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Map of Balranald
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Coral sand beach and dunes at RSPB Balranald nature reservePortrait of singing corncrake, ScotlandLapwing in display flight over breeding grounds
Great yellow bumblebeeBasking sharkMachair habitat and northern Marsh orchid at RSPB Balranald nature reserve, North Uist
Beach at BalranaldFemale hen harrier flying lowBuzzard perching on wooden post
Winter-plumaged dunlin feedingOtter looking back over its shoulderFeeding flock of barnacle geese, RSPB Loch Gruinart reserve, Islay

Wildlife awards

Balranald is one of the best places for wildlife in the UK.

Top things to do in Spring

  1. Follow the reserve path to the sea and experience the wonderful open landscape
  2. Sit on the bench at the visitor centre and listen to the distinctive rasping corncrakes
  3. Watch lapwings and other waders brooding their eggs and chicks

Top things to do in Summer

  1. Walk through the wildflower-rich machair grasslands
  2. Can you spot a rare great yellow bumblebee?
  3. Watch for seals or even a basking shark on calm days from the visitor trail

Top things to do in Autumn

  1. Watch otters fishing in the lochs and sea
  2. Enjoy the bird of prey spectacle - hen harriers and merlins join the resident buzzards hunting
  3. Watch the hustle and bustle of the crofters harvesting their crops

Top things to do in Winter

  1. See hundreds of barnacle and greylag geese move around the reserve
  2. Walk over the machair watching for flocks of finches, larks and buntings
  3. Seaweed deposited on the beach by winter storms attracts flocks of waders and many small birds

What's on?

More events...

Downloads

WildSquare Bingo

WildSquare Bingo

2.8Mb, PDF

Date: 21 June 2010

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Extend your stay

Other places to visit

Red-necked phalarope stretching wings

Loch na Muilne

An exposed, wild coastal moorland site, shaped by salt spray and wind

Close-up of singing corncrake

Coll

A remote and quiet island with farmland, dunes and machair

Male pied flycatcher at nest hole

Nagshead

A stunning woodland set in the heart of the Forest of Dean

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