Aberlady Nature Reserve |
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Aberlady Bay was designated as Britain's first Local Nature Reserve in 1952 and is managed by East Lothian Council. The Reserve is also part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest, due to its botanical, ornithological and geomorphologic significance. The Reserve covers an area of 582 hectares (1,439 acres), of which two-thirds falls below the high-tide mark and consists of tidal sand, mud flats and pioneer salt marsh. Around 550 different species of plants have been identified at the reserve including a number of rarities in Scotland and the Lothian’s. It has been advised that visitors can only appreciate the sheer variety of plants here by visiting monthly between April and September. The reserve arguably renowned for its ornithological interest also has a thriving community of other Animals and Invertebrates. Roe Deer live on the reserve year round and small mammals such as shrews, voles, stoats, weasels, rabbits and brown hares are very common sights. In wet springs, frogs and toads are abundant and offshore, grey and common seals are regularly seen and occasional sightings of Porpoises. Although not as commonly studied as birds and plants at the Reserve, recent studies have found around 15 species of butterflies are seen in an average year, along with a number of dragonflies. At low tide, the remains of two miniature submarines from the Second World War can be seen. They were used for target-practice by the Royal Air Force in 1946. Due to the abundance of wildlife, no dogs are allowed on the Reserve between April and July and kept on a lead at all other times. Link: http://www.aberlady.org/Nature reserve.html |
