Habitat improvements at Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve

Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve lies within a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Vegetation on the reserve’s Lowland Meadow (UK BAP) will be managed by topping vegetation on drier ground and cutting vegetation back in wetter areas. This will benefit breeding birds including lapwing (UK BAP, Red Listed species, protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981), other waders and wintering wildfowl. Japanese knotweed, the most invasive species of plant in Britain, will be controlled, preventing it from swamping native vegetation. Consent is required for this work, but we have approached SNH and are confident that consent will be granted.