In the area of the Ferry Glen, Scots Pine dominate on the south face of the embankment. However, within the remainder of the glen ash and sycamore dominate although there are good examples of holly, field maple, hazel, blackthorn, dogwood, elder, guelder rose, hawthorn, lime, elm and oak.
Ash and Sycamore also dominate in the Back Braes area, although since 2008 enrichment planting has taken place below the new viewing platform comprising hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, guelder rose, holly, and crab apple.
Many bird species make the Ferry Glen their home. Some birds are resident throughout the year and these birds can be heard singing once the days start to lengthen in the early spring; birds such as dunnock; blue tit; coal tit; great tit; goldfinch, and chaffinch. By early April these birds have been joined by migrant species that have wintered in Southern Europe, such as the blackcap, which has a lovely melodic song, and the chiffchaff that sings its own name. By May, birds that have spent the winter in sub-Sahara Africa have also returned to breed in the Glen, such as the willow warbler and the garden warbler. Once the leaves are on the trees the best way to discover the diversity of birds in the Glen is to get up early and experience the dawn chorus. Some birds are easy to hear. The song thrush has a loud repetitive song, and the wren has a very explosive song for its tiny size. But listen carefully and you may hear some of the more subtle bird songs; bullfinches have a soft, slow song whist treecreepers and goldcrests have unobtrusive, high-pitched songs. Listen out also for the “drumming” of the great spotted woodpecker. If you are not an early riser then the evening can be a good time to hear the birds, with robins and blackbirds likely to be heard at this time. Or if you happen to be passing through the Glen after dark, then perhaps you just might be lucky enough to hear the hoot of a tawny owl.
