Monthly Archives: January 2003

Lochwinnoch RSPB

(Editor’s Note: Lochwinnoch is in Renfrewshire but has been granted honorary inclusion in Ayrshire due to the support they have given over the years to the Ayrshire Bird Report: buy a copy the next time you are in the shop.)

Location and Access

Lochwinnoch RSPB Nature Reserve, founded in the early 1970’s, is situated approximately 0 kilometres south west of Glasgow (NS 59 581). The reserve is part of Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park and is a SSSI. The reserve consists of two shallow lochs, Aird Meadow Loch and Barr Loch (both former flood meadow systems, redundant since approximately the 1950’s) which are fringed by marshland which is in turn fringed by carr woodland and drier deciduous woodland. There are also areas of scrub, and a mature beech wood. The visitor centre is situated 0.8 kilometres from Lochwinnoch village beside the A760 and is signposted from the A737. Lochwinnoch rail station (on the Largs/Ardrossan/Ayr to Glasgow line) is adjacent to the reserve, and several bus routes are within 15 minutes walking distance of the site. There is a visitor centre featuring a sizeable ground level viewing area, viewing tower and a well-stocked RSPB shop. From the visitor centre, two level trails lead to three hides which overlook the Aird Meadow loch. The visitor centre, trails and hides are accessible to wheelchair users. The visitor centre is open daily from 10am to 5pm, with the hides and trails open at all times.

Disabled parking. Wheelchair access to Centre (1:15 ramp) and hides (1:40 ramps), paths surfaced in rolled stone, narrow in places (900mm), one section of boardwalk. Further info from www.rspb.org.uk.

Just off National Route 7, Irvine to Glasgow.

Birds

Over 100 species are recorded annually. Breeding species include over 150 pairs of Sedge Warblers, several pairs of Grasshopper Warbler and over 20 pairs of Reed Bunting. Other breeding species include Water Rail and Great Crested Grebe. Management work on the reserve has contributed to an increase in breeding waders, with Lapwing and Snipe being regular breeders, and Redshank and Curlew being occasional breeders.

Species recorded on passage have included raptors such as Marsh Harrier and Osprey and waders such as Dunlin, Jack Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Green, Wood and Curlew Sandpiper, Greenshank and Whimbrel. White Wagtails have been recorded in autumn.

Autumn and Winter brings up to 40 Whooper Swans and 00 Greylag Geese to the site, with Wigeon, Teal, Goldeneye and Goosander present. Smew and Scaup occurs in most winters and Long-tailed Duck are seen occasionally. Glaucous and Iceland Gulls are worth looking out for at the Barr Loch gull roost, and also at the adjacent Castle Semple Loch where a multitude of gulls are regularly to be found feeding on scraps of bread thrown by visitors! Also worth looking out for in winter are Bramblings – historically, Garthland Wood (which runs alongside the A760 near the Glasgow to Irvine cycletrack) was a “top spot” for this species. Hen Harrier and Merlin are occasionally noted over Aird Meadow.

A number of rarities have been reported on the reserve including Purple Heron, Spoonbill, Black Duck, Yellow-browed Warbler and Red-backed Shrike. An Eye-browed Thrush was recorded in 1978 – the second Scottish record. A Reed Warbler in 2000 and a Nuthatch in 2001 were the first records for Renfrewshire and the Clyde Area, respectively.

Further Reading

The Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve Management Plan is available for consultation at the visitor centre. Copies of the twice-yearly Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve newsletter Wilsonia are also available at the centre. Currently in production are a checklist of the birds of the reserve and the latest reserve bird report.

Troon and Barassie

Location and Access

This section of the Ayrshire coast stretches from Barassie in the north marked by Stinking Rocks (NS 23 3) down to the end of Troon marked by Meikle Craigs (NS 25 285). This takes in North and South Sands, and the Troon Harbour and yacht marina. The harbour has become busier recently with the Seacat ferry to Northern Ireland. To get here follow the ferry signs from A76/A77. There are railway stations at Barassie and Troon on the Ayr-Glasgow line.The best places to park are:

  1. Troon Swimming Pool (NS 21 14)
  2. Troon harbour (NS 09 16)
  3. the car park at NS 07 13

The beaches in this area are clean and popular with walkers (with dogs!), jet-skiers and windsurfers. It is possible to walk along the beach to Irvine. There are good views of the Clyde and the Isle of Arran.

Good parking at swimming pool and ballast bank. View from car parks or metalled footpaths.

National Cycle Route 7 passes near best viewing sites.

Birds

This area has three main highlights. Firstly, the harbour is a magnet for gulls in winter, Iceland and Glaucous are often resident, with Mediterranean Gull an annual visitor. The Seacat Jetty and inner harbour are particularly good for close views of the northern gulls. The inner harbour is also good for Black Guillemot (up to a dozen at a time) as well as Eider and Red-breasted Merganser.

The ledges on the seaward-side of the harbour wall is a roost for Kittiwakes, Turnstones, Shags and Cormorants. To view this area park in the old Seacat car park, go down onto the beach and head to the right. This is only possible about an hour after high tide. The wall takes a curve which requires you to walk to the sea edge. As the tide goes out, you will gradually be able to see the wall and the ledges. (See photo on the right) [Addition Aug-2006 by Tom Cameron]

Secondly, the third car park above is good for sea-watching. Offshore can be seen Gannet, Manx Shearwater, Storm and Leach’s Petrel (I’m told!), and all three commoner Divers. The rocks in front have Purple Sandpiper.

Lastly, the North Shore, best seen from the Swimming Pool car park, is a good wader and gull roost. This is where to look for gulls that didn’t appear at the harbour. This area is also worth looking for Sanderling, Bar-tailed Godwit, Twite (flocks of up to 40 around the high-tide line) and Brent Geese.

Other Information

There are decent cafs and restaurants around the Marina and in Troon.