TWIC organises a programme of excursions each year, some in conjunction with local recording groups. These excursions are planned primarily to obtain biodiversity data from sites across our region. Priority is usually given to sites proposed as Local Biodiversity Sites (pLBS), as this means that any data generated from the excursions can be used in the site assessment. Recorders of all groups of organisms are welcome. Whether or not you have been on one of our excursions before or are a newcomer you are most welcome to join us.
Please contact the excursion leader beforehand (leaving your contact telephone number) so that they know to expect you. It is rare that we have to cancel an excursion, but should this occur we will endeavor to contact you by phone. Also, please check the website the evening before the outing if possible as any last minute changes will be published there.
Site details: Gamescleugh Meadows are situated to the east of the small village of Ettrick, close to the confluence of the Tima Water and Ettrick Water (vice county Selkirkshire 79, site centred on NT278143). Habitats include marshland and wetland.
Leader: Sarah Eno, e-mail saraheno@riseup.net, mob 07810 492286
**Booking required** Please confirm with Sarah by email or mobile (details above) whether you are coming because there is not a lot of parking at the site and please leave a number (mobile preferred) where you can be contacted. If anyone can car-share we suggest you meet in the Selkirk Leisure Centre car park (Buccleuch Rd, Selkrik TD7 5DN) where there is plenty of space and then drive down to Gamescleuch.
Aim: We plan to carry out a site survey of this proposed Local Biodiversity Site – recording the plants, birds and other wildlife species present. The most recent plant survey data dates from 1987 – so an updated plant list is needed. Bryophyte records are also lacking along with invertebrate records (with the exception of moths). There are also no amphibian or fungi records for the site on TWIC’s database. Previous records of note in this area include Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus), Bladder-sedge (Carex vesicaria) and Slender Tufted-sedge (Carex acuta).
Meeting details: Meet at 10:30 am at Gamescleuch (NT280148, post code approx. TD7 5HX). Directions below. We will park on the track on the north side of Ettrick Water.
Directions: (From the north-east): The turn into the site is signed Gamescleuch, on the left off the B709 about 1.5 km from the Honeypot Caravan park & cafe which is just before a humpback bridge. About 0.5 km before the site turn there is another humpback bridge, then a white house on the left in the trees. Take the first left turn after the white house. There will probably be some bins parked at track end. The turn is easy to miss so if you get to the junction at Ettrick, turn round. Once turned onto the track keep STRAIGHT AHEAD to a corner with some dumped cars. We should be able to accommodate c. 6 cars.
Requirements: Suitable outdoor clothing, walking boots/wellington boots, a walking pole or stick may be useful if you have one, drink and lunch, sun protection/ waterproofs (as weather dictates) and midge repellent. Note, at the moment (July 26th) the ground is quite dry, but if we have some decent rain the site may get wet enough to necessitate wellington boots. Be prepared!