Loch Libo Reserve (for further information click this link)
Loch Libo is a long, shallow, eutrophic loch in a gently sloping valley. The Reserve is located next to the East Renfrewshire village of Uplawmoor. The swamp vegetation at each end support locally uncommon plants such as cowbane, water-lilies and various large sedges, for which it is designated as a Site of special Scientific Interest.
The informal walking path skirts the swamp through wet woodland, then rises up onto the slope above the Loch. This slope is cloaked with mixed deciduous woodlands, much of which is mature sycamore, but ash, hazel, rowan, hawthorn, beech and oak are well represented.
Ferns, brambles and common woodland wildflowers cover the ground. An abundance of dead wood means insects are abundant. This is a peaceful place to watch waterfowl and woodland birds, and to look for otter and roe deer.
What Can You Do There?
Loch Libo has unsurfaced walking paths that offer walkers and photographers opportunities to see interesting flora and fauna year-round.
The Reserve is a haven for mammals such as shrews, voles, and mice, and birds such as sparrowhawks, kestrels, owls, and buzzards. Spring and early summer are a great time to spot interesting water plants, while wild fowl are present at the Reserve from October to March.
What Might You See There?
Animals
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Birds
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- Roe Deer
- Otter (very rarely seen!)
- Frog
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- Buzzard
- Goldeneye
- Tufted duck
- Grey heron
- Spotted flycatcher
- Grasshopper warbler
- Wigeon
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Plants
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Insects
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- Cowbane
- Lesser Tussock Sedge
- Tufted Vetch
- Common Dog Violet
- Wild Pansy
- Slender-leaved pond weed
- Six-stamened waterwort
- Slender tufted-sedge
- Water sedge
- Lesser tussock-sedge
- Lesser pondweed
- Lesser pond-sedge
- Fool’s water-cress
- Lesser water-parsnip
- Yellow water-lily
- Bluebell
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- Green Veined White Butterfly
- Meadow Brown Butterfly
- Common blue damselfly
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What You Should Know About the Reserve
- Open 24 hours all year-round
- The paths are not surfaced, so visitors should wear boots or sturdy shoes. The paths are not suitable for wheelchair use.
- Dogs are welcome at the Reserve, but owners must keep them under control, prevent them from disturbing wildlife, and must always clean up after them!
- Parking is available at the roadside lay-by near the entrance of the Reserve.
- To enter the Reserve: from the lay-by on the A736, walk north on the road verge for approximately 100m to the rail crossing. Cross the railway through the gates to enter the reserve.
- Download the Loch Libo Reserve Map (PDF)
How to Get There
The Reserve is located next to the town of Uplawmoor, about 4.5 miles southwest of Barrhead on the A736. Arriving from the Barrhead direction, the Reserve is on the right.
Cowbane Photograph by Paige Filler, Buzzard photograph by FionaandNeil.