RSPB Guide to Loch of Strathbeg Nature Reserve

Welcome to the Loch of Strathbeg Nature Reserve. To help you get the most from your visit, this guide describes the reserve, its wildlife and the work the RSPB does to ensure it remains a special place.
The Loch of Strathbeg is the largest dune loch in Britain, surrounded by marshes, reedbeds, grassland and dunes. Wetlands such as this are now scarce and the RSPB is managing it and other reserves for the benefit of wildlife.

WINTER WATERFOWL SPECTACLE
Strathbeg is a wetland of international importance because of the large number of geese, ducks and swans that visit in winter. Many of these graze the specially managed grassland, alongside large flocks of lapwings and curlews. The sight and sound of large numbers of geese and swans is truly spectacular. In winter the loch is home to thousands of ducks such as mallards, wigeons, teals and goldeneyes, and many mute and whooper swans.

BREEDING BIRDS AND MIGRANTS
In summer, common and sandwich terns breed on the loch islands, as do eiders and shelducks. The grasslands provide breeding conditions for wading birds such as lapwings and redshanks, while marshes, reed and scrub are home to many nesting songbirds. Strathbeg’s coastal position makes it a vital staging post for migrant birds and 248 species have been recorded here.

WILDLIFE OF LOCH, REED AND FEN
The loch covers 220 hectares and is only 1.5 metres deep. Large areas of water plants support many types of aquatic invertebrates and otters are frequently seen. The rare creeping spearwort is found around the loch shores. Its seeds are brought by geese from Iceland.

The reedbeds are ideal for nesting ducks and great crested grebes, roosting flocks of starlings and the occasional bittern. Extensive marshes and fens lie around the loch where reed buntings, sedge warblers, water rails and uncommon plants such. as coralroot orchids are found.

WILDLIFE OF THE SURROUNDING LAND
Sand dunes lie between the loch and the sea and wetter areas are home to scarce plants such as Scots lovage, field gentian and grass-of-parnassus. Badgers and foxes are present all year round. Many skylarks breed in the marram grass and fill the air with the song of spring.

The reserve’s fields, grazed by cattle and sheep, can hold up to 20% of the world population of pink-footed geese from September to April. Barnacle geese are also present in internationally important numbers.


MAKING THE RESERVE BETTER FOR BIRDS
To improve conditions for birds and other wildlife we have to manage the reserve. Water levels on the grassland are raised in winter for wildfowl and lowered in spring for breeding wading birds. Pools have been dug and mounds and sluices constructed. We are expanding reedbeds to trap nutrient-rich water flowing into the loch. Local farmers’ cattle and sheep graze the fields to keep the grassland suitable for wildfowl and waders.
 
WHEN ON THE RESERVE LOOK AND LISTEN FOR...

In the spring (March to May)
•    Large flocks of pink-footed geese stopping on their way to Iceland
•    Marsh harriers hunting over the fens and marshes

In the summer (June to August)
•    Sandwich tems over the loch islands and common tems on rafts by the Bay hide and in front of the visitor centre
•    Great crested grebes and their young on the loch

In the autumn (September to November)
•    Enormous numbers of pink-footed geese arriving from their breeding grounds
•    Migrant waders on the pools, including ruffs and greenshanks

In the winter (December to February)
•    Regularly over 10,000 geese and ducks and flocks of whooper swans
•    Large numbers of lapwings, curlews and golden plovers

HELP FOR FARMLAND BIRDS AT LOCH OF STRATHBEG
At the Loch of Strathbeg we have sown spring barley, oats and fodder rape and established a wild bird cover mix. Together with set-aside, field margins and wetlands we are creating as much feeding and nesting habitat as possible for declining species such as skylarks, reed buntings and yellowhammers.

HOW TO FIND US
The reserve lies near Crimond (grid reference NK057581) on the A90 south of Fraserburgh and has a Visitor Centre, four hides (one with wheelchair access), toilets and car parking. Please note the centre is not fully accessible to wheelchairs and disabled visitors. It is open every day from dawn to dusk. No dogs please, except guide dogs. RSPB and Wildlife Explorers members free; small charge for non-members.

We hope you have enjoyed your visit and will return soon. For further information (including about school group visits) please contact: RSPB Loch of Strathbeg Nature Reserve, Starnafin, Crimond, Fraserburgh AB43 8QN. Tel: 01346 532017.

The RSPB is committed to minimising the environmental impact of transport. When visiting our nature reserves please consider using public transport or sharing a car, although access to the whole reserve is difficult without a vehicle (6.5km from the visitor centre to nature trail/hides).

The RSPB is grateful to Scottish Natural Heritage for their support.

The RSPB works for a healthy environment rich in birds and wildlife. It depends on the support and generosity of others to make a difference. It works with bird and habitat conservation organisations in a global partnership called BirdLife International.

RSPB East Scotland Office, 10 Albyn Terrace, Aberdeen ABlO lYP. Telephone: 01224 624824. e-mail: esro@rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk

Registered charity no 207076 77-1344-00-01

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