Conservation > Projects > Habitats Action > Brownfields > The Falkirk Stepping Stones Project
The Falkirk Stepping Stones Project
It has long been recognised that brownfield sites have as many Red Data Book and National Scarce invertebrate species associated with them as ancient woodlands. Brownfield sites provide linkages or ‘stepping stones’ between more natural areas of habitat and facilitate the movement and mixing of species in an urban setting. The Falkirk Stepping Stones Project will manage and restore a mosaic of habitat features within a key brownfield site in Falkirk to enhance its biodiversity.
The brownfield site that will benefit from this project is Roughcastle which is located between the Falkirk Wheel (to the east) and the Antonine wall (to the west). The site is 32.64 hectares in size. Old industrial works at this site include fish oil and guano works, a mineral extraction site and an old refuse tip. The site has been reclaimed by nature and is well used by visitors to the Falkirk Wheel and the Antonine Wall as well as local dog walkers from Camelon and Tamfourhill. This project is being funded by the Co-operative and Falkirk Environment Trust.
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| Roughcastle site near the Falkirk Wheel © Suzanne Bairner |
Habitats within Roughcastle include large areas of wildflower meadows, seasonal ponds, woodland and bare ground. Invertebrate surveys at this site have identified the importance of this site for ground beetles (Coleoptera), true bugs (Hemiptera) and for pollinators including bumblebees, hoverflies and butterflies. The site is also important for other wildlife including mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.
With the help of volunteers, Buglife will be carrying out practical habitat management, enhancement and creation across Roughcastle, including the:
• Removal of Birch saplings in areas of bare ground.
• Thinning of young Birch within woodland.
• Creation of areas of bare ground.
• Planting of wildflowers.
• Removal of Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) and Beech (Fagus sylvatica) saplings within woodland.
• Creation of woodpiles within woodland.
• Creation of bee banks.
We will be working alongside the site owners Callander Estates and Central Scotland Forest Trust throughout this project. Habitat management, enhancement and creation
So far, 500 plug plants of 10 different wildflower species have been planted into the meadow to improve species diversity. Wildflower species planted include Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum), Oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), Red campion (Silene dioica), Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and Yarrow (Achillea millefolium). Volunteers from the local Co-operative store in Camelon, the local community group Green Routes and Enable Scotland came along and helped for the day.
During another visit to the site, BTCV volunteers sowed Yellow rattle (Rhinanthus minor) seed within the wildflower meadow. Yellow rattle is a hemi – parasite of grasses and reduces their growth. This will aid in opening up the grass sward and encourage a diversity of wildflowers to thrive.
BTCV along with volunteers from Green Routes, the Co-operative and the Falkirk Ranger service cleared a large area of birch saplings during 2 separate visits. Birch had spread across an area of bare ground that is important for Green tiger beetles (Cicindela campestris).
Over the next few months habitat creation and management at the site will include the creation of a bee bank within the wildflower meadow, clearing more birch saplings from across the site and planting 3,000 wildflower plugs of 29 wildflower species into the meadow, including Bugle (Ajuga reptans), Self heal (Prunella vulgaris), Marsh violet (Viola palustris) and Sneezewort (Achillea ptarmica).
Public events
Buglife will be holding public events at this site to highlight the importance of brownfields for biodiversity. Please click here for more details.
If interested in volunteering or attending events please contact Suzanne Bairner (Project Officer Scotland ) on 01786 447504 or at suzanne.bairner@buglife.org.uk
