Other
fauna at Baron’s Haugh
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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