Lindean Loch Nature Reserve

An attractive short circular excellent for bird watching both for water-fowl on the loch and song birds in the deciduous trees or just enjoy the scenery.

Lindean is first recorded in 1113 as being the South Common. Although the land is still farmed the reservoir was created by the water board. In the 1970’s the reservoir was purchased as a Public Recreation Site, Wildlife Resource and fishing resource. This is the function of the site today and there is parking and a bird hide available.

Lindean Loch is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This status means that it is a very important area for a diversity of wildlife. The soil and the water are lime rich which mean that many different plants can grow. These then support many species of animals.
• Waterfowl: normally one or two pairs of little grebe (dabchick) nest here annually. Other wildfowl which breed here are mallard, tufted duck, mute swan and moorhen. Winter visitors include wigeon, teal, pochard, goldeneye, goosander, and whooper swan.
• Song birds: the reed bunting is one of the few resident species of small bird to be found here. During the summer other birds such as whitethroat, yellowhammer, meadow pipit, sedge warbler and swallow can be observed.
• Plants: over 160 species of flowering plants have been recorded on the site. In the spring and early summer various orchids can be spotted in the damper ground. On drier slopes harebell, birdsfoot trefoil, tufted and bitter vetches. Around the water’s edge large yellow flowers of marsh marigold can be seen in spring and greater and lesser spearwort can be seen in summer and autumn.

Selkirk is not on the route but a variety of facilities are available here.