This lovely spring weather presents the perfect opportunity to take a stroll through our beautiful countryside. If you live in Clydesdale, you can be proud to have your home in an area which is famous for its huge variety of wildlife and dramatic landscape. For the last four hundred years (at least) people have travelled from far and wide to visit the Falls of Clyde and marvel at the gorge with its three spectacular waterfalls. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the local estate owners allowed their friends and acquaintances to view the Falls. In the nineteenth century tickets were sold in local hotels and special train journeys brought sightseers to Lanark.

In the twentieth century, we are delighted to say, Scottish Wildlife Trust took over the management of the ancient woodlands and walkways surrounding the Falls of Clyde (buying part of it)  and have made it accessible to all – free!

Peregrine Falcons
At the time of writing the peregrines have successfully hatched two of their three eggs. Both peregrines are taking it in turns to sit in the eyrie and incubate the last egg or bring in prey to feed their growing brood. You can watch live webcams on the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s website, details below. Or take the 40 minute walk up through glorious spring woods and enjoy the flowers that are now blooming along the riverbank.

Low Water
The water level in the Clyde and surrounding streams is extremely low at the moment, due to such a long period without rain. According to the long term weather forecast, we are due to have showers at the end of this week (Thursday or Friday), which, although not such good news for walkers, will be welcomed by gardeners and farmers.

Badger Watches
The Falls of Clyde Badger Watches have started again with a lovely evening out on the reserve, watching several badgers gambolling in the gathering dusk.

Sightings
Peregrine falcon and chicks, mallard ducks and ducklings, common sandpiper, grey wagtail, dipper, long tailed tit, chaffinch, blackbird, wren, heron, kingfisher (3 fleeting, separate sightings as it zoomed downstream on the reserve), tree creeper, starling, house sparrow, swallow, sand martin, magpie, oyster catcher. Badger, fox, hare and roedeer.

For further information on all wildlife issues, please contact the Scottish Wildlife Trust Falls of Clyde visitor centre, New Lanark 01555 665262 or email fallsofclyde@swt.org.uk for webcams please visit www.swt.org.uk.

Cherry – Visitor Centre Assistant