Around the Reserves

By Pete Sykes

As I’m writing this in January, the city is thawing out following the recent cold snap and out on the SWT reserves, things are a little slow; winter migrants are here but trees are bare, birds are quiet and plants are waiting. However, you are probably now reading this in March and life on the reserves is changing rapidly. Birds will be nesting, spring flowers will be out and there will be a lot more activity to see. Now wildlife reserves have two purposes; the main one is obviously to preserve a rich habitat for wildlife and to nurture the diversity of the species that ecosystem supports. However, the second is to provide the opportunity to educate and inform those people who support them. Many of the SWT Lothians reserves are very accessible to visit and to roam around, and Spring is one of the best times to get out and go see what your membership supports.

First to the Red Moss Reserve by Balerno. This is a raised peat bog so there are no paths over the main body of the reserve, however there is a board walk with interpretation signs on the south side of the reserve and there will be pond dipping and guided tours on the Open Day on July 23^rd (12:00 to 17:00). However, any trip must also include a bird watching session on Threipmuir reservoir but rather than join everyone on the bridge, go find the Robin Aitken Bird Hide on the south side of Bavelaw Marsh which has now reopened post-Covid and is available 24/7 to the public.

Woodhall Dean in East Lothian is a 62 hectare reserve owned by the Scottish Wildlife Trust about 6kms south of Dunbar, with mainly Scottish native trees including some very old Ash and Oak. There is a circular path, steep and narrow in places, with bridges over the burn, seats to give you a bit of a rest, and an area at the ford to park the car. The reserve is contained within the narrow glens of a number of burns, principally the Woodhall Burn and the Weatherly Burn. Spring is a good time to visit as the Bluebells and other wild flowers will be looking good. The wildlife includes many woodland birds such as Nuthatch, Redstart and Woodpeckers. Roe Deer are plentiful and Badger evidence is everywhere. The views over East Lothian from the reserve are also spectacular on a good day. Brock Wood is quite close by, and also excellent for the spring woodland flowers. You’ll be fascinated by the old waterworks and dam which used to supply Dunbar and are now derelict. This could combine industrial archaeology and natural history in one trip.

Over in West Lothian, Tailend Moss provides a good day out, there is a path around the reserve, but as you go round, have a closer look at the small ponds you’ll go past. Sometimes the differences between them are obvious, some are out on the moss, some in the birch wood by the moss; but look closer, the hydrology changes between ponds, often between adjacent ponds, and this means the insect life and plant life by each can be quite different.

Also in West Lothian, Hermand Birchwood near West Calder has a good car park and a main circular walk with boardwalks over the muddier parts and a stile at the far end and lots of little paths to explore.  There are a number of habitats within the ten hectares; woodlands of Beech, Birch and Pine, heathland, meadow and marsh. There is also wide variety of breeding birds due to the range of tree species and ages. The information board with a map near the entrance will help guide you round.

Of course, for Edinburgh residents, Bawsinch is right on the doorstep and includes areas of mixed woodland, scrub, grassland and reedbeds. The hide looks out over Duddingston loch but to access the reserve and the hide, you’ll need to apply to SWT HQ for a key

Last to Roslin Glen, a large woodland reserve in Midlothian. There are no paths north of the road that runs through the reserve, only to the south, but of course, the reserve is only part of the glen. My favourite walks include getting to Roslin up the river from Springfield Mill near Polton or down the river from Penicuik along the railway path and through the country park. If you are in that area, Milkhall Pond is quite close, but you’ll walk through that reserve in under five minutes. However, if you go sit quietly in the trees to the East of the main reservoir, and wait you’ll probably be rewarded with a sight of the Dabchicks coming out into the open water. They are very shy, you’ll need patience.

This brief note only covers a few of the Lothian’s reserves. Details of all of them and directions to find them can be seen at https://swtlothians.org.uk/reserves/

Finally, the usual caveats must apply. When you visit, please do respect each reserve for what it is – a wildlife haven – it’s not a family picnic site, or a dog walking space. It’s a place where a habitat is preserved through conservation, protection and management. Our pleasure comes from observing and understanding what is happening and what is living in that space.

These are all the reserves within the Lothians area.  If you have any photos of the Lothians reserves that you would like to share please email them along with a short description to us at – contact@swtlothians.org.uk.

Find out about other SWT reserves.