E-mail to a friendE-newsletterContact us
HomeAbout usAdviceBirdsJoinOur workReservesSupport usShopThings to do
  • Overview
  • Awards & recognition
  • Contact us
  • Facts and figures
  • History
  • How we are run
  • Inspiring work
  • Job vacancies
  • Looking to the future
  • Media centre
  • Offices
  • The RSPB view
  • What we do
  • Overview
  • Farming
  • Gardening
  • Green living
  • Helping birds
  • Land management
  • Law
  • Watching birds
  • Overview
  • Aren't birds brilliant!
  • Birds by name
  • Birds by family
  • Bird identifier
  • Features
  • Reserves
  • Webcams
  • Wildlife garden guide
  • Overview
  • Campaigns
  • Corporate membership
  • Credit card
  • Donations
  • Fundraising
  • Gift Aid
  • Shop
  • Green energy
  • Holidays in the UK
  • Join the RSPB
  • Leave a legacy
  • Recycle your mobile phone
  • Share giving
  • Vehicle breakdown cover
  • Overview
  • Join now
  • Why join?
  • Membership as a gift
  • Membership benefits
  • Renewals
  • Other ways to support us
  • Overview
  • Great days out
  • By habitat
  • By name
  • By location
  • Recent sightings
  • Shops on reserves
  • Overview
  • Around the UK
  • Conservation
  • Document library
  • Farming
  • International
  • Job vacancies
  • News
  • Media centre
  • Policy
  • Reserves
  • Science
  • Teaching
  • Shop homepage
  • Binoculars
  • Bird care accessories
  • Bird feeders
  • Bird food
  • Bird tables and baths
  • Books, DVDs and CDs
  • Garden
  • Homeware
  • Prints and canvases
  • Toys
  • Virtual gifts
  • Wildlife care
  • Shops on reserves
  • Overview
  • Near you
  • Events
  • E-newsletter
  • Fundraising
  • Local groups
  • Reserves
  • Surveys
  • Volunteering
  • Webcams
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
1021910 Marsh marigold, Caltha palustris Pintail adult male swimming on water Whooper swan, spreading wings close up
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
Mill Dam, Shapinsay

Mill Dam, Shapinsay

  • About Mill Dam
  • Star species
  • Seasonal highlights
  • Facilities
  • How to get here
  • Our work here

Print this page

Home > Reserves > Reserves by name > M > Mill Dam, Shapinsay

RSPB Mill Dam reserve, Orkney

ParkingDisabled accessPicnic tables

This natural marsh was dammed in the 1880s, providing an ideal habitat for birds throughout the year. In summer, you'll see large numbers of breeding wildfowl, including pintails, redshanks and wigeons, while in the winter migrating whooper swans and other birds visit.

Opening times

The hide is open at all times but there is no access to the reserve itself.

Entrance charges

Free, but donations to help us continue our work here are welcome.

Contact us

01856 850176

orkney@rspb.org.uk

Nearest town: Kirkwall, Mainland, Orkney

Grid reference: HY483178

Directions

For directions, please see our How to get here page.

About the RSPB

The RSPB speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment. We rely upon memberships and donations to fund our work. Nature is amazing - help us keep it that way. More...

Contact us

Visit our Contact us section for telephone numbers, office addresses and more.

Latest news

Ten green(ish) options for the Severn

The government has today announced the ten proposals it will consider to harness energy from the Severn Estuary’s tides.

Red kite returns to Northern Ireland

After an absence of two centuries, the red kite has returned to Northern Ireland today, following the first phase of a red kite reintroduction project.

Woodland birds in decline

Latest results from the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) puts woodland birds at the top of the list of declining species.

More news...

Add your voice for nature

As a charity, we rely on the support of members to continue our work protecting birds and wildlife.

Join now from only £2.84/month.

Free e-newsletter

Over 200,000 people enjoy our monthly e-mail newsletter.

Why not sign up?

Contact us
© 2008 The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Charity registered in England and Wales no 207076, in Scotland no SC037654
Privacy policy
Last published: 11/03/2008 15:57:32
Show/hide picture credits
RSPB Mill Dam reserve, Orkney - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com, Ref: 2005-10220-009 )
1021910 Marsh marigold, Caltha palustris - RSPB images - Sue Kennedy (rspb-images.com, Ref: 1021910)
Pintail adult male swimming on water - Sue Tranter (rspb-images.com)
Whooper swan, spreading wings close up - Graham Catley
Bird illustrations by Mike Langman (RSPB)