Gladhouse Reservoir

This is one of my favourite places to go birding. Gladhouse Reservoir is between Gorebridge and Peebles in the Scottish Borders, 900feet above sea level. It has roughly a 10 million gallons per day capacity outflow but is only used as a 'holding area' now. I've heard a lot about the birds which turned up during the drought years in the 1970s, as the water level dropped and more mud was exposed so more waders arrived.

I have not been around for these conditions and have only really been birding in the area for a year, if not, less than that. However I have managed to see 63 species. Highlights have included a Merlin heading towards the nearby Moorfoot Hills, Shoveler, my first Sedge Warbler, Snipe, Osprey and the hundreds of ducks which turned up this winter.

Next summer I'm hoping to add to my list as this summer I didn't know what to look for. Crossbill, Golden Plover, Common Sandpiper, and Ringed Plover are apparently all possible and the Black Grouse are found nearby too.

Rarities that I have not seen myself have included: Black Tern, Red-throated Diver, Yellow Wagtail, Pomarine Skua and even a Ruddy Duck.

Whilst being a truly great place for birding, it is pretty huge. A scope would be highly recommended plus some good walking boots as it is a long walk round. If you live nearish then I'd recommend it but if you're passing through then there are other less middle-of-nowhere places that you should go to.

Here's a short, very windy video I took recently whilst looking for Pink-footed Geese.