A new charity calendar, highlighting some of the north-east’s most beautiful birds and animals, has been created to raise cash for a wildlife rescue centre.
Members of the online photography group NE Scotland Wildlife have spent the last year snapping natural wonders all across the region.
From a pair of black grouse lekking – taking part in a courtship ritual – to a badger peeking its head out of a gorse bush, and a long-tailed tit enjoying a snack on a branch, the talented wildlife lovers have captured all manner of creatures great and small.
And their most stunning photos have been included in a new calendar, currently for sale across the north-east.
All the proceeds from the sales will go towards supporting New Arc, an independent charity just outside of Ellon.
The centre offers sanctuary to unwanted, abused or abandoned animals, and works hard to rehabilitate injured or orphaned wild animals, so they can return to their habitat.
The calendar is now in its third year, and previous editions have raised as much as £800 for the charity.
Keith Marley, the director of New Arc, insisted the cash will help his animal sanctuary to save even more wildlife in need of help.
He said: “We’re delighted to be receiving funds from this calendar for a third year.
“The quality of the calendar is truly tremendous. I know for a fact there are a few people who loved the pictures from last year’s calendar so much they actually cut them out and framed them – it really is a quality production.
“We’ve got about 350 animals here at the moment, and we’re totally reliant upon donations and funding from the general public.
“We don’t get any support from the government or councils or anything like that, so the sales from this calendar will be a vital part of our income.
“People will be running out of time now, so if anyone wants one, they’ll have to move fast.”
The calendars can be purchased from the New Arc Charity Shop in Ellon, Thistle Windows and Conservatories in Bridge of Don, the Stead Inn in Potterton, the Rapp Marine in Peterhead, Kirkton Veterinary Centre in Stonehaven, Seafield Vets in Keith, Oldmeldrum Vets, Glenythan Vets in Ellon and Laurencekirk Pet and Equine Supplies.
