Spotlight: Burrowed mud
D A E
C B RESERVES
MUDDY MARVELS If you fancy exploring some exposed mud without having to don a wetsuit, here are a selection of reserves for you to explore and enjoy.
NORWAY LOBSTER
Growing up to 25cm long, Norway lobsters – or langoustines – live in burrows dug into the muddy seabed and are considered to be the most important commercial crustacean in Europe.
A MONTROSE BASIN The extensive tidal mudflats on this reserve are home to a huge number of invertebrates that attract many species of waders and wildfowl. Our four-star visitor centre provides a fantastic viewpoint across the mudflats at low tide. Please book your visit in advance on our website.
B DRUMAINS REEDBED On the edge of the Solway Firth, this reserve has coastal reedbed, saltmarsh and mudflat habitat, attracting a wide range of birds from waders to warblers. Livestock is often present on this reserve.
C SOUTHWICK COAST Just six miles south-west of Drumains Reedbed, this reserve has wooded cliffs, an excellent viewpoint across Mersehead and the Solway, and a path that leads through a natural rock arch to the extensive saltmarsh.
THORNBACK RAY
These egg-laying fish grow to just over a metre long and are found all around the British coast. During the day,
thornback rays often bury themselves in sand or mud on the seabed before coming out at dusk to hunt.
D LOCH FLEET Our reserve at Loch Fleet on the east Sutherland coast encompasses a number of different habitats, including sand dunes, mudflats, coastal heath and pinewoods. Highlights at this reserve include otters, pine martens, Scottish crossbills and crested tits.
E ALLOA INCHES This reserve is comprised of two small islands in the River Forth – Alloa Inch and Tullibody Inch. At low tide, an area of mud is exposed around the southern end of Tullibody Inch, attracting birds such as shelduck and redshank.
NOVEMBER 2020 SCOTTISH WILDLIFE 7
Nephrops and anemone © Peter Bardsley, Angular crab © Paul Naylor, Fireworks anemone © Alexander Mustard/2020VISION, Norway lobster © Paul Naylor, Phosphorescent sea pen © Alexander Mustard/2020VISION, Psolus phantapus (Sea cucumber) © Paul Naylor, Thornback ray © Paul Naylor
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