Lochwinnoch

We are working hard to make our nature reserves safe and ready for our staff, visitors and wildlife. Many have now re-opened in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, although some facilities such as toilets are not yet available. All our other reserves remain closed for now. Please see our COVID-19 updates page for the latest information (link below).

Address: Lochwinnoch RSPB Nature Reserve, Largs Rd, Lochwinnoch PA12 4JF

Grid ref: NS358580

See our updates page to see which reserves are open.

A great example of wetlands in Scotland, Lochwinnoch is an ideal day out for all the family. It's the perfect spot to watch whooper swans, wigeons and a wide variety of ducks during the winter. In spring, look out for the elaborate displays of great crested grebes.

Plan your visit

Trails are open at all times. The visitor centre is open daily between 9.30am - 5pm.

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: £3 entrance fee to trails for non-members

Children: £1.50 entrance fee to trails for non-members

Other discounts

Family discount for trails (3 people or more): As above + one child free.
Please note that charges apply to our self-led activities (£2 per kit / Free for RSPB members) and events/special self-led activities (discounted for members).

Facilities

Visitor centre
Car park
Toilets
Accessible toilets
Baby changing
Pushchair friendly
Refreshments
Picnic area
Binocular hire
Guided walks
Viewing point
Nature trails
Shop
Educational facilities
Play area

Accessibility

Download full accessibility statement (PDF)

How to get here

By train

Lochwinnoch railway station is situated 400 metres south-east of the visitor centre.

By bus

Nearest bus stops are on the A737 at Roadhead roundabout (at grid reference: NS 350 586, 750 metres south-east of the reserve entrance) and on the A760 at Newton of Barr (at NS 366 577, 1.2 km north-west of the entrance).

By bike

National Cycle Route 7 runs through the reserve, adjacent to the A737.

By road

The reserve is located 18 miles south-west of Glasgow, beside the A760 Largs Road, which is off the A737 Irvine Road (easily reached from the M8 at Junction 28A). Car parking facilities are available.

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Other ways to get there

Easily accessible from Lochwinnoch village by footpath.

Get directions from Google Maps

RSPB reserves on Google Earth

Groups are very welcome to the reserve. By prior arrangement, space can be made available for indoor lunches. There is no need to pre-book self-led group visits, though it is worth while if you wish to use our self-lead equipment, to avoid disappointment. Though there is a small charge for our trails and activities, please talk to us about group membership.

Come along with your class and enjoy first-hand a selection of fascinating wildlife experiences. Visit our stunning reserve any time of the year and bring your classroom learning to life. The reserve has a variety of inspiring habitats to work in (including wetland, woodland, reedbed, wildflower meadow and ponds). At hand we also have our visitor facilities for comfort and convenience. All our learning sessions are led by qualified, knowledgeable and enthusiastic leaders. Sessions are designed to support a range of classroom topics and to suit all abilities. All our sessions are linked to the National Curriculum. See a full list of our school trip ideas at here.

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Downloads

Helping you find your way around. PDF, 927Kb

Lochwinnoch trail guide

Contact Lochwinnoch

Lochwinnoch RSPB Nature Reserve, Largs Rd, Lochwinnoch PA12 4JF
lochwinnoch@rspb.org.uk
01505 842663
@RSPBLochwinnoch
Find us on facebook

What will you see?

Our star species

Grasshopper warbler

This elusive warbler returns to Lochwinnoch from Africa in April and May.

Great crested grebe

Watch the amazing courtship ritual of great crested grebes on the open water in spring.

Great spotted woodpecker

Great spotted woodpeckers are easy to see here, frequenting the main viewing area in the visitor centre.

Reed bunting

Spring is the time to see male reed buntings at their best at Lochwinnoch.

Sedge warbler

Another warbler that returns from Africa in spring, the sedge warbler is easy to see.

Nature spectacles

Between November and March, you can find wintering wildfowl including goldeneye, goosander and whooper swan and even spot the occasional hen harrier.

In May, bird song at a peak including many blackcap and willow warblers.

In August, spot swallows sometimes roosting in huge numbers. Chance of unusual sightings of birds on passage.

From September, look out for fungi and the start of autumn colour on the trails.

Great crested grebes perform their elaborate courtship rituals. Newly-returned sedge warblers and grasshopper warblers can be heard singing from the wetter areas of the reserve. Listen out for singing willow warblers, chiffchaffs, garden warblers, blackcaps and whitethroats, in the woods. Water rails will be heard squealing from the reedbed areas, while frogs and toads can be seen spawning in ponds.

Broods of cygnets and ducklings can be seen on the loch. A wide variety of butterflies, damselflies and dragonflies add to the colourful displays of wild flowers.

Catch sight of large gatherings of swallows, often roosting in the wetland vegetation, preparing for their long southward journeys. Flocks of redwings and fieldfares arrive to strip the trees of their wild fruits. Look up and you might catch sight of mixed flocks of tits, goldcrests and treecreepers in the woodland, while emerging fungi add interest along the trails at ground level.

A wide variety of ducks have arrived for the winter, along with variable numbers of whooper swans. At this time of year there are frequent sightings of hen harriers and other birds of prey. Kingfishers and smews are present, often affording excellent views.

About Lochwinnoch

Habitat

A mixture of broadleaved woodland, open water and marshy areas with some floating fen.

Conservation

We have carried out work to conserve the wetlands at Lochwinnoch. In 2012, work was done to enhance the reserve with new wetland habitats and also brought the wildlife spectacle closer to the visitor centre. A project to re-naturalize the hydrological systems of the reserve is still underway, to reconnect burns currently diverted around the Barr Loch with the Millbank Burn already re-connected. Work is underway to obtain the necessary consents to re-connect the remaining burns.

In 2012, we had major habitat works completed around the reserve. This ambitious redevelopment has been a great success in making Lochwinnoch a better place for both wildlife and people.

The £220,000 project won 100 per cent funding from Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd and gained planning consent from the local council and further consents from Scottish National Heritage and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The project started the process, which is still ongoing, of restoring much of the reserve's wetland system to how it would have been more than 100 years ago, before agricultural pressures led to dramatic changes in this landscape.

Partners

Thanks to Wren for their support.

Site information

Lochwinnoch has national importance for wildlife in the UK, and has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Latest blog posts

read our blog

What people are saying about Lochwinnoch

This was our second visit. On both occasions we have been extremely impressed by not only the reserve but the very friendly and informative staff. This made for a great day out. Keep up the good work.

Brian McDonnell

I loved my time at Lochwinnoch. I loved it so much that I even became an RSPB Wildlife Explorer. Very friendly visitor centre. THANK YOU!

Craig Bentley

Great visit. I asked a volunteer if the woodpecker was visiting. Immediately it appeared!. I then asked about treecreepers and was directed outside - there were two!! Came back in and was shown siskin and reed bunting. A very happy visitor.

Ian Mclaren

Activities and events

Activities for children and families

We aim to make all of our events suitable for the whole family. We also run daily self-led activities including pond dipping and bug hunting (seasonally) as well as our monthly Wildlife Challenge. We have special self-led activities during the local school holidays, with changing themes. Try out our new hide, or the natural play area with tyre swing, den building area, nest building area and a short fairy trail.

Leisure activities

There are two feeding stations on the reserve. One is located in front of the main viewing area in the visitor centre and one can be found along the Aird Meadow Trail. There is a packed events programme throughout the year, with something for everyone from guided walks and astronomy evenings, to fun family events and self-led activities.