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The Natural History of Gartmore and
District
Gartmore is
surrounded by three main types of wildlife habitat: forests, moorland and gardens. To the
north of the village are large areas of conifer woodlands with Larch and Sitka Spruce
being the principal species in Easter Cow Park and Drum Wood. The ground cover has
been largely shaded out, and now supports only a limited range of plants. In May,
Wood Sorrel and Bluebells indicate the existence of former woodland cover, which
largely disappeared in the 18th century. There are also Beech
trees which were planted by
the owners of Gartmore Estate. The conifer woodlands support healthy populations of
Roe Deer, a few Red Deer, Red Squirrels and a range of associated bird species,
including Goldcrests and Long-tailed Tits.
Most of these
woods are due to be felled and when replanted will include more broad-leaved species
After a few years there is likely to be a natural regeneration of Broom, Gorse, Birch and
Willow.
 The wood around
the Cunninghame Graham Memorial includes a huge Beech tree, probably over 250
years old, a mature large-leafed Lime and a Sweet Chestnut. The presence of small
amounts of Blaeberry indicate that the soils are acid.
Wester Cow Park
Wood (the
“Wee Wood”),
supported a magnificent grove of Douglas Fir until they were felled in the
early eighties. The wood has been replanted with a wide
variety of
commercial species including some Douglas Fir, Grand Fir, Sitka Spruce, Larch and Western
Hemlock. The woodland also includes Rowan, Birch, Broom, Gorse and a scattering
of more mature Beech, probably planted about the turn of the century. Because the
woodland floor has been exposed to the light during the past few years,
the ground flora,
including Brambles, Bracken and Rosebay Willow Herb have become more abundant. As the
woodland canopy begins to close once again, flowering plants will become less
common. The Wee Wood has become enormously varied and supports a rich population of
wildlife; Roe Deer, Pheasants, Greater Spotted Woodpeckers, Jays and Sparrow Hawks are
all common sights.
Scattered around
the village, usually within the forest areas and on the rougher ground, can be found
fragments of acid grassland communities of Cotton Grass and Devil’s
Bit
Scabious. Clumps
of heather grow on the dry patches and Bog Asphodel grows on the wetter areas
which are often the most interesting places for wildlife. The new pond on
the Blarnaboard track
is a magnet for birdlife. Heron, Mallard, Snipe, Grey and Pied Wagtail are all regular
visitors. Summer migrants from Africa: Swallows, Martins and Swifts can be seen hunting
for insects over the pond surface. Golden Ringed and Common Hawker Dragonflies and
Mayflies have now become established.
 The Claggans or
Glen Burn rises near Blarnaboard and flows down to the Kelty through a small gorge
providing a woodland and streamside habitat free from disturbance. Its banks, now
covered with grass and ferns, were once thickly wooded with Hazel, Alder and Elm.
Unfortunately, many Elm trees in Gartmore have Dutch Elm Disease and infected trees
can be seen beside the roads to the village. They are especially
noticeable near Cobleland.
The winter is an
exciting time as migrants arrive from the north, and species such as Chaffinches, Tits
and Yellow Hammers form huge flocks to seek out food supplies including Rose
Hips and Hawthorn berries.
Redwings and Fieldfares arrive from Scandinavia and
the onset of winter is apparent once the magnificent skeins of Greylag and Pink Foot
Geese are seen overhead. They arrive from the Arctic Circle in search of rich feeding in
the fields around Gartmore and on the Carse of Stirling.
Perhaps the most
underrated wildlife habitat is the village and its gardens. The hedges are excellent
nesting sites, the flowers support butterflies such as Red Admiral,
Peacock and Cabbage
White. Houses provide excellent nests for Swallows, Martins, Swifts and bats, mostly
Pipistrelles.
Because Gartmore
occupies a location where lowland meets highland, the village is on the boundary of a
number of species. The Green Woodpecker does not venture much further north,
nor does the Hooded Crow to the south. Buzzards nest in a number of local woods, and their
larger cousin, the Golden Eagle can be glimpsed very occasionally soaring at a
great height. The Raven, a relatively common sight in wild upland areas,
is greatly
outnumbered by the local Jackdaw population. Bird watchers may also have
seen Osprey and Hen
Harriers.
Some species
which arouse differing emotions are on the increase. Foxes are considered to be a pest by
farmers because of their threat to lambs, and nature conservationists have similar views
about Magpies and Grey Squirrels which take birds’
eggs. Grey Squirrels
are a threat to
the habitat of the Red Squirrels by depleting their food supply.
 The surrounding
forests support relatively large populations of Adders and Lizards, and smaller numbers
of Legless Lizards (Slow Worms). Adders are usually found on forest roads and
drystane dykes, where they live off Voles, Lizards and small birds.
Drystane dykes are
excellent habitats supporting lichens, mosses, and Stonecrop. They are
also used by Weasels
and Stoats as a natural highway for surveying their territories. |
