Exploring the Seven Lochs (Part 1)

I have mentioned the 'Seven Lochs Project' on a few occasions. So yesterday (21 March 2013) I thought I'd take advantage of the reasonable weather forecast to see what progress had been made on the ground.

Frankfield Loch is located just east of the University of Strathclyde Playing Fields at Stepps. Those 'in the know' have long known its wildlife value and hoped that one day it could be safeguarded as a Local Nature Reserve. The problem was that whilst the loch is, in the main, located within Glasgow City, the marshy wetland was within North Lanarkshire.

More recently the land was sold to a house builder and after much negotiation, planning permission was granted by North Lanarkshire Council for a housing development with the aim of preserving the wetland and loch. With the housing development well underway, the loch can now be easily accessed from Cumbernauld Road and the house builder (presumably) has erected bat boxes and created a footpath that allows you to walk around the loch and to also link with the Cardowan Moss LNR. On the loch there were four species of gull, Grey Heron, Tufted Duck, Coot, Mallard, Little Grebe, Teal and a pair of Mute Swans, well into nest building.

A photo montage - all taken 21 March 2013 - of what you can expect follows.............

East side of Frankfield Loch, from access road

Bat boxes

 

Frankfield Loch from mound along southern edge

Footpath

Path/Gate from loch area, linking to Cardowan Moss LNR

Muddy path from gate, linking to footpath at Cardowan Moss LNR

 

Unfortunately the link to Cardowan Moss LNR is extremely muddy although the Friends of Glasgow's Local Nature Reserves has been advised that this will be upgraded. The LNR is owned by Glasgow City Council but is being managed by Forestry Commission Scotland under a lease agreement.

 

In winter it can be a bit bleak, but also beautiful............................................

 

The Forestry Commission has clearly been hard at work with woodland management having been undertaken.......................................................

core footpaths improved................................................

 

and an entrance feature created opposite Hogganfield Park LNR and the traffic island erected through funding obtained by the Friends of Glasgow's Local Nature Reserves...

 

 



On leaving the 'Moss' I crossed over to Hogganfield Park LNR, one of my most favourite birding locations and almost immediately saw a Roe Deer.......................

 

 

By now it was becoming overcast and the wind was bitter. This also seemed to affect the birds with Greylag Geese feeding and loafing on the wildflower meadow to the north of the loch.........................................................................

 

 

Even most of the Whooper and Mute Swans had left their normally favoured spot close to the car park and could be found along the northern edge. In total, there were still eleven Whoopers present and it was good to see the youngsters starting to get a bit of yellow on their bills as they get ready for their long journey back to Iceland..............

 

 

Other wildfowl on the loch included Pochard, Goldeneye, Goosander, Great Crested Grebe and a solitary drake Ruddy Duck. 

 

Between the three sites, I saw 31 bird species for the day - not bad considering the weather made sure that I was constantly on the move in order to stay warm! I shall certainly revisit these 3 sites in spring, if it ever arrives.

 

I also hope to wander further afield over the next few months and report on Bishop Loch and Commonhead Moss LNRs, two other key sites in the 'Seven Lochs Project' area.