Loch of Strathbeg Nature Reserve:

Text reproduced by kind permission of www.eurobirding.co.uk
This is a large and shallow loch close to the Grampian coast and separated from the sea by sand-dunes, in fact, it is the largest dune slack pool in Britain. The loch is fringed by freshwater marshes, saltmarsh, fen woodland and farmland. The size and eastern coastal location of this loch make it an important migration staging post and wintering area for waterfowl with more than 30 000 birds present at times. It is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
The area is most famous for wintering Whooper Swan but other waterfowl also occur especially Barnacle, Greylag and Pink-footed Geese, Pochard, Tufted Duck and Goldeneye. Smaller numbers of Mallard, Pintail and other dabbling ducks as well as Sawbills can also be seen here. Snow Goose is recorded annually. Around 300 Mute Swans moult on the loch in late summer.

In addition there are breeding species including Great Crested Grebe, Eider and Shelduck and Water Rail, Sedge Warbler and Reed Bunting nest in the reeds. Colonies of Sandwich and Common Terns now nest on an artificial island in the loch. Passage periods bring Marsh Harrier and waders such as Greenshank and Wood and Green Sandpipers to the loch. Rarities are frequently seen and have included Pied-billed Grebe, Great White Egret and Caspian Tern.
Both Badger Meles meles and Otter Lutra lutra occur on the reserve and Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus are common. Botanical interest lies in the marshland plants which include many pondweeds and the very local buttercup Ranunculus reptans, and those of the dunes such as Scots Lovage Ligusticum scoticum, Grass of Parnassus Parnassia palustris and Field Gentianella campestris and Autumn Gentians Gentianella amarella. Orchids present include Lesser Butterfly Platanthera bifolia and Coralroot Corallorhiza trifida.

The loch lies between the sea and the A952 Peterhead to Fraserburgh road near the village of Crimond. Access is across Ministry of Defence land and is by permit only. There are hides overlooking the bays and islands of the loch and a boardwalk through the fen woodland from the information centre.

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