Some of you may remember that I was the seasonal ranger for the second half of the summer last year and I am now back for another go! With the fantastic weather we have been having over the last few days I have relished the opportunity to get outside and see the signs of spring which are starting to emerge on the reserve.

During a patrol of the reserve yesterday the sun was shining brightly and it finally felt like the cold and wet winter was ending, making way for spring. The different wildlife obviously felt this way too, with trees growing new buds, grey and pied wagtails flitting over the river, buzzards soaring on the thermals and even a pair of roe deer grazing in the wood.

Our resident pair of peregrines are also out and about, regularly seen hunting in the skies or perched on the cliff face above the river. The male has been preening himself and assessing the different ledges so hopefully we will see some courtship taking place soon.

The forest floor is also coming to life with colour as wildflowers push their way up, a sure sign that spring is round the corner. A few weeks ago Laura wrote about yellow flowers such as lesser celandine and colts foot being a herald of a change in the season and it has certainly proved to be true, with both species seen in bright colourful patches dotted across the woods and meadowland.

Our resident mammals are more active as well with plenty of badger paw prints on the network of footpaths and even bats leaving their hibernaculums to feed up on insects after their long sleep through the winter months. Hopefully we shall see a lot more spring wildlife in the next few weeks.

Alex Kekewich – Scottish Wildlife Trust, Falls of Clyde Ranger