One of the things the volunteers at FOGG are keen on is getting insect-friendly along the Glen. One way has been building bug hotels along the Glen. Another is to simply leave felled trees to rot away and provide an inviting home for invertebrates.
In the Friends of Glen Goyle Annual Report 2025 there is reference to one such possibility:
We are hoping to reinstate a path that once linked the higher lawn with the lower bridge, making it possible for wheelchair access through all areas. We’ve cleared the route of foliage, and a survey of levels is being undertaken by Andy Pitcher Land Surveys.
There are several large felled logs along the route of the path – and the FOGG project is keen to have these remain in situ, if only moved to one side to allow for the reinstated path to make its way.
That’s because these rotting logs are indeed home to several creepy-crawlies.
Local naturalist and friend of Glen Goyle Ed Dolphin has been by of late – and relates:
The collection of felled trunks blocking the proposed wheelchair path are in an advanced state of rot and so home to many saproxylic and xylophagus life forms [See Saproxylic – Entomologists’ glossary – Amateur Entomologists’ Society (AES)]. If the path is ever cleared then the rotten timber needs to be treated carefully to protect its biota. [Also see this wonderful leaflet on Decaying wood to see its importance to wildlife.]
And on the social media pages of the SVBG, Ed has posted a couple of fascinating photos: Poking about in a rotten log in Glen Goyle this jumped out, a jumping bristletail. Here they are, published with permission:
Finally, Ed’s column in this week’s Herald covers another creepy-crawly: Counting the humble millipede’s multiple legs. Another typically fascinating read.
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