@avnatureaction.bsky.social
AVNA is an umbrella group covering small, nature projects throughout Almond Valley in West Lothian. We hope to engage communities to improve native biodiversity, & to work with existing projects and organisations https://avnatureaction.wordpress.com
March Ramble & Chat
Join us on Sunday 08 March for a nature walk with a focus on learning to identify trees. The event is suitable for beginners, and children are welcome when accompanied by a responsible adult. Meeting point: We will meet at the path next to Howden House Google Maps:…
February Ramble & Chat
We’re back in Almond Park, Craigshill for our walk this month. We’ll be on the lookout for signs of spring - like snowdrop flowers and tiny hazel catkins - and hoping for a good blether as well. When: Sunday 8th February, 2-3.30pm Where: Almond Park in Craigshill. We’ll…
January R&C walk report
What a month January can be! For the first time we had to postpone one of our Ramble&Chats due to a yellow weather warning. We managed to meet up on the following Sunday when it was cold and overcast but at least didn't rain and we were able to spend an hour watching and…
Book a ticket on Eventbrite for the woodland event here: tinyurl.com/yeccyss9
21.01.2026 19:29 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0The RSPB big garden birdwatch takes place this weekend 23 - 25 January www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happen.... You can join a social count at Easter Breich Wood, West Lothian counting the birds there - then count some more in your own garden later!
21.01.2026 19:29 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
On these easy 1-2 hour walks, we take time to notice nature, chat about what we find, & share what we know.
AVNA meets on the 2nd Sunday
of each month, to explore local
greenspaces.
See our blog for details: avnatureaction.wordpress.com/events/
AVNA monthly Ramble & Chat. 2nd Sunday of each month, 2pm
🌼 January - birding at Almond pools
🌼 February - signs of spring, Craigshill
🌼 March - Howden Park
🌼 April - bat walk (tbc)
🌼 May - butterflies at Woodmuir (tbc)
🌼 June - pond dipping in Murieston
If you are interested in spending time in nature and connecting with other like-minded folks you can join us on our monthly rambles. These slow paced walks usually happen on the 2nd Sunday of each month around Almond Valley. Check the blog for details! #natureconnection #biologicalrecording #nature
20.01.2026 20:20 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
A large pond surrounded with grasses and trees. The water reflects the trees opposite.
A male mallard duck swimming on smooth water at the pond
Our Ramble&Chat event this month spent an hour birdwatching at the Almond Pools in Livingston. We recorded: tufted ducks, goldeneye, teal, little grebes, coots, moorhens, mallards, a heron and a buzzard! We counted the totals and uploaded the records using BirdTrack app! @btoscotland.bsky.social
20.01.2026 20:20 — 👍 14 🔁 2 💬 1 📌 0POSTPONED until next weekend - Sunday 18th January 🦢🦉🦆
09.01.2026 19:03 — 👍 0 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0You had us at alien 👽
09.01.2026 19:02 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0POSTPONED until next weekend - Sunday 18th January 🦢🦉🦆
09.01.2026 18:55 — 👍 6 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
If you want to go slow and also not very far...go with AVNA 😂
Come join us on Sunday: avnatureaction.wordpress.com/2025/12/21/j...
Winter citizen science and nature activities
December can be a busy month for many, and the colder weather and shorter days might provide less opportunities to go out for a walk and explore the green spaces around us. However, there is lots to see, hear and notice even during the winter months.…
January 2026 Ramble&Chat
Come birding with us! We're visiting the River Almond pools for our January outing. Bring along your bird ID books and binoculars (your bins in birding talk!) and we'll try to identify the different species and contribute some biological records while we're there. We'll…
November R&C walk report – looking for aliens at Dechmont Law
When the day of our usual monthly walk fell on the exact anniversary of the Dechmont UFO Incident we had to visit the woods around Dechmont Law, on the lookout for aliens! * * aka. non-native and invasive species We met at the Eastwood…
Graphic with text: ‘Scotland’s Climate March: a better world is possible. Saturday 15th November. Assemble at Glasgow Green, 11am. Global solidarity: for a world where everyone is safe, has enough, and is respected. A fair transition: for a fairer Scotland with jobs, transport and homes that support the move beyond fossil fuels. Caring for our planet: restoring nature to reclaim a future where all can thrive.’ Colourful illustrated icons are at the top and bottom of the image, depicting things like people, transport, energy and workers.
📢 Join Scotland’s Climate March on Sat 15th Nov to demand a better world as part of a Global Day of Action!
Assemble at 11am, Glasgow Green.
Global Solidarity. A Fair Transition. Caring For Our Planet. Get involved: climatemarch.scot
#ScotlandsClimateMarch
November Ramble & Chat – looking for aliens at Dechmont Law
This month the second Sunday falls on the exact anniversary of the Dechmont UFO Incident! So obviously we're heading to Dechmont Law to search for aliens!!! (aka. non-native and invasive species) 🌳👽🌳 When: Sunday 9th November, 2 to…
October Ramble and Chat report
Our October walk took us to Calderwood, a Site of Scientific Interest, near Mid Calder. Following the marked, circular hazel trail, the group practiced tree identification skills, focusing on autumn nuts and berries as clues. Although, we were too late for any…
October Ramble & Chat
Autumnal walk in Calderwood Join us for a slow paced walk in Calderwood, Mid Calder on Sunday 12 October 2025. This is an opportunity to spend some time in nature, exploring this ancient woodland and enjoying the beautiful autumnal colours. We will meet at the Mid Calder…
August Ramble and Chat Report
Learn about pollinators workshop On Sunday 17/08/2025 we joined Melissa from Buglife -The Invertebrate Conservation Trust, for a pollinator workshop at Almondell Country Park, in East Calder. The aim of the workshop was to train participants to monitor pollinators by…
September Ramble & Chat
In September our Ramble&Chat will take us to the woodland near Bellsquarry called Wilderness. This diverse Woodland Trust site has good habitats for various wildlife and plants. When: Sunday 14th September, 2-3:30pm Meeting point: the path on the East side of Bellsquarry…
A poster advertising the BeeWalk with dates and details.
🐝Join Andri for the next BeeWalk on Saturday 30th August in Livingston Village Park, 11am. Learn about bumblebees on a gentle walk around one of Livingstons green spaces. No need to book, just turn up on the day. These events are free. 🌺🌼#BeeWalk #citizenscience #bumblebees
18.08.2025 06:37 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Tall trees with afternoon sunlight filtering through. A trail leads through the trees at Almondell.
A bumblebee on knapweed
Honeybee on knapweed
Hoverfly on knapweed
A different Ramble&Chat for us this month! We spent an afternoon out with Buglife at Almondell in West Lothian learning how to do FIT (flower insect timed) counts. The knapweed patches were so busy! #pollinators #FIT #Buglife #WestLothian
18.08.2025 06:31 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0Absolutely stunning!
18.08.2025 06:20 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
If you see/catch a pink salmon in the Forth:
🐟 If caught & ID confirmed: humanely dispatch, freeze, photograph, & report → tinyurl.com/msyr234r
If seen, dead, or not caught: record via the app & contact local fishery board.
Your reports help protect Scotland’s rivers!
🙄 A policy which benefited the better off most and cost the UK £100m
FYI @ianmurraymp.bsky.social @drscottarthurmp.bsky.social @kittysull1.bsky.social @tracygilbertmp.bsky.social @chrismurraymp.bsky.social @gregorpoynton.bsky.social @kirstymcneill.bsky.social @michaelshanksmp.co.uk @transform.scot
Hedgehog in green leaves
Hedgehogs face many threats and are in widespread decline. But a new campaign urging people to create wild patches for hedgehogs in gardens and community green spaces could help:
littlegreenspace.org.uk/news/go-wild...
#nature #GoWildForHedgehogs
Are you in West Lothian and interested in learning about pollinators? Come along to this free event where we join Buglife at Almondell Country Park. Sunday 18th August. Register at the link below! 🦋🐝🌺🌼🌹
08.08.2025 09:58 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0