Wildlife Conservation
Conservation is key.
The Douglas Valley is home to a broad and rich diversity of plant and animal life. The conduit that is the lifeblood of Douglasdale is the Douglas Water, meandering through the Douglas Valley between the river's source at Cairn Table to its confluence with the Clyde near Sandilands. The placename is of Gaelic origin, derived from the Old Gaelic dhub and glais, meaning "dark stream", in reference to the Douglas Water.
To find out more about caring for wildlife in your garden, click here.
On either side of the river are heather hills near the source, then the landscape turns to shades of green as the valley broadens out where it embraces the villages of Glespin, and Douglas, and is fed by a number of tributary rivers and burns, draining from the surrounding uplands. The river carries on past the village that takes its name, Douglas Water, in its rush to merge with the river Clyde.
The river is home to Otter and Mink; Kingfisher and Dipper. The heather moorland habitat provides a haven for birdlife including Red Grouse, Golden Plover, Merlin, Short Eared Owl, Hen Harrier, Curlew, Wheatear, Meadow Pipit and Skylark
On both sides of the valley there are both deciduous and coniferous woodlands in various stages of maturity.
Kingfisher
Mink
Short Eared Owl
Curlew
There are four ponds or lochs in the central section of the Douglas valley which interact with the river. On the NE side of Douglas village, there is Douglas Loch or Stable lake, locally known as the first pond; the next stretch of water known as the floodwater is a sizeable pond in its own right; and thirdly the Boncastle loch or second pond. The fourth stretch of water is Loudon Pond, a dedicated nature reserve below Rigside at Douglas Water village.
Goldeneye
Male Hen Harrier
Grey Heron
Hen Harrier Nest
Douglasdale REAL Group endeavors to assist wildlife conservation in the Douglas Valley however we can. The group has undertaken many projects, such as the planting of wildflowers to help promote the local bee population, and the planting of trees to help create a sustainable habitat for the local fauna. We have many more conservation projects in mind, so keep an eye out for new and exciting work from the group.