RSPB Reserve Loch Spynie (1 Viewer)

I've just heard elsewhere that a Loch up in Scotland called Loch Spynie has been an RSPB reserve for a few months. There's been no information about this on the RSPB website or in the RSPB's quarterly magazine. Has anyone any information on this new RSPB reserve in Scotland?
Ian.

I can see they're still advertising for a Warden for the site: http://www.rspb.org.uk/vacancies/details.aspx?id=369649

JTweedie said:

I can see they're still advertising for a Warden for the site: http://www.rspb.org.uk/vacancies/details.aspx?id=369649

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That's where I first noticed it as a reserve. There's been no news about it at all that I can see from the RSPB. How long has Loch Spynie been an RSPB reserve? Have they bought the land outright or is it on a lease? Is there any visiting allowed by the public to this new reserve? I've been unable to find out anything out about this as a new RSPB new reserve through Google, although there is information about Loch Spynie in General, but not as an RSPB reserve.
Ian.

I think it's in Gordon's book. Ian I'll try to dig it out tomorrow to confirm.

Rich

Searching the RSPB site: http://www.rspb.org.uk/search/index.aspx?q=Loch Spynie

Hot off the press: by April 2014, we are hoping to have finalised a management agreement for a new reserve at Loch Spynie. It’s in Moray, will be known to many of you, and is a very exciting proposition for the future. It’s unlikely that visiting arrangements will change much in the near future, and we will be taking things slowly, but we’re thrilled.

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IAN JAMES THOMPSON said:

That's where I first noticed it as a reserve. There's been no news about it at all that I can see from the RSPB. How long has Loch Spynie been an RSPB reserve? Have they bought the land outright or is it on a lease? Is there any visiting allowed by the public to this new reserve? I've been unable to find out anything out about this as a new RSPB new reserve through Google, although there is information about Loch Spynie in General, but not as an RSPB reserve.
Ian.

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There is already access to the hide there, though it is an absolute b*gg*r to find down several unmarked lanes and farm tracks.

It turns up a lot of interesting stuff, especially rare wildfowl in winter. Marsh Harriers are seen most years. There is a large breeding colony of black-headed gulls, complete with several pairs of common terns. Red squirrels and otters are regular. Crested tits are in the area but not yet on site.

The surrounding land is strictly private, though you can see several typical farmland species - yellowhammer, whitethroat, partridges from the approach road.

The trees one side of the approach to the hide have recently been cut down and it remains to be seen what impact this will have on the wildlife.

Typically, this announcement came after the book was released, thus rendering it out of date already:C

Gordon Hamlett - Author of Best Birdwatching Sites: Scottish Highlands