Nature in the Ale Water Valley
The Ale Water Valley is well known for having more wetlands than most other areas. Our Group is the result of a project funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, now NatureScot, in 2013. It was unique in taking a catchment scale approach to a collection of largely undesignated , but regionally important, wetland sites.
The wetlands start from the source of the Ale near Alemoor Loch in the hills with moorland and forestry, right through to the more arable Eastern end where the river flows into the Teviot by Ancrum. Combined with a diverse geology, the area has resulted in both acidic Moorland and base rich Mires.
The calcareous grasslands in the valley are famous for some of the best Northern Brown Argus Butterfly colonies in the country which feed on Common Rockrose. In Autumn they often sport a range of rare Grassland Fungi . The many lochs and ponds in the area also host a wide range of insects like Dragonflies and Damselflies. The wetlands make the area a great place for watching birds in all seasons. Since the start of the SNH project the Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) have been joined by recently designated Local Biodiveristy sites.
It is often possible to see the local Roe Deer and Brown Hares on walks in the Valley. At sunset you may even bump into Badgers out foraging. In the last few years the secretive Pine Marten have returned to the area and are spreading across the area. They thrive in the network of farm woodlands and hedges that border many farmland fields.
Bird watching in the Ale Water Valley
There are a range of bird watching opportunities in our Valley. From moorland and upland grazing land in the upper reaches to woodland and arable in the lower sections of our catchment. But due to the larger than normal proportion of wetlands we hope to give you some special places to observe the birds that thrive on and near water.
The Valley has almost a tenth of the UK Water Rail population in or close to the catchment. All along the Ale you will see the very busy movements of Dippers who along with increasing numbers of Otters feel very happy here.
We love to share some our diverse Flora and Fauna with you. We do ask you to respect the animals especially at nesting time by causing as little disturbance as possible.
Most of the businesses in our group are able to direct you to some wonderful hidden sites in the Valley.
Some other sites in or on the edge of our catchment are:
