balgavies
Balgavies Loch
near Forfar, NO527509 O.S. Sheet 54
Overview
Balgavies Loch is a reserve of 53ha in size. It has one of the most extensive associations of wetland habitats in the area, which range from the open water of the loch to dense willow and alder carr.
It supports an outstanding assemblage of plants, wintering geese and breeding wildfowl.
One of a series of wetlands in the Upper Lunan Valley, Balgavies Loch is surrounded by intensively farmed agricultural land. On its southern side it is bounded by an "esker", a sinuous ridge of sand and gravel deposited by meltwater flowing beneath the narrow river glacier which carved out the valley, and on the north by the track of the former Forfar-Arbroath railway line. Reedbeds fringe the loch; to the west there is extensive fen and, on the higher ground, one of the few remaining oakwoods in Angus.
At the water's edge, plants such as water-lily, yellow iris and bogbean grow alongside cowbane, which is at its northern limit here. The marsh and fen areas are covered largely with willow carr and bog myrtle, interspersed with tall plants such as meadowsweet. These, in turn, overshadow the tiny greenish- yellow spikes of the coralroot orchid and the yellow flowers of the rare tufted loosestrife.
Conservation
Unfortunately, the water which drains from the agricultural land into the loch carries with it large amounts of dissolved nitrates and phosphates. As a result the aquatic life which once was very varied is becoming less so, because some species cannot survive when the water is enriched in this way. At the moment there is little that can be done about this widespread problem, but the reserve has become an important research site for studying the effects of changing water conditions.
Access to the Reserve
Balgavies Loch lies off the A932, 4 miles east of Forfar. The Viewpoint has parking for 5 cars and offers views of the east end of the loch. The hide and its car park is at the west end of the loch.
There is open access to the circular path (with gates) and the hide is open to the public.
There are two leaflets explaining the wildlife to be seen while walking round the reserve. One is for Summer and one is for Winter.
Overview
Balgavies Loch is a reserve of 53ha in size. It has one of the most extensive associations of wetland habitats in the area, which range from the open water of the loch to dense willow and alder carr.
It supports an outstanding assemblage of plants, wintering geese and breeding wildfowl.
One of a series of wetlands in the Upper Lunan Valley, Balgavies Loch is surrounded by intensively farmed agricultural land. On its southern side it is bounded by an "esker", a sinuous ridge of sand and gravel deposited by meltwater flowing beneath the narrow river glacier which carved out the valley, and on the north by the track of the former Forfar-Arbroath railway line. Reedbeds fringe the loch; to the west there is extensive fen and, on the higher ground, one of the few remaining oakwoods in Angus.
Wildlife
The waters of the loch once supported an eel fishery, with the traps located at the outflow of the Lunan Burn from Balgavies Loch and at the outflow of the neighbouring Rescobie Loch. The loch also contains perch, pike and trout which keep the cormorants, grey herons and otters of the area well-fed. Summer breeding birds include mute swan, sedge warbler, reed bunting and great crested grebe, while eight species of duck regularly occur on passage or in winter. Spectacular numbers of greylag and pink-footed geese congregate to roost on the water and whooper swans visit on passage.At the water's edge, plants such as water-lily, yellow iris and bogbean grow alongside cowbane, which is at its northern limit here. The marsh and fen areas are covered largely with willow carr and bog myrtle, interspersed with tall plants such as meadowsweet. These, in turn, overshadow the tiny greenish- yellow spikes of the coralroot orchid and the yellow flowers of the rare tufted loosestrife.
Conservation
Unfortunately, the water which drains from the agricultural land into the loch carries with it large amounts of dissolved nitrates and phosphates. As a result the aquatic life which once was very varied is becoming less so, because some species cannot survive when the water is enriched in this way. At the moment there is little that can be done about this widespread problem, but the reserve has become an important research site for studying the effects of changing water conditions.
Conservation
Active conservation measures include erecting rabbit-exclusion fencing, improving the woodland by planting a mixture of native trees, and removing invasive plants and scrub which threaten the existence of more fragile species along the railway line.
Balgavies Loch lies off the A932, 4 miles east of Forfar. The Viewpoint has parking for 5 cars and offers views of the east end of the loch. The hide and its car park is at the west end of the loch.
There is open access to the circular path (with gates) and the hide is open to the public.
There are two leaflets explaining the wildlife to be seen while walking round the reserve. One is for Summer and one is for Winter.
The Scottish Wildlife Trust is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland (registered number SC040247), having its registered office at Harbourside House, 110 Commercial Street, Edinburgh EH6 6NF. It is also a Scottish registered charity (charity number SC005792).
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