Location and Access

The Calmac ferry to the Isle of Arran goes between Ardrossan and Brodick and offers the chance to see birds out in the Firth of Clyde on a trip that takes just under an hour each way. The ferry is big and only gets bumpy in really bad weather. There is outdoor seating on various decks for observing (it is even possible to look out of the windows in the cafeteria and observation lounge:-).

On Saturdays during July and August the North Ayrshire branch of the RSPB have a stand at the rear of the ship to show passengers the wildlife en route (and do a very successful RSPB recruitment!).

Ferry is equipped with lift to transport wheelchair users from car deck to upper deck.

Birds

As the boat leaves Ardrossan harbour you get a decent view of Horse Island (NS213427). This is an RSPB reserve with a large colony of Eider and Lesser Black-backed Gull, with Cormorant, Shag and Greylag Goose. There is no access to the island, so the ferry makes a good vantage point. Ardrossan Harbour is also a good location for seeing Black Guillemot at close range.

When in mid-firth the birds to look out for include Manx Shearwater and Storm Petrel (especially in autumn), Gannet (on fishing trips from Ailsa Craig), Fulmar, the three commoner species of Diver.

As the ferry approaches Brodick you pass the refuse tip with its attendant gulls. In winter these are obviously worth scanning for white-winged gulls such as Glaucous and Iceland.

The ferry is also good for other marine wildlife: e.g. porpoise, Atlantic grey seal, common seal, Minke whale. The Firth is also important for the enigmatic Basking Shark.

Additional Information

For more general information on Arran (e.g. ferry details) please see the Arran page.

Location and Access

This part of south Irvine is actually a collection of six areas good for wildlife all within two kilometres of each other. These are mostly managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. For convenience they can be split into two groups which we’ll call North and South.

North Shewalton

For this group it is recommended you park in the small reserve layby just off the A737 at NS 26 70: heading north into Irvine from the Shewalton junction of the A78 it is on the right just after Shewalton Cemetery.

Area One: Shewalton Sandpits

From the layby go down the path to the reserve. There are a couple of ponds surrounded by scrub and reeds. This area was reclaimed from disused sand and gravel works. It is particularly interesting for plants and butterflies. Extensive work done by the SWT in 2009-10 has restored this area, especially the ponds and cleared the network of paths. These go round the ponds and over to the River Irvine.

Area Two: Trocol Pond

From the layby walk back and cross the A737 and enter the area via a gate at NS 25 71. A circular path goes round a pond with stretches of wood, gorse and scrub. The pond has Coot, Moorhen and breeding Mute Swan. In winter it also attracts Whooper Swan. The trees (a mixture of conifer and deciduous) support Siskin, various tits, finches and the commoner summer migrants.

South Shewalton

The second group is on the other side of the A78. For this group it is recommended you park in the small SWT reserve car park near the paper factory at NS 7 57. From the Meadowhead Roundabout head towards the paper factory and pass the water treatment works on the left, after which a small track on the left goes down to the car park. This is on National Cycle Route 7.

Area Three: Shewalton Woods

From the car park follow the cycle path to start a circular walk that would take roughly an hour. Almost immediately take a track on the left and follow a water pipeline to some ponds at NS 49 61. The ponds and surrounding scrub have Grasshopper Warbler, Whitethroat, Reed Bunting and Sedge Warbler in summer, and the adjacent fields have Whooper Swans, Teal, Redwing and Fieldfares in winter. Map 

The path continues and enters a section of birch woodland which has Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Siskin, Great Spotted Woodpecker, and Redpoll. You emerge from the trees into a large expanse of rough grassland on the former raised bog, remnants of which persist close to the capped landfill site in the centre of, but not officially part of, the reserve. Buzzards breed and Hen Harrier is a winter visitor over the Moss. Foxes and Roe Deer are commonly seen. Keep your eyes peeled for adders basking on the edge of the path. The Moss is where I always get the first singing Skylark of the spring.

The path continues along the side of the Troon-Kilmarnock railway line (still in use, though only occasional trains pass) and rejoins the National Cycle Route at the south end of the paper factory. The trees here have Woodcock as well as the usual suspects. In 2009 15 hectares of conifer circling the reserve were felled to convert the area to native broad-leaved woodland. This is rapidly being colonised with wild flowers, and native tree species. A project The Shewalton Wood Tree Nursery is underway to provide a source of trees grown from seeds of Ayrshire provenance for use in local reserves.

In winter at dusk it is worth visiting the paper factory carpark to watch the roosting Starling flocks come in. These often attract Sparrowhawks which adds to the excitement!

Area Four: Meadowhead Pit

From the car park walk back towards Meadowhead Roundabout and opposite the pumping station (NS 6 59) take the cycle path to the left (signposted to Irvine Station). After about 200m the flooded pit appears on the right (NS 3 63). Gulls rest here after a busy scavenge in the local tip. Cormorant, Coot and Little Grebe all breed. In winter ducks such as Tufted Duck, Scaup, Pochard, Goldeneye are common as well as occasional visitors such as Goosander and Long-tailed Duck and swans (Mute, Whooper and even Black!).

Area Five: Gailes Marsh

By continuing along the cycle path from Area Four a foot bridge crosses the A78 and emerges at a busy minor road. Cross this and turn right towards the mini-roundabout. Continue along the cycle path as it heads left. After 400m on the left is Gailes Marsh: another SWT reserve. It is also possible to park on the grass verge at the edge of the reserve near the water pumping building.

Cross the style to enter the reserve which comprises coastal grassland, open water, marsh and woodland combine that supports a diversity of plant and animal life. It is particularly important for plants, amphibians and butterflies (work to re-introduce the Small Blue started in 2010).

In 2010 an artificial Sand Martin colony was constructed at the south of the reserve. This proved to be an immediate hit with 15-20 pairs moving in that spring.

Area Six: Oldhall Ponds

It is easy to overlook this SWT reserve as it hides away in the area north-west of the Meadowhead roundabout on the B7080. It consists of a couple of ponds connected by a path leading to a viewpoint. Although not a major attraction on its own, when combined with the other sites in this group, it nicely rounds off a visit. Parking is a little tricky as this road is busy: the best idea is to park nearer the paper factory and walk. Map of boundary 

The ponds attract the usual waterfowl including Whooper Swan in winter, and Kingfisher. The scrub area is also good for the usual summer migrants.