Lochmaben community website
Bird watching
The three lochs, designated S.S.S.Is (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) are ideal bird watching areas. There is a hide close to the Castle on Castle Loch. The Council Ranger service can provide any Detailed information.
E-mail address of Ranger: ross.gemmill@dumgal.gov.uk;
A Brief List of Birds to be seen throughout the year
Winter: Goosander and Greylag Geese occur in numbers of national significance while Pink-footed Geese numbers are of International importance. Smew occur Each winter.
Spring: Curlew are a notable and regular feature of the spring migration with peak counts in excess of 1000. Rarer birds Include Black Tern, Spotted Redshank and Osprey.
Summer: Up to twelve pairs of Great Crested Grebes have bred and Mute Swans Coots, Moorhens and Sedge Warblers are Also regular breeders.
Autumn: End of season migration is less Noticeable than in spring. Birds passing Through include Green Sandpiper and Ruff.
Good viewing points at Castle Loch are at The disabled piers on the north side on the Lockerbie Road and on the west side on the Dalton Road. There is a birdwatching hide On the southeast shore, with access from Lochmaben Castle car park.
You can download a leaflet with information about the Castle Loch Nature Reserve using the link below (PDF format):
(Please note, this is a large file and may take some time to download if you are not using a broadband connection. You need Adobe Reader to view this leaflet. If you do not have a copy of the reader, you can download a free copy: Adobe reader)
Lochmaben Nature Reserve Wildlife Report 2006 (Microsoft Word document)
