Tarras Valley Nature Reserve
@tarrasvalleynr.bsky.social
A project of The Langholm Initiative
🌍Home of the Langholm Moor Community Buy-Out
🌱South Scotland’s biggest nature restoration project
❤️Community
☀️Hope
🌍Home of the Langholm Moor Community Buy-Out
🌱South Scotland’s biggest nature restoration project
❤️Community
☀️Hope
The rain really hasn’t stopped in Langholm ☔️💧
A perfect time to see how our new wetland and peatland sites are standing up to the ongoing deluge.
Lots of new pools in blocked ditches, sphagnum moss colonising and wetland ponds full!
A perfect time to see how our new wetland and peatland sites are standing up to the ongoing deluge.
Lots of new pools in blocked ditches, sphagnum moss colonising and wetland ponds full!
November 5, 2025 at 5:11 PM
The rain really hasn’t stopped in Langholm ☔️💧
A perfect time to see how our new wetland and peatland sites are standing up to the ongoing deluge.
Lots of new pools in blocked ditches, sphagnum moss colonising and wetland ponds full!
A perfect time to see how our new wetland and peatland sites are standing up to the ongoing deluge.
Lots of new pools in blocked ditches, sphagnum moss colonising and wetland ponds full!
Some beautiful shots of resident Lakeland Fell ponies Stan, Dan and Paddy. They have been really thriving on the rough hill pastures on Tarras Valley and doing a fantastic job helping to regenerate the grassland habitats!
📷 Faith Garvey
📷 Faith Garvey
October 29, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Some beautiful shots of resident Lakeland Fell ponies Stan, Dan and Paddy. They have been really thriving on the rough hill pastures on Tarras Valley and doing a fantastic job helping to regenerate the grassland habitats!
📷 Faith Garvey
📷 Faith Garvey
We accidentally missed World Reptile Day on Tuesday this week 🫣 so better late than never, we thought we’d take a moment to celebrate our fascinating reptiles!
We are lucky to have all three of Scotland's native reptiles here on Tarras Valley which are the Common Lizard, Adder and Slow Worm 🐍🦎
We are lucky to have all three of Scotland's native reptiles here on Tarras Valley which are the Common Lizard, Adder and Slow Worm 🐍🦎
October 23, 2025 at 2:26 PM
We accidentally missed World Reptile Day on Tuesday this week 🫣 so better late than never, we thought we’d take a moment to celebrate our fascinating reptiles!
We are lucky to have all three of Scotland's native reptiles here on Tarras Valley which are the Common Lizard, Adder and Slow Worm 🐍🦎
We are lucky to have all three of Scotland's native reptiles here on Tarras Valley which are the Common Lizard, Adder and Slow Worm 🐍🦎
Anyone noticing LOTs of acorns this year?
It’s looking like 2025 is a mast year, an ecological phenomenon where trees produce bumper crops of seeds and fruits ensuring the next generation of trees and a rich bounty for wildlife! 🌱
Our ancient oak forests are a wonderful sight at the moment 🍁🍂🌿
It’s looking like 2025 is a mast year, an ecological phenomenon where trees produce bumper crops of seeds and fruits ensuring the next generation of trees and a rich bounty for wildlife! 🌱
Our ancient oak forests are a wonderful sight at the moment 🍁🍂🌿
October 6, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Anyone noticing LOTs of acorns this year?
It’s looking like 2025 is a mast year, an ecological phenomenon where trees produce bumper crops of seeds and fruits ensuring the next generation of trees and a rich bounty for wildlife! 🌱
Our ancient oak forests are a wonderful sight at the moment 🍁🍂🌿
It’s looking like 2025 is a mast year, an ecological phenomenon where trees produce bumper crops of seeds and fruits ensuring the next generation of trees and a rich bounty for wildlife! 🌱
Our ancient oak forests are a wonderful sight at the moment 🍁🍂🌿
We’re delighted to have won Silver at the @GlobalGoodAwards in the Wild World: Recover, Regenerate, Rewild category, alongside @nationaltrust.org.uk Holnicote Estate! 🌍 Huge thanks to everyone who made the Tarras Valley community buy-out and reserve possible. #GlobalGoodAwards
September 26, 2025 at 10:34 AM
We’re delighted to have won Silver at the @GlobalGoodAwards in the Wild World: Recover, Regenerate, Rewild category, alongside @nationaltrust.org.uk Holnicote Estate! 🌍 Huge thanks to everyone who made the Tarras Valley community buy-out and reserve possible. #GlobalGoodAwards
Our feeder had two very different visitors – a nimble pine marten who scaled it with ease, and a determined badger who gave climbing a go… but didn’t quite manage it! Nature’s personalities always keep us smiling.
September 23, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Our feeder had two very different visitors – a nimble pine marten who scaled it with ease, and a determined badger who gave climbing a go… but didn’t quite manage it! Nature’s personalities always keep us smiling.
Our 3rd annual Community Land Ceilidh is back this October! 🎶💃 Free entry (donations welcome for kids’ outdoor learning). Music from Iain Anderson’s band, raffle & buffet. Book your spot: hello@tarrasvalleynaturereserve.org / 013873 80914. Thanks to @CommunityLandScotland!
September 18, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Our 3rd annual Community Land Ceilidh is back this October! 🎶💃 Free entry (donations welcome for kids’ outdoor learning). Music from Iain Anderson’s band, raffle & buffet. Book your spot: hello@tarrasvalleynaturereserve.org / 013873 80914. Thanks to @CommunityLandScotland!
We’re hiring! 🎉 Our first Graduate Placement is open – a 12-month role with the Langholm Initiative team, working on projects at Tarras Valley Nature Reserve. Apply by 1pm, 3 Oct. More info 👉 www.tarrasvalleynaturereserve.org/vacancies
September 16, 2025 at 4:42 PM
We’re hiring! 🎉 Our first Graduate Placement is open – a 12-month role with the Langholm Initiative team, working on projects at Tarras Valley Nature Reserve. Apply by 1pm, 3 Oct. More info 👉 www.tarrasvalleynaturereserve.org/vacancies
We’ve had amazing news! 🪶 A male Hen Harrier that fledged from Tarras in 2020 has been spotted this summer on a nest camera in North Wales — the first sighting from our 2020 chicks! A hopeful story for this species 💚 Thanks to RSPB & Keith Offord for sharing. 📸 Keith Offord
September 11, 2025 at 9:56 AM
We’ve had amazing news! 🪶 A male Hen Harrier that fledged from Tarras in 2020 has been spotted this summer on a nest camera in North Wales — the first sighting from our 2020 chicks! A hopeful story for this species 💚 Thanks to RSPB & Keith Offord for sharing. 📸 Keith Offord
Insects are the building blocks of biodiversity 🐛🦋🐜🐝
Some hopeful results from ongoing community -led insect surveying on the reserve!
✅ 302 moth species now recorded - 23% of Scotlands 1300 species!
✅ 13 of 26 Scottish Dragonfly species on our new ponds 💧
✅ 19 Butterfly species recorded!
Some hopeful results from ongoing community -led insect surveying on the reserve!
✅ 302 moth species now recorded - 23% of Scotlands 1300 species!
✅ 13 of 26 Scottish Dragonfly species on our new ponds 💧
✅ 19 Butterfly species recorded!
September 9, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Insects are the building blocks of biodiversity 🐛🦋🐜🐝
Some hopeful results from ongoing community -led insect surveying on the reserve!
✅ 302 moth species now recorded - 23% of Scotlands 1300 species!
✅ 13 of 26 Scottish Dragonfly species on our new ponds 💧
✅ 19 Butterfly species recorded!
Some hopeful results from ongoing community -led insect surveying on the reserve!
✅ 302 moth species now recorded - 23% of Scotlands 1300 species!
✅ 13 of 26 Scottish Dragonfly species on our new ponds 💧
✅ 19 Butterfly species recorded!
Last week we hosted part two of our Herbivore Impact Assessment training with the Woodland Trust Scotland, focusing on monitoring grazing impact on bog and heathland.
Thanks to our brilliant volunteers, survey work like this helps guide long-term land restoration! 🌿✨
Thanks to our brilliant volunteers, survey work like this helps guide long-term land restoration! 🌿✨
August 7, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Last week we hosted part two of our Herbivore Impact Assessment training with the Woodland Trust Scotland, focusing on monitoring grazing impact on bog and heathland.
Thanks to our brilliant volunteers, survey work like this helps guide long-term land restoration! 🌿✨
Thanks to our brilliant volunteers, survey work like this helps guide long-term land restoration! 🌿✨
We're pleased to take part in the Roots to Regeneration grazing workshop with Caroline Grindrod and @herdyshepherd.bsky.social in the North Lakes. The 3 days looked at regenerative grazing practices, reducing wormers and antibiotics, soil health, all to help boost profitability and nature.
July 31, 2025 at 2:51 PM
We're pleased to take part in the Roots to Regeneration grazing workshop with Caroline Grindrod and @herdyshepherd.bsky.social in the North Lakes. The 3 days looked at regenerative grazing practices, reducing wormers and antibiotics, soil health, all to help boost profitability and nature.
We were delighted to welcome this year’s Front Three, Cornet Patterson and his right- and left-hand men, Bailey and Chris!
We presented Cornet Patterson with a small gift and wished them all the best for Friday.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Common Riding!
Safe Oot, Safe In! 🐎💙 #CommonRiding2025
We presented Cornet Patterson with a small gift and wished them all the best for Friday.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Common Riding!
Safe Oot, Safe In! 🐎💙 #CommonRiding2025
July 22, 2025 at 3:43 PM
We were delighted to welcome this year’s Front Three, Cornet Patterson and his right- and left-hand men, Bailey and Chris!
We presented Cornet Patterson with a small gift and wished them all the best for Friday.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Common Riding!
Safe Oot, Safe In! 🐎💙 #CommonRiding2025
We presented Cornet Patterson with a small gift and wished them all the best for Friday.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Common Riding!
Safe Oot, Safe In! 🐎💙 #CommonRiding2025
Thanks to the Community Woodlands Association for organising an exchange visit to Kilsture Forest. Several different groups who own woodland came along to look at the work that the Kilsture group are involved in around enhancing the biodiversity of the woodland.
Thanks making us feel so welcome!
Thanks making us feel so welcome!
July 7, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Thanks to the Community Woodlands Association for organising an exchange visit to Kilsture Forest. Several different groups who own woodland came along to look at the work that the Kilsture group are involved in around enhancing the biodiversity of the woodland.
Thanks making us feel so welcome!
Thanks making us feel so welcome!
We are delighted to see the first phase of Tarras Valley signage going on site this week!
The signage has been designed by Studio Walden, funded by South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) and being installed by Simon Richardson Contracting fencing team as part of our ‘Welcome to Tarras Valley’ project.
The signage has been designed by Studio Walden, funded by South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) and being installed by Simon Richardson Contracting fencing team as part of our ‘Welcome to Tarras Valley’ project.
July 1, 2025 at 2:48 PM
We are delighted to see the first phase of Tarras Valley signage going on site this week!
The signage has been designed by Studio Walden, funded by South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) and being installed by Simon Richardson Contracting fencing team as part of our ‘Welcome to Tarras Valley’ project.
The signage has been designed by Studio Walden, funded by South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) and being installed by Simon Richardson Contracting fencing team as part of our ‘Welcome to Tarras Valley’ project.
🌿 Volunteer Week ends with roots in the ground! 🌿
Today we were back at Lower Tarras — the heart of our biggest restoration effort — planting juniper trees with our brilliant volunteers. Thank you to everyone who joined us today and throughout the year.
Today we were back at Lower Tarras — the heart of our biggest restoration effort — planting juniper trees with our brilliant volunteers. Thank you to everyone who joined us today and throughout the year.
June 6, 2025 at 2:38 PM
🌿 Volunteer Week ends with roots in the ground! 🌿
Today we were back at Lower Tarras — the heart of our biggest restoration effort — planting juniper trees with our brilliant volunteers. Thank you to everyone who joined us today and throughout the year.
Today we were back at Lower Tarras — the heart of our biggest restoration effort — planting juniper trees with our brilliant volunteers. Thank you to everyone who joined us today and throughout the year.
🎣 Caught in the act!
Our trap cam on the River Tarras captured this incredible footage of a heron successfully catching its lunch. A perfect example of the wild moments happening all around us and nature doing its thing.
#TarrasValley #Wildlife #Heron #Nature #RiverTarras #BirdsOfBritain
Our trap cam on the River Tarras captured this incredible footage of a heron successfully catching its lunch. A perfect example of the wild moments happening all around us and nature doing its thing.
#TarrasValley #Wildlife #Heron #Nature #RiverTarras #BirdsOfBritain
June 4, 2025 at 2:50 PM
🎣 Caught in the act!
Our trap cam on the River Tarras captured this incredible footage of a heron successfully catching its lunch. A perfect example of the wild moments happening all around us and nature doing its thing.
#TarrasValley #Wildlife #Heron #Nature #RiverTarras #BirdsOfBritain
Our trap cam on the River Tarras captured this incredible footage of a heron successfully catching its lunch. A perfect example of the wild moments happening all around us and nature doing its thing.
#TarrasValley #Wildlife #Heron #Nature #RiverTarras #BirdsOfBritain
🌿 It’s #VolunteersWeek — and we want to say a massive THANK YOU!
From tree planting to bracken bashing, fence and sitka spruce removal — we couldn’t do it without our amazing volunteers. 💚
You’re helping shape a better future for nature & community!
#VolunteersWeek #Volunteers #ThankYouVolunteers
From tree planting to bracken bashing, fence and sitka spruce removal — we couldn’t do it without our amazing volunteers. 💚
You’re helping shape a better future for nature & community!
#VolunteersWeek #Volunteers #ThankYouVolunteers
June 2, 2025 at 9:14 AM
🌿 It’s #VolunteersWeek — and we want to say a massive THANK YOU!
From tree planting to bracken bashing, fence and sitka spruce removal — we couldn’t do it without our amazing volunteers. 💚
You’re helping shape a better future for nature & community!
#VolunteersWeek #Volunteers #ThankYouVolunteers
From tree planting to bracken bashing, fence and sitka spruce removal — we couldn’t do it without our amazing volunteers. 💚
You’re helping shape a better future for nature & community!
#VolunteersWeek #Volunteers #ThankYouVolunteers
We’ve loved seeing your wildlife photos from Tarras Valley! 🖼️✨
- Grey Wagtail
- Pied Flycatcher
- Long Tailed Tit
Tag us or email hello@tarrasvalleynaturereserve.org to share yours!
Photos:
Caroline Blackie
Alistair Moulstone
Michael White
Shug Ferguson
- Grey Wagtail
- Pied Flycatcher
- Long Tailed Tit
Tag us or email hello@tarrasvalleynaturereserve.org to share yours!
Photos:
Caroline Blackie
Alistair Moulstone
Michael White
Shug Ferguson
May 28, 2025 at 9:20 AM
We’ve loved seeing your wildlife photos from Tarras Valley! 🖼️✨
- Grey Wagtail
- Pied Flycatcher
- Long Tailed Tit
Tag us or email hello@tarrasvalleynaturereserve.org to share yours!
Photos:
Caroline Blackie
Alistair Moulstone
Michael White
Shug Ferguson
- Grey Wagtail
- Pied Flycatcher
- Long Tailed Tit
Tag us or email hello@tarrasvalleynaturereserve.org to share yours!
Photos:
Caroline Blackie
Alistair Moulstone
Michael White
Shug Ferguson
We’ve loved seeing your wildlife photos from Tarras Valley! 🖼️✨
📸 Female Black Grouse
🦅 Buzzard bathing in the River Tarras
🎶 Dipper
🔴 Great Spotted Woodpecker
Tag us or email hello@tarrasvalleynaturereserve.org to share yours!
Photos:
Caroline Blackie
Alistair Moulstone
Michael White
Shug Ferguson
📸 Female Black Grouse
🦅 Buzzard bathing in the River Tarras
🎶 Dipper
🔴 Great Spotted Woodpecker
Tag us or email hello@tarrasvalleynaturereserve.org to share yours!
Photos:
Caroline Blackie
Alistair Moulstone
Michael White
Shug Ferguson
May 27, 2025 at 10:07 AM
We’ve loved seeing your wildlife photos from Tarras Valley! 🖼️✨
📸 Female Black Grouse
🦅 Buzzard bathing in the River Tarras
🎶 Dipper
🔴 Great Spotted Woodpecker
Tag us or email hello@tarrasvalleynaturereserve.org to share yours!
Photos:
Caroline Blackie
Alistair Moulstone
Michael White
Shug Ferguson
📸 Female Black Grouse
🦅 Buzzard bathing in the River Tarras
🎶 Dipper
🔴 Great Spotted Woodpecker
Tag us or email hello@tarrasvalleynaturereserve.org to share yours!
Photos:
Caroline Blackie
Alistair Moulstone
Michael White
Shug Ferguson
🌿New Blog: My Week with Tarras Valley by Robin Sinclair
Robin used his @RSPB sabbatical to join us at Tarras Valley for a hands-on week of conservation work.
A huge thanks to Robin for all his time and effort while he’s been on sabbatical with us!
📖 www.tarrasvalleynaturereserve.org/my-week-with...
Robin used his @RSPB sabbatical to join us at Tarras Valley for a hands-on week of conservation work.
A huge thanks to Robin for all his time and effort while he’s been on sabbatical with us!
📖 www.tarrasvalleynaturereserve.org/my-week-with...
May 26, 2025 at 9:19 AM
🌿New Blog: My Week with Tarras Valley by Robin Sinclair
Robin used his @RSPB sabbatical to join us at Tarras Valley for a hands-on week of conservation work.
A huge thanks to Robin for all his time and effort while he’s been on sabbatical with us!
📖 www.tarrasvalleynaturereserve.org/my-week-with...
Robin used his @RSPB sabbatical to join us at Tarras Valley for a hands-on week of conservation work.
A huge thanks to Robin for all his time and effort while he’s been on sabbatical with us!
📖 www.tarrasvalleynaturereserve.org/my-week-with...
🌿✨ A great sight at our new pond — swallows skimming the water's surface, dipping and diving with incredible grace! It's amazing to see wildlife already making itself at home. A reminder that even small changes can create big ripples in nature. 💧💙 #NatureRecovery #WildlifeWatching #Swallows
May 21, 2025 at 3:54 PM
🌿✨ A great sight at our new pond — swallows skimming the water's surface, dipping and diving with incredible grace! It's amazing to see wildlife already making itself at home. A reminder that even small changes can create big ripples in nature. 💧💙 #NatureRecovery #WildlifeWatching #Swallows
The bluebells—or Cratties, as they’re known locally—are stunning across Tarras Valley just now. A sure sign spring is here! 🌱💙 These ancient woodland flowers are steeped in myth, once linked to fairy rings and witches’ potions.
May 13, 2025 at 3:04 PM
The bluebells—or Cratties, as they’re known locally—are stunning across Tarras Valley just now. A sure sign spring is here! 🌱💙 These ancient woodland flowers are steeped in myth, once linked to fairy rings and witches’ potions.
Happy #OutdoorClassroomDay! Outdoor learning isn’t a luxury — it’s essential. At Tarras Valley, young people connect with nature, build confidence & curiosity, and learn by doing.
Huge thanks to Kat for inspiring the next generation of nature lovers! 💚🌿 #OutdoorLearning #TarrasValley
Huge thanks to Kat for inspiring the next generation of nature lovers! 💚🌿 #OutdoorLearning #TarrasValley
May 8, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Happy #OutdoorClassroomDay! Outdoor learning isn’t a luxury — it’s essential. At Tarras Valley, young people connect with nature, build confidence & curiosity, and learn by doing.
Huge thanks to Kat for inspiring the next generation of nature lovers! 💚🌿 #OutdoorLearning #TarrasValley
Huge thanks to Kat for inspiring the next generation of nature lovers! 💚🌿 #OutdoorLearning #TarrasValley
We loved hosting riverfly survey training with Buglife as part of the #GuardiansOfOurRivers project! 🐛🌊 Volunteers across Scotland are learning to monitor riverfly—key indicators of river health. Read more here:
🔗 www.buglife.org.uk/projects/gua...
🔗 www.buglife.org.uk/projects/gua...
May 6, 2025 at 3:05 PM
We loved hosting riverfly survey training with Buglife as part of the #GuardiansOfOurRivers project! 🐛🌊 Volunteers across Scotland are learning to monitor riverfly—key indicators of river health. Read more here:
🔗 www.buglife.org.uk/projects/gua...
🔗 www.buglife.org.uk/projects/gua...