Tailend Moss - Bathgate
At first glance Tailend Moss looks fairly unremarkable. It is triangulated by major roads including the M8 motorway and lies under the flight path for Edinburgh airport. But those who keep their eyes and ears open will be rewarded with a fascinating glimpse into the world of wildlife.
Looking up you will often be rewarded with the sight of soaring Buzzards and Kestrels. The lumbering form of the resident Heron's can often be seen trying to gain height as they move from pond to pond. And of course the ponds themselves are home to a wide variety of ducks and geese. Try to get too close and the seagulls will send out a shrill warning to the other water lovers.
Looking down brings it's own joys as the quiet movers will often be able to observe the movements of field mice, weasels and voles. The summer months can often be spent trying not to trample on the myriad of young frogs scrambling amongst the rough grasses.
Searching around the bottom of marker posts you can find the discarded pellets of Owls and Herons. Fresh Fox scats litter the many trails and prints in the mud belie the presence of Roe Deer.
Looking in the trees you will find Grey Squirrels and a whole variety of bird life.
The one main path is reasonably well marked with access from the south west corner just off starlaw road. The sign there lets you know you are in the right place. Follow the narrow path down behind the trees until you come across an opening in the wall to the right and then follow the natural path around the first pond. If you are very quiet and careful at this point you should be able to spot a Heron standing motionless in the corner of the pond waiting for it's prey - usually small frogs. The examination of the Heron's pellets also reveal that they help themselves to a large proportion of the area's small mammals.
By now if you are lucky you should have had the first glimpse of the Deer - usually the white rump bobbing up and down as they scatter off into the heather. Be careful here or you can chase them across the railway line.
There are a small number of wooden walkways to guide you across the wetter areas and the path is easy to follow through the scrub but as you approach the next set of ponds amongst the trees it is fairly easy to wander off track. Don't worry though you won't get lost - it's not that big!
Again keep quiet as you are following the path and you should be able to find the Deer feeding.
As you pass the last couple of ponds you have a choice to head up to the main road beside the industrial units at Starlaw Industrial Park or simply turn round and head back the way you came.
