An Oasis for Wildlife!
Claypits LNR is a wild mosaic of habitats located just north of Glasgow City Centre, along the Clyde and Forth Canal.
The eclectic combination of local and introduced species that have grown up on and visit the Claypits over the past six decades, reflects its mostly unplanned nature. Despite being Glasgow’s smallest LNR at 25 acres, it has a rich variety of ecosystems, including: flower rich meadow; mixed deciduous woodland formed from oak, hazel and honeysuckle; willow carr made up of grey willow and goat willow; reed swamp; and a pond.
The Claypits provides wildlife watching opportunities for locals and visitors from across the city and beyond. Significant sightings include Scottish biodiversity list species such as the Soprano Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) bat and the Cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae); charismatic urban wanderers like red fox (Vulpus vulpus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus); birds such as reed bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus), sedge warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus), tufted duck (Aythya fuligula), and kestrel (Falco tinnunculus); and wildflowers such as woodruff (Galium odoratum), colts-foot (Tussilago farfara) and goats beard (Aruncus dioicus), amongst many others. While many of the species present may not be nationally rare, they compose a clear and highly accessible example of a wild, largely self-established nature in an inner city location.
A Wild Oasis in the Ruins of Industry
Claypits LNR is a wild mosaic of habitats located just north of Glasgow City Centre, along the Clyde and Forth Canal.
The Hamiltonhill Claypits Lnr is a striking example of post-industrial ecology a stone’s throw away from Glasgow’s city centre. This history of urban wilding in the shadow of industry, combined with some intentional planting over the years, has led to the Claypits unique mosaic of species and habitats. With the recent installation of well developed paths and the sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS), the site has entered a new stage in its evolution. While the works have clearly caused disruption of the site and we’ve yet to ascertain fully whether we have lost species as a result, it has also created space for new arrivals and community compositions.
Despite being Glasgow’s smallest LNR at 6.73 hectares, the Claypits has a rich variety of ecosystems, including: flower rich meadow; mixed plantation woodland formed from oak, hazel, birch, and honeysuckle; dense scrub, composed of grey willow, goat willow and hawthorne; reed swamp; and ponds, including the newly created SUDS pond.
The Claypits provides wildlife watching opportunities for locals and visitors alike from across the city and beyond.
Significant sightings include Scottish biodiversity list species such as the Soprano Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) bat and the Cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae); charismatic urban wanderers like red fox (Vulpus vulpus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus); birds such as reed bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus), sedge warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus), tufted duck (Aythya fuligula), and kestrel (Falco tinnunculus); and wildflowers such as broad leaved helleborine (Epipactis helleborine), large flowered hemp nettle (Galeopsis speciosa) and false fox sedge (Carex otrubae), amongst many others. While many of the species present may not be nationally rare, they compose a clear and highly accessible example of a wild, largely self-assembled ecological mosaic on the edge of the Glasgow city centre.
An inventory of species found on the Claypits can be found on the Glasgow Natural History Society website here.
A MOSAIC OF HABITATS
Hamilton Claypits LNR is a post-industrial mosaic of habitats, formed from a combination of local and non-native species. The main habitats that compose the Claypits are:
Neutral tussock grassland
Neutral tussock grassland (B2.2), which is present across the reserve and is dominated by grass species like Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus), false-oat grass (Arrhenatherum elatius), and cocksfoot (Dactylus glomerata), with creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense), nettle (Urtica dioca), broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius), and rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium) also frequently occuring.
Mixed woodland
Mixed plantation woodland (A1.3.2) is present throughout much of the Claypits, with many of the trees planted on the site and spreading over the decades. Silver birch (Betula pendula) dominates, with alder (Alnus glutinosa) and gean (Prunus avium). Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), oak (Quercus robur), whitebeam (Sorbus aria), sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), and larch (Larix decidua) also present in smaller numbers.
Dense scrub
Dense scrub (A2.1), is present in patches across the Claypits, although reduced since the recent infrastructural works. It is composed of Goat Willow (Salix caprea), as well as stands of feisty bramble (Rubus fruiticosus), elder (Sumbucus nigra), broom (Cytisus scoparius), dogrose (Rosa canina), and hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) throughout.
Ponds
Ponds (G1), lined with common spike-rush (Eleocharis palustris), greater reedmace (Typha latifoli) and mare’s-tail (Hippuris vulgaris), are present in the Claypits. Other species you might spot include, Alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum), Meadowsweet (Filupendula ulmaria) and marsh woundwart (Stachys palustris).
Swamp
Swamp (F1), dominated by reed sweet-grass (Glyceria maxima), with areas of yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus) and reedmace also present. Other plants present include false fox sedeg (Carex obrubae), slender rush (Carex lasiocarpa), tufted hair grass (Deschampsia cespitosa), Fool’s watercress (Apium nodiflora), and lesser trefoil (Trifolium dubium).
A Haven for Locals and Visitors
The Claypits is home to a wide variety of resident and visiting birds.
These include Red List species such as peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), starling (Sturnus vulgaris), lesser redpoll (Acanthis cabaret), song thrush (Turdus philomelos), and grasshopper warbler (Locustella naevia).
While wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) and common whitethroat (Sylvia communis) are the most frequent breeders.
Other species frequently sighted include grey heron (Ardea cinerea), moorhen (Gallinula chloropus), mute swan (Cygnus olor), Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula), Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla), and mistle thrush (Turdus viscivorus).
A Haven for Locals and Visitors
The Claypits is home to a wide variety of resident and visiting birds.
These include Red List species such as peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), starling (Sturnus vulgaris), lesser redpoll (Acanthis cabaret), song thrush (Turdus philomelos), and grasshopper warbler (Locustella naevia).
While wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) and common whitethroat (Sylvia communis) are the most frequent breeders.
Other species frequently sighted include grey heron (Ardea cinerea), moorhen (Gallinula chloropus), mute swan (Cygnus olor), Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula), Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla), and mistle thrush (Turdus viscivorus).
Refuge & Prospect
The Claypits is home to a variety of mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
The Claypits is a great place to spot roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), foxes (Vulpes vulpes), soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) bats, and squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis). While we may not have the same richness in mammals as we do in birds, insects, or plants, they are a source of delight for both locals and visitors.
Amphibians, such as palmate newt (Lissotriton helveticus), smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) and common toad (Bufo bufo), play are a vital part of our pond and swamp ecosystems
Inverts & Butterflies
The Claypits nurtures a rich minuture world of beetles, butterflies and other invertebrates
While you will immediately notice the Claypits thriving trees, wildflowers and bird life, many locals and visitors don’t always realise just how rich our insect life is. Over 40 species of moths have been spotted at the Claypits, including cinnabar (Tyria jacobaeae) and shaded brown-bar moths (Scotopteryx chenopodiata). Butterflys are also commonly sighted during the spring and summer, including red admirals (Vanessa atalanta), ringlets (Aphantopus hyperantus), common blue (Polyommatus icarus), peacock (Aglais io), and small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae). You can also spot damseflies flitting around our pand and swamp areas, including azure damselfly (Coenagrion puella), blue tailed damselfly (Ischnura elegans) and large red damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula).
16 species of bees have been recorded on the Claypits to date, including tree bumble bee (Bombus hypnorum), large red tailed bumble bee (Bombus lapidarius) and smooth-faced furrow bee (Lasioglossum fratellum). A variety of beetles make the Claypits their home, including the 2 spotted ladybird (Adalia bipunctata), the raspberry beetle (Byturus tomentosus), and the great diving beetle (Dytiscus marginalis). In all, 217 species of insects have been recorded in the Claypits to date.
