The Saltings

Description:

The Saltings has now received Local Nature Reserve (LNR) status.  This is the first within West Dunbartonshire.

West Dunbartonshire Greenspace manage the site and are implementing a programme of habitat management and improvements with the help of West Dunbartonshire Countryside Ranger Service, Greenlight Enviro Squad, and Land Services.

The Saltings has a well constructed path network that is wheelchair friendly and for visitors to the site there are new welcoming interpretation panels which tell the history of the area and give information of wildlife that you are likely to spot at The Saltings.

The Saltings LNR is an area around 19 hectares made up of of regenerated woodland and meadow. It is is noted for its wetland habitats.  The Reserve is located to the West of Erskine Ferry Road under the Erskine Bridge and is bounded by the River Clyde and the Forth and Clyde Canal.  The views down the River Clyde are stunning and Dumbarton Rock can be seen in the distance.

The building of the Erskine Bridge in the late 1960's changed the habitat of the Saltings.  Poor quality marshy farmland was filled in with rubble to carry the foundations of the bridge.  Much of the plant life of the time was destroyed but nature has recolonised the site and new habitat types have been formed on the site.  There are areas of wildflower meadow, woodland and saltmarsh.  The marshy grassland is now home to hundreds of wild orchids and different types of butterflies like the Peacock and Orange-tip.  Common Blue Damselflies and Common Hawk dragonflies as well as bird species like Cormorant, Swans and Grey Herons are commonly found here whilst the less frequent Curlew and Oyster Catcher can also be found.