Status

Happening Now

Network

Habitat

Breeding Success at RSPB Lochwinnoch

What is now the Barr Loch at RSPB Lochwinnoch used to be a breeding colony of thousands of gulls, but due to changes in water levels over time there is no longer any available island space. Through this project, we have installed two artifical rafts and six vegetated biohavens, providing new habitats for gulls and wildfowl. While it's still early days, many birds have been using the islands for roosting, and 2020 saw two black headed gulls chicks successfully fledge from them.

We've also built a new pond by the Aird Meadow trail which, despite only being installed in late 2020, has already attracted whooper swans, herons, snipe and plenty of ducks. The next stage of the project is to install screens to protect the wildlife, giving visitors a more natural view of their behaviour.

Finally, a hardy team of RSPB Scotland volunteers have installed a new sand martin bank in front of the visitor centre. Mimicking their natural habitat along river banks and sand pits, this bank can provide nesting sites for dozens of birds.

Check out this video to see how the bank was installed.

In 2020, we marked this project as complete, however we're very excited that RSPB Scotland will now be creating more new ponds on the reserve. Situated right in front of the visitor centre, they will provide homes for wildlife, and excellent viewing opportunities for visitors.

Outputs achieved so far: 

2 biohavens

6 islands

1 sand martin bank

Did you know?

Great crested grebes perform an amazing courtship dance, facing each other and flicking their heads before rising up to run across the surface of the water together.

Grebe Courtship Video