Recording Excursion to River Almond at Cramond (Edinburgh)

TWIC is the Local Environmental Records Centre for south east and part of central Scotland that collects, collates and disseminates information about the wildlife in our area. The Centre is a not-for-profit company with charitable status and provides objective, independent wildlife information for people and organisations.TWIC is the focal point for biological recording in our area and is working to increase our knowledge of the land, freshwater and marine wildlife throughout our region. The Centre provides a wide range of data services; we routinely supply data to local authorities for screening planning applications, to consultants for preparing environmental assessments and to students and academics for research.The ongoing development of TWIC and its services is funded by grant aid from NatureScot, service level agreements with local authorities and income from contract work, projects and voluntary contributions.TWIC is a company registered in Scotland (No SC234339) and a registered Scottish Charity SC034113.

The Wildlife Information Centre

River Almond at Cramond (pin is meeting place)

Site details: River Almond – Cramond is situated on the north-west side of the city of Edinburgh on the vice-county boundary between Midlothian 83 and West Lothian vc84 (site centred on NT181760). The site comprises the lower reaches of the River Almond between Cramond Bridge and Cramond where the river runs into the Firth of Forth. The river valley is wooded, parts being ancient woodland, with several locally notable plants recorded. The River Almond walkway is managed by the City of Edinburgh Council’s Forestry and Natural Heritage Service.Leaders: Natalie Harmsworth (TWIC) and Sue Jury (Midlothain vc83 Plant Recorder). Contact mobile: 07818237795 (Natalie).Meeting details: Meet at 10:30 am at the Cramond Beach car park, 2 Kirk Cramond, Cramond, Edinburgh EH4 6HZ. (OS grid reference NT190770, what3words: ///shade.king.hands). Parking is free. Check Lothian Buses for public transport options (Lothian bus no. 47 from Penicuik via central Edinburgh to Cramond Place is a 10 mins walk from the meeting place). We will aim to finish by 16:00.Requirements: Lunch and drink, outdoor footwear, waterproofs/ sunscreen and sunhat (as weather dictates). Optional – antibacterial hand gel (TWIC will have antibacterial hand gel available).Suitable for: Recorders and local naturalists. Over 18s only.Cost: Free (donations welcome). Booking required.Aim: To record the different wildlife species present, including updating the vascular plant list for the site (target monad NT1876 and small part of NT1875. There are sufficient existing records for NT1775). The site was designated as a Local Biodiversity Site (LBS) by City of Edinburgh Council in 2012. Data generated from the outing will inform the re-assessment of the LBS to confirm whether the site still meets the criteria for an LBS.Previous notable or protected species recorded on site include Brittle Bladder-fern (Cystopteris fragilis), Intermediate Polypody (Polypodium interjectum), Water Figwort (Scrophularia auriculata), Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea), Broad-leaved Helleborine (Epipactis helleborine) and Wavy Beard-moss (Didymodon sinuosus). A couple of the notable plant records are dated and require confirmation. These include Goldilocks Buttercup, Ranunculus auricomus (1993) and Green Figwort, Scrophularia umbrosa (1992). Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) and European Otter (Lutra lutra) are also present along this stretch of river.Names and contact details for attendees and emergency contacts will be stored and held in accordance with TWIC's <a href="https://wildlifeinformation.co.uk/privacy-policy/" title="https://wildlifeinformation.co.uk/privacy-policy/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">privacy notice.</a>P hotograph credit: Recording at Hermitage Water in 2019 on a TWIC excursion. Photo courtesy of Michael Scott.

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