A sea-loch with superb birding potential
This is mainly a driving/ biking tour of the loch, as there are so many locations to scan from. Loch Ryan was famous for its flying boats during World War II, and used to be a winter destination for many birders wanting to see King Eider, but it has now developed for a wider spread of species.
WHERE TO WATCH
1 Check out the Cairnryan area for diving ducks and at low tide the chance of the pale-bellied Brent Geese flock. Scan for divers with at least three species possible here. 2
Park in the small layby and walk through the scrub to Leffnoll Point. The scrub allows you to look for Linnets and Stonechat along with warblers in summer. Walk to the beach and you may find feeding waders like Turnstone, Redshank, Oystercatcher and even Purple Sandpipers.
3
Park in the large layby and walk back to Bishop Burn. This is one of the most watched areas on Loch Ryan where you can have a real mix of species including loafing gulls, sea ducks, grebes and even swans. Great for Mediterranean Gull in early autumn.
4 Drive past the railway station and view the deep water in the loch. Look out for the many
Black Guillemots. There are often sea ducks and divers close in during winter. Black Redstart has been found here. Try Broadstones for a view from the car.
5
This is another area of freshwater called Soleburn, where many species congregate at especially low tide. Check the Scaup and scoter flocks for those rarities with recent records of Surf Scoter and even Lesser Scaup!
6 The Wig has a large car park and a great walk to view the point. Please use the turning point for viewing and not onto the point itself where terns congregate in the summer. Check out the grebes for wintering Slavonian and the odd Red-necked Grebe.
● Red Grouse
● Pied Wagtail
● Yellow Wagtail
● Lapwing
● Curlew
● Redshank
● Golden Plover
● Wheatear
● Snipe
● Common Sandpiper
● Whinchat
AUTUMN/WINTER
● Common Gull
● Redwing
● Fieldfare
● Goldeneye
● Goosander
● Woodcock
● Black Grouse
● Buzzard
● Peregrine
● Hen Harrier