issue no.32 www.damstodarnley.org Blooming summer


Welcome to our thirty second edition of Wagtail, the newsletter and events calendar for Dams to Darnley Country Park.


Inside you will find:


- Spring events look back - Balgray Reservoir path improvements


- Joe and Howie’s wildlife witter


- Deadwood is not dead wood!


- Scottish Water pipeline


- Spotlight on the woodlouse


The next edition of Wagtail will be out in autumn 2016.


orange tip butterfly. Chocolate eggs and coins


NINE oPTIMISTIC SouLS turned up in February to our ‘birds of Balgray’ walk and yes, the weather was poor again with wind and rain. Into March and on our next


event, ‘bird box bonanza’, the weather was much better. The sun shone and we made bird boxes and feeders for our gardens. We were lucky again


during the next event when the sun came out for some ‘Easter eggcitement’ fun. The children decorated eggs then built nests for them. This was followed by an egg obstacle course and finally a chocolate egg hunt. Great fun! During the school holidays


in April we were invaded by pirates swashing their buckles. Led by pirate captain Howie the children made their own pirate maps


Path improvements at Balgray Reservoir


Easter eggs and nest.


and followed the captain’s chart to the buried treasure, well chocolate coins. our ‘breakfast with the birds’


dawn chorus walk attracted a hardy bunch of 14 to hear the beautiful early morning sounds in the country park. Finally into May and our


group found lots of seasonal signs on our ‘spring into spring’ walk. Bluebells, wild garlic, wood sorrel and many summer migrant birds were spotted.


SINCE IT oPENED IN 2008 the path around the southern half of Balgray Reservoir has become a popular route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. The 2km long route runs from Balgraystone Road, Barrhead all the way to Aurs Road. The path’s eastern tip also connects to Springfield Road, Barrhead. The western end links to the main linear path that heads north of Aurs Road and takes in the remainder of the Barrhead dams, Waulkmill Glen and Darnley Mill, before coming out onto Nitshill Road at the World Buffet restaurant. We think that the route


gets about 20-25,000 visitors each year. It provides a great vantage point from which to spot birdlife attracted to Balgray Reservoir, both resident species and winter visitors.


Balgray Reservoir path.


The route is also great for a bit of exercise; the level path is perfect for walking, jogging or a leisurely cycle. It is also a popular spot to walk the dog. All those feet, tyres, hooves


and paws eventually take their toll. So after eight years of constant use it was about time that the path got a comprehensive repair. As a result work has recently been completed to resurface the path. Existing drainage ditches have also been repaired and new ones installed.


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