Country: Scotland
Organisation: BBC Radio Scotland & RSPB Scotland
Location: Loch of Strathbeg
The Loch of Strathbeg is a designated Special Protection Area for wildlife conservation purposes. It is located near to Rattray and Crimond in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The loch is maintained by the RSPB and around the loch there are three hides from which visitors may watch the birds and other wildlife. The RSPB records over 260 species of bird here. The loch is the main destination for migrating birds to Scotland. It is the first safe ground for wintering water fowl migrating from Scandinavia and Iceland. The Crane became extinct a couple of hundred years ago and is just coming back. The Sea Eagle reintroduction programme is going well, and they expanding the programme territory. There are herds of wild horses and highland cattle which help keep the vegetation down and trod the mud encouraging insect life, which helps feed the birds.
On Air: Euan McIlwraith & Kirsty Nutt
