If you are lucky, you might also see an osprey hunting over the loch looking to catch its next meal, or spot a red squirrel on the feeders by the hide. [20][21] It is not a sea loch due to isostatic rebound that raised the rock sill at the end of the loch. The reserve and much of the surrounding land are owned by Pitgaveny. Loch Spynie is a small loch located between the towns of Elgin and Lossiemouth in Moray, Scotland. Name: Loch of the Cowlatt, Moray Place type: Inland Water Location: Grid Ref: NJ 1229 4422 • X/Y co-ords: 312300, 844224 • Lat/Long: 57.47980118,-3.46424940 County/Unitary Authority: Moray Region: Scotland Country: Scotland Height: 356.6m OS Explorer map: OL61: Grantown-on-Spey & … Its outlet is the River Ness, which flows into the Moray Firth at Inverness. It separates the traditional district of North Morar (which contains the village of Morar), from Arisaig and Moidart. See our ideas to keep you connected to nature during coronavirus, From our regular emails to your favourite social media, there’s more than one way to keep in touch with nature. Coal tits regularly visit the feeders by the hide and you might also see red squirrels, great spotted woodpeckers or delicate treecreepers – although, as their name suggests, these tiny birds are more often seen creeping up trees. [27] Only around 0.7% of the surface of the loch can be colonised by plants. Catch up with the RSPB’s own nature detectives on the case as they look to save some very special places. The carpark can be found after half a mile (0.8km) on the right-hand side at the end of the track. The loch is surrounded by wet woodlands, fen meadow and the largest freshwater reedbed in Scotland making it a haven for ducks, geese and swans. Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions. [14][15], At the western end of the loch is the village of Morar, which is between Arisaig and Mallaig on the coastal A830 road. Whooper swans regularly visit to feed and preen. Artificial shores were built on the western and northern sides of the loch which was kept for wildfowling and fishing. The loch, as it is now, was created during this process for fishing and wildfowling. Heathland home to more than 2565 species. Cross straight over onto Pansport Road, which becomes Newmill Road, crossing the bridge over the River Lossie and continue past Johnston’s of Elgin. [19][26], The loch is surrounded by a mix of natural woodland, open hillside, sheep and cattle pasture and planted mixed coniferous and broadleaf woodlands. Follow this for 0.9 miles (1.4km) to the farm track on the right-hand side signed "Loch Spynie /Scarffbanks Farm". [4][5] The surface of the loch is 9 metres (30 ft) above sea level. [16] Boats left in 1790,[16] 1802,[17] and 1826,[18] carrying people to Quebec, Glengarry in Ontario, and the Strait of Canso in Nova Scotia respectively. [7][28] Trout average around 340 g (3⁄4 lb) in size, but ferox trout of up to 7 kg (15 lb) have been caught. The artificial platform creates a safe haven for these birds away from predators, helping them to thrive. Ospreys can often be seen fishing in the loch, and watch marsh harriers on patrol, trying to flush out small birds from the dense stems of the reedbeds. Take a stroll along short trails and enjoy peaceful views of the loch from the hide where you can regularly spot otters and red squirrels too. Who to contact if you spot an injured or baby bird, Help nature thrive as a corporate partner, Climate change effects on nature and wildlife. This fantastic wetland site is located north of Southport town centre and has some of the best wildlife in the region. Listen out for the "laughing" calls of the little grebes. [32][33], "Bathymetrical Survey of the Fresh-Water Lochs of Scotland, 1897–1909", A Repeat Survey of Salmon and Trout Stocks in the Loch Morar System, http://www.rafts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Lochaber-Fisheries-Management-Plan.pdf, "The limits of the Late-glacial Highland, or Loch Lomond, Readvance along the West Highland seaboard from Oban to Mallaig", The Status of Salmon and Sea Trout Stocks in the West Coast of Scotland, Murrary and Puller's description of the loch, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Loch_Morar&oldid=980275639, Sites of Special Scientific Interest in North Lochaber, Articles with dead external links from March 2020, Articles with permanently dead external links, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles using infobox body of water without pushpin map alt, Articles using infobox body of water without image bathymetry, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, 2.3073 cubic kilometres (81,482,000,000 cu ft), This page was last edited on 25 September 2020, at 15:50.