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Mabonlaw Hillfort

2 ha

📷 Richard Webb · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

BirdsWildlifeSeasonal

Dogs welcome2 ha

Getting here

55.42827, -2.85924

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

🐦73+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Magpie and Skylark
🌿Foraging is at its best in summer here
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

🌤️ Visiting this summer

🐦73+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Magpie and Skylark
🌿Foraging is at its best in summer here
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

🐕Dogs welcome

Best for

6 activities

Bird watching

Very strong match

Birds — Magpie, Skylark, Meadow Pipit +70 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Magpie, Skylark, Meadow Pipit +70 more · last seen 2025

Free

Wildlife

Very strong match

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

Free

Seasonal nature

Strong match

Plants — Early-purple Orchid, Bog-myrtle, Bracken +294 more · last seen 2017; Plants — Early-purple Orchid, Bog-myrtle, Bracken +294 more · last seen 2017

Free

Foraging

Strong match

Plants — Thyme-leaved Speedwell, Hawthorn, Common Sorrel +34 more foraging species

Varies

Heritage

Strong match

Historic site

Free

Insect spotting

Good match

Insects — Burnet Companion, Common Green Grasshopper, Tipula paludosa +4 more · last seen 2022; Insects — Burnet Companion, Common Green Grasshopper, Tipula paludosa +4 more · last seen 2022

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km

🚶

Walking

3 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

Borders Abbeys WayWalking route109 km

Named routeLength 109 kmRound tripNational walking route

Romans and Reivers RouteWalking route84 km

Named routeLength 84 kmPoint-to-pointNational walking route

Cross Borders Drove Road (Traquair to Hawick)Walking route

Named routePoint-to-pointNational walking route

🚴

Cycling

5 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

DenholmCycling route23 km

Named routeRef blueLength 23 kmRound tripLocal cycle route

Cavers and StobsCycling route30 km

Named routeRef redLength 30 kmRound tripLocal cycle route

Vertish Hill LoopCycling route12 km

Named routeRef greenLength 12 kmRound tripLocal cycle route

RobertsonCycling route22 km

Named routeRef yellowLength 22 kmRound tripLocal cycle route

Border LoopCycling route

Named routeRef BLRound tripRegional cycle route

🚵

Mountain biking

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby

Great North Trail (Scottish Borders)Mountain bike route154.8 km

Named routeLength 154.8 kmNational Cycle Network

Wildlife to spot

3,046 records · National Biodiversity Network

Wildlife to spot

3,046 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds29 species

spring

2025

Black Grouse · Lesser Black-backed Gull · Meadow Pipit · Raven · Woodpigeon +24

Black GrouseLyrurus tetrix
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis
RavenCorvus corax
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
SkylarkAlauda arvensis
KestrelFalco tinnunculus
StarlingSturnus vulgaris
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus
Carrion CrowCorvus corone
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus
SwallowHirundo rustica
BlackbirdTurdus merula
CurlewNumenius arquata
Golden PloverPluvialis apricaria
RobinErithacus rubecula
OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus
MagpiePica pica
Stock DoveColumba oenas
JackdawColoeus monedula
Canada GooseBranta canadensis
FieldfareTurdus pilaris
StonechatSaxicola rubicola
GoldeneyeBucephala clangula
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
Mute SwanCygnus olor
PheasantPhasianus colchicus
BuzzardButeo buteo
SnipeGallinago gallinago2024

🦌

Mammals4 species

winterspringautumn

2025

Red Squirrel · Brown Hare · Roe Deer · Grey Squirrel

Red SquirrelSciurus vulgaris
Brown HareLepus europaeus
Roe DeerCapreolus capreolus
Grey SquirrelSciurus carolinensis

🌿

Plants134 species

summer

2024

Fen Pondweed · Bog-myrtle · Salix aurita x repens = S. x ambigua · Bulbous Rush · Common Mouse-ear +129

Fen PondweedPotamogeton coloratus
Bog-myrtleMyrica gale
Salix aurita x repens = S. x ambiguaSalix aurita x repens = S. x ambigua
Bulbous RushJuncus bulbosus
Common Mouse-earCerastium fontanum
Spear ThistleCirsium vulgare
Sitka SprucePicea sitchensis
Lady's-mantleAlchemilla vulgaris
Alpine RushJuncus alpinoarticulatus
Meadow VetchlingLathyrus pratensis
Water HorsetailEquisetum fluviatile
Lemon-scented FernOreopteris limbosperma
Dryopteris filix-masDryopteris filix-mas
Annual Meadow-grassPoa annua
Lesser SpearwortRanunculus flammula
Festuca rubraFestuca rubra
CuckooflowerCardamine pratensis
Marsh WillowherbEpilobium palustre
Round-leaved SundewDrosera rotundifolia
Tufted VetchVicia cracca
BogbeanMenyanthes trifoliata
Autumn HawkbitScorzoneroides autumnalis
Brown SedgeCarex disticha
Water MintMentha aquatica
Slender St John's-wortHypericum pulchrum
Mouse-ear-hawkweedPilosella officinarum
Tawny SedgeCarex hostiana
EyebrightEuphrasia
Carex hostiana x viridula s.l.Carex hostiana x viridula s.l.
Marsh-bedstrawGalium palustre
Common BentAgrostis capillaris
Poa pratensisPoa pratensis
DeergrassTrichophorum cespitosum
Long-Stalked Yellow SedgeCarex lepidocarpa
Broad-leaved DockRumex obtusifolius
Spring-sedgeCarex caryophyllea
Crested Dog's-tailCynosurus cristatus
Dioecious SedgeCarex dioica
Fairy FlaxLinum catharticum
Marsh-marigoldCaltha palustris
Few-flowered Spike-rushEleocharis quinqueflora
Downy BirchBetula pubescens
Dove's-foot Crane's-billGeranium molle
SelfhealPrunella vulgaris
SilverweedPotentilla anserina
Green-ribbed SedgeCarex binervis
Marsh PennywortHydrocotyle vulgaris
Mare's-tailHippuris vulgaris
Bottle SedgeCarex rostrata
RowanSorbus aucuparia
Common ChickweedStellaria media
Eared WillowSalix aurita
Common CottongrassEriophorum angustifolium
Procumbent PearlwortSagina procumbens
Greater Tussock-sedgeCarex paniculata
Sharp-flowered RushJuncus acutiflorus
Lady-fernAthyrium filix-femina
Heath Wood-rushLuzula multiflora
Knotted PearlwortSagina nodosa
Wild ThymeThymus drucei
Heath RushJuncus squarrosus
Mat-grassNardus stricta
Marsh HorsetailEquisetum palustre
Hare's-tail CottongrassEriophorum vaginatum
Common Bird's-foot-trefoilLotus corniculatus
Lesser StitchwortStellaria graminea
Heath SpeedwellVeronica officinalis
Norway SprucePicea abies
Silver BirchBetula pendula
Common Yellow-sedgeCarex demissa
MeadowsweetFilipendula ulmaria
Marsh ThistleCirsium palustre
Bog StitchwortStellaria alsine
Quaking-grassBriza media
Carnation SedgeCarex panicea
Cross-leaved HeathErica tetralix
Perennial Rye-grassLolium perenne
Marsh VioletViola palustris
Common SorrelRumex acetosa
Marsh ValerianValeriana dioica
Lesser Tussock-sedgeCarex diandra
HawthornCrataegus monogyna
Broad Buckler-fernDryopteris dilatata
Lesser ClubmossSelaginella selaginoides
LousewortPedicularis sylvatica
Heath BedstrawGalium saxatile
Heath MilkwortPolygala serpyllifolia
Marsh ArrowgrassTriglochin palustris
HeatherCalluna vulgaris
Narrow Buckler-fernDryopteris carthusiana
Ragged-RobinSilene flos-cuculi
Scots PinePinus sylvestris
Carex viridulaCarex viridula
Devil's-bit ScabiousSuccisa pratensis
Marsh LousewortPedicularis palustris
Jointed RushJuncus articulatus
Common SedgeCarex nigra
HarebellCampanula rotundifolia
Common ReedPhragmites australis
Spreading Meadow-grassPoa humilis
Marsh CinquefoilComarum palustre
BugleAjuga reptans
TormentilPotentilla erecta
Sweet Vernal-grassAnthoxanthum odoratum
Creeping ThistleCirsium arvense
Smooth Lady's-mantleAlchemilla glabra
Barren StrawberryPotentilla sterilis
DandelionTaraxacum
Yorkshire-fogHolcus lanatus
Tufted Forget-me-notMyosotis laxa
Lady's BedstrawGalium verum
Common Dog-violetViola riviniana
SneezewortAchillea ptarmica
Star SedgeCarex echinata
Fen BedstrawGalium uliginosum
Hairy Wood-rushLuzula pilosa
BilberryVaccinium myrtillus
Tufted Hair-grassDeschampsia cespitosa
Germander SpeedwellVeronica chamaedrys
Common ButterwortPinguicula vulgaris
Delicate StonewortChara virgata
Hard RushJuncus inflexus
DaisyBellis perennis
Sheep's Fescue agg.Festuca ovina
Sheep's SorrelRumex acetosella
Cat's-earHypochaeris radicata
Compact RushJuncus conglomeratus
Heath-grassDanthonia decumbens
Soft-rushJuncus effusus
BrackenPteridium aquilinum
White CloverTrifolium repens
Meadow ButtercupRanunculus acris
Wavy Hair-GrassAvenella flexuosa
Purple Moor-grassMolinia caerulea

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

3,046 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds29 species

spring

2025

Black Grouse · Lesser Black-backed Gull · Meadow Pipit · Raven · Woodpigeon +24

Black GrouseLyrurus tetrix
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis
RavenCorvus corax
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
SkylarkAlauda arvensis
KestrelFalco tinnunculus
StarlingSturnus vulgaris
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus
Carrion CrowCorvus corone
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus
SwallowHirundo rustica
BlackbirdTurdus merula
CurlewNumenius arquata
Golden PloverPluvialis apricaria
RobinErithacus rubecula
OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus
MagpiePica pica
Stock DoveColumba oenas
JackdawColoeus monedula
Canada GooseBranta canadensis
FieldfareTurdus pilaris
StonechatSaxicola rubicola
GoldeneyeBucephala clangula
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
Mute SwanCygnus olor
PheasantPhasianus colchicus
BuzzardButeo buteo
SnipeGallinago gallinago2024

🦌

Mammals4 species

winterspringautumn

2025

Red Squirrel · Brown Hare · Roe Deer · Grey Squirrel

Red SquirrelSciurus vulgaris
Brown HareLepus europaeus
Roe DeerCapreolus capreolus
Grey SquirrelSciurus carolinensis

🌿

Plants134 species

summer

2024

Fen Pondweed · Bog-myrtle · Salix aurita x repens = S. x ambigua · Bulbous Rush · Common Mouse-ear +129

Fen PondweedPotamogeton coloratus
Bog-myrtleMyrica gale
Salix aurita x repens = S. x ambiguaSalix aurita x repens = S. x ambigua
Bulbous RushJuncus bulbosus
Common Mouse-earCerastium fontanum
Spear ThistleCirsium vulgare
Sitka SprucePicea sitchensis
Lady's-mantleAlchemilla vulgaris
Alpine RushJuncus alpinoarticulatus
Meadow VetchlingLathyrus pratensis
Water HorsetailEquisetum fluviatile
Lemon-scented FernOreopteris limbosperma
Dryopteris filix-masDryopteris filix-mas
Annual Meadow-grassPoa annua
Lesser SpearwortRanunculus flammula
Festuca rubraFestuca rubra
CuckooflowerCardamine pratensis
Marsh WillowherbEpilobium palustre
Round-leaved SundewDrosera rotundifolia
Tufted VetchVicia cracca
BogbeanMenyanthes trifoliata
Autumn HawkbitScorzoneroides autumnalis
Brown SedgeCarex disticha
Water MintMentha aquatica
Slender St John's-wortHypericum pulchrum
Mouse-ear-hawkweedPilosella officinarum
Tawny SedgeCarex hostiana
EyebrightEuphrasia
Carex hostiana x viridula s.l.Carex hostiana x viridula s.l.
Marsh-bedstrawGalium palustre
Common BentAgrostis capillaris
Poa pratensisPoa pratensis
DeergrassTrichophorum cespitosum
Long-Stalked Yellow SedgeCarex lepidocarpa
Broad-leaved DockRumex obtusifolius
Spring-sedgeCarex caryophyllea
Crested Dog's-tailCynosurus cristatus
Dioecious SedgeCarex dioica
Fairy FlaxLinum catharticum
Marsh-marigoldCaltha palustris
Few-flowered Spike-rushEleocharis quinqueflora
Downy BirchBetula pubescens
Dove's-foot Crane's-billGeranium molle
SelfhealPrunella vulgaris
SilverweedPotentilla anserina
Green-ribbed SedgeCarex binervis
Marsh PennywortHydrocotyle vulgaris
Mare's-tailHippuris vulgaris
Bottle SedgeCarex rostrata
RowanSorbus aucuparia
Common ChickweedStellaria media
Eared WillowSalix aurita
Common CottongrassEriophorum angustifolium
Procumbent PearlwortSagina procumbens
Greater Tussock-sedgeCarex paniculata
Sharp-flowered RushJuncus acutiflorus
Lady-fernAthyrium filix-femina
Heath Wood-rushLuzula multiflora
Knotted PearlwortSagina nodosa
Wild ThymeThymus drucei
Heath RushJuncus squarrosus
Mat-grassNardus stricta
Marsh HorsetailEquisetum palustre
Hare's-tail CottongrassEriophorum vaginatum
Common Bird's-foot-trefoilLotus corniculatus
Lesser StitchwortStellaria graminea
Heath SpeedwellVeronica officinalis
Norway SprucePicea abies
Silver BirchBetula pendula
Common Yellow-sedgeCarex demissa
MeadowsweetFilipendula ulmaria
Marsh ThistleCirsium palustre
Bog StitchwortStellaria alsine
Quaking-grassBriza media
Carnation SedgeCarex panicea
Cross-leaved HeathErica tetralix
Perennial Rye-grassLolium perenne
Marsh VioletViola palustris
Common SorrelRumex acetosa
Marsh ValerianValeriana dioica
Lesser Tussock-sedgeCarex diandra
HawthornCrataegus monogyna
Broad Buckler-fernDryopteris dilatata
Lesser ClubmossSelaginella selaginoides
LousewortPedicularis sylvatica
Heath BedstrawGalium saxatile
Heath MilkwortPolygala serpyllifolia
Marsh ArrowgrassTriglochin palustris
HeatherCalluna vulgaris
Narrow Buckler-fernDryopteris carthusiana
Ragged-RobinSilene flos-cuculi
Scots PinePinus sylvestris
Carex viridulaCarex viridula
Devil's-bit ScabiousSuccisa pratensis
Marsh LousewortPedicularis palustris
Jointed RushJuncus articulatus
Common SedgeCarex nigra
HarebellCampanula rotundifolia
Common ReedPhragmites australis
Spreading Meadow-grassPoa humilis
Marsh CinquefoilComarum palustre
BugleAjuga reptans
TormentilPotentilla erecta
Sweet Vernal-grassAnthoxanthum odoratum
Creeping ThistleCirsium arvense
Smooth Lady's-mantleAlchemilla glabra
Barren StrawberryPotentilla sterilis
DandelionTaraxacum
Yorkshire-fogHolcus lanatus
Tufted Forget-me-notMyosotis laxa
Lady's BedstrawGalium verum
Common Dog-violetViola riviniana
SneezewortAchillea ptarmica
Star SedgeCarex echinata
Fen BedstrawGalium uliginosum
Hairy Wood-rushLuzula pilosa
BilberryVaccinium myrtillus
Tufted Hair-grassDeschampsia cespitosa
Germander SpeedwellVeronica chamaedrys
Common ButterwortPinguicula vulgaris
Delicate StonewortChara virgata
Hard RushJuncus inflexus
DaisyBellis perennis
Sheep's Fescue agg.Festuca ovina
Sheep's SorrelRumex acetosella
Cat's-earHypochaeris radicata
Compact RushJuncus conglomeratus
Heath-grassDanthonia decumbens
Soft-rushJuncus effusus
BrackenPteridium aquilinum
White CloverTrifolium repens
Meadow ButtercupRanunculus acris
Wavy Hair-GrassAvenella flexuosa
Purple Moor-grassMolinia caerulea

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

Photos

📷 Richard Webb · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

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🌱Drumlanrig SquareUrban park4.5 km→🌱Little HaughUrban park4.6 km→🌱Wilton Lodge ParkUrban park3.5 km→🌱Henderson GardenUrban park4.1 km→🌱The HaughUrban park4.2 km→🌱Common Haugh Riverside ParkUrban park4.3 km→

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