Loch Fad

Loch Fad

Grid Ref – NS078625

How to get there

• Loch Fad is about 2 miles from Rothesay. From the pier walk (or drive) south on High Street. Once passed the castle, take 2nd on the right (south west) into Russell Street.
• Follow Russell Street 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.

An area of interest for birders close to the loch is the forest track along the west side of the Loch.

The track along the west side of Loch Fad

Habitat
Loch Fad is a large freshwater Loch and is a popular trout fishery. The wooded area along the west shore is a great site for woodland species and is accessed by way of a track leading to a private dwelling, Woodend House.
Birds of Interest
This area is ideally explored after a look at the Kirk Dam and is good for a number of woodland species. Warblers are present in numbers during the summer months when Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler can be heard staking claim to a territory. Great-spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper, Jay (uncommon on Bute), Bullfinch, Goldcrest, 4 species of Tit and Tawny Owl are resident year round and in smaller numbers Spotted Flycatcher and occasionally Wood Warbler are seen or heard.

Loch Fad

The causeway is a good vantage point to observe Ospreys in summer.  At other times of the year Kingfisher and Great Egret can be found in the Loch margins. It is always worthwhile scanning the loch for water birds.