31 May 2011

Hop down to Robroyston near Glasgow this Saturday


On Saturday 4th of June Froglife will host our first Froglife Friends walk in Scotland on the wonderful Robroyston Local Nature Reserve. This wildlife haven on the outskirts of Glasgow is home to four species of amphibians and provides an exciting variety of habitats to explore. We’re looking forward to showing some of the Friends who support our work for £18 a year around the site.

Robroyston Local Nature Reserve
Froglife have been working in Robroyston since the start of the Glasgow Living Water Project in 2009. Robroyston LNR was historically used as both a colliery and a sandstone quarry. However, the site today is very different and has developed into an inner-city wildlife haven! To date, two areas of the main wetland have been enhanced to minimise the spread of bull rushes. Already the new pools created have attracted smooth and palmate newts.

“This is a great site close to the city centre that is often overlooked by Glaswegians,” says Living Water Project Officer Eilidh Spence. “It’s a very important area for amphibians and probably one of the best for smooth newts and common toads. I really enjoy visiting this site as there is always something new to catch your eye.”

The walk is part of a “C in the park” - a conservation themed day in the Nature Reserve organised by Glasgow City Council and a local community group, offering a range of activities. The Reserve is also home to Skylark, Willow Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Grey Heron and Northern Marsh orchids.

Froglife Friends will be able to have a go at pond dipping to try and catch a glimpse of some of the animals they help to protect. Froglets and toadlets will possibly be emerging, so there is likely to be lots of activity around the edges of ponds. Adult newts and efts may also be spotted.

The walk will start at 2pm in the south of the Nature Reserve, off Quarrywood Road, Barmulloch. A member of Froglife staff will be present in the biodiversity marquee opposite the south entrance to the Reserve to meet and greet Friends. The walk will finish back at the south of the site at 4pm.

If you would like to attend, please book your place by emailing info@froglife.org or phoning the office on 01733 558844.

You can find out more about Robroyston Local Nature Reserve here

 You can find out more about our work in Scotland here.



Photos by Eilidh Spence

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