Tay Reedbeds

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Address
RSPB Tay Reedbeds, Errol, Perth & Kinross
Grid ref
NO266226
What3Words
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Take a quiet walk along the River Tay with views over the UK's largest continuous reedbed. The reedbeds are an important home for wildlife, including marsh harriers, water rails and bearded tits.

Plan your visit

Opening times

The Taybank Circular path is open at all times

Entrance charges

Free entrance to RSPB members
Yes
Adults
Free
Children
Free
Student
Free

Facilities

  • Pushchair friendly
  • Guided walks

Accessibility

How to get here

By train

Closest train station is in Perth (approx 11 miles).

By bus

Stagecoach Strathay services 39 and 39B from Arbroath to Perth stop in Errol on the High St and Station Road.

By bike

Route 77 runs through Errol.

By road

Follow signs to Errol from the A90. Park on Station Road or High Street. Once parked, follow road along to east until you reach the signpost pointing right to the Taybank Circular path. The path is part of the Errol and Grange Core Path network.

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.

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Information for dog owners

Path is suitable for dogs under close control.

Contact Tay Reedbeds

What will you see?

Our star species

Seasonal highlights

Take a stroll along the river bank and listen for bearded tits zipping by, the loud pig-like squeals of water rails from deep within the reeds and the complex songs of migrant warblers at the edge of the reedbeds as they sing to attract a mate.

Bearded tits are often seen flying low over the reedbeds. Areas of reed that have been cut provide the best chance to see the birds, with the riverbank providing a great vantage point.

Watch for marsh harriers and their newly fledged young flying over the reedbeds and farmland to the north hunting for their next meal. Remember to listen for red squirrels scurrying in the trees nearby, maybe you'll see the flash of red as they run past. You can also spot seals hauled out on the estuary mudflats at low tide.

Enjoy the spectacle of the large expanse of golden reeds moving in the wind. Scan the river for gatherings of ducks, swans and geese enjoying the shallows. Then as evening approaches, look out for large flocks of swallows and sand martins swooping and swirling over the reeds, before coming in to roost for the night.

Greylag, Canada and pink-footed geese all regularly use the River Tay as a stop-off point on their migration. Look overhead for geese flying over the fields to reach the open water as they move between the nearby fields and the safety of the estuary. Watch for speedy flocks of bearded tits flying over the reeds looking for seeds to eat. You might also see the reed cutting machines at work, helping to improve the area for wildlife.

About Tay Reedbeds

Habitat

Discover the UK’s largest continuous reedbed along the north bank of the River Tay in Perthshire. Follow the 7km Taybank Circular path for a chance to see bearded tits flitting over the reeds and ducks and swans enjoying the shallows.

You might also spot marsh harriers hunting for prey, seals lounging on the mudflats or red squirrels scampering in the trees.

Conservation

Reed has been cut for thatch here on and off since the late 18th century, with commercial thatch operations ceasing in 2005. The RSPB has been involved in the site since then and, as of 2018, manages 282 hectares for a range of reedbed wildlife, including bearded tits.

Working with land owners, including Errol Park, the RSPB carries out reed cutting to create a mosaic of habitats for the wildlife, ensuring different ages of reed are provided to suit the needs of a range of species throughout the seasons.

Present year-round, bearded tits can be seen flitting across the tall reeds before dropping down to feed on insects and fallen seeds. Their distinctive "ping" calls are often the first sign there are birds nearby. The elusive water rails, hard to see but easily heard when they make their loud squealing calls, also benefit from the reed cutting, as it allows birds to move more freely through the reeds.

Marsh harriers nest throughout the reedbeds and can be seen regularly hunting for small birds and mammals over the reserve and surrounding landscape.

Site information

The reserve is viewable from the Taybank Circular path, but there are no paths into the reedbeds

The circular path is approximately 7km from Errol to the reedbeds and back. The path begins in Errol and follows farm tracks and paths to reach the reedbeds. It then follows the riverbank before heading back to Errol through farmland via tracks and paths. The path is mainly well-surfaced with some uneven sections, but it can be muddy in areas after rainfall.