Saving Shewalton Sandpits

Shewalton Sandpits is an accessible and peaceful urban fringe Wildlife Reserve where you can enjoy dragonflies, butterflies and other species attracted to its diversity of habitats, particularly the ponds and river. The sand-based, aquatic and lush riverbank vegetation supports hundreds of invertebrates and plants, many of which are notable. 

The high wildlife value of this site was, however, threatened by river erosion and Himalayan balsam, an invasive non-native plant, so the Scottish Wildlife Trust worked in partnership with Garnock Connections, East Ayrshire Woodlands, and a team of local volunteers to save this urban reserve.

This Garnock Connections project included stabilising the riverbank and reprofiling the sand mounds to make it easier to get at the Himalayan balsam to control it. In addition, grassy areas were created for wildflowers, sand banks put in place for bees, the woodland managed, the pond enlarged and nesting structures installed for sand martins.

Check out our blog to read more about the work involved in this project.