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Map of Loch Gruinart
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Cattle grazing above Aoradh, the Paps of Jura in the background, RSPB Loch Gruinart reserveYoung lambs lying on grassRedshank calling from fencepost
Flowering thrift on saltmarsh at RSPB Loch Gruinart reservePortrait of singing corncrake, ScotlandOtter looking back over its shoulder
Feeding flock of barnacle geese, RSPB Loch Gruinart reserve, IslayMale and female wigeon swimmingRedwing gobbling hawthorn berries
Loch Gruinart at duskGreenland white-fronted goose: adults and juveniles feeding on grass, IslayHunting barn owl

Wildlife awards

Loch Gruinart is one of the best places for wildlife in the UK.

Top things to do in Spring

  1. Breeding wading birds begin displaying and calling
  2. From mid-May, corncrakes arrive and start calling
  3. You can see our new lambs and calves

Top things to do in Summer

  1. Look for birds of prey hunting over the moorland
  2. Corncrakes call all through the night
  3. Watch out for otters playing in the ditches

Top things to do in Autumn

  1. Thousands of barnacle and white-fronted geese arrive from Greenland to winter on the reserve
  2. Listen out for thousands of ducks, not far behind!
  3. Redwings and fieldfares arrive in large numbers

Top things to do in Winter

  1. The geese are still here in large numbers, munching their way through the grass
  2. Will you see a barn owl out and about?
  3. Dunlins, godwits, turnstones and redshanks are some of the waders found on the reserve

What's on?

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Downloads

Map of Loch Gruinart and The Oa

Map of Loch Gruinart and The Oa

685Kb, PDF

Date: 2 June 2011

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WildSquare Bingo

WildSquare Bingo

2.8Mb, PDF

Date: 21 June 2010

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Extend your stay

Other places to visit

Coastline of The Mull of Oa, Islay

The Oa

A circular walk along stunning sea cliffs, with magnificent views across to Northern Ireland

View across marsh towards hills, RSPB Mersehead

Mersehead

Wander through rich wetlands to a wild and atmospheric shoreline

Woodland at Coombes Valley

Coombes Valley

A peaceful discovery through stunning woodland - a palette of colours, sounds and textures

Close-up of singing corncrake

Islay wildlife

Let us introduce you to spectacular wildlife and stunning scenery on Islay.

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