Supporting play and wildlife across Aberdeenshire

Two recent grants — one helping endangered birds return to Auchterless and another bringing new outdoor play equipment to Rayne North Primary School — highlight how local groups are creating long-term benefits for residents, pupils and families across the region.

Every spring, Common Swifts and House Martins return from sub-Saharan Africa to the skies above Auchterless — but both species are now on the UK red list of endangered birds, largely because traditional nesting spaces in older buildings have disappeared.

With support from a £919 grant from the Nadara Gordonstown Wind Farm Community Fund, Auchterless Residents’ Association (ARA) launched the Auchterless Aviators project alongside Auchterless Kirk Session, the Huntly Swift Group and Auchterless School.

Working with the Huntly Swift Group, ARA installed four Swift nest boxes behind the louvres on Auchterless church tower and six House Martin nest cups close to existing nesting sites. An artificial call system was also installed to help attract birds back to the area, along with a wildlife camera so residents and pupils can follow activity at the nests.

The project also became a learning opportunity for local children. The Huntly Swift Group visited Auchterless Primary School to run sessions on the birds and their migration journeys, with 58 pupils and four staff members taking part, alongside local residents attending a community talk. Although storms damaged several nests near the school during the summer, the project helped raise awareness locally, with residents sharing sightings and identifying additional nesting sites. Three chicks survived in the installed nest cups and, by the following season, half of the cups were already in use.

Swifts were also seen investigating the new nest boxes,and ARA now plans to expand the project further with a village House Martin survey, work with the local playgroup and opportunities for residents to purchase nest cups for their own properties.

For a grant of under £1,000, the project has delivered a practical boost for local biodiversity while giving young people a closer connection to wildlife on their doorstep.

Rayne North Parent Council - Grant Award: £2,000 

Rayne North Primary School serves 67 pupils across three classes in rural Aberdeenshire. When the school’s ageing outdoor trim trail was condemned following safety inspections, pupils — and the wider community who use the playground outside school hours — were left without a key play facility.

Rayne North Parent Council (RNPC) took on the challenge of replacing the equipment, leading a major community fundraising effort supported by parents, local businesses and grant funders.

The total project cost came to £27,351, with a £2,000 contribution from the Nadara Gordonstown Wind Farm Community Fund reflecting the number of pupils attending from Fisherford.

RNPC also found a way to reduce costs significantly by appointing a local groundworks company, saving more than £6,500 on installation.

Rayne North Parent Council said: “We managed to source a local company who will install the trim trail for us, which is a boost for the local area and it's great to use people we know and can trust.”

The new trim trail equipment is built from hardwood and materials containing 95% recycled content and comes with a 20-year warranty. Once installed, Aberdeenshire Council will take responsibility for ongoing maintenance and insurance, ensuring it remains available for both school and community use for years to come.

The equipment had been delivered and pupils were eagerly awaiting installation — with the finish line now firmly in sight thanks to a strong local fundraising effort backed by community funding support.

From nesting birds to new play equipment, these projects demonstrate how small grants can deliver lasting value for communities, schools and wildlife across Aberdeenshire.

For more information visit the Fund Information Page.