Moffat Community Nature Reserve
Moffat Community Nature Reserve is an old quarry. Over one million tonnes of sand and gravel were extracted from the Dyke Farm quarry by Patersons of Greenoakhill Ltd. The owners kindly sold the site to the Moffat and District Community Nature Trust to turn the quarry workings into a nature reserve.
The Trust aims are:
- Management
- Conservation
- Enjoyment
- Community Involvement
- Education
The reserve occupies 35 acres with around 1km of all access pathways. There's something to see whatever time of year you visit. Look for the richly coloured insects, dragonflies, butterflies and bumblebees in the wildflower meadow in spring and early summer, the wading birds, Curlew, Snipe and Lapwing in winter or the Little Grebe, Geese and Mute Swans feeding on the lochan all year round.
Best In: Moffat Community Nature Reserve is beautiful in all seasons. Most abundant period is late spring/early summer.
Location
½ mile west of Moffat Town Centre.
Post Code: DG10 9SF
Grid Reference: NT 08480 03589
How to get there
By car: take the A701 towards the motorway (M74) then follow the brown signs to the left. Reserve is about 100m from the main road. There is a car park for up to 15 cars on site.
By Bus: All buses that leave Moffat via the A701 will drop you at the top of the road to the reserve.
By cycle / on foot: As above. There is a pavement to walk along all the way from Moffat town centre.
Facilities
The reserve is split into three main areas:
- Lochan
- Seasonally Flooded Meadow (with lots of little ponds)
- Wader scrape
- A hardcore path runs through the reserve offering views of most habitats and with interpretation boards at regular intervals.
- A picnic area with tables and a shelter.
There are five bird hides in total:
- Three bird hides with views over the main lochan. (one with wheelchair access)
- One bird hide (with wheelchair access) with a great view over the wader scrape
- One bird hide looking over the seasonally flooded meadow
- Lint pool with pond dipping platform
- School group visits and guided tours can be arranged.
Contact
Moffat Community Nature Reserve is managed by Moffat Community Initiative
Reserve Manager: Elaine Boyd
Mobile (daytime): 07717 414 920
Email: projectofficer@visitmoffat.co.uk
Website: http://moffatcommunitynaturereserve.com
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