From 11.00 am until 4.00 pm, volunteer experts from the Scottish Wildlife Trust will be on hand at the reserve – which is normally closed to the public – to give guided walks and talks about the range of wildlife and their habitats which can be found there. The reserve is between Holyrood Park and the Innocent cyclepath and walkway.
As the migrant birds have arrived for summer, visitors can look forward to stumbling upon notable bird species such as great crested grebe, tufted duck and sedge warblers.
Julian Warman, the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Reserve Manager said: “The reserve is a secret sanctuary for wildlife, making it the perfect haven for those who love to embrace the great outdoors and explore nature. What’s more, it’s based only three kilometres from the centre of Edinburgh.
“We can only open the reserve’s doors at limited points throughout the year, so it’s a rare opportunity to enjoy the reserve and take advantage of the free, guided walks on offer from our team of dedicated volunteers and the reserve convenor who manage the reserve locally.
“By May, most summer visitors have arrived so visitors can look forward to observing migrant and resident birds and listening to their songs. Duddingston Loch provides a home for a range of birds including water rail, mute swan, kingfisher, little grebe and mallard.
“Visitors will be able to observe these birds from the comfort of the Connell Hide, as well as enjoying the beautiful woodland scenery. There are a number of nationally scarce plants on the reserve including tufted loosestrife, slender-leaved pondweed and needle spike rush, as well as many Scottish and locally scarce plants. Otter were also spotted on our open day last year!”
The Bawsinch and Duddingston Wildlife Reserve is three kilometres from the centre of Edinburgh at the southern end of Holyrood Park and from the comfort of the Connell Hide.
Further details
Julian Warman, Reserve Manager South East, Scottish Wildlife Trust
Tel: 0131 312 4775 or email: [email protected]