AYNISH NATIONAL NATURE
TReserve is located on a peninsula on the western side of Loch Sween in Knapdale, Mid Argyll. Native broadleaved woodland has survived here for more than 6,000 years. The reserve is a mixture of woodland, scrub, bog, foreshore, grassland and heath, which together support a rich diversity of wildlife, but cultivation was once also a big part of the area. Most of the cultivated fields have now been taken back by nature, creating the heath and scrub we see today. Migrant birds are the commonest species in summer, especially several warbler species. John Haliday of Scottish Natural Heritage has done the Common Bird Census from 1990 to 2015, showing species like Blackcap and Garden Warbler on the up, while Wood Warbler vanished in 2012, but is now back to five pairs. Willow Warbler is the most common warbler with more than 89 pairs on average. Grasshopper and Sedge Warblers are on a big low. Other species like Redstart and Song Thrushes were high in 2015 and with great weather in 2016, could have increased. Both Cuckoo and Tree Pipit are here in spring, while Buzzards are the best bird of prey nesting, with young Golden and White-tailed Eagles possible, with Jura so close across the straits. Winter sees flocks of Siskins and redpolls feeding in the Alder, with flocks of Bullfinches enjoying the heather seed. Otters are well worth looking for, with both fresh and saltwater fish at their disposal COUNTY RECORDER: MAPS: