We had a real cold snap back in the second half of November and that really brought the birds into the wetland. We had a peak count of 35 whooper swans tightly congregated in some of the remaining unfrozen parts of the Haugh and the teal numbers increased too. During our WeBS in December we had 154 which is the highest count this year. A shelduck made an appearance on the December WeBS too which you can see below. I’m…

As you’ve probably noticed, it’s been cold in the central belt recently and that has brought with it both positive and negative aspects to our work programme and life at the reserve in general.

As I speak, as far as I am aware, we still have 3 green sandpipers at the reserve. Having spoken to some of the long term, regular birders out and about, it seems likely that these delicate little birds will remain…

As usual, the last month or so has seen me share my time between Baron’s Haugh and Airds Moss reserves and there’s been lots to keep me busy at both.

At Airds Moss, the monitoring programme we have been doing with the East Ayrshire Coalfield Environment Initiative has been rolling on. Last month saw us monitoring the dipwells that are located all over the reserve, to see if the areas we are working to re…

The Invasive Non Native Species (INNS) removal work has continued at the reserve over the last month. We’ve been focusing our efforts on the sections closest to the river, so as to reduce the spread once the river levels get high enough, which they undoubtedly will sooner or later. We’ve nearly finished our work on Himalayan Balsam, much to the delight of most of our volunteers!

On Saturday our monthly weekend…

Greetings everybody, my name is Mark Mitchell and I am the new Warden for RSPB Baron’s Haugh reserve. I’ve worked for the RSPB for several years, mostly in the South and West Scotland region and I knew Stephen, the previous warden, well. Needless to say I am very excited about the challenges that lay ahead and I can’t wait to get stuck in to make the site the best it can possibly be.

The volunteers…

the nights may be drawing in, but we will be lighting up the darkness with style on Sunday 6 December. For the second year in a row, there will be a special mid winter lantern procession at Baron's Haugh. There will be the chance during the daytime to construct some wonderful lanterns from willow sticks (harvested from the reserve) and tissue paper. At twilight, we will reconvene for a walk in the woods lit by our new…

We are sorry that the views from some of the hides are not as good as they could be at the moment. There has been a huge growth in wetland plants this year and they are now stretching further than ever into the mud and water. Unfortunately at the moment we do not have the right equipment to deal with this efficiently or safely. However we should have the right machinery to cut the wetland plants back next year

There…

There is a 10K trail run on this weekend, organized by Clyde Runners. Much of the route passes through Baron's Haugh. And with a great weather forecast, what better way to explore this oasis for wildlife in Motherwell. If you have enjoyed your visit to Baron's Haugh and would like to help us look after the nature reserve, why not use our new text to donate service. Donating just a few pounds will help us carry out…

As summer marches on, we have been starting to let some of the water out of the Haugh, revealing lots and lots of wonderful, sticky, gloopy and often smelly mud. Not so nice for humans, but as ever it is proving popular with plenty of wading birds as they start making their way south from their summer breeding haunts. Armed with their long legs and beaks, all the mud at Baron's Haugh is the perfect place for a feed. In…

This coming Saturday (18 July), we will be hosting a fun afternoon looking at the different kinds of trees growing in the woods at Baron's Haugh. Plenty of people are really interested in knowing what the trees are around them; this will be the perfect chance to find out more. In February, we ran a winter tree identification course. This one, the summer version, will be far more straight forward... as they now actually…

We have just finished working on a brilliant project to restore some of the historic designed landscape that makes up much of the nature reserve. Not only will this give an amazing glimpse into the past, but it will create some fantastic new homes for wildlife as well. The work has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund through the Clyde and Avon Valley Landscape Partnership (CAVLP). Much of the project has focused on…

We are in the midst of all kinds of exciting work at the moment at Baron's Haugh. Thanks to funding through the Clyde and Avon Valley Landscape Partnership (CAVLP), there is plenty going on this winter to help restore some of the historic landscape at the reserve. Much of what you see around Baron's Haugh was designed deliberately as beautiful grounds for the stately Dalzell House that sits next to the nature reserve…

Sadly, at Baron's Haugh today was the all too familiar sight of much of the reserve under the water. After days of deluge, the River Clyde has burst it's banks and is taking over! It does of course all look very impressive and dramatic, but it also means that some of the reserve is currently inaccessible - much of the Clyde Walkway and the Chestnut Walk are now submerged. If you are visiting over the next few days…

It is that time of year - the Big Garden Bird Watch is almost upon us... If you are looking to take part this year, or are just looking to get to know some of our common birds a little better, why not come along to our special event at Baron's Haugh on Saturday 24 January. It will be a great chance to learn how to identify the birds you are likely to see in a garden or park near you. They may not be rare, but birds such…

The shortest day of the year is almost upon us! To brighten up this dark time of year, we will be running a special mid winter lantern procession at Baron's Haugh on Sunday 7 December. The plan is to make some amazingly beautiful lantern out of willow branches and tissue paper, and later take them for a twilight walk through the woods. No doubt it will be very atmospheric indeed! There are two sessions to build the lanterns…

We have had all kinds of folk volunteering at Baron’s Haugh recently, from school kids to the retired and everyone inbetween. This November however, we were lucky enough to have Mike Clarke, RSPB Chief Executive Officer along for the day.

Earlier in 2014, as recognition of the huge role of volunteers to the society, the RSPB ran a competition for reserves and projects to bid for a day of volunteering from the board…

New seasons bring new wildlife delights at Baron's Haugh. Many of our winter visitors have now arrived. As the water levels in the wetlands rise after the autumn wader migration season, wildfowl that have spent the summer in the far north are starting to arrive. Compared to Greenland or Iceland, Baron's Haugh is a cosy retreat. Noisy whooper swans are always entertaining to watch. We have had great numbers already, with…

This is an absolutely fantastic time of year out at Baron's Haugh. We have been steadily dropping the water levels in the wetlands over the last month or so, and now have plenty of mud around the edges to attract wading birds as they fly south for the winter. And this year it is working a treat. If you come along to one of our four hides just now you should get great close up views of wading birds. So far this year we…

Summer is here at baron's Haugh, and now that the school holiday season has started, there is plenty of wildlife related fun going on at the reserve for all ages. With events ranging from creative nature photography to learning bush craft skills and heading out at night to find bats, there is something for everyone. Have a look at www.rspb.org.uk/baronshaugh for more information. If you haven't been to Baron's Haugh…

Spring is most definitely in full swing at Baron's Haugh now. The blue bells are popping up and there are the first butterflies to be seen flitting about. Many of our summer migrants are now back, with warblers such as chiff chaffs and blackcaps singing away. You can see swarms of sand martins over the Haugh and the river.

If you would like to experience more of this seasonal spectacle, why not come along to our…

Spring is fast upon us at Baron's Haugh. The first chiff chaffs are singing and spring flowers are starting to pop up. The car park is awash with daffodils. As the world warms up, we have a couple of fun events for all ages coming up. On Wednesday 9 April 2-4pm, there will be the chance to look for all kinds of creepy crawlies at our Brilliant Bugs event. Then on Saturday 12 April 2-4pm, budding foragers are invited along…

If you are taking part in this year's big garden bird watch and want to get ready for the big count, or if you are just interested in the birds from your window, this event on Saturday 25 January (10.30am - 12.30noon) will be for you! We will be learning how to identify our commonest garden birds, and making some special feeders to attract birds to your garden. The birds in the woods at Baron's Haugh should be busy in…

This year is Baron’s Haugh’s 30^th anniversary as an RSPB nature reserve. Come along and help us celebrate on Saturday 8 June.

There will be a sponsored “walk for wildlife” in the morning, with 5 and 10km routes available. The funds raised will go straight to Baron’s Haugh and help us look after this oasis for wildlife.

Hungry walkers will be rewarded with a value for money tasty filling…