RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve

20/06/2026

We are delighted to have received an Outstanding Achievement Award in the category of Outdoor Venue of the Year in the The Scottish Hospitality Awards 2026!

RSPB Scotland

20/06/2026

Make the most of the good weather this weekend with a visit to RSPB Lochwinnoch!

With accessible trails to explore, wildlife to discover, and exciting interactive activities for kids, RSPB Lochwinnoch is a great venue to get away from the urban setting and discover nature.

Just a five minute walk from Lochwinnoch Train Station, or 25 minutes by car from Glasgow, we’re the perfect destination to get away from it all.

19/06/2026

Prepare for lift off!

Our Little Ringed Plover chicks are getting very close to fledging. Over the last few days they have been seen doing lots of wing flapping in order to strengthen their flight muscles in readiness for their first flight.

If you haven't seen them yet, there is still time to pop by and look for them on the scrape before they depart.

18/06/2026

Take part in this fun self-led activity to see what wild discoveries you can make! June is a great time to find lots of creatures out and about. Use your wildlife spotting skills to see how many creatures on your activity sheet you can find, discover cool stuff about them and claim your prize back at the visitor centre once completed!

Take part in this fun self-led activity to see what wild discoveries you can make! July is a great time to find lots of creatures out and about. Use your wildli

18/06/2026

The Spotted redshank is still present on the scrape this morning. As was 2 Little Ringed Plover adults and 3 chicks, 35 Lapwings, 3 Oystercatchers, Mandarin Duck, Tufted Duck with 3 ducklings, a Shoveler with 3 large ducklings (+ another 2 unaccompanied ducklings), a Teal with 8 large ducklings, and 2 common gulls.

Last night at the Barr loch 2 Grasshopper Warblers were heard reeling.

Image of Spotted Redshank by Rick Bolton

17/06/2026

With all the excitement of the rare birds that have turned up the last couple of days it's easy to overlook the other birds but these two images taken yesterday by Ken Ramsay help to show the fantastic species we attract to RSPB Lochwinnoch on a regular basis that visitors can hopefully enjoy seeing.

Image 1 - Nuthatch, Image 2 - Spotted Flycatcher.

17/06/2026

Another day, another rarity on the scrape! 👀

Early morning visitors to RSPB Lochwinnoch today were treated to the sight of a stunning **Spotted Redshank**, feeding alongside the reserve's regular waders, ducks and gulls.

Spotted Redshanks are scarce passage migrants in Scotland, with most records occurring during spring and autumn migration. While they are seen annually in Scotland, they're far from guaranteed and always make for an exciting find, especially in breeding plumage. The previous record for one here at RSPB Lochwinnoch was way back in 2004!

Remarkably, this is the **second scarcity to turn up in as many days**, following yesterday's **Pectoral Sandpiper**. It's been a fantastic spell for wader watching at the reserve, and a reminder that migration can always bring something unexpected.

If you're planning a visit, be sure to check the scrape carefully – you never know what might drop in next!

📸 Have you managed to see either of these birds? Let us know in the comments.

16/06/2026

Enjoy a Summer Family Adventure at RSPB Lochwinnoch

Looking for a family day out this summer? RSPB Lochwinnoch is the perfect place to explore nature together during July and August.

With scenic walks, exciting wildlife and plenty to discover, summer is a great time to visit. Families can enjoy the upgraded Adventure Trail, Fairy Trail, Natural Play Area and Sensory Play Area, giving children lots of opportunities to play outdoors surrounded by nature.

Families can also take part in our self-led activities, packed with fun challenges that encourage children to explore, discover and connect with wildlife throughout the reserve.

For a more relaxed visit, take a stroll along the boardwalk through lush wetlands, with beautiful views across Aird Meadow Loch and plenty of spots to stop for a picnic.
July brings an abundance of wildlife, with chicks and newly fledged birds active across the reserve. Children can watch ducklings on the wetlands and listen for young woodland birds calling for food.

In August, look out for Migrant Hawker dragonflies around the Fen Pool, as well as Great Crested Grebe chicks riding safely on their parents’ backs.

With accessible paths, welcoming hides, picnic areas and wildlife around every corner, RSPB Lochwinnoch offers a fun and affordable day out for the whole family.
Pack a picnic, bring your binoculars (or hire some at the reserve) and make some wild summer memories at RSPB Lochwinnoch.

16/06/2026

A great day on the scrape at RSPB Lochwinnoch, with both a Pectoral Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper spotted today!

Pectoral Sandpipers are a scarce visitor to Scotland, making this a particularly exciting sighting for local birders. Look out for its sharply streaked breast with a clear cut-off to the white belly, along with its slightly larger size and yellowish legs.

The much more familiar Common Sandpiper can be identified by its distinctive bobbing motion, brown upperparts and crisp white “shoulder notch” extending up the wing.

If you’re visiting, don’t forget your binoculars — the scrape is full of activity just now, with Little Ringed Plovers, Shovelers, Lapwings, Wigeon, Mandarin Duck, and more, all adding to the show!

Video of Pectoral Sandpiper by Ellie Simpson.

15/06/2026

Adorable footage of two recently fleged Swallows waiting to get fed by a parent.

This was filmed at the Barr Loch this morning and shared to us Susan Wheeler.