Take walk on wild side

The Scottish Wildlife Trust has organised a walk on this reserve - which is a breeding ground for such birds as skylarks, reed buntings, sedge warblers and meadow pipits, as well as roe deer and brown hares and many different marshland flowering plants.

Local SWT spokesman Paul Carter said: “This event is totally free and you can just turn up, no booking required. Dullatur Marsh is Cumbernauld’s ‘forgotten reserve’. Unlike, say, Luggiebank Woods,

“The reserve is tucked away between the Forth and Clyde canal and the Edinburgh-Glasgow railway, so it is not easy for the public to get to, hence this public walk.”

This walk is aimed at the more committed wildlife spotter. The walking route is around 5 miles and there are no footpaths in the marsh so expect rough and muddy conditions - a sturdy pair of welly boots is a must. Accompanied children are welcome, providing they are old enough to cope with the walk.

Also, the route goes through livestock fields, so dogs cannot be taken on this walk.

Said Paul: “We expect this event will mainly appeal to people who are already keen on wildlife, and we’re hoping a few participants might be interested in volunteering with SWT, and help the various projects we have ongoing.”

The Trust recently installed two barn owl boxes on the marsh to help the declining population, and during the summer will be working with national charound eight amphibian pools.

For more information on the walk or the work done locally by SWT, call Paul Carter on 01236 822437.