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Senior Scientists Field Trips
III Senior Biology Fieldtrip to Banff Links Beach/Macduff
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The rain held off eventually for the IIIS biologists to carry out their study of a rocky shore at Banff Links beach.
There were rich pickings of biodiversity on the rocks: barnacles, limpets, periwinkles, dog whelks (the driller killers), anemones, worms, crabs, butterfish, sea slugs, starfish, and hermit crabs to name a few. We had a sunny picnic lunch outside Macduff aquarium and then spent an informative hour in the aquarium with manager Marie, who shared with us invaluable insight into the lives and adaptations of the marine life on display. Most surprising was how long lobsters live for (40-50 years) and how big a halibut can grow to (5m!); Jamima in the kelp tank has a bit to go yet. We extend our sincere thanks to Aberdeenshire Ranger Sarah Gosden and Aquarium Manager Marie Dare for enriching our trip with their enthusiasm and expertise.
Abby Miller Head of Biology
Advanced Higher Biology field trip to Forvie Nature Reserve
The Advanced Higher biology class enjoyed a very enjoyable day at Forvie Nature Reserve to carry out some fieldwork in March.
The girls were guided by Nature Scot Rangers Cat and Daryl whose extensive knowledge of the area was incredible. Their enthusiasm and passion for their jobs was infectious and we were hanging off their every word – girls and staff alike! We spent the morning learning about the migratory birds which frequent Forvie and how they are tagged/counted, their status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and sand dune succession where the girls completed a transect to see the difference in plants that can grow the further away you get from the sea. After lunch, we got the bus to the other side of the estuary at Newburgh so that we could perform an ethogram (observing behaviours) on the seals who were enjoying the sunshine! We were lucky to have beautiful weather for the whole day which resulted in walking further and seeing more of the nature reserve.
Laura Howitt Teacher of Biology
