Short birdwatching visit · Fife Coast and Countryside Trust
Birnie and Gaddon Lochs
- Tier
- Good stop nearby
- Best season
- Wildfowl; individual species seasons not stated
- Headline birds
- Goosander · Gadwall · Tufted Duck
- Parking
- Use the B937 car park south of the Collessie junction; current opening hours and charges apply.
- Hides
- The Trust maintains a hide at each loch; arrange access with its office.
- Step-free
- Not stated by the operator
Public car park off the B937 near Collessie
Birnie and Gaddon are linked lochs restored from sand and gravel workings, now managed as one Local Nature Reserve. Water-side paths and hides at both lochs provide a series of outlooks across this connected wetland destination. The SOC names Goosander, Tufted Duck and Gadwall in the site’s duck list. The Trust refurbished the Birnie hide and installed new bridges in 2025. A current notice warns of suspected blue-green algae at Birnie Loch: people and pets must stay out of the water. Keep to the shore paths and follow the local signs.
Birds and seasons
- Goosander · Headline bird — Season not stated Source for Goosander
- Gadwall · Headline bird — Season not stated Source for Gadwall
- Tufted Duck · Headline bird — Season not stated Source for Tufted Duck
Plan your visit
- Hides and viewpoints
- The Trust maintains a hide at each loch; arrange access with its office.
- Paths
- Linked paths circle both lochs, with resting places along the way.
- Toilets
- Not stated by the operator – check before travelling
- Parking
- Use the B937 car park south of the Collessie junction; current opening hours and charges apply.
- Dogs
- Dogs must remain on short leads and out of the water.
- Access notes
- Disabled daytime parking is listed; ask about the chosen path and hide.
- Step-free access
- Not stated by the operator – check before travelling
Getting there: Approach from the A91 using the Collessie turn-off. The public car-park grid NO283125 comes from Welcome to Fife’s walking guide. Check the Trust’s current algae notice and parking information before setting off, and arrange hide access during office hours.
Sources
Social preview: original typographic artwork by Does Your Duck Quack.
Nearby special trips
- Tay Reedbeds · 6.2 straight-line miles
- Eden Estuary Local Nature Reserve · 11.2 straight-line miles
- Cameron Reservoir · 12.2 straight-line miles
Continue birding nearby
Nearest full guide: Loch Leven National Nature Reserve, 11.3 miles away in a straight line.
- Tay Reedbeds · 6.2 miles in a straight line
- Bankhead Moss · 10.3 miles in a straight line
- Dumbarnie Links · 10.6 miles in a straight line