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Our work here
24 May 2007
Our Loch Gruinart reserve protects a collection of wetland, grassland, moorland and arable habitats on the island of Islay. It provides a winter refuge for internationally important populations of Greenland white-fronted and barnacle geese, and a breeding ground for waders, corncrakes, choughs and hen harriers.
The RSPB is managing the reserve for the benefit of all its wildlife, and using regular monitoring to assess management strategies.
Grassland gains
We are managing our wet grassland, along with areas of swamp and open water, for geese and wildfowl through the winter and in the spring breeding waders – lapwings and redshanks.
Measures include using a controlled grazing regime and maintaining winter flooding. We are managing the saltmarsh grassland as a safe roost site for Greenland barnacle geese, plus whooper swans and pale-bellied brent geese on passage.
Meadow and pasture
We are managing our herb-rich hay meadows for their plant life, as well as breeding corncrake and waders. We are also maintaining our permanent pastures as feeding areas for chough in summer and geese in winter, while extending our rough pasture for the benefit of breeding birds and marsh fritillary butterflies. We hope to attract breeding choughs by providing artificial nest sites.
More from moorland
In upland parts of the reserve, we are managing heather moorland, raised bog and blanket mire for breeding hen harriers, short-eared owls, common scoters, dunlins and curlews. These habitats also provides additional roosting habitat for Greenland white-fronted geese.
Farming
Farming is also an important part of our work. We are managing and extending our area of spring-sown arable crops to benefit winter farmland birds, including choughs, geese and birds of prey. Some crops will provide feed for our livestock farming operation, which comprises 250 cattle and 200 sheep, and is compatible with our conservation objectives.
For people
We are managing our visitor facilities in order to provide a popular wildlife spectacle and convey key conservation messages. We are also running guided walks and other events, and welcome school and youth groups. We plan to develop the site as an example of best practice in conservation farming and wetland management.