The Kirk Dam and Loch Fad causeway from the West Road – Bird Hide centre left
Grid Ref– NS082626
How to get there
- The Kirk Dam is about a 2 miles from Rothesay. From the pier walk (or drive) south on High Street, taking 2nd on the right (south west) into Russell Street.
- Follow Russell St out of Rothesay for 3/4 mile, bearing left (south) onto the minor road, sign posted to Loch Fad.
- Follow this single track road for 1 mile until you reach the causeway separating Loch Fad from the Kirk Dam. Park in the layby immediately before the causeway. The bird hide is on the south side of the Kirk Dam, 200m on from the layby.
The Kirk Dam
Habitat
A small fresh water loch with extensive reed beds and marsh around its margins.
Birds of Interest
The Kirk Dam is an important habitat for wintering wildfowl including Whooper and Mute Swans. Large numbers of duck including Mallard, Wigeon, Teal, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye and the odd Gadwall also winter here along with Moorhen and occasional Coot. It is one of the few sites on the island for Water Rail, a breeding species, and occasionally a rarity such as Great Egret, Scaup, Shoveler or Garganey (April 2000) can be found.
Other birds of interest observed around the Kirk Dam are Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Lesser Redpoll, Long-tailed Tit, Snipe, Grey Heron, Sand Martin, Swallow and Buzzard. It is also one of the favoured feeding waters for our resident Osprey’s and is a stopping off point for passing Kingfisher.