Possil Marsh walk

An urban sanctuary

The most important bird reserve in Glasgow, Possil Marsh has been legally protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) since 1954. Recognition of its national importance was further enhanced with additional protection in 1956, when it was declared a Wild Bird Sanctuary. In 1982, the Scottish Wild Birds Sanctuary Trust generously gifted this 30 hectare reserve to the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

The route

From Skirsa Street, cross the main road and pick up the Forth & Clyde Canal towpath adjacent to the community centre and wildlife garden. After 200m turn left off the towpath and follow the path around the perimeter of Possil Marsh Wildlife Reserve in a clockwise direction.

Points of interest

1. On both sides of the path are tall herb communities of knapweed, ragged-robin, willowherbs and michaelmas-daisy, moving into areas of soft rush and eventually reedbed and open water. Three grassland communities, four woodland and sixteen wetlands have been identified in Possil Marsh. The peat found in this area has been measured at over five metres deep, suggesting 5,000 years of slowly accumulating organic matter.
2. Underneath the reserve’s western boundary, and completely hidden, are four huge water pipes that take Glasgow’s water from Loch Katrine. The boundary hedge of hawthorn,  elder, blackthorn and beech to the left of the path provides secluded cover for summer migrants, such as whitethroat and willow warbler, whilst to the right colonising willow carr, bottle sedge and reedmace attract reed bunting and sedge warbler.
3. The most striking feature along the northern side of the reserve is a large boulder, which marks the site where the High Possil Meteorite landed on 5 April 1804, a fragment of which is held by the Hunterian Museum in Glasgow. It is one of only four recorded meteorites to fall on Scotland in ‘modern’ times.
4. The vegetation here resembles more mature woodland, albeit on very wet ground. Downy birch dominates this stretch of the route, along with grey and bay willow and rowan. In drier areas tufts of heather provide evidence of the acid nature of the soil. There are clear views of the High Possil flats, reaffirming that this is primarily an urban reserve.
5. The eastern side has a couple of good viewpoints of the loch. A total of 150 bird species have been recorded on the reserve, of which around 30 breed. Amongst the rarer visitors are gadwall, shoveller and garganey ducks. In winter oystercatcher, curlew and lapwing, along with mute swan, snipe and the elusive water rail can also be seen (or heard).

Visitor information

Start / Finish	Forth and Clyde Canal at Lambhill Bridge (NS585700)
Nearest town	Glasgow
Duration	40 minutes
Rating	Easy
Good for	Ragged robin, reed bunting, willow warbler, sedge warbler
If you are lucky	Water rail, gadwall, shoveller and garganey ducks

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