It’s that time of year again when the reserve feels full of life! Green leaves, colourful flowers, bird song, roaring waterfalls, there really is so much for the senses to take in and a walk through the woods can do wonders to raise your spirits. Despite some recent vandalism the wildflower and peregrine trails have been put out on the reserve, hopefully providing visitors with lots of new information about the varies wildflowers which have emerged over the past few weeks and our resident peregrine pair at the watch site. Still no sign of any chicks, but we are observing the adults as they diligently continue the incubation of the eggs.

On the finer days when the weather is clear and the temperature is just about high enough for T-shirts (though with a waterproof jacket in my rucksack because you just never know!) I try to get out to conduct a butterfly or bumblebee transect through the reserve. This was one of my favourite aspects of the role last year, and so far this year I have already spotted 5 species on the reserve. Today I was lucky enough to spot an orange-tipped white, which though not particularly uncommon is still a personal favourite. Also today I took a patrol round to the Corra Linn viewpoint to see how the waterfall was looking after the heavy rain this week. The extra volume of water had definitely swelled the river and all the waterfalls on the reserve are looking particularly impressive.

Hopefully Adam or I will have more news about the peregrines this week, but for now I recommend getting out this weekend and possibly taking a walk through the reserve to enjoy the spring feeling thats in full swing.

Bye for now!

Alex Kekewich – Falls of Clyde Seasonal Ranger