The lade is a fantastic habitat for all sorts of wildlife.  Although we haven't undertaken a comprehensive wildlife survey yet, we have a number of records of wildlife has been found in our around the lade.

Overview

The Lade is an area of basin mire swamp that has formed through the blocking and silting up of the now standing water. The area is now highly vegetated, with the only open areas of water being found under overhanging trees. It still links in to the Carron Dams, now designated a SSSI because of its rich fen vegetation.

During a survey by CSFT's Heritage Officer and Falkirk Council's Biodiversity Officer, relatively small range of vegetative plants were found within the Lade, due to the encroachment of Marsh Willowherb and Reed Canary Grass. There is very little open areas of water across the Lade, also due to this encroachment, with the areas occurring under low hanging trees where the vegetation is shaded out.

There were no signs of either Otter or Water Vole along the Lade. The lack of open, or flowing water means no food sources for Otters, there were also no signs of spraints, resting up sites or holt sites. The vegetation would provide a food source for Water Voles, however the vertical, clay lined banks of the Lade do not provide a suitable burrowing medium for the Voles. In addition, swimming would be virtually impossible as in many areas, the Lade is little more than seasonally inundated marshy grassland.

Many of the mature trees along the northern bank of the Lade provide potential roosts for bats, and the Lade itself makes a good feeding area and commuting route, though the lack of open water suggests that Pipistrelles are the most likely species to use the Lade.

Select an article from the list below to see the records so far: