Levenhall Links facts for kids
Levenhall Links is a special area by the sea in Musselburgh, East Lothian, Scotland, UK. It's next to the Musselburgh Racecourse, Morrison's Haven, and the Prestongrange Industrial Heritage Museum. The River Esk forms its western edge, and Morrison's Haven is on its eastern side.
This large area, about 134 hectares, was actually created from the sea! Workers built a sea wall and then pumped huge amounts of ash from the old Cockenzie Power Station into big ash ponds called lagoons. This ash, called "fly ash," was left over from burning coal. Over time, parts of this land have been cleaned up and turned into a beautiful landscape. They even made shallow pools for wading birds. Today, Levenhall Links is a popular spot for birdwatchers and a place where people can practice golf. The Royal Musselburgh Golf Club actually started here before moving to a new location.
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A Home for Wildlife
Levenhall Links is a very important place for nature, especially birds. Two parts of the area are protected as part of the Firth of Forth Special Protection Area. This means they are super important places where wading birds can rest safely when the tide is high. It's the only big resting spot for these birds between Cramond and Aberlady. In winter, the boating lake attracts hundreds of wigeon ducks, who love to eat the grass on the banks.
The "wader scrape" area is also very special and is known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a nationally important place for its wildlife.
The site is also part of the John Muir Way, which is a long walking path that goes all along the East Lothian coast. Levenhall Links is a section of this path, connecting Fisherrow harbour and Cockenzie harbour.
Amazing Birds to Spot
Levenhall Links is one of the best places near Edinburgh to go birdwatching. The ash lagoons offer a safe place for different types of gulls, shorebirds, and terns to rest. From the seawall, you can get great views of large groups of sea ducks. Look out for birds like the common eider, velvet scoter, red-breasted merganser, long-tailed duck, and common goldeneye.
Many rare birds have also visited Levenhall Links over the years! Some of these rare visitors include the white-winged scoter, surf scoter, Wilson's phalarope, western sandpiper, marsh sandpiper, Franklin's gull, and citrine wagtail. It's even been the first place in Scotland to see three types of terns: Forster's tern, lesser crested tern, and royal tern. It's also one of the most common places in Scotland to see the beautiful Mediterranean gull.
Other Animals Living Here
It's not just birds that call Levenhall Links home! You might also spot other animals like the red fox, roe deer, brown hare, weasel, and common toad. In the water, you might see common seals and grey seals. Otters have also been seen in the nearby River Esk.
Future Plans for Levenhall Links
In November 2018, the East Lothian Council gave permission for Scottish Power to make Levenhall Links even better for wildlife and people. Here are some of the exciting plans:
- Lagoon 8: This lagoon, which is closest to the River Esk, will be changed into a large wetland area. It will have islands for wading birds, gulls, and terns to rest. A moat will protect these islands, and there will be paths and bird hides (special shelters for watching birds) for visitors.
- Lagoon 6: This lagoon, at the eastern end of the site, will be filled in a bit to create a natural home for birds and insects.
- Lagoon 7: This lagoon, located between Lagoon 8 and the boating pond, will have its surface changed to create gentler slopes.
The site is carefully watched by the SEPA to make sure there's no pollution. The ownership of Levenhall Links will only be given to East Lothian Council once all these planned improvements are finished and SEPA is happy that everything is safe and clean.
Images for kids
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Ash lagoon
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Scottish Power warning notice
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Moving the fly ash
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The boating lake
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Ash lagoon and power station
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Birches at Levenhall boating lake
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Wading birds on the ash lagoon
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Ash lagoon
