Around Town
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THE BEST EVENTS, TALKS AND SPORT
* Trainspotting Tour Let Begbie take you round sites of yore. Readings from Trainspotting and Porno by Tim Bell, starting at the Port O’Leith Bar (Sick Boy’s ‘Port Sunshine’), carrying on round the toilets and other locations of Leith immortalised by lrvine Welsh. Leith Dock, Edinburgh, Sat 4 Jun.
* Meadows Festival One of the best things about Edinburgh turns into a grand fete with food stalls, live music, sport and games. See preview, page 29. The Meadows, Edinburgh, Sat 4 Jun.
* Norwich Unlon International Athletics Under starter's orders for the showdown between GB, US and Russia. Kelly Holmes races for the last time in Scotland. See preview, page 28. Scotstoun Leisure Centre, Glasgow, Sun 5 Jun
* Party In Park Circus Bienvenue and wilkommen! Celebrating the first year of the union under one roof of the Goethe lnstitut and Alliance Francaise, the two housemates come together for day-long fun and frolics. Park Circus, Glasgow, Sat 4 Jun.
What sin
oing be
Our cities are teaming with creatures big and small. WILDLIFE WEEK is here to open our eyes to the worlds that exist hidden away in the crannies and under the cloak of night. Ruth Hedges goes in search of bats.
he sun's just starting to go down in a pale sky
and an expectant group huddle about in
(‘raiglockhart car park. licrgus (‘ook hands everyone a Starburst. We smile nervously but no— one's quite sure where it‘s going.
The purpose l‘or this twilight meeting is to go bat watching. The tiny mammals that hang upside down by day and swoop about by night. snacking on up to 300 insects an hour. are out ol’ hibernation and hungry. 'l‘heir numbers have been declining steadily over the last 50 years and are now protected by law. But what's a little chewy sweet got to do with it'.’ ls this going to lure the little creatures lrom their roosts'.’ .\'o. l‘ergus says. it is in tact the weight oi our winged
gothic friends. Ah. Alter comprehending this titbit ol information we pop the chews and head off. A trail of
bat-seekers delve into the wooded hill and wind our way up through the dry leaves as the slither ol moon shines brighter. llushed chatter makes a nice background htnn in the quiet night.
This is one ol' the events organised by the lidinburgh Ranger Service. which also puts on evening badger walks up (‘ostorphinc llill. Apparently. the last group spotted seven. The Scottiin \Vildlilc 'l'rust arranges events across Scotland. including bat and badger walks around the l‘alls ol' ('lyde. ln .lunc \Vildlilc Week launches a l'eeding lren/y ol trips. walks and expeditions. bringing you closer to the birds. the beasts and bats of local lands. Details can be l'ouud on the S\\"l‘ website. w w'w.swt.org.uk. where you’ll also lind a catchy campaign back the Beaver).
Reaching a plateau on top of (‘raiglockhart hill. the city in its million orange lights spreads beneath us and an owl hoots. It‘s a tawny. l‘ergtis says. As we wait lot“ the hul‘l'ers and pullers to bring up the rear. a couple ol‘ our sought alter creatures come ottt to play. 'l'hey're l'lighty little things: darting about silently — not gracel'ul like swallows scooping up lilies on a summer evening. but nervy' and light -— navigating the skies with their echolocation. But it‘ we could tune into their l‘requency'. the hill would be turning and crackling with their shouts. By bouncing sound ol'l~ whatever's in their path they can pinpoint a tiny midge and know where it‘s heading.
Luckily for us. at the bottom of the hill Stuart is waiting with his bat detector. Bats like midgey ponds - a warm summer evening above still water is their idea ol' heaven with rich pickings llitting about. And suddenly the bats have a voice - we are eavesdropping on their hunting paths — snorting and clicking their way to a good teed with the help of Stuart‘s device. By now it's completely dark and the torches are on. (‘hatter has been hushed by the noisy bats and making our way back to the car park by torchlight. a strange calmness has descended with the evening walk. l‘ei'gtis and Stuart‘s commentary and the super sonic creatures of the night. Sleep tight.
Wildlife Week, Sat 4 Jun-Sun 12 Jun, www.swt.org.uk; Edinburgh Ranger Service, www.cecrangerservice.demon.co.uk,
0131 447 7145
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