It has taken us 4 years to get to this point, but work is finally underway to deliver the wetland project at Baron's Haugh! The length of time it has taken to plan and develop this project reflects the significant challenges we have been facing at the reserve and the complexities of how the reserve functions alongside the river. To explain some of these challenges let me take you back in time a little...
Back when Baron's Haugh was managed as part of the Dalzell estate, it functioned as the flood plain for the River Clyde, likely being a home to a vast array of wildlife. That all changed when the current bund was built in the 1800s, around what is now the Baron's Haugh wetland, to separate it from the river, drain it and make it suitable for agriculture. While successful in its aims of draining the land this did completely change how the area of land functioned. Further developments on the site, including coal mining through the middle of the 20th century, further changed the site with the remnant features of this industry still visible today.
An early 20th century map of Baron's Haugh
As is often the case however, nature start to reassert itself, and with the creation of new pools due to subsidence from the mining and wildlife once again began to flourish at Baron's Haugh. At that point a dedicated group of local people began to actively try to protect the site and highlighted its importance to RSPB who subsequently purchased the site in 1983. Since that time Baron's Haugh has continued to provide a home for a wealth of species as well as providing fantastic wildlife experiences for young and old. Throughout this period, the nature reserve has functioned much as it did when we first acquired it, with the river separated from the wetland through the bund mentioned above. This situation is however beginning to change.
The past few years have seen more and more storms and floods which have caused erosion of the bund, led to several breaches and caused significant damage to the Clyde Walkway that runs along its length. Furthermore, the river has started to alter course at the western end of the nature reserve and now flows directly at the bund, causing a large section to collapse. This poses big challenges as to how we sustainably manage the nature reserve going forward for both wildlife and people. Despite investment, erosion has continued and areas that have been repaired have once again been destroyed by flooding over subsequent years. With climate change only likely to exacerbate this issue, a long term solution needed to be identified to ensure Baron’s Haugh remains a special place for wildlife and people.
Bund erosion at the western side of the wetland (credit: David Anderson)
Which brings us to 4 years ago. Realising the need to develop a response, we established the Wetland Project, aimed at delivering a sustainable long term solution to these challenges. The first stage of the project involved conducting a study that identified and costed several options which would enable us to manage the changing character of the river and its impact on the reserve. An option of fully reinforcing the bund to enable us to continue to manage the reserve in exactly the same way as we have done for the past 40 years was fully examined but proved unfeasible due to large costs (£25 million) and extensive ecological damage. A preferred option was identified that instead looked to work with the changing course of the river and re-establish a connection between the Clyde and its natural floodplain.
After securing important funding through the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot, we were were able to begin work on designs for this option. These designs were completed earlier year and will involve breaching the existing bund to allow water to flow in to the wetland and deliver a more naturally functioning wetland. This will be enhanced by the creation of new pools and channels in the eastern part of the wetland area which have received further funding from Seacology. Which brings us right up to date with diggers getting started on the breach during January and all work due to be completed by the middle of March.
Diggers beginning work at Baron's Haugh (Credit: David Anderson)
While hugely excited to begin this new chapter for the reserve, the erosion of the bund has unfortunately meant the closure of some parts of our visitor infrastructure, including the Clyde Walkway footpath around the wetland. We appreciate that this is going to be extremely disappointing for many people who use this section of the footpath regularly. We want to ensure that we still provide a fantastic experience for walkers around the reserve which is why we have renovated many existing footpaths, as well as creating a new route through our wildflower meadows. These routes will ensure that visitors can continue to enjoy access to the river and will also create new experiences and views of the reserve.
Our ambitions do not stop there however, and we want to continue to invest in the reserve in the future to realise the potential of this special site. We also want to deliver more and better visitor infrastructure through the reserve to provide an improved experience for visitors. The habitat works now underway are a vital first step, and we cannot wait continue this work at this brilliant nature reserve.