Wednesday, 15 February 2012

Glades

White Spindles

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Additional Notes: 

Edible but not worthwhile.

Vermilion Waxcap

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Additional Notes: 

Distinguished from other red Hygrocybes by the dry, scurfy cap.

Oily Waxcap

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Additional Notes: 

Image and nomenclature verified

Wood of Cree Nature Reserve

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Facts
Environment Type: 

Deciduous woodland and river

Region: 
Dumfries & Galloway
Site Owned By: 
RSPB
Site Managed By: 
RSPB & Cree Valley Community Woodland Trust
Address: 

South and West Scotland Regional Office
10 Park Quadrant
Glasgow
G3 6BS
Tel: 0141 331 0993
 

Contact Information: 

Cree Valley Community Woodlands Trust

Map Info
Nearest Town: 
Newton Stewart
County: 
Dumfries & Galloway
Grid Reference: 
NX381708
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Information
Place Description: 

The Wood of Cree is the largest ancient wood in southern Scotland and has a history of intensive management. Most of the oak trees show evidence of coppicing which started during the 17th century and continued until the mid 20th century. The wood was virtually clear felled by 1920. The Woodland Management is aiming at returning it to high forest, enhancing the biodiversity and extending the area of deciduous woodland habitat, and developing visitor access. The RSPB has recently purchased land adjacent to Cree Wood and is in the process of planting some 250,000 native seedlings of Oak, Birch, Ash,Alder and Willow. This will create around 670 acres of new woodland and, through sensible management, will significantly extend precious habitat for populations of threatened woodland birds like the black grouse. It will also create a larger continuous complex of native woodland up the Cree Valley.
 

Habitat: 

Very picturesque woodland that is carpeted in Bluebells and Primroses in Spring, streams, glades with nature trails and an Otter viewing platfom over the river. There is a car park and picnic area with tables and benches. The RSPB plans to re-establish the natural flood plain along the River Cree to help create areas of wetland that will benefit breeding wading species including Oystercatcher, Lapwing and Curlew – as well as the Otter. Grazing livestock would help to keep these areas in optimum condition for breeding waders, and help prevent scrub from encroaching.

Wildlife Description: 

Cree Wood is host to an important population of Red Squirrel. Pine martens can also be seen in the wood, along with Red and Roe Deer, Barn Owls, seven species of bat and particularly birds, like the Wood Warbler, Redstart and Pied Flycatcher. It is also one of the best places in Scotland to see Willow Tit at the edge of its northern range. Dippers and Grey Wagtails breed along the banks of the burns that flow through the woodland and Herons can be seen fishing while Buzzards soar overhead. The waterside marshes and meadows are home to Water Rails, Grasshopper Warblers, Reed Bunting and Sedge Warblers as well as many species of Dragonfly. In winter the riverside viewing platform is an excellent site for watching Goldeneye, Teal, Mallard Ducks and Whooper Swans.

Directions: 

Car: Travelling north along the minor road from Newton Stewart through Old Minnigaff then turn left past Monigaff church and continue along the minor C50 for a further three miles till you reach the car park.

Best Time to Visit: 

Spring and Summer for breeding birds and Autumn and Winter for migratory wildfowl.

Dogs are only allowed on public footpaths and bridleways. Visitors are welcome to bring their dogs,  provided they are kept under control.

Loch Maree Islands

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Facts
Site Managed By: 
Scottish Natural Heritage
Address: 
Reserve Manager SNH Reserve Office Anancaun Kinlochewe Ross-shire IV22 2PA Tel: 01445 760254.
Map Info
Nearest Town: 
Poolewe
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Information
Place Description: 
Loch Maree (loch Ma-ruibhe in Gaelic) is a loch in Wester Ross in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. At 20 kilometres long and with a maximum width of 4 kilometres, it is the fourth largest freshwater loch in Scotland.
Habitat: 
The cluster of islands consist of three large and forty small islands, set in the widest part of Loch Maree, which sits in pine-green contrast to the dark mountain beyond. The islands woodlands are among the least disturbed in Britain and their trees, bogs and bays are havens for may kinds of wildlife.
Wildlife Description: 
The loch is an important breeding site for Black-Throated Divers while Sea Eagles and Ospryes hunt for fish around the islands. Otters can be seen around the shoreline while Red Squirrels and Red and Roe Deer inhabit the woodland.
Directions: 
Ten miles northwest of Kinlochewe, off the A832 road. There is a limited bus service from Inverness.
Best Time to Visit: 
There are no visitors facilities but there are nature trails along and around the loch itself, while from May to August boat trips operate from the Loch Maree Hotel (tel: 01445 760288), which also has a viewing hide.

Fairy Glen

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Facts
Region: 
Highland
Site Owned By: 
Highland Council
Site Managed By: 
RSPB
Contact Information: 

Tel: 01463 715000nsro@rspb.org.uk

Map Info
Nearest Town: 
Rosemarkie, on the Black Isle north of Inverness
County: 
Highland
Grid Reference: 
NH732580
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Information
Place Description: 

Fairy Glen is an RSPB site situated close to the town of Rosemarkie, north of Inverness. The glen is well wooded with beech, rowan, ash and oak, and carpeted with Blue bells and Primroses in the Spring. The Fairy Glen was once the scene of a well-dressing ceremony, where the children of the village decorated a pool, next to a spring, with flowers. This ensured the fairies kept the water supply clean.

Habitat: 

Fairy Glen is a small area of broadleaved woodland set in an attractive steep-sided valley. A fast-flowing stream runs through the glen with two lovely waterfalls at the upstream end.

Wildlife Description: 

Red Squirrels are commonly seen, while in the woodland valley keep an eye out for the Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Goldcrest, Treecreepers, Woodcocks, Sparrowhawks, Tawny & Barn owls, Red kites and buzzards. While along the stream Dippers, Grey Wagtails, Kingfishers and Herons are common.

Directions: 

By Car: From the direction of Inverness, drive through Rosemarkie village, passing the Plough Inn on the right and round the sharp left hand bend. After approx 150 m, you will see the car park on the right. By Bus: Regular buses from Inverness and Cromarty stop in the Highland Council-owned Fairy Glen reserve car park.

Best Time to Visit: 

Dogs are welcome under close control. You can walk with your dog on any land in Scotland but ask you to keep your dog close to you, preferably on a lead, especially between 1 April and 30 June, the season many birds nest on the ground. The path to the waterfalls runs for approx 1.25 miles. The steps and uneven surface make a lot of the path unsuitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Abernethy Forest National Nature Reserve

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Facts
Size (Hectares): 
12,795 hectares
Classification: 
Nature Conservation Review Site
Environment Type: 

Scots pinewood woodland and bogland.

Region: 
Inverness-shire
Site Owned By: 
Scottish Natural Heritage
Site Managed By: 
Scottish Natural Heritage and partly by the RSPB
Address: 

The Reserves Manager Scottish Natural Heritage Achantoul Aviemore PH22 1QD Tel: 01479 810477

Contact Information: 

RSPB Nature Reserve Abernethy ForestForest LodgeNethy BridgeScotlandPH25 3EF

Map Info
Nearest Town: 
Grantown on Spey
County: 
Inverness-shire
Grid Reference: 
NJ 010165
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Information
Place Description: 

Abernethy National Nature Reserve lies on the southern fringes of the village of Nethybridge, in the Cairngorms National Park. It covers most of Abernethy Forest, the remains of an ancient Scots pine forest that at one time covered much of the Scottish Highlands and extends high into the Cairngorm Mountains.

Habitat: 

Natural Pine forest, bog woodland and moorland . Many plants and animals that are found only in the native pinewoods occur here and as such the site is of considerable national importance. Part of the site is also of geological importance.

Wildlife Description: 

The Pine Forest provides a home to many animals and birds, and it plays an important part in the ecology of this area. Some of the animals that you may see while exploring the forest are the Wild Cat, Badger, Red Squirrel, Red deer and Pine Marten. The unique woodland is also home to many varieties of birds, like the Scottish Crossbill, Black Grouse, Osprey, Goldeneye, Greenshank and Capercaillie, that use the woodland also for nesting purposes. Abernethy NNR is rich in scarce or rare insects characteristic of the native pinewoods and supports rare species of beetle, fly, spider, ant, dragonfly and moth and has the 3rd highest number of Red Data Book species for any Scottish site and over 400 species of beetle have been listed for the area. The Scotch Argus and Dark Green Fritillary butterflies are among the more widespread species that occur here while rare dragonflies like the Northern Damselfly breed in the forest mires and lochans.

Directions: 

The visitor can access the NNR from the RSPB visitor facilities at Loch Garten. Bus: There is no direct public transport available and nearest bus stop is on the B970 road. The bus route is Service 34 from Aviemore to Grantown on Spey. From here there is a footpath of 1.5 miles leading to the Osprey Centre.

Best Time to Visit: 

April to July for birds, plants and insects.

Ayr Gorge Woodlands

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Facts
Size (Hectares): 
40 hectares
Environment Type: 

Steep gorge, river and woodland

Region: 
Ayrshire
Site Managed By: 
Scottish Wildlife Trust
Address: 

Cramond House 3 Kirk Cramond Edinburgh EH4 6HZ.

Map Info
Nearest Town: 
Failford
County: 
Ayrshire
Grid Reference: 
NS457249
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Information
Place Description: 

A steep sided sandstone gorge with natural woodland thet the River Ayr flows through. There are a number of paths that go through the woodland and along the river and these can take from one to three hours depending on the route taken.

Habitat: 

Natural deciduous and coniferous woodland, grassland, river and glades.

Wildlife Description: 

The reserve supports a wide range of plants, fungi, birds, invertebrates and other fauna including Jay, Dipper, Flycatcher, Heron, Warbler and Tree creeper, Kingfisher, Otter, Water-Vole, Fox, Roe Deer, Goosander, Mallard Duck, Buzzard, Grey Squirrel and five different species of Bat. Salmon can be seen in the river heading upstream to their spawning grounds.

Directions: 

From Ayr take the A719 north-east for about 3 miles to the junction with the A77. Continue straight over the roundabout onto the B743 Mauchline road and continue until Failford. The main entrance is at the west end of Failford village, on the south side of the road, at the blue sign.

Best Time to Visit: 

May to July for birds, bats, invertebrates and woodland plants Autumn for fungi All year round for trees and spectacular scenery

Sulham Woods

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Facts
Size (Hectares): 
74
Map Info
Nearest Town: 
Reading
County: 
Berkshire
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Information
Place Description: 

Forming part of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Sulham Woods is a mixture of deciduous & coniferous woodland with arable fields with footpaths & meadows with a number of footpaths & bridleways throughout. Far reaching views of the Thames Valley & on a clear day to Didcot power station. Fantastic displays of bluebells in spring/early summer

Habitat: 

Deciduous & coniferous woodland, copse, arable fields & meadows

Wildlife Description: 

Fine mix of woodland birds, skylarks on arable fields & birds of prey including Red Kite. There is a healthy population of Roe deer.

Directions: 

Car park on Sulham Hill, between Tidmarsh & Littleheath, Tilehurst, Reading.

Best Time to Visit: 

All year

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