Nature CSI: Owl pellet dissection workshop

Date: Saturday 17th October
Time: 10.30am-12pm
Place: Gairloch Museum
Age: All welcome, under 8s must be supervised for this activity.
Cost: Donations to the Museum's Education Fund would be appreciated. 

Booking is advised for this event.

Barn owl pellet dissection workshop with the NW Scotland Mammal Network.

Join the NW Scotland Mammal Network for a hands-on guided dissection of barn owl pellets. Learn how owls hunt and eat small mammals, and why analysis of their pellets can reveal important details about the ecosystem, helping scientists monitor small mammal populations and the spread of non-native species.

What to expect

• 1.5 hour indoor workshop.
• An introduction to barn owls, their diet, and how pellet analysis helps scientists monitor local wildlife from Matt Larsen-Daw.
• Guidance of the pellet dissection process.
• Opportunity to ask questions.
• Time to examine, identify and compare the bones and remains found inside the pellets, learning how they can reveal which small mammals are present in the local area.
• All equipment and materials will be provided, and participants can work at their own pace.

Accessibility

• This is a seated indoor workshop with table space provided throughout.
• Participants will handle sterilised barn owl pellets and small animal bones as part of the activity. Disposable gloves will be available for anyone who wishes to use them.
• Fine motor skills are helpful for separating and examining the pellet contents, though support will be available if needed.
• Magnifying glasses will be available to help examine the small bones and other remains.
• Our accessibility guide can be found on our website under the Visit tab.
• If you have any accessibility requirements you would like us to know about in advance, please let us know on booking.