Q David, Cullaloe is a very unusual reserve, can you describe why this is so?

A The reserve was formed from a disused water reservoir, and special features were retained or introduced in order to encourage a diversity of habitat and a wide range of wildlife. Within the boundaries of Cullaloe is woodland, high ground with cliffs, a loch overlooked by a hide and a burn surrounded by a large boggy area and feeding six small pools. Also unusually, we have the mechanism to lower the level of water in the loch in summer to encourage the growth of rare plants.

Q Cullaloe is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Why is that?

A The SSSI designation applies to the loch and its surrounding shore, specifically because there are two nationally rare plants in this area of the reserve. The first of these is mudwort (Limosella aquatica), a small flowering plant with a short life cycle, able to survive on mud that is exposed for only a few months each year during the growing season. The second is water sedge (Carex aquatilis), a sedge of cold wet areas, which nonetheless tolerates being high and dry for up to six months in summer. Other uncommon plants are needle spike rush, slender pond weed and, last noted some years back, a liverwort (Riccia cavernosa).

Q When is the best time to visit Cullaloe?

A Cullaloe is a place you can visit with pleasure at any time of the year, because there is always something of interest. In early autumn when the loch is low, waders appear, indeed I saw a blacktailed godwit recently. Also in autumn, Goldfinch and other small seed-eating birds appear. Amongst regular autumn and winter visitors are teal and wigeon. On a winter’s day I have glimpsed a kingfisher on one of the lower pools. In spring, the variety of habitats support breeding birds including buzzard, kestrel, owl (tawny?), common snipe, great crested grebe, little grebe and water-rail. Summer is rich in butterflies, burnet moths and dragon flies.

There is a variety of vegetation throughout the year – sedges, reeds, rushes, flowering plants, bushes, shrubs and trees - too numerous to detail.

Q Have you a wish-list for Cullaloe?

A Yes, two things. One, I would like more people to know that Cullaloe is there, so that they can come and enjoy it. Despite its closeness to a busy road, the reserve has a feeling of being away from it all, with different views in every direction and all of them pleasing to the eye.

The pools in particular provide a great introduction to wildlife for children, and we have organised very successful supervised outings.. We would particularly welcome visits by local school groups.

Q And your second wish?

A This is a reserve which needs ongoing maintenance and management. We are very grateful for the work carried out by the Conservation Teams led by David Blair, also for the help of Dallas Seawright and the Fife Conservation Volunteers. However, there is always something more to be done, from controlling willow to clearing waterways.

We would welcome supervised work parties. I would be very glad to hear from anyone with the time and patience to organise groups of volunteers to help us, either on a regular basis or just once or twice a year. It is very satisfying work.