c

RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve

West central Lowlands of Scotland  >  United Kingdom

One of the few wetlands left in west Scotland. Good spot to see жолтоклун лебед.

Added* by John Morecroft
Most recent update 28 април 2025

Description

Lochwinnoch wetland is a mixture of broadleaved woodland, open water and marshy areas with some floating fen. In Spring цуцулест нуркач perform their courtship rituals. мал трскар and полски трскар can be heard singing from the wetter areas of the reserve. Also брезов свиркач, обичен свиркач, градинарско грмушарче, црноглаво грмушарче, Lesser Whitethroat and обично грмушарче in the woods. барска кокошка can be heard squealing from the reedbed areas.

In Autumn you can see large gatherings of селска ластовичка, often roosting in the wetland vegetation, preparing for their long southward journeys. Flocks of лисест дрозд and дрозд боровинкар arrive to strip the trees of their wild fruits. Look up and you might catch sight of mixed flocks of tits, жолтоглаво кралче and обичен ползач in the woodland.

In Winter a wide variety of ducks arrive along with variable numbers of жолтоклун лебед. At this time of year there are frequent sightings of Полска еја and other birds of prey. рибарче are present, often affording excellent views.

калуѓерка and обична бекасина are seen regularly on the scrape built behind the visitor centre, which can be viewed from inside, including from the viewing tower upstairs. The scrape also attracts црноопашна блатарка and other waders, such as црвенонога тринга, обичен свиркач, голем српоклун свиркач, среден пескар, шарен српоклун свиркач and sandpipers. езерски галеб breed on the floating platforms on Aird Meadow. On the south side of the area Barr Loch also attracts good numbers of цуцулест нуркач, ducks and swans.

Details

Access

By train: Lochwinnoch railway station is situated 400 metres south-east of the visitor centre.

By bus: Nearest bus stops are on the A737 at Roadhead roundabout (at grid reference: NS 350 586, 750 metres south-east of the reserve entrance) and on the A760 at Newton of Barr (at NS 366 577, 1.2 km north-west of the entrance).

By bike: National Cycle Route 7 runs through the reserve, adjacent to the A737.

By road: The reserve is located 18 miles south-west of Glasgow, beside the A760 Largs Road, which is off the A737 Irvine Road (easily reached from the M8 at Junction 28A). Car parking facilities are available.

There is a visitor centre and different hides and trails to explore the area.

Terrain and Habitat

Forest , Wetland , Lake , Scattered trees and bushes , Reedbeds

Conditions

Wet

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

No

Good birding season

Winter , Spring

Best time to visit

Winter

Route

Unpaved road , Wide path , Narrow trail

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

Show more birds Show less birds
Show more images Show less images

Comments & Tips

Post comment, tip or bird sighting
Rate this area
Add to my favourites
Remove from my favorites