Preface
In April 1990 the Scottish Wildlife Trust established a project in Renton, Dunbartonshire with the intent of conducting a habitat survey of the entire Dumbarton District. The project is funded by the Employment Training programme and has the capacity to train eight local people in the field of biological surveying.
As team leader of the Dumbarton District Habitat Survey Project I decided that the Leven Valley should be given priority as an area to be surveyed. This was because the Dumbarton District Council was developing a Leven Valley Initiative to promote recreation, tourism and industry in the area but doing so without detailed knowledge of the habitats and wildlife within the area. Thus, with close liaison and cooperation with the Dumbarton /district council's Planning Department and the Leven Valley Initiative team the Scottish Wildlife Trust's project conducted a detailed survey of the Leven Valley during the period of April-November 1990.
The survey of the Leven Valley yielded many surprises and valuable areas for wildlife were identified. This report is intended to briefly highlight the best areas for wildlife found in the area and to provide information on habitats and floral species encountered.
Summary
The Leven Valley is comprised of a patchwork of habitats of variable value to wildlife. The widespread agricultural pasture fields and areas of parkland were generally poor floristically and of little value to wildlife. Other habitats were found to be surprisingly rich and largely undisturbed. The areas of swamp on the margins of the River Leven were particularly valuable consisting of mature stands of vegetation in a well structured, natural state. The River Leven itself forms a very important corridor for the movement of fish, particularly Salmon and Sea Trout, and provides an important foraging ground for Mute Swans. In addition, the banks of the river provide a breeding habitat for the Kingfisher, an uncommon species in Scotland. Many interesting species of plant, that are rare to Scotland, are found growing as casuals. Of particular interest was a specimen of Grass Poly, one of the rarest plants in Britain. Other interesting plants were found growing at disturbed sites. Fore example, the very large colony of Northern Marsh Orchids in one field is almost certainly the largest colony in the Dumbarton /district and the colony of Grass Vetchling, growing at Dalmonach, could be the largest colony of this species in Scotland. Other plants of interest included Moonwort and Rough Horsetail which are no where common. The Vale of Leven Industrial Estate hosts some very mature trees including a splendid Oak tree, of considerable girth, that is certainly on of the largest trees in the Dumbarton District. The grounds of Balloch Castle country Park were found to support many species of fungi. Fauna of interest included the Barn Owl, which breed in the Valley, and the Dipper which frequent the many streams in the area. The Leven Valley is therefore by no means devoid of wildlife and the wealth of vascular plants found in the area is testimony to the value of this generally urban area.
The Leven Valley also supports some undesirable wildlife. Japanese Knotweed has a foothold in many places and could become a serious pest. Giant Hogweed, another notorious pest species, was found growing along the route of one stream in Dumbarton, adjacent to Texas Home and Garden centre. Rhododendron has colonised some areas of woodland in the Leven Valley to the extent that in some places native flora has virtually disappeared. Some garden escapes have also become well established, most notably Lupin and Michaelmas Daisy. Many sites have become damaged because of the dumping of litter and many streams close to housing are used as sites to dump rubbish.
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