Scarce Scottish dragonfly found at SWSEIC office
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A new species of dragonfly was added to the list for SWSEIC’s office at Kirkgunzeon last week with the discovery of the scarce Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens in the nearby burn. Banded Demoiselles are very scarce in Scotland, known from only …
Site of the Month: Ardrossan – Brodick Ferry Crossing (September 2023)
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Not so much a site this month as a journey. There are a number of ferry crossings in SW Scotland, all of which offer wildlife recording opportunities, but Ardrossan-Brodick is the longest route that is entirely within the SWSEIC recording area. A …
Site of the Month: Castle and Kirk Lochs (October 2023)
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Castle and Kirk Lochs, Lochmaben, are nutrient rich lochs with siginficant ammounts of emergent vegetation, providing an important wintering habitat for birds. Wintering birds to look out for include Goosander Mergus merganser, Wigeon Anas penelope, Teal Anas crecca, Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula and Mute Swan Cygnus olor. Water Rail Rallus …
Site of the Month: Drumadoon, Arran (March 2024)
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This stretch of coast is partly designated a SSSI for its awe-inspiring geological features. This includes 60 million-year-old volcanic rocks and glass including the iconic Judd’s Dykes. The rocks between King’s Cave and Drumadoon date from the Triassic period circa …
Site of the Month: Girvan-Ayr Coast (November 2023)
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This stretch of coast is internationally significant for its geodiversity and is particularly known for its volcanic and palaeontological interests, including the fossilised remains of ancient spores dating from 360-350 MYA. It’s not just the very old biodiversity fossilised in …
Site of the Month: Hannahston Community Woodland (August 2023)
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Hannahston, at Drongan, has a history of coal extraction with opencast mining in operation until as recently as 1996, when reclamation of the site into a community facility began. As a result, most of the trees are still fairly young, but …
Site of the Month: Lowther Hills (July 2023)
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Heather moorlands are at their most colourful in July and August and the Lowther Hills are some of the best in our region. The moorlands around Wanlockhead, on the the border with South Lanarkshire, are dominated by dwarf shrubs, principally …
Site of the Month: Lynn Glen (January 2024)
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Located just south of Dalry in North Ayrshire this site is of considerable geological interest. The 320 million year old limestone formations have been carved by the water exposing a wide range of marine fossils including corals, bivalves and conodonts, which …
Site of the Month: Merrick Kells (February 2024)
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In the heart of Galloway, the Merrick Kells is a fantastic example of habitats carved by glaciers during the Pleistocene (the last Ice Age). The area is home to important moraines which may help us to unravel mysteries on the climate and …
Site of the Month: The Nith Estuary (December 2023)
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This Nith Estuary is one of the most significant sites in the region for wintering waders and waterfowl. The Solway is famously home to the entire wintering population of Svalbard Barnacle Geese Branta leucopsis, and has significant numbers of Pintail Anas acuta, Shelduck Tadorna tadorna and Scaup Aythya marila. The …
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