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Vane Farm

Kinross, Perth & Kinross

Location Guide

Part of the Loch Leven National Nature Reserve.

The RSPB reserve covers 3,946 acres and the large shallow loch is a haven for wildfowl. Annually over 1000 pairs of ducks nest on St Serfs Island.

For numbers of birds it is at its best in autumn and winter when it becomes a staging post for Pink-footed Geese prior to continuing further south, numbers have been as high as 25,000 peaking in late October to early November. However the Greylag Geese do winter on the loch and around 91,000 birds have been known to winter here.

Sightings of the winter migrants during December 2008 included:

140 Whooper Swans

700 Pink-Footed Geese

7 Barnacle Geese and a single White-Fronted Goose amongst others.

During the summer you could see Ospreys.

There are three hides which provide close-up views of what is about on the wetland and there is an observation room in the visitor centre with five telescopes. It is considered a good site for first time bird-watchers to go to. Other facilities in the visitor centre include a tearoom for light snakes and refreshments, toilets, a shop and education facilities. There is also a picnic area and two nature trails.

Mary and Angus Hogg

The wetland trail has three hides: Gillman 100 metres, Waterston 200 metres and Carden 600 metres from the start of the trail. There is easy flat walking after a stepped tunnel beneath the B9097 road. The steps and tunnel have a hard surface and handrails. The steps to the south side of the tunnel consist of two flights of steps (27 in total). The average gradient is 26%. The steps to the north side consist of one flight (13 steps) of the same gradient. There is a third set of steps (13 in total) leading down to the Gillman hide. This is of a lesser gradient: about 5-10%.

The woodland trail (1.6 km) leads through birchwoods to a viewpoint at the top of Vane Hill, 248 m above sea level. The trail is fairly steep in some places and requires suitable footwear. The view from the top gives good extensive vistas across the loch and surrounding area.

Snaik


Location: Vane Farm, nr Kinross

Grid Reference: NT160990 Ceremonial County: Kinross-shire

Map Link: Multimap

Aerial photo:

Getting there: M90 Junction 5 on the B9097, drive for two miles until you reach the car park on the right.

Access: The car park is surfaced with rolled stone and has an adverse camber. Access to the visitor centre is on ground level, however the observation room/coffee shop is on the first floor access to this is via a long ramp.
Website: www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/v/vanefarm/
Other Useful Websites:
Email: vanefarm@rspb.org.uk
Address:
Postcode: Telephone: 01577 862355
Opening Times: Trails and Hides open 24 hours daily except 25th, 26th December and 1st and 2nd January. Visitor Centre open 10am-5pm daily.

Charges: RSPB Members Free; Non-Members Adults £3; Children 50p; Concessions £2; Family £6

Nearby Locations:
Other Location Pages:

Notes: Dogs are allowed, but they ask they are kept on leads during 1st April-30 June when many birds nests are on the ground.

 

 

 

 

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By: Tracey Park Section: Wildlife Key:
Page Ref: vane_farm Topic: Wildfowl & Wetland Spaces  Last Updated: 03/2010
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