Big dig set to transform Lochwinnoch nature reserve into wildlife haven

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A specialist team has begun work to transform the environment at a Renfrewshire nature reserve in a bid to attract more wildlife.The team at RSPB Lochwinnoch welcomed an “amphibious excavator” to the site on Wednesday with work beginning on their ambitious plans to create a new water habitat for birds, amphibians, invertebrates and plants.It is hoped that once completed, thousands of visitors who visit the popular nature reserve will be able to set their eyes on dozens of species of wildlife.They’ve drafted in the special digger due to the complicated nature of the work, with much of it being done under water, as they seek to create nine new islands to provide some additional refuge and breeding space for wildfowl and perhaps black-headed gulls, which used to nest in hundreds-strong colonies on the reserve.Renfrewshire Live, the new free app dedicated to bringing you around the clock breaking news, is now available to download.Powered by the Paisley Daily Express, Renfrewshire Live is your go-to source for news, features and sport with live coverage provided direct to the app, seven days a week.The dedicated team of experienced journalists, responsible for the publication of the award-winning Express, will focus on breaking news, day and night, across Renfrewshire’s towns and villages.There is also a dedicated St Mirren section that will follow every kick of the ball with the Buddies.Available on both Android and Apple.

Download here: smarturl.it/RenfrewLiveSocialAs well as the new islands, shallow margins – around 4,100 square metres of them – will be created for teal and other dabbling ducks, and will form home, too, for wading birds such as snipe.Dragonflies and damselflies will find more opportunities for egg laying