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
Flock of golden plovers in flight Aerial view of Broubster Leans Greenshank feeding in shallow water
Broubster Leans appeal

Broubster Leans appeal

  • Why is Broubster so special?
  • The wildlife of Broubster Leans

Print this page

Home > Support us > Campaigns and appeals > Broubster Leans appeal > The wildlife of Broubster Leans

The wildlife of Broubster Leans

As well as being home to hundreds of waders, you will also find a stunning array of other birds and wildlife that rely on Broubster Leans - one of the most important areas of wetland in the UK.

Read on to find out more about some of the wildlife that makes this special place their home.

Great yellow bumblebee

The great yellow bumblebee is one of Britain's most endangered bumblebees, and due to loss of habitat and changes to farming practices it is now only found in western and northern Scotland.
Great yellow bumblebee

Greenshank

This slim, graceful wader is named for its green legs. Like all waders, its habitat has declined hugely in the Highlands. It breeds in northern Scotland and spends winter in Africa.

Greenshank in shallow water

Otter

One of the UK's most endearing wildlife species, the European otter thrives in the clear water and dense vegetation of Broubster Leans.
Otter in water

Golden plover

The distinctively spangled gold and black summer plumage of this medium sized plover makes it a joy to see. Large flocks, often accompanied by groups of lapwings, feed up on the Leans before heading on to their breeding grounds.
Breeding-plumaged golden plover

Short-eared owl

This day-time hunter is of conservation concern across Europe and most often found where vole populations (its main prey) are high.
Short-eared owl sitting on the ground

Spotted crake

Rare in the UK, this extremely shy bird is no bigger than a starling, and usually stays hidden under cover of dense vegetation in freshwater wetlands. We estimate no more than 120 breeding pairs in the UK, so Broubster Leans is a vitally important area for their protection.
Spotted crake hiding in reeds

Twite

This gregarious little bird has a small and declining population and is on the conservation red list. The arable fields and coastal marshes of the Scottish Highlands are one of their most important breeding and wintering grounds. In winter, flocks spend most of the time on the ground feeding on seeds from crops and other vegetation.
Twite, RSPB Balranald nature reserve, North Uist

Water vole

Caithness is one of the only places in the UK where this little mammal is thriving because the American mink, a non-native species and their main predator, is rarely, if ever, found here.
Water vole in ditch

3 ways to donate

You can donate by secure online form, by telephone or by post.

1. Securely online

Donating online is easy and ensures that more of your money is used for conservation.

Donate by credit or debit card

2. By telephone

Our Membership Services team can also take donations over the phone.

01767 693680

9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday

3. By post

We can accept donations by cheque too. Please make cheques payable to The RSPB and send them to:

Broubster Leans appeal
The RSPB
The Lodge
Sandy
Bedfordshire
SG19 2DL

Bird guide

  • Common sandpiper
  • Golden plover
  • Greenshank
  • Hen harrier
  • Short-eared owl
  • Spotted crake
  • Twite
  • White-fronted goose
  • Whooper swan

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: 26/11/2007 11:24:53
Show/hide picture credits
Great yellow bumblebee - Mike Edwards (Bumblebee Working Group)
Greenshank in shallow water - Steve Round
Otter in water - Niall Benvie
Breeding-plumaged golden plover - Nigel Blake
Short-eared owl sitting on the ground - Nigel Blake
Spotted crake hiding in reeds - Steve Round
Twite, RSPB Balranald nature reserve, North Uist - Tom Marshall (rspb-images.com, Ref: 1019688 )
Water vole in ditch - Kevin Lewis
Flock of golden plovers in flight - Nigel Blake
Aerial view of Broubster Leans - Norrie Russell
Greenshank feeding in shallow water - Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)
Bird illustrations by Mike Langman (RSPB)