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Map of Cottascarth and Rendall Moss
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Star species

Our star species are some of the most interesting birds you may see on your visit to the reserve.

Curlew

Curlews are large, brown wading birds with very long, curved bills. In spring, you can hear their gorgeous, 'bubbling' song.

Curlew (illustration)

Hen harrier

Hen harriers breed on the moorland here. You may see the ghostly grey males or rich brown females quartering the land in search of prey.

Hen harrier (artwork)

Merlin

Keep your eyes peeled for a dashing merlin on a high-speed hunt. This is our smallest falcon, not much bigger than a mistle thrush.

Merlin (illustration)

Short-eared owl

Short-eared owls can be seen hunting over the farmland all year. The afternoons are a good time to spot them banking and gliding just above the ground; their piercing yellow eyes scanning for voles moving in the grass below.

Short-eared owl (illustration)

Snipe

These cryptically-coloured waders can be seen here all year-round, with the greatest numbers in spring. Look for them probing their long beaks into the soft ground.

Snipe (illustration)

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Where is it?

  • Lat/lng: 59.058246,-3.101028
  • Grid reference: HY369195
  • Nearest town: Kirkwall, Mainland
  • County: Orkney
  • Country: Scotland

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