Other fauna at Baron’s Haugh

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Visiting Baron’s Haugh Reserve is a complete wildlife "experience". Here we mention some of the other creatures and their recorded occurrences. As with the " interesting sightings of birds " (see Index page), please feel free to use the E-mail address given there for any sightings of natural interest

22 MAMMALS have been recorded, notably otter and badger, both sparsely distributed and very occasionally seen, although sightings of the former are becoming more common. In 2000, an adult with 2 cubs was seen on the River Clyde and an occupied holt identified. Mink occur and some trapping has been carried out in the past. Red squirrel has not been seen since 1987.

Fox is very common and roe deer may frequently be seen grazing among the high reeds and grasses round the water area.

Regarding BATS - Pipistrelle, Daubenton’s and Natterer’s (unconfirmed) are on the Reserve list.

Very little is known about FISH species and numbers, but pike and eels have been seen and minnows and sticklebacks are present.

Regarding REPTILES and AMPHIBIANS, Common lizards have been reported but not verified. Toads, frogs and smooth newts occur, but little is known of population trends. During the last 5 years there have been two records of terrapin on the Reserve.

Butterflies

16 species have been recorded, with the most notable being the locally abundant orange tip, and the most unusual records being Speckled wood, Clouded yellow and Camberwell Beauty. Sightings of Small copper have included the form,"caeruleo punctata" (with small blue spots on the upper hind wings). Since 2007, Comma has been recorded in many areas of the Reserve and is now expected annually on the Buddleia in the carpark.

Dragonflies

8 species have been recorded, the blue damselflies being common, but with only a few sightings of Aeshna juncea, Cordulegaster boltonii and Sympetrum sp.( S. nigrescens?)

Other Insects

60 species of hoverflies were recorded in the summer of 1994 (Barr 1994). This figure includes one RDB(Red Data Book) species and 7 notable NSC(Nationally scarce) species.

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