Kevin Waite
The site has been decimated by drainage and the planting of thousands of trees (or at least the plastic protectors for young trees). This effectively ruins the site.
Kevin Waite, 2 April 2004
This area is a field and marsh that
quickly floods in winter and is good for wildfowl. It is reached along lanes leading off the
B769 Irvine to Stewarton road. Grid reference: NS 367 403. This land is private so please
respect any instructions from the landowners. It is possible to get closer to the ponds by
going along the edge of the field to a strip of trees and bushes.
Possible to park on verge but not easy for wheelchair users
to exit the vehicle. Difficult to see anything sitting in a car.
Readily accessed from Irvine along local
cycle route and National Route 73 Knockentiber to
Springside.
In the winter this area attracts wildfowl such as Teal, Wigeon, Mallard. Unfortunately, the marsh area has lots of channels where birds (such as the Green-winged Teal in 2000) can hide if spooked. The area is also good for grazing geese and swans (Mute and Whooper). The hedgerows on the lanes around here are some of the best places in Ayrshire for Tree Sparrow (e.g. up to a dozen birds around Overton Farm, although they are unreliable). There is a path along the edge of the fields that is good for farmland birds (Yellowhammer, Linnet, Grey Partridge, Lapwing, Fieldfare).
Last updated: April 2004
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