Discovering the Wildlife of Castlemilk Park

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 Castlemilk Park is home to a thriving deer population, offering a rare chance to observe these graceful animals within an urban setting. The deer play an essential role in maintaining the park's biodiversity, as their grazing encourages plant growth and habitat variety. Spotting deer in the park adds a touch of natural magic to any visit, connecting locals with Glasgow’s wild side right on their doorstep. (Picture by John Watt) 

 Castlemilk Park hosts a lively population of grey squirrels, adding energy and movement to the woodlands. These squirrels are often seen foraging for acorns and seeds, contributing to tree growth by burying nuts that sometimes grow into saplings. Their playful presence delights visitors, bringing a charming and familiar wildlife experience to the park. 

 The elusive kingfisher is an enchanting sight in Castlemilk Park, adding a splash of brilliant blue and orange along the waterways. Known for its swift dives and remarkable fishing skills, the kingfisher plays a vital role in maintaining the park’s ecosystem by keeping fish populations balanced. Spotting a kingfisher is a special experience, highlighting the rich diversity of wildlife thriving in this urban green space. 

(Photo from wikipedia.org)

 The mallard duck is a familiar and welcome presence in Castlemilk Park, gliding along ponds and waterways with its striking green head and brown plumage. These adaptable ducks are essential to the park's ecosystem, helping control aquatic plants and providing food for other wildlife. Watching mallards brings a peaceful charm to any visit, connecting people with the park’s vibrant water habitats. 

(Ai Generated Image)

 The heron is a majestic resident of Castlemilk Park, often seen standing still and tall along the water’s edge, patiently hunting for fish. With its impressive wingspan and graceful flight, the heron adds a touch of elegance and mystery to the park’s wetlands. Its presence highlights the park's rich, thriving ecosystem and offers visitors a glimpse into the beauty of urban wildlife. 

 The fox is a fascinating yet elusive visitor in Castlemilk Park, known for its agility and adaptability in urban environments. Often active at dusk and dawn, the fox contributes to the park's ecosystem by naturally controlling small mammal populations. Spotting a fox adds a sense of wonder and excitement, reminding visitors of the hidden wildlife thriving right in Glasgow's green spaces. 

(foto and info: https://www.scottishbadgers.org.uk )

Scotland’s badgers are the most protected badgers in the UK. Through changes to the law in 2004 & 2011, a much wider culpability was introduced. 

The law specifies that it is an offence to:

• poszkill, injure, take, possess or cruelly ill-treat a badger
• interfere with a sett by damaging or destroying it
• obstruct access to, or any entrance of, a badger sett
• disturb a badger whilst it is occupying a sett
• cause a dog to enter a sett
• possess, sell or offer for sale a live badger
• be in possession or control of a dead badger or anything derived from a dead badger

Some of these include intentional or reckless acts. Often people take the law into their own hands when a badger becomes a perceived nuisance, but the law clearly allows for certain actions to be carried out under licence.