Mill Dam, Shapinsay

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

Address: Car park situated on unnamed road, Orkney KW17 2DY (1 mile north-east of Balfour village)

Grid ref: HY483178

See our reserves Covid-19 updates page for which sites are open and other important details.

Mill Dam is one of Orkney’s important remaining wetlands. 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 winter migrating whooper swans and other birds visit.

Plan your visit

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

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: Free, but donations are very welcome.

Children: Free, but donations are very welcome.

Facilities

Car park
Pushchair friendly
Picnic area
Viewing point
Nature trails
Educational facilities

Accessibility

Full accessibility information (external website)

How to get here

By train

There is no public transport on Shapinsay.

By bus

There is no public transport on Shapinsay.

By road

The hide is 1 mile (1.6 km) from the pier. Travel through Balfour village and take the left hand turn at Burnside to reach the hide.

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

Shapinsay is reached by a roll on-roll off ferry from Kirkwall, which can take passengers and vehicles. Visit orkneyferries.co.uk for information.

For flights and ferry information to Orkney, contact VisitOrkney at West Castle Street, Kirkwall, KW15 1GU. Website: visitorkney.com Tel: 01856 872856.

Get directions from Google Maps

RSPB reserves on Google Earth

Group visits are welcome. For more information, please contact the Orkney office on 01856 850176.

School visits are available on our Orkney reserves on a variety of topics. Please contact the Orkney Office on 01856 850176 for further details.

10 degrees, Light rain

Contact Mill Dam, Shapinsay

Car park situated on unnamed road, Orkney KW17 2DY (1 mile north-east of Balfour village)
orkney@rspb.org.uk
01856 850176

What will you see?

Our star species

Curlew

In spring, you can hear their gorgeous, 'bubbling' song.

Redshank

Keep an eye out for the redshanks' display flights over the wet meadows in spring.

Shoveler

Shovelers are regular breeding birds here, but can also be seen in winter.

Wigeon

Listen for the whistling calls of wigeon in winter.

Nature spectacles

In spring, close your eyes and drink in the symphony of quacks, whistles, bubbling and drumming sounds of ducks and wading birds in full courtship mode.

You can see up to nine species of breeding ducks going through their mating and courtship rituals, while little grebes, coots and moorhens are starting to nest build.

Watch out for young ducklings of up to nine species of ducks, including the rare pintail and important numbers of breeding shovelers, which with patience are quite easy to see. There will be broods of greylag goslings and waders with young. Watch out for rare great-yellow bumblebees or even a bird of prey coming in to the reserve looking for a meal.

Several thousand Icelandic greylag geese begin to arrive in October to spend the winter on the island, and can often be seen on the reserve, with raptors such as hen harriers also regularly visiting the site looking for food.

The reserve welcomes large flocks of wintering ducks such as wigeons, teals and mallards, with smaller numbers of shovelers, pintails and gadwalls. These winter months are also best for sightings of hen harriers patrolling the reserve and the chance of other birds of prey such as merlins, peregrines and sparrowhawks.

About Mill Dam, Shapinsay

Habitat

Enjoy a panoramic view over the wetland from the hide, where you can while away a few hours spotting a remarkable range of wildlife including up to nine species of breeding ducks, wading birds and passing birds of prey.

This natural marsh was dammed in the 1880s, and is surrounded by flower rich marshy and grassland fields which buzz with rare bees in the summer and sometimes even the scratching calls of corncrakes.

Conservation

We aim to produce a dynamic wetland system with areas of open water with emergent vegetation allowing wildfowl and waders to feed, nest and shelter during spring and summer, an even balance of open water and vegetation as winter feeding and roosting sites and muddy areas for passage waders. The reserve is grazed by a herd of 20 water buffalo which do a great job of creating the habitat balance we are aiming for. Water levels are controlled, based on the condition of the habitat in the previous year, and an assessment of the habitat in early spring and autumn.

We ensure the dry habitats on the reserve are grazed to encourage the diversity of flowering plants and ensure the maximum feeding opportunity for great-yellow bumblebees. An area of grassland is managed by mowing and grazing for corncrakes, with early and late cover provided to attract the birds back to the island to nest following migration.

Site information

The 28.61 hectare Mill Dam reserve is one of Orkney’s important remaining wetlands and provides homes for a wealth of wildlife all year round.

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Mill Dam, Shapinsay