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17 September 2014
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Falls of Clyde

Majestic falls

Falls of Clyde c/o SWT and Stacy Shumacher

New Lanark was founded in the late 18th Century by mill owner and social pioneer Robert Owen as a model village.

One of the most impressive attractions at New Lanark is the Falls of Clyde, a stunning waterfall 85 feet high.

Stunning natural beauty.
Photo - Stacy Shumacher.


The waterfall was immortalised by William Wordsworth who called it the Clyde's "most majestic daughter".

Fast flyers

Peregrine Falcons x/o Stephen Kane Clyde Falls is also the nesting site for a pair of Peregrine Falcons, birds capable of reaching speeds of 240 mph as they dive and catch woodland birds.

The birds have been resident at New Lanark for almost 10 years and have raised more than 20 young.

There are 1,200 Peregrines in the UK, two thirds of which are in Scotland.

The steep wooded valley at New Lanark provides the perfect habitat for Peregrines to nest in with its craggy cliff faces and plentiful supply of food including a healthy diet of Starlings, Pigeons and Blackbirds.

The size of these animals means they're not afraid to take on most other birds, fending off Herons and Buzzards from their nest site as well as eating smaller raptors like Short Eared Owls, Kestrels and Merlin.

Bird boost

Falcon c/o Stephen KanePeregrines were once in serious decline after years of persecution by gamekeepers and pigeon fanciers, pesticides, and even a government attempt to wipe them out.

In 1940 the government issued the Destruction of Peregrine Falcon Order because it considered the birds to be a threat to carrier pigeons from downed bomber crews.

Six hundred were killed and hundreds of nests and eggs were destroyed.

Despite this the birds have managed to re-establish themselves and numbers are slowly improving.

Flower spectacle

Harebells c/o Stacy ShumacherJust a stone's throw away from the Clyde Falls, the scenery and the vegetation changes.

There are wild flowers in abundance with almost 500 species of plants which can be seen at their best in spring when carpets of Wood Anemones, Marsh Marigolds and Bluebells cover the ground.

One specimen worth searching out is Purple Saxifrage, usually associated with Alpine landscapes, rocky mountain streams and high altitude.

It is unusual to find this plant in a relatively lowland location, but it grows at the Falls of Clyde because its seeds have been swept into the river system - and this is a wet location with lots of splash backs from the waterfalls (just like its mountain home).

Badger watching

Badger c/o SWTOne of the reserve's star wildlife attractions is the Badger.

The reserve runs public badger watching evenings throughout the spring.

This is a not-to-be-missed and highly memorable opportunity to see these animals in their natural environment.

Wildlife watchers are almost guaranteed an audience with these elusive creatures.

Also look out for Foxes, Otters and Roe Deer as well as birds such as Dippers, Herons and Kingfishers.

Photo credits

Photographs courtesy and copyright of Scottish Wildlife Trust.

Plants and falls images by Stacy Shumacher, Peregrine Falcons by Stephen Kane.

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