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INNERLEITHEN On the Hills A6091 The land surrounding the How to find us St Mary’s Loch

B709 Loch is used mainly for A7 A708 SELKIRK traditional sheep farming, ter Wa and has been for hundreds of Yarrow The Gordon YARROW VALLEY B7009 The Ring of the Loch Arms Hotel The years. The steep hill faces with Cross Keys A708 VALLEY ETTRICKBRIDGE their scree slopes provide ideal ♀ B7009 ♂ Megget ST MARY’S nesting habitat for birds such as Reservoir LOCH B709 ETTRICK Tibbie A7 Wheatears. Shiels Inn Wheatear er Ettrick Riv

The abundant heather moorland on the other hand, B709 B711 offers Red and Black Grouse a source of food and ETTRICK shelter. Male grouse also use the hill‘s grassy heaths St Mary’s Loch lies on the A708 at the head of the as a stage on which to attract females. This is called Yarrow Valley, around 15 miles each from the towns a “Lek” and the grouses distinctive “go, go, Go-away” of Moffat, Selkirk and and 35 miles south call can be heard from late April. of . On your visit to the Loch, please remember to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. This includes:  Keeping dogs under control  Taking litter home with you  Leaving gates as they were found ♀ ♂  Not disturbing nesting birds. Oyster catchers nest ♂ on the shoreline between the months of April and June. Please give them a wide berth. Black Grouse Red Grouse For more details visit: www.outdooraccess- Also commonly seen on the hills surrounding the For more information about the Loch and the Ettrick Loch is the Buzzard, the UK‘s most widespread bird and Yarrow Valleys as a whole, please contact: of Prey. The buzzard will likely be spotted soaring [email protected] above the hills, watching for its prey of birds and small mammals. Buzzards are often mistaken for or visit: Golden Eagles but can be identified by their www.ettrickandyarrow.co.uk “mewing” call and smaller size. Buzzards or our facebook page mate for life and attract a partner with “Visit Ettrick and Yarrow” an elaborate mid air display known Bird Life as the “rollercoaster”. Buzzards are highly territorial and may be seen chasing crows and other invaders Funded from the Langhope Rig Community Fund from their hunting grounds. Buzzard Bird paintings by Alan Pearson, copyrights held by Mike Lambert. Leaflet design by Jenny Davidson. Photos by Jenny Davidson & EYCDC. St Mary’s Loch On the Loch On the Shore The Loch’s 650 acres support an The Loch‘s shoreline is diverse, abundance of aquatic life. This includes St Mary’s Loch is the largest natural Loch in the offering shingle beaches, marshland trout and pike as well as amphibians and a popular visitor destination, and jagged rocky areas. A common and invertebrates such as dragonflies Dipper both for its natural beauty and historical value. sight along the shore is the dipper. and diving beetles. This provides an This plump bird feeds on aquatic invertebrates and The area around the Loch boasts a wide range abundance of food for some of the is unusual in its ability to walk underwater, where of habitats including grassland, moorland, Loch‘s top predators. The most it can hold it’s breath for up to 30 seconds. charismatic of these is the osprey. wetland, deciduous woodland, ancient scots-pine Osprey woodland and conifer plantation as well as the A summer visitor, from Africa, the Large numbers of oystercatchers Loch itself and its shoreline. osprey feeds on the fish of the Loch, which it dive can be seen in the summer bombs and catches in it’s strong talons where Oyster months. This bird feeds and This array of habitats allows a variety of birds backwards pointing barbs provide extra grip. Catcher nests near the shore, catching and other wildlife to make the Loch their home. earthworms with its long A few of the birds you may encounter on your Goldeneye ♀ Alongside the more common pointed beak and laying its well camouflaged eggs visit are described in this leaflet, accompanied by mallards, the goldeneye, in simple nests scratched in grassland or among paintings generously donated by artist and friend ♂ a diving duck, can be seen the shore’s pebbles. of the Ettrick and Yarrow Valleys, Alan Pearson. diving for aquatic insects. These birds nest at the top of trees. Their ducklings ♀ The Ring of the Loch trail is an excellent way to then jump to the ground but are cushioned by In the woods see all the Loch has to offer – both in terms of their fluffy feathers. The woods on the Loch are wildlife and history – while also experiencing the home to a wide variety of The heron mainly feeds on the Loch‘s tranquillity and beautiful views of this peaceful native trees including willows, fish and frogs which it ambushes and inspiring part of Scotland. alders, ashes and oaks. Most Crossbill by extending its neck at lightning ♂ impressive of these are the Enjoy your visit! speed. The heron is also known to sturdy Scots Pines which make up most of the prey on small mammals and birds Grey ancient March Wood. These provide crossbills such as ducklings which it swallows Heron with their favourite food, cone seeds, which they whole. extract using their uniquely shaped beaks. As well as birds, look out for otters. Although The wood beside the nocturnal and generally elusive, they have been Hall also known to come ashore near the Sailing Club. supports a range of bird Historically, the Loch provided a stronghold for life. Look out for Europe‘s Arctic Charr, their spawning grounds in the narrow Goldcrest smallest bird, the goldcrest, channel between the two lochs. Following their along with more common reintroduction to the nearby , it garden birds such as blue tits and wrens. The If you have any trouble identifying the birds around the may only be a matter of time before they colonise woods are also home to mammals such as Loch, the ‘Birds by Colour’ app can provide a helping hand. the Loch once more. squirrels, foxes, hedgehogs and roe deer.