A WILDLIFE project is hoping to show people in Selkirk what is on their doorsteps.

Go Wild Scotland, founded by Gethin Chamberlain, is a community interest company (CIC) which has taken on the Mauldsheugh Woods, within the Philiphaugh Estate, to develop into a haven for nature.

The project launched in 2020 and last month the project completed a key stage of its plans – creating a wildlife pond in the woods.

"We're making progress," said Gethin, "the pond looks great."

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He added: "The pond has a little theatre to it, it's something to see."

During the pandemic, Gethin and his team of volunteers have developed parts of the wood to help encourage more wildlife to visit the area.

They have planted sapling oak trees and installed a variety of bird boxes (including one for owls which was put in place with help from Wild Tree Adventures) and have trail cams operating along existing paths to document what wildlife uses the woods.

He said: "I think lockdown made people more interested in what's around them.

"People are quite surprised when they find out how much is on their doorstep."

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Gethin also hopes that through grant funding and local fundraising, Go Wild Scotland will be able to create a path to the pond and also create a viewing hide.

Not taking up too much space, and allowing wildlife to thrive naturally is key to Gethin's vision for the woods.

He said: "We'd like to open a circular path through the wood, but we'll leave the core areas for wildlife to be unbothered."

Go Wild Scotland has also teamed up with the Early Years centre at Philiphaugh Primary School to open a 'mini beast mansion'.

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The mini beast mansion is a tower of wooden pallets, layered with scraps of wood, old plantpots and bricks to create a space for small animals and bugs to visit.

Down by the pond, the mini beast mansion will give local children the chance to get up close to nature and to see a variety of wildlife on their doorstep.

Youngsters will also have the chance to add to the mansion to encourage more creatures to visit.

"We're hoping to have sessions with parents and their kids [from the Early Years Centre] to come to the wood and talk about the wildlife," said Gethin. "We made the mini beast mansion for small creatures and creepy crawlies to live in.

"We'll have the kids come and help make it and see what's living there."

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The initial stages of the development at Mauldheugh have been self funded by Gethin, who also runs the Five Turrets in Selkirk, with the help of some donors.

However, to continue with the plans for the woods, Go Wild Scotland is seeking extra support from locals.

"We've had some donations already which is nice," said Gethin.

For more information on the Maulsheugh Woods community wildlife project, and to donate, visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mauldsheughwood