed

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MCWG Live Work Group

Clean-Up Day, February 2026

The first Saturday in February 2026 once again saw 12 members from Maryburgh going into the Community Woodland to help with the monthly clean-up. Today’s activity was to place bat and bird boxes throughout the woodland. The volunteers included some of Maryburgh Mens Shed who had been making the bird and bat boxes over the winter months. The weather was cold but dry most of the time and all the volunteers armed with warm clothing, extending ladders, hammers and aluminium nails, to avoid damaging any of the trees, set off throughout the woodland. The volunteers split up into three groups, with each group taking some of the bat and bird boxes to put up. Volunteers from the Mens Shed also made a red squirrel box and owl box, but due to the size and weight of these some thought would need to be given about the best way to get these up the trees.

Volunteer hanging bat boxes on tree – photo by Elsbeth Neil

The Work Begins

Suitable trees were identified and a suitable bat or bird box selected to be placed on the tree. These were positioned to avoid direct sunlight and at a suitable height depending on the type of occupant we wished to encourage. Some birds like to be high off the ground, while Robins prefer nesting closer to the ground. The bats like their roosts around the tree to allow them to relocate if the heat of the sun overheats their initial choice. The ladders were placed against the tree and making sure the ladder footing was firmly positioned to ensure the tree didn’t move or shake. One member of the group slowly climbed the ladder to make sure it didn’t move, while a second member of the group held the bottom of the ladder and made sure it was safe. The remaining group members were ready to hand up the tools to fix the bird or bat box in place.

A team of volunteers fixing a bird box to a tree – photo by Elsbeth Neil

Refreshments for All

After an hour and a half later, all the boxes were positioned around the woodland and the volunteers were able to return to the open green space by Birch Drive. Other members of the Woodland Group had tea and coffee with rolls filled with sausages, black pudding and bacon ready for everyone. After the rolls, home baking was again provided, all this was within the shelter of a Gazebo erected by members of the woodland group to keep the volunteers dry from the rain. More tea and coffee was available from the back of a car, equipped with a portable gas cooker.

More Help Needed

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MCWG Live Work Group

Clean-Up Day, January 2026

On Saturday morning, the 17th January, seven local volunteers from Maryburgh were in the community woodland for the first Clean-Up day of 2026.

The volunteers weren’t deterred by the cold, wet, freezing conditions in January and everyone started work on the next stage of the maintenance plan guidelines, removing the invasive non-native Beech saplings identified in the plan. Unlike last month, this time the red squirrels didn’t come out to play, preferring to remain in the warm and have the local community volunteers provide them with the entertainment. The volunteers, however, did find hair ice on the branches and twigs within the woodland. Hair ice, also known as ice wool or frost beard, is a type of ice that forms on dead decomposing wood in broadleaf woodland, resembles fine, silky hair. It typically occurs at latitudes between 45 and 55° N in humid conditions when temperatures are slightly below freezing and is associated with the fungus Exidiopsis effusa, which helps shape and stabilize the ice.

The Clean-Up

After deciding on the work needing done, the community volunteers made their way to compartment 10, just close to the old workings, known by various names such as the “porridge bowl”, an area previously excavated within the woodland. This had numerous Beech saplings that the volunteers soon cleared with saws and loppers. The saplings cut down were then stacked in neat piles to rot down and provide habitats for small mammals, invertebrates, fungi and other woodland species. The stack of saplings also provided nutrients for the soils in the woodland and acted as wind breaks to protect the plants in the understory.

Volunteers removing Beech saplings from compartment 10 within the woodland — Volunteers removing Beech saplings – Image by Ian Fraser

Close up of Hair ice on the branches within woodland — Close up of Hair ice – Image by Siobhan Fraser

Morning refreshments

As normal with our monthly clean-ups, the volunteers met at the end of the morning to enjoy tea and rolls. One of our volunteers provide tea in his camper van. Due to the inclement weather, the tea and rolls were enjoyed in a volunteer’s garage this month to avoid the wet weather.

The Maryburgh Community Woodland Group would like to thank all the volunteers from the village who gave up a Saturday morning to help with the monthly clean-up.

More Help Needed

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MCWG Live Work Group

Clean-Up Day, November 2025

On Saturday morning the 1st November, eleven local volunteers from Maryburgh were in the community woodland carrying out the regular clean-up of the area for the benefit of everyone in the village. Again, the maintenance plan guidelines were followed to remove the invasive non-native Beech saplings from the woodland.

Local entertainment

As the volunteers collected a selection of tools to begin the clean-up, they were entertained by a local red squirrel in the woodland demonstrating the best method of moving through the trees in the woodland, by swinging from branch to branch.

Following the morning entertainment, the volunteers armed with loppers and saws made their way to the south-western edge of the woodland. This area had previously been identified in the maintenance plan as compartment 6 and although the morning was raining heavy, the enthusiasm of the volunteers was not put off. New volunteers were given formal instruction on using the new tools such as the saws before beginning work. These saws are extremely sharp, and the group take a great amount of trouble to avoid any injuries occurring.

Area 6 of woodland before tidy up in November – Image by Siobhan Fraser

The Clean-Up Begins

Compartment 6 was cleared of non-native species such as the Beech saplings, opening up the ground area near the Memory trees to encourage native saplings to grow in the future. The cut saplings were then stacked in piles to provide new habitats for the woodland wildlife.

Tea and Rolls

As normal with our monthly clean-ups, the volunteers met at the end of the morning to enjoy tea and rolls. Due to the inclement weather, the tea and rolls were enjoyed in a volunteer’s garage this month to avoid the wet weather.

The Maryburgh Community Woodland Group would like to thank all the volunteers from the village who gave up a Saturday morning to help with the monthly clean-up.

Community volunteer clearing path in area 6 – Image by Siobhan Fraser

Area 6 of woodland after tidy up in November – Image by Siobhan Fraser

More Help Needed

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MCWG 2024/25 Archived Work Group

Clean-Up Day, October 2025

Second hand and new tools staked in Toolshed — Second hand and new tools stacked in Toolshed – Image by Siobhan Fraser

Once again, the Maryburgh Community Woodland Group had their regular Monthly clean-up day on the 11 October to keep the community woodland tidy for everyone in the community.

Seven volunteers from the Maryburgh community met at the area cleared last month in Birch Drive. This is an area that links various footpaths to: Birch Drive, Dunglass Road, the Community Woodland and the footpath leading into the village. With fewer volunteers this month, it was decided to make use of the time to collect some of the rubbish that had been left in the woodland by inconsiderate people. The woodland group were able to provide litter pickers and black bin liners for this purpose.

After hearing that a pet dog had been caught in a snare erected by someone in the community woodland, it was also decided to remove all the string and twine rope used in the construction of the dens in the woodland. If any member of the Maryburgh community finds anyone constructing snares for any purpose, then please report to the police. This is an illegal practice and members of the Woodland group will not tolerate such behaviour in the community woodland. Please be aware that some of the dens were well constructed and are still standing within the woodland. However, as time goes on, without the twine and string securing the branches these may become unstable.

Litter Pickers stacked in Toolshed – Image by Siobhan Fraser

After clearing the woodland of litter, our vice chairman gave everyone instruction in how to use some of the new saws safely. The new saws were then used to make safe the trees damaged in the resent storms and clearing beech saplings in the southern end of the woodland.

Rubbish collected during tidy up – image by Siobhan Fraser

The day was finished as normal with one of our volunteers providing refreshments for all those who took part.

The Woodland Community Group wish to thank all the volunteers who took part in the October Clean-Up day and helped to keep the community woodland safe and tidy for everyone in our community.

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MCWG 2024/25 Archived Work Group

Maryburgh Community Woodland Group – Bat Walk Recap (20 September 2025)

On Saturday 20 September 2025, the Maryburgh Community Woodland Group hosted a memorable Bat Walk through our community woodland. We extend heartfelt thanks to every resident, visitor, and supporter who joined us for this special evening.

Weather & Atmosphere

After a week of rainy and windy evenings, we hoped for a clear, mild night—and the weather delivered. The sky stayed dry, the temperature remained just warm enough, and the wind was barely a whisper, creating perfect conditions for both people and bats alike.

A Turn‑out Beyond Expectations

The response was astonishing. While we initially worried that the village-wide power outage might keep people home, the turnout far exceeded our wildest hopes. By the time we counted 30 participants, we stopped tallying; the crowd continued to grow, filling the grassed area with enthusiastic observers.

Bat Highlights Along the Trail

Soprano Pipistrelle (first sighting) – A tiny soprano pipistrelle was the first to emerge, gracefully looping above the trees at the woodland’s edge, just beyond the grassy gathering area.
Pipistrelles on Dunglass Road – As we strolled along Dunglass Road, additional pipistrelle activity kept the excitement high.
Three Species on the Core Path
- Common Pipistrelle – Near the lower end of the path, a gap in the canopy revealed a common pipistrelle darting through the air.
- Daubenton’s Bat – Further up the path, the unmistakable echolocation clicks of a Daubenton’s bat rang out. Though typically linked to water, spotting this species in the woodland was a delightful surprise.
- Soprano Pipistrelle – Sheltered by an ancient oak, a lively soprano pipistrelle circled repeatedly, likely hunting the swarms of midges that gather at dusk.

A small section of the participants in the Bat Walk

As we reached the gate at the top of the track and turned onto the path parallel to Birch Drive, a cool breeze set in, and the bat activity tapered off for the night.

Special Thanks

Our gratitude also goes to the H&I Climate Hub, whose generous funding allowed us to acquire a new bat detector that connects directly to a smartphone. This equipment enhanced our ability to hear and identify the bats’ ultrasonic calls in real time, enriching the experience for everyone present.

Thank you again to all who made the Bat Walk a resounding success. Your enthusiasm and support help preserve the natural wonders of Maryburgh’s Community Woodland for years to come. We look forward to many more evenings of wildlife discovery together!

An oscillogram and spectrogram of a Daubenton's bat echolocation "clicks" — An oscillogram and spectrogram of a Daubenton’s bat echolocation “clicks”

An oscillogram and spectrogram of a Soprano Pipistrelle bat echolocation "clicks" — An oscillogram and spectrogram of a Soprano Pipistrelle bat echolocation “clicks”

Bat Locations

Check out the bat locations – each dot on the map below is where we located a bat. Click on the map to see a larger scale map.

Map of Maryburgh Community Woodland showing the records of the bat sightings

Maryburgh Community Woodland Group – Bat Walk Recap (20 September 2025) Read More »

MCWG 2024/25 Archived Activity

Clean-Up Day, September 2025

Moth Survey

Image of Red Carpet Moth — Red Green Carpet Moth – Image by Siobhan Fraser

Last weekend was a busy time for members of the Community Woodland Group. It all started during the evening of Friday the 5th September when Mary Eagleson who is Moth Recorder for the Butterfly Conservation in this area, joined four members of the Woodland Group to set up two moth traps, one at each end of the community woodland. This was so that a moth survey could be carried out at both Birch Drive and the Dunglass Road end of the woodland. This was the first survey of moths in this area and would provide a baseline record of moth activity in this area for the future.

Preparing The Moth Trap

The moth traps consist of a plastic or aluminium box which forms the main body of the trap, with a light source included. This attracts flying moths, which are caught in the body of the trap.

Compressed paper made from empty egg boxes provide a suitable bed in the base of the trap to keep any moths captured until they can be identified, counted and then safely released. Moths are often misunderstood as they provide vital roles in the wildlife ecosystem. There are over 2,500 species in Britain living in a wide range of habitats.

Volunteers recording the results of the survey – Image by Elsbeth Neil

Collecting The Data

The next morning, both moth traps were examined for moths. The Community Group members recorded the moths found while Mary acted as the determinator. The survey results consisted of 29 different species and a total of 76 moths. Before being released, the moths were photographed and the photos uploaded to the iNaturalist website. Mary will also send the records to the National Moth Recording Scheme, which is run by the Butterfly Conservation. The photos uploaded to the iNaturalist website can be viewed at the following link:

Moth Project on iNaturalist Website

Woodland Clean-Up

View from Birch Drive before clean-up — View from Birch Drive before

View of area from Birch drive after clean-up — View from Birch Drive after

View of path before clean-up — View of path before

View of path after clean-up — View of path after

View of inside of area before clean-up — Inside of area before

View from old Brahan Estate Drive after clean-up — View from old Estate Drive after

Images before Clean-Up by Siobhan Fraser – Images after clean-Up by Jim Neil

After completing the moth survey, the volunteers started carrying out the scheduled monthly maintenance. This month the work was to complete the clearance of the waste ground in Birch Drive next to the old Brahan Estate Road.

Volunteers clearing the area using the new tools – Image by Elsbeth Neil

This area has been identified by the Woodland Group as a suitable area to develop for a proposed sustainable drainage system Rain Garden. By lunchtime, the volunteers had cleared most of the remaining understory and debris from the area. The waste was gathered together in a pile ready for the community payback team to dispose of for the woodland group.

At the end of a long and enjoyable, if a hard, morning’s work, the volunteers gathered in the green open space in Birch Drive to enjoy a late breakfast of hot bacon and/or sausages in rolls along with a hot cup of tea or coffee and homemade cake. The Maryburgh Community group would once again like to thank everyone who took part in the morning’s activities, helping with the moth survey and woodland clean-up. Our special thanks to Mary Eagleson who provided her expertise for the moth survey.

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MCWG 2024/25 Archived Work Group

Clean-Up Day, August 2025

Starting to clear the waste ground for the proposed Rain Garden by a volunteer — Starting to clear the waste ground – Image by Jim Neil

A new month and a new Clean-Up day in the Community Woodland. Saturday 2^nd August saw a few members of the community along with two grandchildren, of a volunteer, starting to clear the overgrown patch of ground in Birch Drive. This was an area left behind after the builders finished the estate, and it was transferred to the community along with the purchase of the rest of the community woodland.

This area of land had been identified as a suitable location, by the Community Woodland group, to allow excess water to drain off the old Brahan Estate road and infiltrate into the ground during extreme rainfall events. The proposal is to construct the waste ground into a specific type of Sustainable Urban Drainage Device, known as a Rain Garden. This would reduce the flooding onto Birch Drive, allow the excess water to drain away safely, and at the same time improve the amenity of the area. The trees and planting would help dispose of the excess water through evapotranspiration.

However, before the Rain Garden can be constructed, the area needs to be cleared of rubbish and plants that have accumulated over the years. A start was made by the volunteers at about 10:00 am on Saturday morning. By noon, the area was now exposed, with tree branches cut back and much of the overgrown vegetation cleared from the site. Arrangements had been made with the community payback team to dispose of the cut vegetation on behalf of the woodland group.

Community Members clearing plants — Community members clearing plants – Image by Siobhan Fraser

At the end of an enjoyable, if a hard, morning’s work, the volunteers gathered at the entrance into the community woodland to enjoy tea and biscuits. The Maryburgh Community group would once again like to thank everyone who took part in the morning’s activities, helping with the clean-up.

More help is always needed to maintain and improve the woodland for the benefit of everyone in the community. If you cannot spare a couple of hours to join us for some fun in the woodland, why not help out in other ways. You can now make a donation using our PayPal online Giving Fund. All donations will go to help with the future development of our community woodland.

Area of Proposed Rain Garden Cleared by volunteer — Area of Proposed Rain Garden Cleared – Image by Jim Neil

This tidy-Up Session also gave the volunteers the opportunity to test out some of the new and second hand tools that have been donated to the group by local companies and members of the community.

Clean-Up Day, August 2025 Read More »

MCWG 2024/25 Archived Work Group