The Wildlife Map of the Hebrides

29. Balranald

This area is a nature reserve managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in cooperation with local crofters. There is a gradual change from the saltmarsh in the South (adjacent to Loch Paible) through a variety of marshland habitats to the north. Wetlands around Loch nam Feithean provide excellent breeding and feeding habitats for birds. Waders include lapwing, redshank, snipe and dunlin and the site is good for birds of prey, songbirds such as corn buntings, reed buntings and sedge warblers and is a likely place where you might hear or even see corncrake. Ard an Runair is a fine sea watching point for sea mammals and birds on passage, including numerous pomarine and long tailed skuas which pass here in mid May. St Kilda is visible in fine weather. The RSPB maintains a small visitor centre from where the summer warden leads regular guided walks around the reserve.