My favourite wildlife sighting this week was from our Visitor Centre window. I was closing up for the evening and took a glance out the window when I noticed a female goosander hunting for fish right alongside the building. It was great to watch, the water was really clear so I was able to see her darting about underneath the water and she managed to catch a few fish. She would swim along slowly and every so often dart her head underneath the water, keeping an eye out for any tasty morsels lurking below. Once she had spotted something she would dive under and the chase would ensue. It’s amazing how fast and accurate they can be, especially considering the current of the water.

Wildflowers

Hedge woundwort, dog rose, guelder rose, yellow flag iris, common spotted orchid, tormentil, oxeye daisy, black knapweed, yellow rattle, creeping buttercup, common hogweed, broad-leaved willowherb, marsh hawk’s-beard, fox glove, greater stitchwort, creeping forget-me-not, daisy, dandelion, wood sorrel, wild strawberry, herb robert, pink purslane, wavy bitter-cress, water avens, wood avens, yellow pimpernel, sanicle, germander speedwell, thyme-leaved speedwell, bramble, meadowsweet, ragged robin, heath bedstraw, common cow wheat, slender St John’s wort, bush vetch, lesser stitchwort, honeysuckle and dog rose.

The best place to see wildflowers at the Falls of Clyde is along the boardwalk and in the meadow. These can be found by following the blue waymarked trail in our reserve leaflet. The guelder rose can be found along the boardwalk and the flowers smell amazing at the moment!

Birds

Common sandpiper, dipper, goosander, mallard, heron, chaffinch, pied wagtail, goldfinch, rook, song thrush, sand martin, wren, robin, blue tit, coal tit, great tit, yellowhammer, chiff chaff, willow warbler, bullfinch, great spotted woodpecker, mistle thrush, blackbird, swallow, buzzard, garden warbler, carrion crow, song thrush, grey wagtail and wood pigeon.

Mammals

Grey squirrels, badgers and rabbits.

Insects

Tree bumblebee, garden bumblebee, common carder bumblebee, green-veined white butterfly, chimney sweeper moth.

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

Laura Preston, Falls of Clyde Ranger
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