A wet- and grassland near Alloa has just become the RSPB’s first nature reserve in the Wee County.

The charity recently named Black Devon Wetlands, which lies on the south-eastern edge of Alloa, its newest nature reserve with improvements planned for people and wildlife. The area is poplar with walkers and is also a special place for birds and wildlife such as snipes, short-eared owls, teals and black-headed gulls.

Regional director for South and West Scotland at RSPB Scotland, Anne McCall, said: “We’re delighted to be taking on the management of the Black Devon Wetlands and we hope to transform it into a reserve that will not only help wildlife, but also provide local people with a great nature experience right on their doorstep.

“The Inner Forth is internationally recognised as an important place for birds, and the establishment of this reserve adds to a wider mosaic of habitats that are beneficial for a whole range of different species, as part of the RSPB’s landscape-scale project, the Inner Forth Futurescape.” Works to improve various habitats at the wetlands have already started and much more is planned for the coming months. New paths, viewing areas and signage, as well as a series of events are also planned and will be advertised by the charity in the near-future.

The wetlands were created when soil was excavated from the site to cap an adjacent landfill area. Clackmannanshire Heritage Trust formed the site’s first managed lagoons. These were extended in the 2000s by a Clackmannanshire Council landfill project.

Councillor Donald Balsillie, convener of Enterprise & Environment, said: “Clackmannanshire Council is pleased that the award-winning Black Devon Wetlands are being leased to RSPB Scotland to carry forward its development.

“The council and RSPB Scotland are working in partnership through the Forth Coastal Project, funded by the Coastal Communities Fund and the Inner Forth Landscape Initiative, a Heritage Lottery funded project, to enhance the wetlands habitat and accessibility.

“This joint working will ensure the long term management by a respected conservation body for this unique natural heritage site located right on the doorstep of Clackmannanshire residents.”