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Tarras Valley Nature Reserve @tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social · 3d

Anyone noticing LOTs of acorns this year?

It’s looking like 2025 is a mast year, an ecological phenomenon where trees produce bumper crops of seeds and fruits ensuring the next generation of trees and a rich bounty for wildlife! 🌱

Our ancient oak forests are a wonderful sight at the moment 🍁🍂🌿

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Tarras Valley Nature Reserve @tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social · 13d

We’re delighted to have won Silver at the @GlobalGoodAwards in the Wild World: Recover, Regenerate, Rewild category, alongside @nationaltrust.org.uk Holnicote Estate! 🌍 Huge thanks to everyone who made the Tarras Valley community buy-out and reserve possible. #GlobalGoodAwards

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Tarras Valley Nature Reserve @tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social · 16d

Our feeder had two very different visitors – a nimble pine marten who scaled it with ease, and a determined badger who gave climbing a go… but didn’t quite manage it! Nature’s personalities always keep us smiling.

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Reposted by Tarras Valley Nature Reserve

Scottish Community Alliance @scalliance.bsky.social · 22d

Week two in Taras Valley and Langholm Moor Nature Reserve filming our Community Wealth Building stories- where community ownership supports nature based enterprise for meaningful nature and climate contributions. @tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social @communitywoods.bsky.social @scottishbeacon.bsky.social

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Tarras Valley Nature Reserve @tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social · 21d

Our 3rd annual Community Land Ceilidh is back this October! 🎶💃 Free entry (donations welcome for kids’ outdoor learning). Music from Iain Anderson’s band, raffle & buffet. Book your spot: [email protected] / 013873 80914. Thanks to @CommunityLandScotland!

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Tarras Valley Nature Reserve @tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social · 22d

We’re hiring! 🎉 Our first Graduate Placement is open – a 12-month role with the Langholm Initiative team, working on projects at Tarras Valley Nature Reserve. Apply by 1pm, 3 Oct. More info 👉 www.tarrasvalleynaturereserve.org/vacancies

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Tarras Valley Nature Reserve @tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social · 28d

We’ve had amazing news! 🪶 A male Hen Harrier that fledged from Tarras in 2020 has been spotted this summer on a nest camera in North Wales — the first sighting from our 2020 chicks! A hopeful story for this species 💚 Thanks to RSPB & Keith Offord for sharing. 📸 Keith Offord

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Tarras Valley Nature Reserve @tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social · Sep 9

Insects are the building blocks of biodiversity 🐛🦋🐜🐝

Some hopeful results from ongoing community -led insect surveying on the reserve!

✅ 302 moth species now recorded - 23% of Scotlands 1300 species!

✅ 13 of 26 Scottish Dragonfly species on our new ponds 💧

✅ 19 Butterfly species recorded!

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Tarras Valley Nature Reserve @tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social · Aug 18

We held a sunny summer BBQ at Cronksbank to thank our amazing Tarras Valley volunteers! 🌞 Since March they’ve given 350+ hours, planting trees, tackling invasives, monitoring wildlife & more. We couldn’t do it without you. Huge thank you! 🌿💚 #TarrasValleyNatureReserve

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Tarras Valley Nature Reserve @tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social · Aug 7

Last week we hosted part two of our Herbivore Impact Assessment training with the Woodland Trust Scotland, focusing on monitoring grazing impact on bog and heathland.

Thanks to our brilliant volunteers, survey work like this helps guide long-term land restoration! 🌿✨

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Tarras Valley Nature Reserve @tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social · Jul 31

We're pleased to take part in the Roots to Regeneration grazing workshop with Caroline Grindrod and @herdyshepherd.bsky.social in the North Lakes. The 3 days looked at regenerative grazing practices, reducing wormers and antibiotics, soil health, all to help boost profitability and nature.

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Tarras Valley Nature Reserve @tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social · Jul 22

We were delighted to welcome this year’s Front Three, Cornet Patterson and his right- and left-hand men, Bailey and Chris!
We presented Cornet Patterson with a small gift and wished them all the best for Friday.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Common Riding!
Safe Oot, Safe In! 🐎💙 #CommonRiding2025

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Tarras Valley Nature Reserve @tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social · Jul 7

Thanks to the Community Woodlands Association for organising an exchange visit to Kilsture Forest. Several different groups who own woodland came along to look at the work that the Kilsture group are involved in around enhancing the biodiversity of the woodland.
Thanks making us feel so welcome!

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Tarras Valley Nature Reserve @tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social · Jul 1

We are delighted to see the first phase of Tarras Valley signage going on site this week!
The signage has been designed by Studio Walden, funded by South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) and being installed by Simon Richardson Contracting fencing team as part of our ‘Welcome to Tarras Valley’ project.

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Tarras Valley Nature Reserve @tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social · Jun 20

We are delighted to have been shortlisted for a prestigious @globalgoodaward in the brand-new category for 2025 called Wild World: Recover, Regenerate, Rewild!
globalgoodawards.co.uk/2025-global-...
Wish us luck for the awards in September and good luck to all the other finalists!

2025 Global Good Awards Finalists

Congratulations to our 2025 Global Good Awards finalists! See who's leading the way for social & environmental sustainability around the world.

globalgoodawards.co.uk

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Tarras Valley Nature Reserve @tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social · Jun 6

🌿 Volunteer Week ends with roots in the ground! 🌿
Today we were back at Lower Tarras — the heart of our biggest restoration effort — planting juniper trees with our brilliant volunteers. Thank you to everyone who joined us today and throughout the year.

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Tarras Valley Nature Reserve @tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social · Jun 4

🎣 Caught in the act!
Our trap cam on the River Tarras captured this incredible footage of a heron successfully catching its lunch. A perfect example of the wild moments happening all around us and nature doing its thing.
#TarrasValley #Wildlife #Heron #Nature #RiverTarras #BirdsOfBritain

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Tarras Valley Nature Reserve @tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social · Jun 2

🌿 It’s #VolunteersWeek — and we want to say a massive THANK YOU!

From tree planting to bracken bashing, fence and sitka spruce removal — we couldn’t do it without our amazing volunteers. 💚

You’re helping shape a better future for nature & community!

#VolunteersWeek #Volunteers #ThankYouVolunteers

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Tarras Valley Nature Reserve @tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social · May 28

We’ve loved seeing your wildlife photos from Tarras Valley! 🖼️✨
- Grey Wagtail
- Pied Flycatcher
- Long Tailed Tit

Tag us or email [email protected] to share yours!

Photos:
Caroline Blackie
Alistair Moulstone
Michael White
Shug Ferguson

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Tarras Valley Nature Reserve @tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social · May 27

We’ve loved seeing your wildlife photos from Tarras Valley! 🖼️✨
📸 Female Black Grouse
🦅 Buzzard bathing in the River Tarras
🎶 Dipper
🔴 Great Spotted Woodpecker
Tag us or email [email protected] to share yours!
Photos:
Caroline Blackie
Alistair Moulstone
Michael White
Shug Ferguson

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Tarras Valley Nature Reserve @tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social · May 26

🌿New Blog: My Week with Tarras Valley by Robin Sinclair
Robin used his @RSPB sabbatical to join us at Tarras Valley for a hands-on week of conservation work.
A huge thanks to Robin for all his time and effort while he’s been on sabbatical with us!
📖 www.tarrasvalleynaturereserve.org/my-week-with...

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Tarras Valley Nature Reserve @tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social · May 21

🌿✨ A great sight at our new pond — swallows skimming the water's surface, dipping and diving with incredible grace! It's amazing to see wildlife already making itself at home. A reminder that even small changes can create big ripples in nature. 💧💙 #NatureRecovery #WildlifeWatching #Swallows

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Tarras Valley Nature Reserve @tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social · May 13

The bluebells—or Cratties, as they’re known locally—are stunning across Tarras Valley just now. A sure sign spring is here! 🌱💙 These ancient woodland flowers are steeped in myth, once linked to fairy rings and witches’ potions.

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Tarras Valley Nature Reserve @tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social · May 8

Happy #OutdoorClassroomDay! Outdoor learning isn’t a luxury — it’s essential. At Tarras Valley, young people connect with nature, build confidence & curiosity, and learn by doing.

Huge thanks to Kat for inspiring the next generation of nature lovers! 💚🌿 #OutdoorLearning #TarrasValley

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Tarras Valley Nature Reserve @tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social · May 6

We loved hosting riverfly survey training with Buglife as part of the #GuardiansOfOurRivers project! 🐛🌊 Volunteers across Scotland are learning to monitor riverfly—key indicators of river health. Read more here:
🔗 www.buglife.org.uk/projects/gua...

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