Glen Moss Reserve (for further information click this link)
Glen Moss is a family-friendly marshland nature Reserve featuring a 1.5 km walking path that skirts marshland with several lagoons and passes through heathland with trees. Many uncommon species of wetland plants, birds and insects can be found here.
This 20-hectare Reserve was created by glacial action long ago. It has remained relatively unchanged for centuries, and is one of the few remaining marshlands in Renfrewshire. To conserve its biodiversity, Glen Moss became a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1973. Greater protection was achieved when it became a Scottish Wildlife Reserve in 1992.
Glen Moss Reserve is within easy walking distance from the centre of Kilmacolm, in Inverclyde, Renfrewshire.
What Can You Do There?
Glen Moss Reserve’s firm, dry walking path features beautiful views of water, trees and sky as well as wetland plants and wildlife for walkers and photographers all the year round!
Spring is a great time to see butterflies like the Green Hairstreak, Small Heath and Orange Tip. The most spectacular butterfly to be seen at Glen Moss is the small Pearl-Bordered Fritillary, often found feeding on Marsh Thistle flowers from late June.
During springtime visitors can also find the white and pink flowers of the Bogbean forming large rafts out on the open water, while the yellow blossom of Broom and Gorse perfume the air on the east side of the Reserve.
In Summer, visitors can see many songbirds like Reed Buntings, Tree Pipits and Willow Warblers. Summertime at Glen moss also offers sightings of water birds like Little Grebes, Mallards, Tufted Ducks, Coots and Moorhens.
Up up to nine different types of dragonfly dart above Glen Moss’ lagoons during the summer months. Watch for the dragonfly known as the Common Hawker, which has a wingspan of almost 4 inches! Despite its large size, the Common Hawker is quite harmless.
Autumn is a great time to see the Reserve’s fungi and autumn colours, with the Tufted Loosestrife showing its gorgeous red leaves.
What Might You See There?
Animals
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Birds
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- Roe deer
- Bats like the Soprano pipistrelle and Daubenton’s bat (on summer evenings)
- Otter (very rarely seen!)
- Rabbit
- Bank vole
- Hedgehog
- Common toad
- Field vole
- Fox
- Mink
- Stoat
- Palmate newt
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- Reed bunting
- Tree pipit
- Willow warbler
- Mallard
- Tufted duck
- Coot
- Moorhen
- Little grebe
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Plants
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Insects
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- Northern marsh-orchid
- Coralroot orchid
- Cuckoo flower
- Willow
- Sundew (an insect-eating plant!)
- Bladderwort (also carnivorous)
- Mud sedge
- Tufted loosestrife
- Whorled caraway
- Spignel
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- Green hairstreak
- Small heath
- Meadow brown
- Orange tip
- Small pearl-bordered fritillary
- Common hawker
- Black darter
- Four-spotted chaser
- Large red damselfly
- Common blue damselfly
- Azure damselfly
- Blue-tailed damselfly
- Emerald damselfly
- Common darter
- Chimney-sweeper moths (small and black, named that because of their colour)
- Many day-flying moth species
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What You Should Know About the Reserve
- Open 24 hours all year-round
- The paths are level and smooth, offering access to less able walkers but slopes and steps prevent wheel-chair use.
- Dogs are welcome at the Reserve, but owners must keep them under control, prevent them from disturbing wildlife, and must always clean up after them!
- Parking: Use the car park at the town centre beside the church.
- Download the Glen Moss Reserve Map (PDF)
How to Get There
From Kilmacolm centre cross the Bridge of Wier Rd, then right into Gillburn Rd, then right again into Gowkhouse Rd. Follow the lane to the top.