Darnely Mill

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Darnley Mill

This site is located to the south of Nitshill Road. It is adjacent to Corselet Road in the south west of the city.

Status - City-wide SINC and proposed Local Nature Reserve

Grid Reference NS525590

Description

The Brock Burn and its tributaries form the central spine of this 43 hectare site. The site is important for the species diversity of its grassland, woodland, scrub and wetland.

Habitat Types

Grassland
This site supports areas of colourful grassland. Historically these grasslands were grazed which resulted in a high diversity of plants. Several areas of the grassland are marshy.
Woodland
A narrow strip of ash, alder, hawthorn and willow woodland exists along the corridor of the Brock Burn. Bluebells, red campion, greater woodrush and ramsons add colour to the woodland floor.
Wetland
This site contains an amazing variety of wetland plant species, including bur-reed, water mint, wild angelica, brooklime and yellow flag iris. A new wetland area has recently been created in the southwest of this site as part of flood alleviation measures in the area.
Open Water
Mayfly, stonefly, dragonfly and caddis fly larvae are among the abundant invertebrate life in the ponds and burn. Amphibians such as common frog and common toad thrive in this site. Palmate newts have also been recorded.
Scrub
Hawthorn, gorse, rowan and willow scrub can be found in several areas throughout the site.

Animal Life

Palmate Newt Orange-tip butterfly kingfisher

Palmate Newt (Triturus helveticus) is the smallest of the British amphibians. They feed on a wide range of invertebrates, capture of which can be aided by the use of their sticky tongue.

Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines) is a butterfly of damp meadows, hedgerows and wood margins. The larvae feed on the seed pods of plants such as Garlic Mustard and Cuckooflower.

Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) is one of the most brilliantly coloured birds in Europe and is most often seen as a flash of blue streaking just above the water surface.

Plant Life

green figwort

meadowsweet

dog's mercury

Green Figwort (Scrophularia umbrosa) usually grows along rivers and streams, although it can sometimes be found in damp woodland. This species is rare in Glasgow although a population has long been known to exist along the Brock Burn and Levern Water.
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) grows in wet places. As its name suggests the creamy flowerheads are very fragrant. The flowers attract bees and many other insects which feed on nectar.
Dog’s Mercury (Mercurialis perennis) can be found in woods, hedgerows and on shady riverbanks. It has rather inconspicuous green flowers that can be seen between February and April.


Palmate Newt (Triturus helveticus) is the smallest of the British amphibians. They feed on a wide range of invertebrates, capture of which can be aided by the use of their sticky tongue.	Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines) is a butterfly of damp meadows, hedgerows and wood margins. The larvae feed on the seed pods of plants such as Garlic Mustard and Cuckooflower.	Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) is one of the most brilliantly coloured birds in Europe and is most often seen as a flash of blue streaking just above the water surface.


Green Figwort (Scrophularia umbrosa) usually grows along rivers and streams, although it can sometimes be found in damp woodland. This species is rare in Glasgow although a population has long been known to exist along the Brock Burn and Levern Water.	Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) grows in wet places. As its name suggests the creamy flowerheads are very fragrant. The flowers attract bees and many other insects which feed on nectar.	Dog’s Mercury (Mercurialis perennis) can be found in woods, hedgerows and on shady riverbanks. It has rather inconspicuous green flowers that can be seen between February and April.

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