Meikle Loch facts for kids

Meikle Loch from the air, showing its size.

Meikle Loch is a beautiful inland lake located a few miles north of Collieston in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The name "Meikle" comes from an old Scottish word meaning "large" or "big." It's called this because it's much bigger than the nearby Little Loch.

Meikle Loch is a very important place for nature. It's part of a bigger area called the Ythan Estuary complex, which also includes the Sands of Forvie. This whole area is specially protected as a Special Protection Area (SPA) because it's so important for wildlife conservation.

A Special Place for Wildlife

Meikle Loch is recognized internationally for its importance to birds and plants. It's a "Ramsar site," which means it's a wetland of international importance, especially for water birds. This protection helps keep the loch a safe home for many different species.

Home to Amazing Birds

The loch is a vital stop for many birds throughout the year.

• During the colder months, it becomes a cozy home for thousands of pink-footed geese. These geese fly all the way from places like Greenland and Iceland to spend the winter here.
• In the summer, Meikle Loch is a busy breeding ground for three different kinds of terns. Terns are graceful seabirds that lay their eggs and raise their chicks around the loch's shores.

Plants of the Loch

Even though Meikle Loch has a lot of nutrients in its water (which means it's a "eutrophic" loch), it still supports a wide variety of plants. You'll find many different kinds of reedswamp plants growing along its edges. These tall plants provide shelter and food for many insects and small animals, which in turn support the birds that live there.