Discover the Avian Wonders of Holy Loch!

Prepare to be captivated by the birdlife at the Holy Loch! This incredible location is a magnet for birds throughout the year, with 140 species recorded in the last decade alone. Our resident populations are consistently bolstered by summer and winter visitors, while migratory species pause here to feed and rest on their epic journeys.
Keep your eyes peeled – you just might be lucky enough to spot something truly extraordinary!
Whether you're a seasoned twitcher or just starting your birdwatching journey, you're in for a treat. This guide will introduce you to some of the feathered friends you might encounter during your visit, categorized first by their preferred habitats, then by their typical presence.

Holy Loch's diverse environments provide perfect homes for a wide variety of birds. Here's what to look out for in each key habitat:

Birds of the Open Water & Marsh

Scan the loch itself, and the shallow edges of the marsh.

Year-Round Residents

Ducks & Swans: Mallard, Mute Swan, Shelduck, Goosander, Eider, Red-breasted Merganser.
Finches and buntings: Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, Chaffinch.
Waterfowl: Cormorant, European Shag.
Herons: Grey Heron, Little Egret.
Other: Dipper (Kilmun riverside), Kingfisher (visible fishing under the hide in August and September), Reed Bunting.

Summer Visitors

Common Tern, Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Gannet, Cuckoo.

Autumn & Winter Visitors

Teal, Wigeon, Goldeneye, Little Grebe, Snipe, Whooper Swan.

Occasional Visitors

Mandarin Duck, Shoveler, Scaup, Brent Goose, Slavonian Grebe, Great-crested Grebe, Common Crane, Great White Egret, Manx Shearwater.
Divers: Black-throated Diver, Red-throated Diver.
Auks: Black Guillemot, Common Guillemot, Razorbill.
Other: Jack Snipe, Moorhen.


  • Mute Swan

  • Kingfisher




  • Curlew

  • Oystercatcher

  • Whimbrel

Birds of the Mudflats & Shoreline

Explore the loch's edge, especially at low tide, for these waders and gulls.


Year-Round Residents

Gulls: Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull.
Waders: Curlew, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Ringed Plover.
Coastal: Black Guillemot, Feral Pigeon, Rock Pipit.

Summer Visitors

Common Sandpiper, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern

Autumn & Winter Visitors

Dunlin, Turnstone, Greenshank.

Passage Migrants

Waders: Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel.

Occasional Visitors

Waders: Knot, Purple Sandpiper, Sanderling.
Seabirds: Kittiwake, Razorbill, Common Guillemot.
Gulls: Glaucous Gull, Iceland Gull, Mediterranean Gull.
Other: Yellowhammer, Hoopoe.



Birds of the Woodland

Venture into the trees and wooded areas around the loch.

Year-Round Residents

Tits, Finches and friends: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Siskin, Redpoll, Tawny owl.
Thrushes: Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush.
Tree Specialists: Great-spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Treecreeper.
Crows: Jay, Magpie.
Other: Dunnock, Wren, Woodpigeon, Robin

Spring/Summer Visitors

Blackcap, Willow Warbler.

Autumn & Winter Visitors

Thrushes: Fieldfare, Redwing.
Other: Woodcock.

Passage Migrants

Warblers: Chiffchaff, Wood Warbler.
Others: Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart, Tree Pipit.

Occasional Visitors

Brambling.

Rarities
Firecrest.

  • Willow Warbler

  • Woodpecker

  • Firecrest


  • Osprey

  • Meadow Pipit

  • Red-legged Partridge

Birds of the Open Fields & Skies

Watch the skies overhead and scan the open grasslands and sheep fields.

Year-Round Residents

Birds of Prey: Buzzard, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Tawny Owl, Barn Owl, Hen harrier.
Geese and Pigeons: Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Collared Dove, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon.
Crows: Rook, Carrion and Hooded Crows, Raven, Jackdaw, Magpie
Pipits & Wagtails: Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail.
Other: House Sparrow, Starling, Stonechat (open, bushy areas, marsh edge).

Summer Visitors

Osprey, House Martin, Sand Martin, Swallow, Swift.

Passage Migrants

Geese: Barnacle Goose, Pink-footed Goose (these two species are often seen together in mixed flocks during migration).
Owls: Short-eared Owl.
Pipits & Larks: Skylark, Wheatear, Whinchat.

Occasional Visitors

Waders: Lapwing, Hen Harrier.
Birds of Prey: Kestrel, White-tailed Eagle, Golden Eagle, Osprey.
Other: Linnet, Red-legged Partridge.
Rarities
Rose-coloured Starling.


Best Times for Birdwatching

Holy Loch offers excellent birdwatching opportunities year-round, but different seasons bring different delights:
Spring (March - May): Breeding season is in full swing! Migratory birds return, and the reserve is abuzz with courtship displays and territorial songs.
Summer (June - August): Enjoy watching young birds exploring their surroundings. Ospreys are particularly active during these months.
Autumn (September - November): A fantastic time for migratory movements, with many wading birds and wildfowl passing through or arriving for winter.
Winter (December - February): The loch hosts large numbers of overwintering ducks and waders, offering spectacular displays.


Top Tips for Your Visit

Bring Binoculars and Scopes: Essential for getting a closer look at birds, especially as some species can be quite distant across the open areas.
Use the Merlin Bird ID App as a Guide: This free app from Cornell Lab of Ornithology can help suggest identifications by sound or photo. However, remember it's a tool to assist, and always try to confirm identifications yourself, as the app can sometimes make mistakes.
Be Patient: Birdwatching often requires quiet observation. Find a spot and wait.
Keep Quiet: Loud noises can scare birds away.
Stay on Paths: Protect delicate habitats and avoid disturbing nesting sites.
Respect Wildlife: Never attempt to feed or approach birds too closely.
Dress Appropriately: Layers and waterproofs are advisable for changeable weather in Scotland!


Conservation at Holy Loch

Holy Loch Nature Reserve is a protected area, vital for the survival of many bird species. Birds are excellent indicators of ecosystem health at their various trophic (food chain) locations, and we monitor them closely for this reason. Every visit helps support our conservation efforts, from habitat management to monitoring populations. We're dedicated to preserving this precious ecosystem for future generations of both birds and birdwatchers.

Plan Your Visit!

We hope this guide enhances your experience at Holy Loch Nature Reserve. Come and immerse yourself in the natural beauty and incredible birdlife.
Access to the main hide is easy: It's just a short walk from the car park along a made-up path, making it accessible to all. From the hide, you'll get a great panoramic view across the marsh, mudflats, and surrounding fields, offering fantastic birdwatching opportunities.
Don't forget to share your sightings with us via our Facebook page, Birdtrack or eBird.