Loch Gruinart RSPB reserve, Islay, Argyll
Loch Gruinart is a shallow sea loch on the northern coast of the island of Islay in Argyll. It is 4 miles in length and there are a few houses but no significant settlements around its shores. There are extensive sand dune systems around Ardnave Point and Killinallan Point at the mouth of the loch.
At the head of the loch is a large area of coastal mudflats, salt marsh, moorland and woodland owned by the RSPB. RSPB Loch Gruinart is a special kind of nature reserve because it includes a working farm. In fact, it is the biggest farming operation on a nature reserve anywhere in the UK and possibly in Europe. Roughly a third of the reserve comprises farm land for grazing or for silage or arable crop production. The rest consists of approximately 250 hectares of mudflats and salt marsh and 980 hectares of heather moorland.
There are walking trails through the moorland and the woodland areas near the loch. The most popular destination for birders are 2 hides located on the edge of the loch and reached by a trail through the woodland. This provides an excellent place to observe not only birds but other wildlife such as Roe and Red Deer, Otter and Brown Hare. The RSPB also manage a visitor centre which is open all year and provides information on walking trails, special events, guided walks and what to look for in terms of birds and other wildlife.
There is something to see all year round on the reserve although the most spectacular time to visit is in October and early November when 45% of the world's population of Barnacle Geese and 60% of the world’s population of Greenland White-fronted Geese return from Greenland for the winter. A maximum count of 24,000 geese has been recorded on the reserve. At the same time Pale-bellied Brent Geese and Whooper Swans fly in from Iceland and stop for a short rest before heading onwards to Ireland. Late autumn/early winter is also a good time to see birds of prey including Golden Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Hen Harrier, Merlin and Peregrine.
Date: 4th November 2017
Location: view from the woodland trail, Loch Gruinart RSPB reserve
At the head of the loch is a large area of coastal mudflats, salt marsh, moorland and woodland owned by the RSPB. RSPB Loch Gruinart is a special kind of nature reserve because it includes a working farm. In fact, it is the biggest farming operation on a nature reserve anywhere in the UK and possibly in Europe. Roughly a third of the reserve comprises farm land for grazing or for silage or arable crop production. The rest consists of approximately 250 hectares of mudflats and salt marsh and 980 hectares of heather moorland.
There are walking trails through the moorland and the woodland areas near the loch. The most popular destination for birders are 2 hides located on the edge of the loch and reached by a trail through the woodland. This provides an excellent place to observe not only birds but other wildlife such as Roe and Red Deer, Otter and Brown Hare. The RSPB also manage a visitor centre which is open all year and provides information on walking trails, special events, guided walks and what to look for in terms of birds and other wildlife.
There is something to see all year round on the reserve although the most spectacular time to visit is in October and early November when 45% of the world's population of Barnacle Geese and 60% of the world’s population of Greenland White-fronted Geese return from Greenland for the winter. A maximum count of 24,000 geese has been recorded on the reserve. At the same time Pale-bellied Brent Geese and Whooper Swans fly in from Iceland and stop for a short rest before heading onwards to Ireland. Late autumn/early winter is also a good time to see birds of prey including Golden Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Hen Harrier, Merlin and Peregrine.
Date: 4th November 2017
Location: view from the woodland trail, Loch Gruinart RSPB reserve
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Also in: Sea and sand
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