Location and Access

Both of these sites lie about a mile to the west of Galston, one of three towns built along the valley of the River Irvine in the north-east corner of East Ayrshire.

East Holmes Marsh (also known as the Grougar Marshes) lies between the River Irvine and the Cessnock Water at NS 473 72. Access is possible by parking at Hoodston Bridge, (NS 471 69), just off the busy A71 about 1km from Hurlford / 2km from Galston. You can scan most of the marsh and the surrounding area, (which floods whenever it rains heavily), by scope from the small car park or you can get closer to the marsh by carefully crossing the road, turning right and walking up the verge for about 200m to where a narrow track leads down through the fields. This track runs along the eastern edge of the marsh and offers good vantage points and plenty of cover. Reasonable viewing can also be had on the opposite side from the small track which follows the bank of the Cessnock.

Ladyton or Lady Loch is found on the north side of the River Irvine at NS 486 73. It can be reached by following the unclassified road which is opposite the entrance to Loudoun Castle Theme Park on the A719, to the north of Galston. The loch is on the left hand side just past the Ladyton Farm roadend, the road here is very narrow so please park carefully. It is also worth noting that unless you are the owner of a large 4 wheel drive or a tractor you should turn around at the loch and go back the way you came – once the tarmac runs out at the farm the road gets very rough! Alternatively you can park in Galston town centre and follow the public Right of Way from the underpass at NS 499 71, up the old “coffin road” past the churchyard and onto the unclassified road mentioned above.

There are a number of bus services from Kilmarnock which run past Hoodston Bridge into Galston at least every half hour. Contact Kilmarnock bus station on 01563 525192 for details.

East Holmes Marsh: Car park on trunk road with fast traffic. Scan from CP with telescope. Fence prevents access to track. Ladyton Loch: View from car at side of road. Road rough and unsurfaced in places.

Access to marsh along A71 is not recommended. Ladyton Loch is accessible along quiet byway.

Birds

East Holmes is particularly good for waders on passage in the spring and autumn – Snipe, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Curlew and Oystercatcher are all regular visitors. Other less common birds such as Green and Wood Sandpiper, Little Egret and Ruff have also put in appearances in recent times. Breeding birds at the site include Grey Heron, Water Rail, Grasshopper Warbler, Reed Bunting and Little Grebe. In winter the marsh holds a good range of ducks: Teal, Mallard, Wigeon, Pochard, Gadwall and Tufted Duck can all be seen.

Ladyton Loch is quite small but is worth a visit if you are in the area. Little Grebe, Mute Swan, Moorhen, Teal and Mallard breed on the site and there are always Whooper Swans and other wildfowl in the winter. The surrounding marshy fields, scrub woodland and hedgerows are also good for birds Breeding species include Lapwing, Grey Heron, Oystercatcher, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer and Sedge Warbler. The Ravens from nearby Loudoun Hill have also been seen on the track beside the loch!

This stretch of the River Irvine has a Sand Martin colony and breeding Dipper. Kingfisher can also be seen.

Location and Access

The loch and contiguous wetlands lie close to the west of Dalmellington on the A713 Ayr-Castle Douglas road. There are a number of informal footpaths around the site and it is reasonably easy to access on foot from Dalmellington which is on a regular bus route from Ayr. Excellent viewing is had from the west bank. This is reached by following the B741 from Dalmellington to Straiton and then, within 1km, over a hump-backed bridge, going left along a byway towards Dalcairney Farm. There is one modest layby for parking (NS 465 055) and turning a car and a few places where a vehicle may ease onto the verge of the narrow road. Please park with consideration for other users.

These are narrow country roads with no surfaced lay-bys or safe refuges for wheelchair users to avoid passing traffic. Limited opportunities to view from car. One surfaced lay-by at south end of loch on Dalcairney farm road reasonable view of loch.

Easy cycle ride from Dalmellington.

Birds

This site is a Site of Special Scientific Interest with reedbeds and wetlands around the loch. It is excellent for wetland breeding species and wintering birds. Whooper Swan and Greylag Goose are present in good numbers in winter and Bittern has been recorded. Flocks of finch including Brambling can be found along the beech-lined road. Mallard, Teal, Goldeneye and Dabchick are likely sightings and Shoveler on occasion. Water Rail, Snipe, Whinchat, Grasshopperand Sedge Warbler and Reed Bunting are present and Willow Tit have been observed in the scrub around the road end. Raptors seen include Kestrel, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk and Hen Harrier. Otters can be seen feeding and playing.

Location and Access

A large inland loch (2km in length) found two kilometres south of Coylton. Take the B742 from Coylton and turn off left at NS 402 183 for the south side or continue along the B742 and take first left after the Jelliston turning and the manor house is beside the loch. This latter access point is private, though currently the owner does allow access if he is notified and all common courtesies are followed. There is access to the loch from the south with parking at two spots, firstly, at the road junction at NS 405 177, and secondly at the small lay-by at NS 403 173. From these two parking spots the southern side of the loch can be explored and viewed. A telescope is recommended.

These are narrow country roads with no surfaced laybys or safe refuges for wheelchair users to avoid passing traffic. Limited opportunities to view from car.

On good network of byways linking through to Ayr and Cumnock, but beware of opencast mining traffic near Cumnock.

Birds

Martnaham Loch holds SSSI status for the western half of its spread. The south-western end of the loch is bordered by mixed woodland which can be productive in the summer. Access is limited, so pay attention to sign-posting. It is a significant freshwater site for its size and orientation. Whilst its shape runs predominately south-west to north-east, there are enough inlets and bays to provide shelter from the wind coming from any direction. Maybe it is because of this that Martnaham boasts some notable rarities over the years, including more recently a returning long-staying male Smew, a Ring-necked Duck, Black Tern, Lesser Scaup and Hobby.

Autumn and winter see reasonable flocks of ducks, including Goldeneye, Wigeon, Pochard and Teal. There is also the chance of seeing Shoveler, Scaup, Long-tailed Duck and Gadwall. During stormy weather large flocks of gulls have been known to congregate, with rarer visitors such as Glaucous, Iceland and Mediterranean Gulls. Late winter can see reasonable flocks of Greylag Geese and Whooper Swans gathering in the nearby fields. An early start is recommended to see the geese before they leave the loch to feed in the surrounding area.

With lower water levels in autumn, passage waders can often be found at the eastern end. During migration keep an eye out for the raptors that follow the migrating birds. Great Crested and Little Grebe breed, while the latest birds to start breeding include Canada Geese in 2000.

The loch is also good for passage birds: Oystercatcher, Curlew, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Whimbrel, Ruff, Green Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, Wheatear and Whinchat. Large numbers of hirundines also use the loch to feed and roost at this time.

The article That Redhead’s No Lady by Dave Grant describes the moulting of a Martnaham Smew. This originally appeared in Ayrshire Bird Report 2001.

Other Information

Whilst in the locality, the smaller Fergus Loch (NS 9 18) and Snipe Loch (NS 8 17) should also be checked for interest. The fields surrounding the former loch have been a favourite haunt of Whooper Swans in past years, with flocks of 0+ birds in late autumn.

Location and Access

From the township of Logan (NS 59 20), just east of Cumnock off the A70, a 10-12km network of byways can be accessed which link the farms on the hills east of Cumnock with the A70 and A76 trunk routes. These quiet back roads, mainly single track, are ideal for birdwatching by bike but can be explored by car or on foot from Cumnock or Logan, both well served by buses. Please park with due consideration for other road users and farmers needing access to fields.

Surfaced minor roads. Be alert for passing vehicles. Scan from car.

Many quiet roads to explore.

Birds

The byways pass through diverse habitat. The high ground is largely developed and undeveloped pastureland but there is also a large area of moss between the crossing of Glenmuir Water and the A70. Many sections of road are bordered by mature stands of beech and other broadleaved trees and there are several patches of mixed woodland. The roads pass by or close to a number of working farms. Glenmuir is a narrow gorge, well foliated, with scrub, woodland and open ground. The whole area is on a migration flight path. The area is good for Fieldfare and Redwing in winter, and flocks of finches, though anything is possible on passage. Depending on the season, warblers, tits, Spotted Flycatcher, Common Whitethroat and other woodland and hedgerow birds are likely and the farms attract Swallow especially. Kestrel is a common raptor.

Location and Access

This large tract of upland moor (NS 61 25) is an important ornithological site lying to the south of the upper reaches of the River Ayr. It is bounded by the A70 Cumnock-Muirkirk trunk road on the south and and the B743 on the north.

It is possible to get into the Moss on foot from Auchinleck, Cumnock, Cronberry and Muirkirk, all of which are on regular bus routes and there are plans for a footpath in the north-eastern section beside the River Ayr. Some of the byways can be explored, with care, by cycle and there are one or two spots which can be easily investigated on foot.

Essentially, however, viewing is from one of the major or minor roads around the site. A large layby to the north east of Cronberry on the A70 provides a strategic overview and the byway into the Moss just south east of Cronberry has good vantage points. A short distance along this road (on the left as you head towards Auchinleck), is Common Loch (NS 59 22). This small loch holds a good variety of breeding and wintering birds and is worth checking out at any time of the year. Attention should also be paid to the surrounding area of scrub woodland – a Great Grey Shrike turned up at nearby Commondyke Farm (NS 578 225) a couple of winters ago. Please be alert to the opencast coal mining traffic in the vicinity. A number of wayside stops can be found on the B743 Sorn-Muirkirk road with good birding on both sides, e.g. the bridge over the Greenock Water at NS 631 272.

Park and scan from vehicle.

The A70 requires great care. Some byways also carry mining traffic.

Birds

There are many interesting moorland species breeding here including Hen Harrier, Merlin, Red Grouse, Golden Plover, Dunlin and Curlew. Peregrine have been seen and good numbers of Short-eared Owl when the vole numbers are strong. Black Grouse have been observed close to the Sorn-Muirkirk road. Skylark, Tree Pipit, Lesser Redpoll, Stonechat, Whinchat, Wheatear, Common Crossbill, Mistle Thrush, and Reed Bunting are among the other species which are likely to be encountered during a summer visit to the area. In winter, there are always large flocks of thrushes and plenty of ducks and swans to be seen on the small lochs.

Conservation Issues

The area has opencast coal mining potential which gives rise to conflicts of interest between commercial and ecological considerations. Hopefully, compromise and agreement will preserve the moss as a major ornithological site in East Ayrshire.