Bats and Halloween
Blogs
Bats have long had an associated with the festival of Halloween. But why do these harmless furry flying mammals conjure up such notions of the supernatural? There are a number …
Here’s to a bright Brocktober!
Blogs
Did you know that the name of the town of Broxburn in West Lothian translates to “brock’s burn”? Broc is the Gaelic word for badger and burn being the Scots …
Why do deer grow antlers
Blogs
There’s nothing that can beat seeing a fully grown stag bellowing in mist of a sunrise; particularly at this time of year when many deer are getting ready to rut. …
New Bug Hotel at the Falls of Clyde
Blogs
Although it might seem like we’ve seen plenty of insects this summer (what with the sudden influx of butterflies!) scientists are reporting an alarming decline in insect populations across the …
The life and times of a young Dragonfly
Blogs
The fleeting glimpse of a dragonfly is a common sight on a warm afternoon, flying dynamically around ponds as they swoop to catch insects out of the air. But where …
Sublime lime
Blogs
June and July are the months where lime trees (Tilia species), (no relation to the tangy green citrus fruit), bloom, showering us with the sweet smell of their honey like …
Shining a Light on Iridescence in Nature
Blogs
As many will already know, iridescence refers to a bright colour which seems to change depending on the angle that you look at it. This is something which can be …
Black birds that aren’t blackbirds
Blogs
Is it a crow, a rook or a raven? What even are the differences? Corvids (aka the crow family) are a common and highly intelligent group of birds, the members …
The Marvellous Pea Family
Blogs
Unless you’re into your botany, you might think that the origin of the popular edible garden pea was from a small lineage of wild peas; however in reality the members …
Why do wagtails wag?
Blogs
Grey wagtails, Motacilla cinerea, are a daily sight here at Falls of Clyde. They are more colourful that their name suggests, with distinctive lemon yellow belly and underparts, to contrast …