Wigtown Bay LNR
Wigtown Bay is the largest LNR in the British Isles and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The site, which includes the estuaries of the Rivers Cree and Bladnoch, is protected for its mudflats & salt marsh habitats that are home to several thousand geese in winter months. In recent years Ospreys have nested nearby and CCTV pictures from the nest are fed to the visitor centre in Wigtown County Buildings. The estuary is also important for the salt-tolerant plants which fringe the bay.
Wildlife Highlights: Internationally important numbers of wintering whooper swans, pink-footed geese, as well as pintails and golden plovers, a small twite population, curlews and dunlin, can all be seen at the site, with whimbrels and black-tailed godwits using it as they pass through on migration, too. Other species wintering here have included more than 1,000 barnacle geese flying in from Svalbard, over 3,000 kilometres to the north east. Hen harriers and owls are regularly seen in winter, and the bay is also home to breeding ospreys and peregrine falcons.
Facilities: The visitor centre is located upstairs in
Wigtown County Buildings. There are 2 bird hides at the Martyr's Stake car park in Wigtown and at Wigtown Harbour.
These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.
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