Short birdwatching visit · RSPB
The Loons and Loch of Banks
Marwick · KW17 2NB
The Loons and Loch of Banks bring together open water, marshy grassland, fen, mire and reedbed on Orkney Mainland. The Loons hide and Listening Wall provide public places to enjoy wetland birds without walking onto the marsh. The Listening Wall is especially suited to appreciating spring bird calls, while the wide wetland remains interesting for waders and wildfowl through the year. An RSPB local-group account records Redshank, Lapwing and Shoveler at the reserve and adjacent Loch of Banks.
Birds and seasons
- Redshank — Typically year-round
- Lapwing — Typically spring and summer
- Shoveler — Typically year-round
Plan your visit
- Hides and viewpoints
- The Loons has a public hide and a Listening Wall.
- Paths
- No nature trails cross the reserve; remain outside sensitive marshland.
- Toilets
- No reserve toilets; facilities are listed in Birsay and Dounby.
- Parking
- Seven unmarked parking spaces are distributed between the hide and Listening Wall.
- Dogs
- Keep dogs on a short lead during breeding season and near livestock.
- Accessibility
- A ramp links the hide to its car park; seating can be moved for wheelchair users.
Getting there: Use the established hide or Listening Wall parking rather than stopping on through-roads.
Sources
Social preview photograph: Common Starling standing in grass in Oxfordshire. Charles J. Sharp · CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized and converted for the preview.
Continue birding nearby
Nearest full guide: RSPB Marwick Head, 1.5 miles away in a straight line.