Creggan Country Park News - July 2011

[Karen Healy]

 

Enjoy the Great Outdoors this summer!

 

Celebrate the arrival of the summer holidays by taking part in some fun outdoor activities!

 

Price List 2011   Canoe Fun Session (1 hour):          £9 per person   Canoe Fun Session (2 hours):        £15 per person   Raft building (2 hours):                     £15 per person   Team building games and assault course (1 hour):          £5 per person   Orienteering   (1 hour)                       £5 per person   Paintball (1 ½ hours)             £15 per person   Angling (2 fish ticket)                        £16   Minimum group number for watersports is 8 people   Minimum group number for paintball is 10    ‘Don’t bin it Bling it’ event at Creggan Country Park!   Have you ever looked into a wardrobe full of clothes and found yourself saying ‘I have nothing to wear?’ Well a new Creggan Country Park project could help!   The ‘Don’t bin it Bling it’ is a new project funded by Derry City Council that aims to promote a different kind of recycling and provides an opportunity for participants to learn new craft skills.  Learn how to alter clothing; transform jeans into shorts or create a new top from a dress you no longer wear!  Fans of Gok Wan will not want to miss this event!   The project promotes Derry City Council’s successful recycling campaign.  Recycling is essentially making something old into something new and generates a host of environmental, economic and social benefits. ‘Don’t bin it Bling it’ will encourage people to reuse old clothes by transforming items into on trend fashion!   The first of the unique workshops will take place at Creggan Country Park this summer:   Passion for Fashion   Thursday 21st July 2011   6.30pm – 9.30pm   Refreshments included   Participants are advised to bring along 3 items of clothing they would like to transform   THE EVENT IS FREE   ADVANCED BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL AS PLACES ARE LIMITED TO 15   To book contact our Environmental Officer on 028 71363 133 or email [e-mail]      RSPB Summer Event   The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is the UK charity working to secure a healthy environment for birds and all wildlife.  To promote their work, the RSPB have organised a family fun day at Creggan Country Park on   Sunday 24th July 2011 from 11am – 4pm.   Come along Come and enjoy an educational stroll around Creggan Country Park, learn more about local wildlife and take part in a nature trail treasure hunt.   Activities and challenges for all ages – with nature themed prizes to be won   Free entry   Everyone welcome     Help bats avoid a CATastrophe this summer   The Northern Ireland Bat group is appealing to cat owners to keep a close eye on their pets this summer.   Millions of families enjoy the companionship and affection of their pet cats. Only when these loveable feline friends bring in a damaged bird or bat as an offering are we reminded that they are natural predators.  A survey carried out by the Mammal Society suggests that cats could be killing 275 million creatures a year, including a large number of bats.  People might wonder how this is possible as cats can’t fly! When insects are flying low or crawling in long grass, bats may come down to ground level to feed and so will be easy prey for cats and they may also hear bats chattering before they emerge from their roost at dusk, and lie in wait.  During late July and August in particular the young are still far from perfecting their flying techniques and fall easy prey to a prowling cat.   Cat owners can help this summer by following these actions: Cats do not need to stay out all night. Bring your cat in half an hour before sunset so that bats can emerge undisturbed. If your cat doesn’t take kindly to this, bring it in half an hour before sunset for at least an hour. Feed it or give it a treat. If you find it difficult to keep your cat in at night throughout the summer, do try to do it at least from mid June until the end of August. This is when bats are rearing their young. If your cat has already brought in a bat it is possible that it has found a roost, and may return to it night after night. Then it is essential to keep the cat in all night  Adult pipistrelle bat Baby pipistrelle bat At this time of year, people may also come across grounded bats which are likely to be very young or injured.  The public are advised to only handle the bat if essential; as with any wild animal use thick gloves. Place the bat in a box and contact your local bat worker immediately. For more information on bats, to request a bat talk or survey for your community group/school or to report grounded bats please call 028 71363 133 or email [e-mail]   The Heritage Trail    Creggan Country Park’s Heritage Trail provides the perfect summer family activity. Explore the history, culture, wildlife and industrial heritage of our 100-acre site and take a walk around the conservation area and middle lake. Free Maps and activity sheets are available from our Environmental Officer. Willow domes and picnic areas are now available so that visitors can enjoy lunch outdoors whilst admiring the fantastic views of the city and Lough Foyle.  . Guided tours are available for schools and youth groups. Advanced booking essential. Contact us on 028 71363 133 or email [e-mail]   trelle bat Baby pipistrelpipisle bat At this time of year, people may also come across grounded bats which are likely to be very young or injured.  The p c are advised o only handle the bat if essential; as with any wild animal use thick gloves. Place the bat in a box andLatest news from Lakeview cafe   After a long summer walk around the new heritage trail why not treat yourself to a delicious healthy lunch in the café   Choose from a selection of salads, pasta and baked potatoes   Latest July offers include:   Soup and sandwich with tea/coffee £4.50 Served from 12 – 5pmMon - Sat   Panini or wrap with chips and can £4.95 Served from 12 – 5pmMon - Sat   Four course Sunday lunc  £9.95 Served from noon – 4.30pm   ntact your local bat worker immAdult ediately. For more information on bats, to request a bat talk or survey for your community group/school or to report grounded bats please call 028 71363 133