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Our work here
Our reserve at Ken-Dee Marshes consists of four holdings around the shore of Loch Ken, the largest lowland river and floodplain system in south Scotland. It protects a range of wetland habitats that are subject to flooding, as well as broadleaved woodland, farmland and conifer woodland.
The reserve has important wintering populations of Greenland white-fronted and greylag geese, and breeding wetland birds. The RSPB is managing the reserve for the benefit of all its wildlife, and working to influence the conservation of the broader Loch Ken-River Dee wetland site.
Good for the goose
We are maintaining the reserve as a roost and feeding refuge for internationally important population of Greenland white-fronted geese. Loch Ken remains one of the very few Scottish mainland sites where this shy species regularly winters, together with nationally important numbers of greylag geese.
Wetland work
We are managing wetland habitats for important breeding birds, including wildfowl, spotted crakes and redshanks. Work includes maintaining ditches, sluices and lagoons. We are also enhancing areas of low-grade reed canary grass (Phalaris) by mowing, and converting some of it to Phragmites reed to attract more reedbed species.
We aim to re-establish 6 ha of hay meadows by mowing, burning and removing cut vegetation, and are identifying surrounding areas of grassland where appropriate management could benefit breeding waders.
Other wildlife
We are working to maintain the reserve’s high biodiversity interest, including mammals such as otters and harvest mice, and plants such as the rare pillwort. We are also managing mature stands of broadleaved trees for barn owls, redstarts, song thrushes, spotted and pied flycatchers, and willow tits.
People power
Loch Ken is a key visitor attraction. We are working to maintain good facilities, and will promote the reserve regionally, aiming to increase annual visitor numbers to 12,000. Our presence in the area also gives us some influence over the management of the wider Loch Ken-River Dee system.
We will continue to work closely with all relevant local stakeholders, including tourism authorities, neighbouring farmers and landowners and conservation organisations. Scottish Power controls water levels over Loch Ken as part of its hydroelectric scheme. Their cooperation has greatly enhanced waterfowl breeding success.