Rspb Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve

Osprey fishing over the reserve this afternoon! Photos courtesy of Gillian Dowd and copyrighted.

This morning while we were getting the centre ready for opening, Rob spotted a wader feeding along the edge of the channels. Being an inland site we don't get too many waders, and this one turned out to be a redshank! It is likely to be on migration, as was the greenshank on Sunday. Why do we get these usually coastal birds on the reserve? RSPB Lochwinnoch sits in the Garnock valley, which connects the Inner Clyde with the coast to the south west, and acts as a shortcut or flyway for migrating birds...and they need safe places to stop and refuel along the way. That's another reason why reserves are really important! Here's a little more about migration to peruse over your morning coffee...
https://www.rspb.org.uk/…/bir…/migrat ion/choosing-the-route/

Fancy some egg-cellent Easter fun? Come and join us for some egg-tastic Easter activities at Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve. We have plenty of wildlife-themed Easter activities for children of all ages, including some fun Easter crafts, a treasure hunt and the ever popular Egg Drop Challenge! No booking necessary so drop in between midday and 3pm. Cost: £6 (RSPB members £4.80). Adults go FREE!

Come along to RSPB Lochwinnoch visitor centre where our friendly and knowledgeable staff will be on hand to offer impartial advice on our extensive binocular and telescope range.
We stock a wide variety of brands including our own RSPB, Viking, Swarovski, Zeiss and Leica.

Could you get creative in the name of saving nature? We are looking for friendly volunteers to help us raise vital funds for conservation by doing face painting during busy times at our visitor centre. If you would like more information please email the reserve at lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk
Training can be provided

To help celebrate mother’s day why not bring your kids along between today and Friday 5th April to explore our woodland trail and discover what makes our wildlife mums ‘Super Mums’. Kids can complete some challenges along the way before returning to the visitor centre to claim a reward and the whole family can relax and enjoy the wildlife.
Cost: £4 per child / RSPB members £2.50 [Normal trail fees apply for adults]

Come and take part in this egg hunt with a difference! Walk our trails and keep an eye out for any dinosaur eggs you can spot along the way. Find them all and claim your reward!
Cost: £4 per child / RSPB members £2.50 [Normal trail fees apply for adults]

Singing chiffchaff by the Barr Loch and sand martins over the water, plus displaying great crested grebes beside our hopefully-enticing vegetated rafts this morning! 21 whooper swans flew over the Aird Meadow and landed on the Castle Semple loch, obviously stopping off to feed on migration.
https://vimeo.com/89115582

Exciting news...11 sand martins have just been spotted over the Castle Semple loch!

350+ greylag geese dropping onto the Barr Loch earlier today and a few redwings loitering in the bushes by the pond dipping platform showed there are still a few winter birds about. However, we've now had black-headed gulls pairing up on both of our new gull nesting platforms, so spring is in the air...
Photo by our volunteer Billy Muir

Today's brambling.

Male brambling just been spotted at our feeder screen!

Our open day is tomorrow! Pond dipping and natural play area all available as well as access to the reserve. So why not pop along and check us out! :)

Today's sightings! 44 whooper swans over the Aird Meadow was today's highlight.

To help celebrate mother’s day why not bring your kids along between Friday 29th March and Friday 5th April to explore our woodland trail and discover what makes our wildlife mums ‘Super Mums’. Kids can complete some challenges along the way before returning to the visitor centre to claim a reward and the whole family can relax and enjoy the wildlife.
Cost: £4 per child / RSPB members £2.50 [Normal trail fees apply for adults]

Male hen harrier over the reserve earlier today then headed off towards Castle Semple area

A reminder that our shop will be closed on 27th March to allow us to do a stocktake. The visitor centre and the reserve will be open as usual.

Check out the link for more info on our upcoming open day!

We have been twice and both times had a fantastic day. The staff are really friendly and helpful. Lovely walks and views. Saw a nice variety of birds and beautiful wild flowers. We will definitely be back in the next few months.

We had great fun with the girls (both 2 years old) walking on the paths, spotting birds. They especially liked the fairy path and drawing on the whiteboard inside. Definitely worth a visit. Helen

Visited with my son and friends with their children age ranging between 1-5 and it was a great day had by all! The staff were so helpful and friendly and the trail had various bits to play at! Kids came away very muddy but very very happy

Visited for doors open day with my 12 year old and he has nothing but good words for the reserve. Spent nearly 3 hours wandering watching and pond dipping. Extra kudos has to go to the 2 girls who dealt with us, especially the 1 who spoke to us about 20 times and helped Aidan work the telescope numerous times!

Took our 20 month old girl here on a Sunday, such a beautiful place. The man who spoke to us informed us of its history and was very helpful. Once we were able to break our daughter away from the colouring table we had a very messy and fun time in the natural play park. Great afternoon out.

This is a great place to visit, and not just for birdwatchers. My grandkids, from 3 to 10 years old love it. Pond dipping is a winner as is the den building and play area. Try the challenge which gets them out looking for wildlife. The staff are very friendly and helpful.

The volunteers at the reserve are so knowledgable and friendly. The new coffee machine and snacks available make it easy to spend hours watching the abundance of birds....any unusual or rare species are always pointed out. Great walks too and loads for kids to do. Couldn't recommended it enough.

Never been before only stopped on way to Largs could have stayed all day!!! Saw juvenile Robin a volunteer kindly gave me some food so I could get up closer and also saw a wee bank vole, will come back and spend longer definitely

Me and my boyfriend visited yesterday and fell in love with the place! Such friendly and knowledgeable volunteers, lots to do and see and so close to the train station. We enjoyed a hot chocolate and a biscuit while watching the birds from the visitors centre. Highly recommend it!

Lovely place to watch





swans, ducks and other feathered friends. Spotted a kingfisher and watching the heron sunbathing on loch was stunning. Very well looked after habitat, great location �

Lovely centre, with loads of information on offer. One of the volunteers, Anne, spent a lot of time chatting with us and pointing out various birds at the feeders and is clearly very passionate about what she does. It was great to see lots of activities on offer, I'm sure it is a great place to take kids of an afternoon. I hope it is not too long before I can make a return trip!!

I live here and have never been happier. All around my front and back door there lies a wealth of habitats which supports much wildlife.

It can't be compared to

an Amazon environment but it has it's charm. I've spent many a day over the last four decades in the reserve and I can honestly say that it can compete with the best of them and since I'm local and have actually been in many parks over the years I can say it's the best. Beautiful landscapes wherein lies many stunning, secreted away locations. It has much to offer in the winter months also, but spectacularly coming to life in the spring, summer season. Looking forward to the new spring AwAkEnInGs. Hurry up summer I miss you already. The Renfrewshire heights can provide spectacular views with the Fairley Moors and Kelburn country park bringing the beautiful Clyde estuary too provide spectacular habitats which include moors, marshes, rivers and some spectacular woodland walks which are a particular favourite of mine. So all in all choosing to spend a day or more in the park will certainly not disappoint. It would be amiss of me if I don't say that Muirshiel is the best.

Having been visiting now for a few years, there is always something to see. The views from the visitors centre are great and as a very keen photographer, I use the hides on a regular basis. The staff are very friendly and helpful and are also very knowledgeable. I saw the Marsh and Hen Harrier yesterday which was superb. Also good to see the Nuthatch.

I can highly recommend a visit to the reserve.

Have travelled from Airdrie often to the reserve at various times of year. The staff are always helpful and friendly. Today they had a great fun event for children .An Easter Treasure hunt. I saw little ones with great face paints on and others full of excitement searching for clues. The extra helpers were very patient and are to be commended ....PS The home baking on sale for a little donation was HEAVENLY... Thank you everyone ...

Had the most wonderful afternoon at the nature reserve with my two girls taking part in the 'Make your own Monday' bushcraft session. We made amazing journey sticks, clay creatures and homes for them. Judy and the other gentleman were brilliant, thank you for a fantastic few hours!

Great shop, great paths and hides, great staff and lots of bird life to watch and have identified for you if need be. A good sized car park and it's right next to Lochwinnoch railway station.

Fantastic staff there and so enthusiastic with encouraging kids involvement with nature. My daughter loved it and enjoyed being able to spot many different types of birds and beasties. Overall beautiful scenic area too :)

Courteous and knowledgeable staff. A place that has appeal for all ages. Very nice scenery. We look forward to returning and visiting the parts we did not have time to see.

Been members for over a year now and love the place my 21 month old and 8 year old enjoy all the activities that they put on and even when nothing extra is on a walk round the trails and seeing all the birds and ducks, fantastic wee place!! Highly recomend it!!

We have been twice and both times had a fantastic day. The staff are really friendly and helpful. Lovely walks and views. Saw a nice variety of birds and beautiful wild flowers. We will definitely be back in the next few months.

We had great fun with the girls (both 2 years old) walking on the paths, spotting birds. They especially liked the fairy path and drawing on the whiteboard inside. Definitely worth a visit. Helen

Visited with my son and friends with their children age ranging between 1-5 and it was a great day had by all! The staff were so helpful and friendly and the trail had various bits to play at! Kids came away very muddy but very very happy

Visited for doors open day with my 12 year old and he has nothing but good words for the reserve. Spent nearly 3 hours wandering watching and pond dipping. Extra kudos has to go to the 2 girls who dealt with us, especially the 1 who spoke to us about 20 times and helped Aidan work the telescope numerous times!

Took our 20 month old girl here on a Sunday, such a beautiful place. The man who spoke to us informed us of its history and was very helpful. Once we were able to break our daughter away from the colouring table we had a very messy and fun time in the natural play park. Great afternoon out.

This is a great place to visit, and not just for birdwatchers. My grandkids, from 3 to 10 years old love it. Pond dipping is a winner as is the den building and play area. Try the challenge which gets them out looking for wildlife. The staff are very friendly and helpful.

The volunteers at the reserve are so knowledgable and friendly. The new coffee machine and snacks available make it easy to spend hours watching the abundance of birds....any unusual or rare species are always pointed out. Great walks too and loads for kids to do. Couldn't recommended it enough.

Never been before only stopped on way to Largs could have stayed all day!!! Saw juvenile Robin a volunteer kindly gave me some food so I could get up closer and also saw a wee bank vole, will come back and spend longer definitely

Me and my boyfriend visited yesterday and fell in love with the place! Such friendly and knowledgeable volunteers, lots to do and see and so close to the train station. We enjoyed a hot chocolate and a biscuit while watching the birds from the visitors centre. Highly recommend it!

Lovely place to watch





swans, ducks and other feathered friends. Spotted a kingfisher and watching the heron sunbathing on loch was stunning. Very well looked after habitat, great location �

Lovely centre, with loads of information on offer. One of the volunteers, Anne, spent a lot of time chatting with us and pointing out various birds at the feeders and is clearly very passionate about what she does. It was great to see lots of activities on offer, I'm sure it is a great place to take kids of an afternoon. I hope it is not too long before I can make a return trip!!

I live here and have never been happier. All around my front and back door there lies a wealth of habitats which supports much wildlife.

It can't be compared to

an Amazon environment but it has it's charm. I've spent many a day over the last four decades in the reserve and I can honestly say that it can compete with the best of them and since I'm local and have actually been in many parks over the years I can say it's the best. Beautiful landscapes wherein lies many stunning, secreted away locations. It has much to offer in the winter months also, but spectacularly coming to life in the spring, summer season. Looking forward to the new spring AwAkEnInGs. Hurry up summer I miss you already. The Renfrewshire heights can provide spectacular views with the Fairley Moors and Kelburn country park bringing the beautiful Clyde estuary too provide spectacular habitats which include moors, marshes, rivers and some spectacular woodland walks which are a particular favourite of mine. So all in all choosing to spend a day or more in the park will certainly not disappoint. It would be amiss of me if I don't say that Muirshiel is the best.

Having been visiting now for a few years, there is always something to see. The views from the visitors centre are great and as a very keen photographer, I use the hides on a regular basis. The staff are very friendly and helpful and are also very knowledgeable. I saw the Marsh and Hen Harrier yesterday which was superb. Also good to see the Nuthatch.

I can highly recommend a visit to the reserve.

Have travelled from Airdrie often to the reserve at various times of year. The staff are always helpful and friendly. Today they had a great fun event for children .An Easter Treasure hunt. I saw little ones with great face paints on and others full of excitement searching for clues. The extra helpers were very patient and are to be commended ....PS The home baking on sale for a little donation was HEAVENLY... Thank you everyone ...

Had the most wonderful afternoon at the nature reserve with my two girls taking part in the 'Make your own Monday' bushcraft session. We made amazing journey sticks, clay creatures and homes for them. Judy and the other gentleman were brilliant, thank you for a fantastic few hours!

Great shop, great paths and hides, great staff and lots of bird life to watch and have identified for you if need be. A good sized car park and it's right next to Lochwinnoch railway station.

Fantastic staff there and so enthusiastic with encouraging kids involvement with nature. My daughter loved it and enjoyed being able to spot many different types of birds and beasties. Overall beautiful scenic area too :)

Courteous and knowledgeable staff. A place that has appeal for all ages. Very nice scenery. We look forward to returning and visiting the parts we did not have time to see.

Been members for over a year now and love the place my 21 month old and 8 year old enjoy all the activities that they put on and even when nothing extra is on a walk round the trails and seeing all the birds and ducks, fantastic wee place!! Highly recomend it!!