RSPB Lochwinnoch

To celebrate the end of my first term as a Post-Graduate student I decided I would visit a nature reserve that was new to me: RSPB Lochwinnoch. I had high hopes because according to the great wikipedia, the name Lochwinnoch derives from the Gaelic Loch Eanach meaning 'loch of birds'. Here is how I fared...

Looking across Aird Meadow Loch towards Lochwinnoch village

Getting there was super simple, a 30 minute train ride from Glasgow Central and I was there! The reserve is right next to the train station and like RSPB Leighton Moss (I have yet to ascertain if this is an RSPB wide scheme) they offer free entry for those coming by public transport. Considering that the RSPB have no student membership (I really think they are missing out here) the free entry by public transport has been a lifesaving scheme for me over the last few years. I always make sure, however, to make a small donation either directly or by buying from the cafe and/or gift shop when I visit, as it is definitely a worthy cause. I look forward to becoming a member when I secure my first proper job but in the meantime I am thankful for this scheme as otherwise I definitely wouldn't be able to afford visiting their reserves so often.

Aird Meadow Trail

Upon arriving at the Visitor Centre (which is a rather peculiar mushroom-shaped building, in that it has a hide perched on top), I received the most friendly welcome. I really took to this visitor centre. My only other experience has been RSPB Leighton Moss which I absolutely love too but Lochwinnoch felt less commerical and more personal. When you enter, you immediately face two windows which give views across the wetlands and there are comfy chairs and an array of telescopes and binoculars available so you can take in the views. There is no cafe, so I did miss getting my usual piece of cake (which I always do at Leighton Moss) but there is a tea/coffee/hot chocolate machine and you can buy chocolate bars/other snacky things. I treated myself to a hot chocolate and fairtrade chocolate bar halfway through my visit - it was just the job to warm up on such a cold day though in the process of juggling all my kit (camera, binoculars, bird books) I did manage to spill half of it on the floor. There is also a small shop which I didn't look in (I am so short of money at the moment I have to be strict with myself!), a computer from which I was shown some videos from their night trap cameras and a small library of natural history books as well of course the usual informational boards. I have to admit, I never braved going upstairs to the main hide and truth be told, I am not quite sure why! I guess I wanted to save something for another time and also anticipated it would be the busiest, plus with not many daylight hours I wanted to preference being outside.

Male Blackbird (taken near the feeding station)

So after such a lovely warm welcome, I was equipped with a map and headed out on the Aird Meadow Trail (which is just over 1/2 a mile long). Close to the visitor centre they have a pond dipping area and natural play area which looked perfect for young families. There was also one of the busiest feeder stations I have ever seen which I must have spent a good half an hour watching. All the usual garden birds were present but also the Nuthatch visited a few times (or Nut'atch as we jokingly say in my family) and the Great Spotted Woodpecker. The whole of this trail was really well maintained and so super easy underfoot. It was mostly wooded with some vantage points across the reeds and wetlands to one side, and the railway ran along the other. I soon came across the other hide (there are only two covered ones on the reserve) which was fairly small (I have been spoilt by the huge ones they have at Leighton Moss). I spent almost an hour in there, working my binoculars hard. I then continued along the trail to its end, to a viewpoint called ''Tod's Seat'' which was a good spot to finish my packed lunch, having great views across the hills, Lochwinnoch village and Castle Semple Loch. I did wonder at this point, what the reserve must be like in summer and how much the yachting at Castle Semple Loch must disturb the wildlife at neighbouring Aird Meadow. I assume not that much as otherwise it wouldn't be viable reserve but it will be interesting to see. I have heard that the reserve is excellent in the Summer for its warblers and reed buntings so will be visiting in warmer times for sure.

Female Chaffinch (taken near the feeder station)

I then headed back to the visitor centre for that aforementioned hot chocolate and chocolate bar. I needed this sustenance because i) it was cold ii) I was planning to brave the Barr Loch Trail. I had been warned by staff at the visitor centre and by a local man in the hide that at this time of year the trail was rather overgrown and muddy. The man at the hide did, however, suggest it would be worth it and he was right. Barr Loch is much larger than Aird Meadow Loch and there were a lot more birds. The variety of birds wasn't necessarily any different, there were just a lot more of each type. There were soooo many mute swans. I have to confess to getting a little scared at one point because there were about 15 of them quite close to the path and I remember thinking "what if they all turn on me." I decided that in the case of an emergency the best option would be to dive into a thicket of bushes and wait it out. The path was a bit slippery in places but with walking boots this wasn't an issue. Also the path seemed to go much further than the RSPB map suggested, unfortunately I never got to the end as it was getting dark and so I turned around. I was really glad I braved it. There were so many birds out there and the loch was spectacularly vast. It does seem a shame that this path is so poorly maintained, the man at Aird Meadow hide, for instance, lamented the fact as he is too old to be able to frequent the path now which is a real shame.

Interesting fungi, I found on a tree on the Aird Meadow Trail

I really enjoyed my visit to Lochwinnoch and knowing now how easy it is to get there - expect me to return! Next time I plan to take Harrison and we'll walk the 8 mile Semple Trail as well as visiting the hides.

Sightings: Robin

Moorhen

Jackdaw

Chaffinch

Blue Tit

Great Tit

Coal Tit

Blackbird

Nuthatch

GS Woodpecker

Tufted Ducks

Mute Swan