← Back⚽ Playing field

Fernieside Recreation Ground

📷 Richard Webb · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsPitches

Dogs welcome

Getting here

55.91422, -3.13013

Open directionsv

Google Maps↗Driving directions Apple Maps↗Driving directions Waze↗Live driving navigation Google Transit↗Bus, rail or tram Apple Transit↗Bus, rail or tram

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
⚽Playing fields is at its best in summer here
🛝Playground on site — built-in entertainment for younger visitors alongside the wider site

🌤️ Visiting this summer

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
⚽Playing fields is at its best in summer here
🛝Playground on site — built-in entertainment for younger visitors alongside the wider site

Good to know

🐕Dogs welcome

Bike parkingParking· FreePlayground

Best for

5 activities

Wildlife

Very strong match

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals

Free

Bird watching

Very strong match

Birds — Lesser Black-backed Gull, Carrion Crow, Herring Gull +62 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Lesser Black-backed Gull, Carrion Crow, Herring Gull +62 more · last seen 2026

Free

Playing fields

Very strong match

Playing field

Free

Insect spotting

Strong match

Insects — 7-spot Ladybird, Harlequin Ladybird, Speckled Wood +65 more · last seen 2026; Insects — 7-spot Ladybird, Harlequin Ladybird, Speckled Wood +65 more · last seen 2026

Free

Mushroom foraging

Good match

Fungi — Thedgonia ligustrina · last seen 2025; Fungi — Thedgonia ligustrina · last seen 2025

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km

🚶

Walking

11 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

The Royal MileWalking route

Named route

Innocent RailwayWalking route

Named routeRef CEC5

Forth & Clyde/Union Canal TowpathWalking route106 km

Named routeLength 106 kmNational walking route

Core PathsWalking route

East Lothian Core Path Network

Named routeLocal walking route

Water of Leith Walkway (Slateford to Leith)Walking route

Named routeRef CEC18Local walking route

🚴

Cycling

122 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

Route RRCycling route

Named routeRef RRLocal cycle route

Quiet Route 10Cycling route

Named routeRef 10Local cycle route

Quiet Route 6Cycling route

Named routeRef 6Local cycle route

Greenbank to Meadows Quiet RouteCycling route

Named routeLocal cycle route

City Centre West to East LinkCycling route

Named routeLocal cycle route

Route 75Cycling route

Named routeRef 75National Cycle Network

🚵

Mountain biking

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby

Capital TrailMountain bike route

Named route

Wildlife to spot

22,364 records · National Biodiversity Network

Wildlife to spot

22,364 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds66 species

springsummer

2026

Lesser Black-backed Gull · Carrion Crow · Woodpigeon · Herring Gull · Magpie +61

Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2025
Carrion CrowCorvus corone2025
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus2025
Herring GullLarus argentatus2025
MagpiePica pica2025
JackdawColoeus monedula
BlackbirdTurdus merula2025
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2025
RobinErithacus rubecula
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus2025
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus2025
Rock DoveColumba livia2025
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs2025
Great TitParus major2025
KestrelFalco tinnunculus
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2025
DunnockPrunella modularis2025
BuzzardButeo buteo
StarlingSturnus vulgaris2025
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2025
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclus2025
StonechatSaxicola rubicola2025
SwallowHirundo rustica2025
LinnetLinaria cannabina2025
House MartinDelichon urbicum2025
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla2025
WhitethroatCurruca communis2025
House SparrowPasser domesticus2025
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenus2025
MallardAnas platyrhynchos2025
TreecreeperCerthia familiaris
Common GullLarus canus2025
Coal TitPeriparus ater2025
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii2025
Stock DoveColumba oenas2025
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus2025
EiderSomateria mollissima
Grey HeronArdea cinerea2025
RookCorvus frugilegus2025
OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus2025
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2025
JayGarrulus glandarius
Barn OwlTyto alba2025
GreenfinchChloris chloris2025
NuthatchSitta europaea2025
GoldcrestRegulus regulus2025
SwiftApus apus2025
MoorhenGallinula chloropus2025
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major2025
DipperCinclus cinclus2025
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus2025
PheasantPhasianus colchicus2025
Water RailRallus aquaticus2025
Canada GooseBranta canadensis2025
CurlewNumenius arquata2025
LapwingVanellus vanellus2025
Reed WarblerAcrocephalus scirpaceus2025
Grasshopper WarblerLocustella naevia2025
Garden WarblerSylvia borin2025
Lesser WhitethroatCurruca curruca2025
SkylarkAlauda arvensis2025
Tufted DuckAythya fuligula2025
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea2025
CootFulica atra2025

🦌

Mammals6 species

autumn

2026

Grey Squirrel · Red Fox · Roe Deer · Hedgehog · Badger +1

Grey SquirrelSciurus carolinensis2025
Red FoxVulpes vulpes2025
Roe DeerCapreolus capreolus
HedgehogErinaceus europaeus2025
BadgerMeles meles2025
MoleTalpa europaea2024

🐸

Amphibians1 species

autumn

2024

Common Frog

Common FrogRana temporaria

🐝

Insects59 species

wintersummerautumn

2026

Harlequin Ladybird · 7-spot Ladybird · 2-spot Ladybird · Red-legged Shieldbug · Cream-spot Ladybird +54

Harlequin LadybirdHarmonia axyridis
7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata
2-spot LadybirdAdalia bipunctata
Red-legged ShieldbugPentatoma rufipes
Cream-spot LadybirdCalvia quattuordecimguttata2025
10-spot LadybirdAdalia decempunctata
Orange LadybirdHalyzia sedecimguttata
Pine LadybirdExochomus quadripustulatus
Deraeocoris (Knightocapsus) lutescensDeraeocoris (Knightocapsus) lutescens2025
Acericerus heydeniiAcericerus heydenii
Hawthorn ShieldbugAcanthosoma haemorrhoidale2025
SyrphusSyrphus2025
Larch LadybirdAphidecta obliterata2025
Speckled WoodPararge aegeria2024
Small Black AntLasius niger2025
Common EarwigForficula auricularia/dentata agg.2025
Pinalitus cervinusPinalitus cervinus2025
Chilenocaecilius ornatipennisChilenocaecilius ornatipennis2025
Dromius quadrimaculatusDromius quadrimaculatus
Hairy ShieldbugDolycoris baccarum2025
Cerobasis guestfalicaCerobasis guestfalica2025
Mikiola fagiMikiola fagi2025
Hartigiola annulipesHartigiola annulipes2025
Common Flower BugAnthocoris nemorum2025
Elipsocus abdominalisElipsocus abdominalis2025
Brown Leaf WeevilPhyllobius oblongus2025
14-spot LadybirdPropylea quattuordecimpunctata2025
Birch ShieldbugElasmostethus interstinctus2025
Limonia nubeculosaLimonia nubeculosa2024
Rhipidia maculataRhipidia maculata2024
Dicranomyia choreaDicranomyia chorea2024
Epistrophe grossulariaeEpistrophe grossulariae2024
Elipsocus hyalinusElipsocus hyalinus2025
Phytocoris (Phytocoris) tiliaePhytocoris (Phytocoris) tiliae2025
Phytocoris (Phytocoris) populiPhytocoris (Phytocoris) populi2025
Tipula paludosaTipula paludosa2025
Grypotes puncticollisGrypotes puncticollis2025
Cuckoo-Spit InsectPhilaenus spumarius2025
Cartodere nodiferCartodere nodifer2025
Salpingus ruficollisSalpingus ruficollis2025
Salpingus planirostrisSalpingus planirostris2025
Common Red Soldier BeetleRhagonycha fulva2025
Rosemary BeetleChrysolina americana2025
Garden StiltGracillaria syringella2025
Eupeodes corollaeEupeodes corollae2025
Rhamphomyia crassirostrisRhamphomyia crassirostris2025
Strawberry-blossom WeevilAnthonomus rubi2025
Oedemera virescensOedemera virescens2025
Lily BeetleLilioceris lilii2025
Melanostoma scalareMelanostoma scalare2025
Eyed LadybirdAnatis ocellata2025
Trichopsocus brinckiTrichopsocus brincki2025
Valenzuela flavidusValenzuela flavidus2024
Tipula paganaTipula pagana2024
Parent BugElasmucha grisea2024
Black-Kneed Apple CapsidBlepharidopterus angulatus2024
Picture-winged Woodlouse-flyPaykullia maculata2024
Ferdinandea cupreaFerdinandea cuprea2024
Graphopsocus cruciatusGraphopsocus cruciatus2024

🍄

Fungi1 species

winter

2025

Thedgonia ligustrina

Thedgonia ligustrinaThedgonia ligustrina

🌿

Plants72 species

autumnwinter

2024

Field Forget-me-not · Elder · Curled Dock · Creeping Bent · Winter-cress +67

Field Forget-me-notMyosotis arvensis
ElderSambucus nigra
Curled DockRumex crispus
Creeping BentAgrostis stolonifera
Winter-cressBarbarea vulgaris
Common Mouse-earCerastium fontanum
Himalayan CotoneasterCotoneaster simonsii
Stinking IrisIris foetidissima
Oxeye DaisyLeucanthemum vulgare
Common NettleUrtica dioica
Common WhitebeamSorbus aria
Chinese BrambleRubus tricolor
Wilson's HoneysuckleLonicera nitida
Common Field-speedwellVeronica persica
Common BentAgrostis capillaris
Portugal LaurelPrunus lusitanica
Cherry LaurelPrunus laurocerasus
SowbreadCyclamen hederifolium
Entire-leaved CotoneasterCotoneaster integrifolius
Cat's-earHypochaeris radicata
Ribwort PlantainPlantago lanceolata
OsierSalix viminalis
BrambleRubus fruticosus
Euphorbia amygdaloides subsp. robbiaeEuphorbia amygdaloides subsp. robbiae
Perennial Rye-grassLolium perenne
Greater Bird's-foot-trefoilLotus pedunculatus
Purple ToadflaxLinaria purpurea
HollyIlex aquifolium
FeverfewTanacetum parthenium
DaisyBellis perennis
Green AlkanetPentaglottis sempervirens
White CloverTrifolium repens
Yellow-rattleRhinanthus minor
Silver BirchBetula pendula
MugwortArtemisia vulgaris
Rat's-tail FescueVulpia myuros
Common RagwortJacobaea vulgaris
Willow-leaved CotoneasterCotoneaster salicifolius
Prickly Sow-thistleSonchus asper
Cow ParsleyAnthriscus sylvestris
White StonecropSedum album
Giant BlackberryRubus armeniacus
Wild CherryPrunus avium
Pendulous SedgeCarex pendula
Japanese RoseRosa rugosa
BittersweetSolanum dulcamara
Smooth Sow-thistleSonchus oleraceus
Wall BarleyHordeum murinum
Hoary WillowherbEpilobium parviflorum
Hybrid CoralberrySymphoricarpos microphyllus x orbiculatus = S. x chenaultii
Field HorsetailEquisetum arvense
Procumbent PearlwortSagina procumbens
Greater PlantainPlantago major
Hedge MustardSisymbrium officinale
RaspberryRubus idaeus
Thale CressArabidopsis thaliana
Confused BridewortSpiraea douglasii x salicifolia = S. x pseudosalicifolia
Common SallowSalix cinerea
PineappleweedMatricaria discoidea
Garden Lady's-mantleAlchemilla mollis
Japanese KnotweedReynoutria japonica
Black MedickMedicago lupulina
European LarchLarix decidua
Shining Crane's-billGeranium lucidum
Squirreltail FescueVulpia bromoides
Floating Sweet-grassGlyceria fluitans
Barren BromeAnisantha sterilis
Fox-and-cubsPilosella aurantiaca
Rosebay WillowherbChamaenerion angustifolium
MontbretiaCrocosmia aurea x pottsii = C. x crocosmiiflora
YewTaxus baccata
Sweet ChestnutCastanea sativa

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

22,364 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds66 species

springsummer

2026

Lesser Black-backed Gull · Carrion Crow · Woodpigeon · Herring Gull · Magpie +61

Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2025
Carrion CrowCorvus corone2025
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus2025
Herring GullLarus argentatus2025
MagpiePica pica2025
JackdawColoeus monedula
BlackbirdTurdus merula2025
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2025
RobinErithacus rubecula
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus2025
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus2025
Rock DoveColumba livia2025
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs2025
Great TitParus major2025
KestrelFalco tinnunculus
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2025
DunnockPrunella modularis2025
BuzzardButeo buteo
StarlingSturnus vulgaris2025
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2025
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclus2025
StonechatSaxicola rubicola2025
SwallowHirundo rustica2025
LinnetLinaria cannabina2025
House MartinDelichon urbicum2025
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla2025
WhitethroatCurruca communis2025
House SparrowPasser domesticus2025
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenus2025
MallardAnas platyrhynchos2025
TreecreeperCerthia familiaris
Common GullLarus canus2025
Coal TitPeriparus ater2025
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii2025
Stock DoveColumba oenas2025
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus2025
EiderSomateria mollissima
Grey HeronArdea cinerea2025
RookCorvus frugilegus2025
OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus2025
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2025
JayGarrulus glandarius
Barn OwlTyto alba2025
GreenfinchChloris chloris2025
NuthatchSitta europaea2025
GoldcrestRegulus regulus2025
SwiftApus apus2025
MoorhenGallinula chloropus2025
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major2025
DipperCinclus cinclus2025
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus2025
PheasantPhasianus colchicus2025
Water RailRallus aquaticus2025
Canada GooseBranta canadensis2025
CurlewNumenius arquata2025
LapwingVanellus vanellus2025
Reed WarblerAcrocephalus scirpaceus2025
Grasshopper WarblerLocustella naevia2025
Garden WarblerSylvia borin2025
Lesser WhitethroatCurruca curruca2025
SkylarkAlauda arvensis2025
Tufted DuckAythya fuligula2025
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea2025
CootFulica atra2025

🦌

Mammals6 species

autumn

2026

Grey Squirrel · Red Fox · Roe Deer · Hedgehog · Badger +1

Grey SquirrelSciurus carolinensis2025
Red FoxVulpes vulpes2025
Roe DeerCapreolus capreolus
HedgehogErinaceus europaeus2025
BadgerMeles meles2025
MoleTalpa europaea2024

🐸

Amphibians1 species

autumn

2024

Common Frog

Common FrogRana temporaria

🐝

Insects59 species

wintersummerautumn

2026

Harlequin Ladybird · 7-spot Ladybird · 2-spot Ladybird · Red-legged Shieldbug · Cream-spot Ladybird +54

Harlequin LadybirdHarmonia axyridis
7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata
2-spot LadybirdAdalia bipunctata
Red-legged ShieldbugPentatoma rufipes
Cream-spot LadybirdCalvia quattuordecimguttata2025
10-spot LadybirdAdalia decempunctata
Orange LadybirdHalyzia sedecimguttata
Pine LadybirdExochomus quadripustulatus
Deraeocoris (Knightocapsus) lutescensDeraeocoris (Knightocapsus) lutescens2025
Acericerus heydeniiAcericerus heydenii
Hawthorn ShieldbugAcanthosoma haemorrhoidale2025
SyrphusSyrphus2025
Larch LadybirdAphidecta obliterata2025
Speckled WoodPararge aegeria2024
Small Black AntLasius niger2025
Common EarwigForficula auricularia/dentata agg.2025
Pinalitus cervinusPinalitus cervinus2025
Chilenocaecilius ornatipennisChilenocaecilius ornatipennis2025
Dromius quadrimaculatusDromius quadrimaculatus
Hairy ShieldbugDolycoris baccarum2025
Cerobasis guestfalicaCerobasis guestfalica2025
Mikiola fagiMikiola fagi2025
Hartigiola annulipesHartigiola annulipes2025
Common Flower BugAnthocoris nemorum2025
Elipsocus abdominalisElipsocus abdominalis2025
Brown Leaf WeevilPhyllobius oblongus2025
14-spot LadybirdPropylea quattuordecimpunctata2025
Birch ShieldbugElasmostethus interstinctus2025
Limonia nubeculosaLimonia nubeculosa2024
Rhipidia maculataRhipidia maculata2024
Dicranomyia choreaDicranomyia chorea2024
Epistrophe grossulariaeEpistrophe grossulariae2024
Elipsocus hyalinusElipsocus hyalinus2025
Phytocoris (Phytocoris) tiliaePhytocoris (Phytocoris) tiliae2025
Phytocoris (Phytocoris) populiPhytocoris (Phytocoris) populi2025
Tipula paludosaTipula paludosa2025
Grypotes puncticollisGrypotes puncticollis2025
Cuckoo-Spit InsectPhilaenus spumarius2025
Cartodere nodiferCartodere nodifer2025
Salpingus ruficollisSalpingus ruficollis2025
Salpingus planirostrisSalpingus planirostris2025
Common Red Soldier BeetleRhagonycha fulva2025
Rosemary BeetleChrysolina americana2025
Garden StiltGracillaria syringella2025
Eupeodes corollaeEupeodes corollae2025
Rhamphomyia crassirostrisRhamphomyia crassirostris2025
Strawberry-blossom WeevilAnthonomus rubi2025
Oedemera virescensOedemera virescens2025
Lily BeetleLilioceris lilii2025
Melanostoma scalareMelanostoma scalare2025
Eyed LadybirdAnatis ocellata2025
Trichopsocus brinckiTrichopsocus brincki2025
Valenzuela flavidusValenzuela flavidus2024
Tipula paganaTipula pagana2024
Parent BugElasmucha grisea2024
Black-Kneed Apple CapsidBlepharidopterus angulatus2024
Picture-winged Woodlouse-flyPaykullia maculata2024
Ferdinandea cupreaFerdinandea cuprea2024
Graphopsocus cruciatusGraphopsocus cruciatus2024

🍄

Fungi1 species

winter

2025

Thedgonia ligustrina

Thedgonia ligustrinaThedgonia ligustrina

🌿

Plants72 species

autumnwinter

2024

Field Forget-me-not · Elder · Curled Dock · Creeping Bent · Winter-cress +67

Field Forget-me-notMyosotis arvensis
ElderSambucus nigra
Curled DockRumex crispus
Creeping BentAgrostis stolonifera
Winter-cressBarbarea vulgaris
Common Mouse-earCerastium fontanum
Himalayan CotoneasterCotoneaster simonsii
Stinking IrisIris foetidissima
Oxeye DaisyLeucanthemum vulgare
Common NettleUrtica dioica
Common WhitebeamSorbus aria
Chinese BrambleRubus tricolor
Wilson's HoneysuckleLonicera nitida
Common Field-speedwellVeronica persica
Common BentAgrostis capillaris
Portugal LaurelPrunus lusitanica
Cherry LaurelPrunus laurocerasus
SowbreadCyclamen hederifolium
Entire-leaved CotoneasterCotoneaster integrifolius
Cat's-earHypochaeris radicata
Ribwort PlantainPlantago lanceolata
OsierSalix viminalis
BrambleRubus fruticosus
Euphorbia amygdaloides subsp. robbiaeEuphorbia amygdaloides subsp. robbiae
Perennial Rye-grassLolium perenne
Greater Bird's-foot-trefoilLotus pedunculatus
Purple ToadflaxLinaria purpurea
HollyIlex aquifolium
FeverfewTanacetum parthenium
DaisyBellis perennis
Green AlkanetPentaglottis sempervirens
White CloverTrifolium repens
Yellow-rattleRhinanthus minor
Silver BirchBetula pendula
MugwortArtemisia vulgaris
Rat's-tail FescueVulpia myuros
Common RagwortJacobaea vulgaris
Willow-leaved CotoneasterCotoneaster salicifolius
Prickly Sow-thistleSonchus asper
Cow ParsleyAnthriscus sylvestris
White StonecropSedum album
Giant BlackberryRubus armeniacus
Wild CherryPrunus avium
Pendulous SedgeCarex pendula
Japanese RoseRosa rugosa
BittersweetSolanum dulcamara
Smooth Sow-thistleSonchus oleraceus
Wall BarleyHordeum murinum
Hoary WillowherbEpilobium parviflorum
Hybrid CoralberrySymphoricarpos microphyllus x orbiculatus = S. x chenaultii
Field HorsetailEquisetum arvense
Procumbent PearlwortSagina procumbens
Greater PlantainPlantago major
Hedge MustardSisymbrium officinale
RaspberryRubus idaeus
Thale CressArabidopsis thaliana
Confused BridewortSpiraea douglasii x salicifolia = S. x pseudosalicifolia
Common SallowSalix cinerea
PineappleweedMatricaria discoidea
Garden Lady's-mantleAlchemilla mollis
Japanese KnotweedReynoutria japonica
Black MedickMedicago lupulina
European LarchLarix decidua
Shining Crane's-billGeranium lucidum
Squirreltail FescueVulpia bromoides
Floating Sweet-grassGlyceria fluitans
Barren BromeAnisantha sterilis
Fox-and-cubsPilosella aurantiaca
Rosebay WillowherbChamaenerion angustifolium
MontbretiaCrocosmia aurea x pottsii = C. x crocosmiiflora
YewTaxus baccata
Sweet ChestnutCastanea sativa

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

Photos

📷 Richard Webb · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Fernieside Recreation Ground

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🌱Newhailes House & GardensUrban park4.5 km→🌱The MeadowsUrban park4.9 km→🌱Craigmillar Castle ParkUrban park1.6 km→🌱The FieldUrban park3.5 km→🌱Drum ParkUrban park900 m→🌱Hunters Hall ParkUrban park2 km→

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