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Map of The Loons and Loch of Banks
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Seasonal highlights

Each season brings a different experience at our nature reserves. In spring, the air is filled with birdsong as they compete to establish territories and attract a mate. In summer, look out for young birds making their first venture into the outside world. Autumn brings large movements of migrating birds - some heading south to a warmer climate, others seeking refuge in the UK from the cold Arctic winter. In winter, look out for large flocks of birds gathering to feed, or flying at dusk to form large roosts to keep warm.

Spring

Sights and sounds of displaying waders, ducks, male greylag geese on guard, the distinctive call of a water rail, hunting raptors.

Black-tailed godwits (illustration)Curlew (illustration)lapwing (illustration)Pintails (illustration)
Black-tailed godwitCurlewLapwingPintail

Summer

Hunting raptors, breeding ducks and waders, great yellow bumblebees.

Black-headed gull (illustration)Merlin (illustration)redshank illustrationSedge warbler (illustration)
Black-headed gullMerlinRedshankSedge warbler

Autumn

Hunting raptors, migrants waders, wildfowl.

Hen harrier (artwork)Reed bunting (illustration)Short-eared owl (illustration)Snipe (illustration)
Hen harrierReed buntingShort-eared owlSnipe

Winter

Flocks of geese gather on the reserve and surrounding farmland, wildfowl and waders, hunting raptors, or a glimpse of a water rail in the reedbed.

Greylag goose (illustration)Water railWhite-fronted goose - 'Greenland' raceWigeon (illustration)
Greylag gooseWater railWhite-fronted gooseWigeon

Contact us

Where is it?

  • Lat/lng: 59.097546,-3.317002
  • Grid reference: HY246241
  • Nearest town: Dounby, Orkney
  • County: Orkney
  • Country: Scotland

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