Grid Ref – NS064593
How to get there
- From Rothesay Pier travel south, passing the castle on your right, for 4 miles on the B881, then turn right (west) on the A844
- Travel for 500m to the signposted path to the bird hide on your right. Park at Scalpsie Bay car park 300m further along, on your left.
Habitat
Loch Quien is a fresh water loch used by the local angling club for trout fishing. The loch is surrounded by farmland to the south and deciduous woodland to the north. There are reed beds and shallows around the margins of the loch.
Birds of Interest
The loch is an important area for wildfowl including numbers of Tufted Duck, Mallard and Teal. Wigeon, Goldeneye and Whooper Swans are regular winter visitors along with resident Greylag and Canada Geese.
The work crew after completion of new screening at the hide
During the summer the Loch is home to Little and Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Coot (rarely), Grey Heron and Cormorant. If you are lucky then there is always a chance of a passing Osprey stopping to show the fishermen how it is done. The bird hide is a great place to watch Swallows, House and Sand Martin, and the occasional Swifts hunting insects over the water.