It has been another exciting month here at the RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve. Recent changes in covid restrictions means that the tower has now re-opened as a viewing area to the public. The tower is a great place to get a 360⁰ view around the reserve with a better chance of spotting birds that may be flying over the reserve. Staff and volunteers have also begun construction on the screen at the fen pool where visitors can look forward to viewing wildlife up close without the risk of disturbing it. The vegetation at the fen pool is also being cut back in order to allow more access for wildlife as well as promoting more diversity of vegetation.

 Viewing screen at the fen pool, Photo credit: Ally Dowd

Work is ongoing to remove Japanese Knotweed from the reserve which is an invasive non-native species. Japanese Knotweed was brought to Britain by the Victorians in order to line railway tracks. The reason behind this is due to it being able to grow quickly which also unfortunately aids with it invading over other native vegetation species. It is also considered to have great architectural properties due to its extensive root system making it very difficult to remove. The reason why Japanese Knotweed must be removed is because it hinders other native vegetation from being able to grow.

Japanese Knotweed, Photo credit: Ally Dowd

There has been plenty of wildlife activity around the reserve this month with staff, volunteers and visitors all giving reports of different sightings.

In very exciting news, there has been several sightings of marsh harrier flying over the Aird Meadow and the Barr Loch. Hen harrier have also been spotted flying over the reserve. This is always an encouraging sighting as Marsh harrier have an amber conservation status in the UK. This is due to historical declines because of direct persecution and habitat destruction. Marsh harrier are now recovering in Scotland and their future looks more secure than it has done in the last century. The Hen harrier however remains at a red conservation status in the UK due to ongoing persecution.  Lochwinnoch forms part of a flight route for many migrating birds including osprey, and with many beginning their journey back to Senegal, visitors have been greeted with some fantastic views of them flying over the reserve.

Osprey seen from the channel hide, Photo credit: Richard Bennett

There have also been sightings of greenfinch along the Aird Meadow trail, on the 1st of August a lesser redpoll was seen on the Dubbs trail, a water rail was spotted on the Aird Meadow several times in early August, and lapwing have been spotted on the Tower Pool Islands. There has been over 80 tufted ducks counted on the Barr Loch, with numbers expected to rise further as we move towards autumn. These will also be joined by increasing numbers of goldeneye, wigeon and teal, to name a few. One of our volunteers Danny also discovered a palmate newt inside the wormery on the Aird Meadow trail and we have seen an influx of peacock butterflies on the buddleia around the visitor centre.

Palmate Newt, Photo credit: Danny

There have also been several sightings of nuthatch on the feeders at the Aird Meadow Trail.  Our Assistant Warden has also been making regular counts of great crested grebe on the reserve with several being counted on both the Barr Loch, including at least six breeding pairs and one further breeding pair on the Aird Meadow.

Great Crested Grebe, Photo credit: Ally Dowd

Rachel Reid - Volunteer