Days out
Loch of Strathbeg
CrimondOpenSee opening timesSee Pink-footed Geese in their thousands at this wetland wildlife paradise.
About
Strathbeg is Britain’s largest dune loch and a winter home for vast numbers of Pink-footed Geese. There’s an array of wetland wildlife waiting to be discovered here, including breeding Terns and gulls, migrating waders and wintering wildfowl.
Strathbeg is surrounded by wetland, dunes and grassland – head to the hide for sweeping views across the reserve’s mix of habitats. In spring, we’re a haven for breeding birds, while autumn and winter see vast flocks of Pink-footed Geese arrive to swim on the loch, and roost and feed in the nearby fields and pools.
RSPB Scotland is hard at work at Loch of Strathbeg, creating the ideal conditions for the wildlife that calls it home.
Most of our efforts are in support of our population of at least 20,000 wintering wildfowl, which includes Whooper Swans, Pink-footed Geese and Teals. We use grazing and carefully control water levels to help us maintain a suitable balance of open water and grassland.
We're improving the wet grassland for breeding waders, including Lapwings and Redshanks, by keeping grass levels low, controlling scrub and rushes, and managing seasonal flooding. Work includes grazing, upgrading sluices (gates that control water flow) and removing invasive plants. We’re also managing dry grassland for wintering geese and farmland birds.
We keep an eye on all species and habitats to make sure our work is effective. This includes winter wildfowl counts and standard monitoring of other birds. We also monitor key mammal, fish and plant species, plus water levels, grass height and soil quality.
Here at the Loch of Strathbeg, we are managing wetlands through a mixture of mechanical cutting and grazing by our herd of Konik Ponies. The cutting and grazing keep the vigorous soft rush in check, making room for smaller, more delicate flowering plants.
At a glance
Carpark by Visitor Centre with 18 spaces and 2 blue badge spaces. Small car park with 4 spaces near Airfield for Loch Hides. No height restrictions.
The floor is flat and smooth, non-slip smooth vinyl flooring.
Baby Changing
Baby Changing
Tower Pool Hide trail 850 m long. Fine gravel with gentle slopes and undulations. Bench seats every 200 m. Wildlife garden and little woodland walk surfaced with woodchip and bordered with logs, 40m from the Visitor Centre. Paths from the airfield car park to hides are grass surfaced, undulating and often muddy. Fen hide path includes 160 m of boardwalk with a hand rail on one side (1.2 m wide with passing places). The airfield car park is accessed from the visitor centre and main reserve car park by driving back through the village of Crimond, head south for Peterhead and the airfield is signposted to the left as you leave Crimond village. Summer path from visitor centre to the airfield hides, 1.2 km long (access may be limited between 1 August and end of February). It is long grass track and boardwalk with two pedestrian gates. Beach and dunes accessible from Rattray or St Combs.
Tower Pool Hide trail 850 m long. Fine gravel with gentle slopes and undulations. Bench seats every 200 m. Wildlife garden and little woodland walk surfaced with woodchip and bordered with logs, 40m from the Visitor Centre. Paths from the airfield car park to hides are grass surfaced, undulating and often muddy. Fen hide path includes 160 m of boardwalk with a hand rail on one side (1.2 m wide with passing places). The airfield car park is accessed from the visitor centre and main reserve car park by driving back through the village of Crimond, head south for Peterhead and the airfield is signposted to the left as you leave Crimond village. Summer path from visitor centre to the airfield hides, 1.2 km long (access may be limited between 1 August and end of February). It is long grass track and boardwalk with two pedestrian gates. Beach and dunes accessible from Rattray or St Combs.
The public toilets are next to the Visitor Centre and car park. Open from 9:30am - 5pm. There is no emergency call system for visitors requiring assistance. The floor is flat and smooth, laminate flooring. The taps are push taps.
BBQs are a fire risk, endangering other people and the precious wildlife and habitats here. They are not permitted on the reserve at any time.
Assistance dogs welcome.
RSPB Scotland welcomes responsible access, in line with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. During the ground-nesting bird breeding season (1 April to 15 August) and in areas with livestock, we would ask that you keep your dog on a short lead and clean up after them.
See what’s here
Contact Loch of Strathbeg
strathbeg@rspb.org.uk Loch of Strathbeg, Crimond, Aberdeenshire, AB43 8QN 01346 532017