Glasgow
Events and Talks
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Visit to the Heritage Loch, East Kilbride and Cathkin Marsh.
Date: Saturday 14 September 2024
Time: 11am start till 2pm approximately
Leader: Lang Stewart
Rendezvous: Meet at Heritage Loch for 11am, in the car park near the Waterside Café:
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https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Waterside+Cafe/@55.7775781,-4.1862676,259m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x488840a0ce99f125:0x947e74c51b027da!2sJames+Hamilton+Heritage+Park!8m2!3d55.7772068!4d-4.1839704!16s%2Fg%2F1tyzyksr!3m5!1s0x488840a0cc63f761:0xa873d0f2bb2bb93c!8m2!3d55.7774371!4d-4.1862937!16s%2Fg%2F11qsfzdkkl?entry=ttu
Please car share if possible. The Waterside Café has toilets.
The loch is part of James Hamilton Heritage Park, run by South Lanarkshire Council.
See also:
https://www.slleisureandculture.co.uk/info/115/james_hamilton_heritage_park
We will walk round the loch (3/4 mile), looking out for wildfowl, flowers and invertebrates.
On the eastern part of the loch, there should be a range of water bird species. At the western end of the loch there is a bird sanctuary, with small woodlands, quiet water, and possibly a Kingfisher.
Bring a packed lunch in case the café is busy or it’s a nice day and we might sit outside.
Afternoon: A relatively short walk at SWT’s Cathkin Marsh, a 10 minute drive from Heritage Park.
There is a path through the site, with some interpretation panels, but no other facilities.
Cathkin Marsh has interesting birds, with passerines such as Stonechat seen regularly, the possibility of Kestrel, Buzzard, Peregrine and Hen Harrier, and butterflies and dragonflies ought to be out if the weather is good enough.
For details of Cathkin Marsh see:
https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/cathkin-marsh/
and
https://group.rspb.org.uk/renfrewshire/local-wild-places/cathkin-marsh-wildlife-reserve-scottish-wildlife-trust/
The small reserve car park can be seen here, so parking may be problematic:
https://www.google.com/maps/@55.7871361,-4.2020535,3a,75y,94.26h,80.19t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sA0J8BHchZQnW8ooWIxC-ZA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en&entry=ttu
Reserve car park: what3words:caring.bound.error
Depending on numbers, we may have to leave some of the cars at the Heritage Loch and car share to Cathkin Marsh. We may park on the road at the stables area east of Cathkin Marsh at South Cathkin Farm. Lang will lead us there if necessary.
Visit to Loch Ardinning
Date: Thursday 10th October 2024
Time: 11am till 2pm (approximately)
Venue: Loch Ardinning SWT Reserve
Rendezvous: The main gate at the reserve entrance.
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Loch Ardinning lies between Milngavie and Strathblane, has been an SWT Nature Reserve for many years and contains areas of wetland, woodland and moorland with a variety of wildlife.
More details, including a downloadable reserve leaflet and map, from:
https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/loch-ardinning/
Car parking is available in lay-bys on both sides of the A81 Strathblane Road a short distance from the reserve entrance. The Plus Code on Google Maps for the reserve entrance is at XMCW+XQM Strathblane, Glasgow. The OS grid reference for the reserve entrance is NS563778.
We will walk around part of the reserve on paths, some of which are well maintained and some wilder, so walking boots are essential. Ticks are prevalent on the Reserve; please wear a long sleeved shirt and trousers and have a tick check on your return home.
We will meet Chris Thomson, the SWT Reserves Project Officer, who will be leading a work party on that day.
Please note that there are no visitor facilities on the reserve, so bringing a packed lunch is suggested. There are no toilet facilities on site, the nearest toilets are at
Mugdock Country Park: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jUDJqinc2jnGUZqo6
Oscars Café: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Dybe8Gks3G5MHmfZ8
Talk: Saving the Capercaillie
Wednesday 23 October 2024
Time: 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Venue: Hyndland School, Clarence Drive, Airlie Theatre.
Professor Neil B. Metcalfe FRSE, Professor of Behavioural Ecology (Physiology Ageing & Welfare) School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine
Visit to Broadwood Loch, Cumbernauld
Date: Sunday 17 November 2024
Time: 10.30am to 1.30pm approximately
Leader: Clare Winsch
Rendezvous: Meet at Broadwood Loch car park, Orchardton Road, Cumbernauld G68 9GQ. The entrance is marked by a blue archway for “Broadwood Loch”.
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There are no public toilets at Broadwood Loch.
Join us to explore an easy loop through three contrasting habitats on good quality level paths.
Broadwood Loch was created in 1994 when a dam was built across Mosswater to alleviate flood risk downstream. In just 30 years, a combination of open water, bog and woodland has created a rich variety of habitats for birds, butterflies, plants and insects. A good quality, level path forms a two mile circuit around the loch, skirts the bog and meanders through the woods.
Bring a packed lunch in case it’s a nice day and we might sit outside beside the loch.
Talk: Seabirds: the Crown Jewels of Scotland’s Wildlife
Wednesday 27 November 2024
Time: 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Venue: Hyndland School, Clarence Drive, Airlie Theatre.
Professor Robert Furness, Honorary Research Fellow at the School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Bob Furness is Professor Emeritus of Seabird and Fishing Interactions, and currently works as Principal Ornithologist of MacArthur Green Ecological Consultancy, in Glasgow.
Bob’s presentation may touch on several topics including the international significance of Scotland’s seabird population; the development of most seabirds’ resistance to the bird flu virus; and (possibly) the Scottish Government’s new seabird conservation strategy due to be published between now and November.
Christmas Party at Hyndland School
Date: Wednesday 11 December 2024
Time: 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Venue: Hyndland School Library, Lauderdale Gardens
A light-hearted evening including a quiz, members’ wildlife photographs and festive refreshments.
