ATBC 2003 LinksRegistration Special Symposium Conference Information | Latest* In response to demand, we are now offering an evening fieldtip during the conference. Fieldtrip 1D Coastal Heritage will include a boat trip to visit a seabird sanctuary and a brief visit to a famous castle. Further details are below. * No further bookings are being accepted for pre-conference and post-conference fieldtrips. However, details of these fieldtrips are being retained on this website for reference by those who are going on those trips Fieldtrip 1D: Coastal Heritage (evening trip)Dates : Monday 7 July or Thursday 10 July. Depart Aberdeen 18:40, return approx. 21:45 This shortened version of Fieldtrip 1B includes the boat trip to Fowlsheugh Nature Reserve and a brief visit to Dunnottar Castle Itinerary : Depart Aberdeen university (Crombie Hall) 18:40. Note: this may be slightly before some conference sessions end. Travel by minibus to Stonehaven, 15 miles (24 km) south of Aberdeen. Refreshments will be available before the boat trip. Embark on a 1-hour return boat trip to Fowlsheugh. Dinner at a restaurant in the harbour area. Brief visit to Dunnottar Castle. 1. Coastal Seabirds (via boat): Fowlsheugh Nature Reserve From a boat, view the second largest seabird colony in Britain at Fowlsheugh Nature Reserve, owned and managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). During July, there may be 80,000 pairs of seabirds, nesting on the 75-m-high cliff including guillemots, kittiwakes, razorbills, fulmar, shag, and puffins. Embarkation is at Stonehaven harbour. More Information 2. Scottish History: Dunnottar Castle Dunnattar is probably the most dramatic and most photographed castles in Scotland. The site, surrounded on three sides by the North Sea, has been a fortress since about 680 AD. Parts of the present ruins date back to the 14 th Century. Because of time limitations and the closing time of the castle, it will only be possible to view the outside of the castle during the evening trip. However, the castle is spectacular when viewed from outside. More Information Arduousness : The boat trip can be challenging in poor sea conditions. If you want to go on Fieldtrip 1D (Coastal Heritage), please notify the field trips organizer Martin Barker, by e-mail as soon as possible. In your message, state which day you are choosing and how many people the booking is for. You will receive a reply informing you if places are still available. Introduction to the main field trip programmeThere are many biologically important and diverse habitats within reach of Aberdeen. Much (75%) of Scotland is uncultivated and 'wild', though very little of the native forest remains. We offer fieldtrips to a range of ecosystems. Most of the fieldtrips are available both before and after the conference, to allow more choice and to keep group sizes small. Expert leaders will accompany all fieldtrips, to help you get the most out of the experience. For information about the trips, click on the trip title in the table below.
If you have more time in or around Aberdeen you can check these web sites for information on tourism in and around Aberdeen Fieldtrip 1B: Coastal Heritage (limited to 16 participants)Date : 11 July. Depart Aberdeen 09:45, return 15:00 Although Scotland occupies only one-third of the UK land area it has much (80%) of the coastline. Almost all of Scotland's major centres of human population are located on or near the coast. The coastline is also very important for many plant and animal species including, of course, seabirds. The fieldtrip will focus on wildlife and human history in the Stonehaven area, 15 miles (24 km) south of Aberdeen. 1. Scottish History: Dunnottar Castle Dunnattar is probably the most dramatic and most photographed castles in Scotland. The site, surrounded on three sides by the North Sea, has been a fortress since about 680 AD. Parts of the present ruins date back to the 14 th Century. http://www.castles.org/Chatelaine/dunnottar/ 2. Coastal Seabirds (via boat): Fowlsheugh Nature Reserve From a boat, view the second largest seabird colony in Britain at Fowlsheugh Nature Reserve, owned and managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). During July, there may be 80,000 pairs of seabirds, nesting on the 75-m-high cliff including guillemots, kittiwakes, razorbills, fulmar, shag, and puffins. Embarkation is at Stonehaven harbour. More Information Itinerary : Travel by minibus to Dunnottar (with an optional coastal walk to the castle). Travel to Stonehaven to embark on boat. Fieldtrip 2B: Caledonian Forest and Loch NessDates : 11-12 July. Depart Aberdeen 08:00, return next day at 18:00 The main focus of the fieldtrip is a Caledonian forest restoration project at Glen Affric, recently designated as a National Nature Reserve. This area is described by the Lonely Planet guide as "one of the most beautiful glens in Scotland". There will be an overnight stay at Cannich Youth Hostel. Since the journey will take us past Loch Ness, we are also including a tourism opportunity! 1. Trees for Life restoration project Caledonian forest (CF) is the ancient ecosystem that once dominated Scotland. Now, only 16% of Scotland is currently forested, of which only 0.14% is CF. However, remaining fragments of CF are now protected under European law, and many are under active conservation management. Trees for Life is one award-winning example of the conservation of this biologically important and stunningly beautiful forest type. http://www.treesforlife.org.uk/ and http://www.caledonianpines.co.uk/ 2. Loch Ness Being rational scientists we don't really subscribe to the myth of the Loch Ness monster (do we?). Nevertheless, it is a worldwide legend, and visitors from around the world do much to support the Highland economy. So, as we're passing Loch Ness anyway you will have a chance to visit the two rival exhibits on the Loch Ness legend (admission prices, from about 4.50, not included in the fieldtrip costs). We will be driving alongside the loch during the return journey. http://www.loch-ness-scotland.com/ and http://www.lochness-centre.com/index.html Itinerary : Travel in minibus to Glen Affric. Stop at Loch Ness on return. Fieldtrip 3A: Marine MammalsDates : 5-6 July. Depart Aberdeen 09:00, return 18:00 next day. The Moray Firth supports several important populations of marine wildlife, and Special Areas of Conservation have been designated in the area for both bottlenose dolphins and harbour seals under the European Habitats Directive. Both populations have also been the subject of long-term ecological study, and now also make an important contribution to the local economy through ecotourism. This excursion will visit key sites for viewing seals and dolphins, and will meet groups involved in research, management and marine environmental education in the area. The trip is organised by the research group at the University of Aberdeen's Lighthouse Field Station in Cromarty (www.abdn.ac.uk/zoology/lighthouse), and accommodation will be provided at the Robert Gordon University's Cromarty Study Centre (http://www2.rgu.ac.uk/cromarty/). The final itinerary will be dependent upon weather conditions, but we aim to include:
Further background information can be found through the following web sites. Cromarty and the Black Isle - http://www.black-isle.info/Cromarty/ Itinerary : Travel to Cromarty by minibus. Lunch and discussions with researchers. Sea trip to view dolphins. Stay overnight at Robert Gordon University Field Centre. Visit Moray Wildlife Centre and Glen Morangie Distillery. Fieldtrip 4A: Endangered PlantsDates : 6 July; depart Aberdeen 08:00, return 19:30 The trip focuses on the beautiful Dee Valley, which contains numerous endangered plant species. The itinerary will include a look at rare pinewood species, a bog that is being invaded by trees, and woodland. The fieldtrip will provide an opportunity to ask the questions: Are changes in these habitats due to natural or anthropogenic factors? Does conservation management improve or exacerbate these changes? Itinerary : Travel to/from sites in Deeside by minibus Fieldtrip 5A: Insect ForayDates : 6 July; depart Aberdeen 08:00, return 18:00 The field trip offers something for the die-hard entomologists and also for non-specialists. During the trip, we will focus particularly on woodland insects. There will be several stops as we travel up the Dee valley. Visits will include wood ants (Formica spp.) at Glen Tanar, heathland insects at Dinnet, and upland species at Glen Muick. Itinerary : Travel to/from sites in Deeside by minibus Fieldtrip 6: Northern LandscapesDates : 10 July (15:45) to 13 July (18:00) inclusive. The far north of Scotland (much farther north than Aberdeen!) has a distinct and fascinating history. This fieldtrip will include 3 overnight stays, and will provide an introduction to an exciting and remote part of Scotland. We will explore the way in which people have shaped a landscape during the last 2000 years. This trip to Scotland's northern wilderness will be memorable for those who love big horizons and fresh air. There will be numerous opportunities for photography. 1. Orkney Islands The outward sea journey provides some stunning views of the Scottish coastline. In Orkney, we will visit remains of Bronze Age sites and other archeological area. The relative isolation of Orkney has resulted in a landscape that has been virtually unaltered for centuries. http://www.visitorkney.com 2. Northern Scotland We return to the Scottish mainland via a shorter crossing. We will then explore sites (looking at plants especially) that have been strongly influenced by the tenant farmers (crofters). During the return trip, we will drive through Scotland's wild and beautiful peatland 'flow country'. http://www.scotland-inverness.co.uk/caithnes.htm Leader(s) : Tim Crump (National Trust), Dave Genney, Donald Paterson (University of Aberdeen).
Arduousness : If sea conditions are poor, the boat journeys could be difficult for those who get seasick easily. The overland return journey is quite long (but there will be stops!). For further information about field trips and to pre-book fieldtrip 1D, please contact the field trips organizer Martin Barker, (m.barker@abdn.ac.uk) Disclaimer |