All the forests in the park are important for wildlife, with a range of habitats from ponds to light mixed woodland and heathery moorland.

Wherever you go, tread softly. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled and your ears open. Otters, foxes, red squirrels, roe deer, badgers and rabbits are all common in this forest park. But they’re naturally timid. The best time to spot these shy creatures is at dusk, when the countryside quietens down.

Tweed Valley ospreys

The stars of the valley are the ospreys. These raptors have bred along the Tweed every summer since the late 1990s. The local fish might not be so happy to see them, but they make a wonderful spectacle.

Drop in to the wildlife observation room at Glentress. Here you'll learn about birds of prey from the Tweed Valley Osprey Project volunteers. In nesting season, you can watch live stream of local osprey nests. 

The Tweed Valley is home to other birds, like:

• buzzards
• pipits
• dippers
• waxwings
• crossbills
• siskins
• chiffchaff
• great spotted woodpeckers
• owls.

Learn more about the Tweed Valley Osprey Project

Wildlife viewing tips

• Cademuir and Yair are good places to spot woodland birds.
• Thornielee is good for butterflies.Visit in summer to see what’s in the air.
• Glentress you’ll also find bees in the Wildlife Hub - don't worry, they come in and out safely behind a glass screen.
• Glenkinnon is protected because of its rich communities of trees and plants. Follow the boards along the Biodiversity Trail to learn more.