Many visitors to Yetholm enjoy walking and observing the flora and fauna that can be found in the surrounding area. This page shows some of the plants and animals that can be seen - click on each image for a larger version. More pictures would be very welcome. If you have photographs that you are willing to share then please get in touch via the Contact page.
There are two lochs in the Yetholm area. Yetholm Loch nature reserve is an important sanctuary for migrant and breeding birds. Otters are also regularly seen there. More information can be found HERE. Romany Loch, which can be found between the two villages, is a fairly recent feature, being formed in the 1970s when a drainage ditch failed. It has quickly become home for otters, eels, willow warblers, swans, cow bane and many other species. A plant survey was carried out by the Wildlife Information Centre in July 2017 - a copy of their report can be found HERE. There is also a small Conservation Area at the foot of Dow Brae, which is being developed by the Floral Gateway Group and children from the school. A flower meadow is being developed there.
The Bowmont Water flows between Town and Kirk Yetholm. It is a very 'mobile' river and regularly changes its course. The gravel banks that are formed after floods are home to a lovely array of wildflowers - wild pansy, great mullein, weld, monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatis), amongst others. The Bowmont is also home to dippers and kingfishers and, seasonally, to oystercatchers and sandpipers. Snipe nest in boggy hollows along the valley. Salmon are also seasonal visitors while otters live there all year round, though they are elusive and usually only glimpsed for a moment.
There are two lochs in the Yetholm area. Yetholm Loch nature reserve is an important sanctuary for migrant and breeding birds. Otters are also regularly seen there. More information can be found HERE. Romany Loch, which can be found between the two villages, is a fairly recent feature, being formed in the 1970s when a drainage ditch failed. It has quickly become home for otters, eels, willow warblers, swans, cow bane and many other species. A plant survey was carried out by the Wildlife Information Centre in July 2017 - a copy of their report can be found HERE. There is also a small Conservation Area at the foot of Dow Brae, which is being developed by the Floral Gateway Group and children from the school. A flower meadow is being developed there.
The Bowmont Water flows between Town and Kirk Yetholm. It is a very 'mobile' river and regularly changes its course. The gravel banks that are formed after floods are home to a lovely array of wildflowers - wild pansy, great mullein, weld, monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatis), amongst others. The Bowmont is also home to dippers and kingfishers and, seasonally, to oystercatchers and sandpipers. Snipe nest in boggy hollows along the valley. Salmon are also seasonal visitors while otters live there all year round, though they are elusive and usually only glimpsed for a moment.
