’s wee Pollinators A guide to Inverclyde’s Beautiful Nature Walks

Pollinator species are a vital part of the natural Beekeeper ecosystem which are necessary for the production What we do of honey and pollination of most of food crops. 10 Inverclyde Pollinator Corridor is an ambitious pro- Pollinators in Inverclyde include honey bees, ject set up by local beekeepers to ensure the survival bumblebees, wasps, hoverflies, moths, beetles and of pollinators in the area. Since World War II, 97% of several butterfly species such as the common blue, wildflower meadows in the UK have vanished, being holly blue, small copper and green hairstreak. used for construction or intensive farming practices. At the Inverclyde Pollinator Corridor, we are trying These species are present throughout Inverclyde, to establish more of these green spaces in the form including gardens and urban parks. Pollinators need of mini wild flower meadows throughout Inverclyde, wild flowers and other plant species to provide food utilising vacant land and protecting existing pockets of (nectar and pollen) and places to live. Moreover, to wild flowers, in order to try and replenish some of what maintain a healthy population, these habitats need to has been lost and to improve our local natural heritage. be closely spaced together, no more than one kilometre

apart, or the pollinators become trapped. B

u

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t a i le d b um ble bee The team at The Inverclyde Pollinator Corridor Project would like to thank the following for contributing photography:

Clyde Muirshiel Park , Keith Watson Glasgow Museums, Finlaystone Estate, The Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Suzanne Burgess, Buglife, Thomas Nugent and Dai-An Craig.

inverclydepollinatorcorridor.com @inverclydebuzz

S Ladybird ix- spo t burnet moth Please enjoy the outdoors responsibly A guide to Inverclyde’s

Beautiful Nature Walks Seán Batty STV meterologist and presenter

In 2015, I cycled along the Clyde as part of my Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge for the STV Appeal. It was then that I realised what a beautiful landscape we have here and how important it is to preserve the wildflowers and nature within it. A770 PORT GLASGOW 10 In my work as a meteorologist, I know the challenges presented by A78 A8 climate and weather change, particularly to our pollinators such as 1 7 bees. I’m keen to do my bit by including some bee-friendly plants in my garden and learning more about the work of the Inverclyde 3 A8 Pollinator Corridor, who are planting up patches of wild flowers A6 pizza and pint yer 4 across Inverclyde to help save pollinators. 2 6 TO GLASGOW This guide will help you to find some of the best easy family walks 5 in Inverclyde and the beautiful nature you might spot as you stroll. A761 9 INVERKIP B788 INDEX 8

1 •2 Inverclyde Coastal Trail (National Route 753) B786 COASTAL • QUARRIER’S VILLAGE 3 Ardgowan Estate 4 Finlaystone Country Estate • TO 5 Shielhill Glen Nature Trail FORESTS • 6 Leapmoor Forest & WOODS • 7 Greenock Cut HILLS, 8 Kelly Cut MOORS • 9 Glen Moss & BOGS • •10 Belville Biodiversity Garden Coastal Scenery & Wetland Wildlife: Clyde Estuary

The Clyde Estuary stretches around the coastline of Inver- 2 Inverclyde Coastal Trail (National clyde, from Port Glasgow as far as the village of Wemyss Route 753) which stretches south along this beautiful Bay on the border of North Ayrshire, providing a large coastline towards Inverkip Marina, bordering the mixed coastal wetland habitat for wildlife, especially bird species. woodland of Ardgowan Estate and providing opportunities to spot wildlife such as grey seals, red shanks, cormorants Approximately 4 miles south of Gourock following the and herons. As the path makes it’s way past the Ardgowan coastline, 1 Lunderston Bay provides a spectacular Estates’ woodland, wild flowers such as butterburr, sea site to view wildlife; with open areas of untouched coast- aster and sea thrift can been seen. line, as well as gorgeous views of the River Clyde and the O Access: Park at Lunderston Bay. Nearest train ystercatcher Cowal Peninsula. In spring, gannets can be seen diving for station: Inverkip food near the bay as they make their way to the Ailsa Craig How hard is it? Easy family walk. mating colony. Coming into the summer months, young Lunderston: wading birds such as curlews and oystercatchers can be clydemuirshiel.co.uk sustrans.org.uk seen learning how to feed on shellfish and lugworms on the Cormorant sands. In winter, grebes, divers and other wildfowl can be found in numbers on the shores of the bay. Continuing south of Lunderston Bay, is a section of the

H er B on utter bur Several trails, (pay on arrival to access), lead through the Access: park at Greenock Cut Visitor Centre, Nearest train wooded area of the estate, boast a variety of wild flowers, station: Inverkip Some of the with snowdrops dominating the forest floor in the winter How hard is it? Moderate family walk months and a stunning display of bluebells in late April/ May. The well established woodland also offers visitors 6 Leapmoor Forest - A Sitka spruce plantation D best Forests a a chance to view many birds of prey, including kestrels, located near the village of Inverkip, and also within Clyde fff g st len re fo fo buzzards and sparrow hawks. Muirshiel Regional Park provides a relaxing forest walk otp oor ath le Leapm ading to and Woods Access: Park at Finlaystone. Nearest train station: while its a none native planation the trees tower overhead at impressive heights, allowing for the chance to spot spar- 3 Ardgowan Estate contains several trails which Langbank make their way through the more heavily wooded areas of How hard is it? Easy family walks, can be muddy. row hawks flying through the canopy chasing the smaller the estate, passing the remains of the old walled garden Please note there is an admission charge. birds. The forest floor is carpeted with moss, so while close and the Japanese garden. Walking through the mixed wood to Inverkip the forest can be incredibly peaceful. of native species such as oak, ash and non-native softwood Within Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park just off the Greenock Access: park on Inverkip High Street, follow signs to Daff species such as Sitka spruce and Japanese larch, you may Cut Trail and within a short walk of the Visitor Centre is Glen. Nearest train station: Inverkip hear the distinctive drumming noise of a great spotted 5 Shielhill Glen Nature Trail, a 1.5 mile (45 min- How hard is it? Moderate family walk ( some paths with woodpecker during spring and summer, or you may catch ute) walk through a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This steep drops). signs of the many woodland mammal residents such as is one of the few areas of easily accessible native broadleaf Ardgowan: ardgowan.co.uk badgers and roe deer. Areas of open grassland on these woodland in Inverclyde. The pathway eventually leads L Finlaystone: finlaystone.co.uk eapmoor forest routes offer the visitor a chance to enjoy wild flowers such through the woodland and out over the open moorland over Shielhill: clydemuirshiel.co.uk as the millions of snowdrops covering the estate’s sloping raised wooden board walks. This trail is a great spot to ob- Leapmoor: clydemuirshiel.co.uk grounds, especially during January and February. serve the natural beauty of the area, weaving between oak, Access: Park at Inverkip Marina or Lunderston Bay. ash and silver birch before coming out on to open moorland, Nearest train station: Inverkip where the walker may have the chance to spy local wildlife How hard is it? Easy family walk, can be muddy. such as hen harriers, brown hares and roe deer. Birds of prey At the other end of Inverclyde just west of Port Glasgow, What did you spot? 4 Finlaystone Country Estate provides another accessible area of natural beauty, just outside of the urban T he a e nci on landscape. With 140 acres of woodland, the estate is Hen Harrier ent ayst John Knox yew, Finl home to a diverse range of wildlife and natural habitat. Peregrine Falcon The estate is also home to one of the few ancient trees Hen Harrier recorded in Inverclyde – an ancient common yew tree, also known locally as John Knox’s Yew. Kestrel

Buzzard

Sparrowhawk

Bluebells 7 The Greenock Cut Hills: 15 minute stroll from 8 The Kelly Cut; a 6 mile linear hike, carries you 9 Glen Moss, a nature reserve managed by the Drumfrochar train station brings you to the end of the through a peaceful section of the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Scottish Wildlife Trust, is an idyllic natural haven located A Walk in Greenock Cut Trail – follow the aqueduct back along its Park from the Wemyss Bay to the Greenock Cut Visitor just outside the town of Kilmacolm, containing woodland, 7.5 mile length to its source near Greenock Cut Visitor Centre. This hike provides views of Leapmoor Forest and marshland and open pools of water. The diversity of Centre. The Greenock Cut trail providing beautiful views Daff Reservoir as it winds through the vast peatland and habitats provides a home for many different species, with the Hills: over the River Clyde, as well as a chance to experience the open heather moorland landscape of the Park. The ling visitors being able to catch a glimpse of them from the abundance of wildlife present on the moorland. In spring, heather is a blaze of purple in August and September. As boardwalks and paths throughout the seasons. Mammals visitors can enjoy the flourishing wildflowers along the Cut, the path approaches the Greenock Cut Visitor Centre, include roe deer and otter, while amphibians, such as Moorland, including orchids, dog violets and wood sorrel. This season Shielhill Glen opens up before the visitor, showing mixed the common frog, benefit from the marshland scattered also welcomes many summer migrant birds to the area, woodland forest below the path. Much like the Greenock throughout the reserve. This habitat also provides a perfect Bog and including osprey, swallows and cuckoos. Insect species Cut walk, the Kelly Cut offers visitors the opportunity to location for the rare coral root orchid, bog sedge and tufted thrive in the warmer month, providing food for frogs, toads spot wildlife throughout the seasons. On the open moor- loosestrife. With four species of dragonfly and five of dam- and common lizards as well as predatorial damselflies and land, visitors may get a chance to spot larger bird species selfly, it a great place to spot these aerial acrobats hunting Peatland dragonflies which can be found hovering over water in the such as ospreys or hen harriers and as the path nears Daff and mating in the summer. aqueducts . As we enter autumn, wintering migrants begin Reservoir. From early to late spring to summer, hikers may Access: park in Kilmalcolm village, cross the Bridge of to arrive from more northerly climes, including field fares hear the cry of a curlew or the song of a skylark return to Weir Road and follow the footpath signs. and gold crests. Further into winter, visitors may have a the hills of Inverclyde to nest. How hard is it? Easy family walk ( boardwalks over chance of seeing stoats and foxes hunting during the day Access: park at Wemyss Bay station, access to path by stretches of water) due to shorter daylight hours. caravan park. Nearest train station: Wemyss Bay. Greenock: clydemuirshiel.co.uk Access: park with care along the Old Largs Road. Nearest How hard is it? Moderate family walk (some paths Kelly Cut: clydemuirshiel.co.uk train station: Drumfrochar. with steep drops) Glen Moss: scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk How hard is it? Moderate, longer family walk

Bla ck darter dragonflly

Glen Moss

Sm a ll flly pea er rl b butt ordered fritillary

Bog H asphodel eat her cut moors, Greenock

Greenock cut Inverclyde: Spring (Mar - Jun) Gorse – Coves Reservoir, Kelly Cut Summer/Autumn Wild garlic – Ardgowan (Forageable) (Aug - Nov) Stunning Primrose – Ardgowan Sea aster – Coastal Bluebells – Finlaystone Sea buckthorn – Coastal (Forageable) Dog violet – Greenock Cut by Season Cranberry (Forageable) Wood anemone – Finlaystone Wildflowers are a good indicator of a healthy Devil’s bit scabious – Glen Moss ecosystem, providing food for pollinator species Ling heather – Coves, Greenock Cut, Kelly Cut such as bumblebees and creating a more colourful Blackberry – commonplace (Forageable) experience as you visit the wild areas of Inverclyde. Certain times of the year offer visitors the chance to see these flowers in full bloom, witness the changing, vibrant colours of each season and to forage for delicious and nutritious wild food.

Summer (Jun - Aug) Winter/Spring Foxglove – Coves Reservoir Blaeberry (Forageable) (Jan - Mar) Yellow flag iris – Glen Moss, Coves Reservoir Butterwort – Kelly Cut Butterbur – coastal path, Ardgowan Water mint – Coves Reservoir (Forageable) Snowdrops – Ardgowan, Finlaystone Round leaved sundew, - Kelly Cut, Glen Moss Greater butterfly orchid – Coves Reservoir Crocus – Ardgowan Meadowsweet – Kelly Cut Coral root orchid – Kelly Cut, Glen Moss Lime blossom (Forageable)