Hey Everyone!

My names Mike and I am the new Falls of Clyde Seasonal Ranger. I am going to be bringing the latest sightings from both on and near the reserve for the next 6 months.

So moving swiftly onto bird life there have been sightings of mistle thrush (Corehouse), treecreeper and wren. While out with the volunteer party we have seen long-tailed tit, blue tit and great tit. There are also regular drumming sounds coming from our great spotted woodpeckers. On the river we have had pairs of dippers and grey wagtail along with a lone cormorant in the mornings.

Then onto plant life it looks that spring is well and truly here with flowering lesser celandine, wood anemone, marsh marigold, dog’s mercury, cuckoo flower, alternate leaved golden saxifrage and opposite leaved golden saxifrage all being present. The self guided wildflower guide has started on the boardwalk so come on down and have a look.

In terms of mammals, there have been regular morning sightings of roe deer. Then at night I have had my very first run-in with the local badgers at the Falls of Clyde- amazing!

Finally to note the species that have been spotted nearby. There has been a sighting of a female scaup and 174 goldeneye, these were seen at Castle Semple Loch. There has also been a sighting of an immature male long-tailed duck, 23 whooper swans at Bardowie Loch and 25 whooper swans at Carbarns Pool. Finally for bird sightings we have 4 jack snipe at Windlaw Marsh.

Feel free to send in your local sightings to fallsofclyde@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk.

Mike Butler – Falls of Clyde Seasonal Ranger, Scottish Wildlife Trust
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