Morton Lochs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Morton Lochs SSSI |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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| Location | Fife, Scotland |
| Nearest city | Tayport |
| Area | 52.8 ha (130 acres) |
| Established | 1952 |
| Governing body | NatureScot |
Morton Lochs is a special place in Scotland. It is found near Tayport in the north east of Fife. This area is part of the larger Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve.
Morton Lochs has three small lochs, which are like lakes. These lochs are very important for many different kinds of waterfowl. Because it's such a special place, Morton Lochs is called a National Nature Reserve (NNR). It is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it is protected to keep its nature safe.
How to Visit Morton Lochs
You can get to Morton Lochs in a few ways. There are public footpaths that lead to it. One path goes through the Scotscraig golf course in Tayport. You can also use the many paths in Tentsmuir Forest.
If you are coming by car, you can turn off the B945 road towards Morton. This road is between Tayport and Leuchars. There is a small car park right next to the reserve. From there, you can easily find the main footpaths.
Around the lochs, there are three special buildings called bird hides. These are places where you can watch birds without disturbing them. They are open for everyone to use. There is also another hide that needs a key to enter. You can get this key from NatureScot. Three of the hides are on the biggest loch, and one is on the South Loch.
History of Morton Lochs
Morton Lochs was not always here naturally. It was created by a local family, the Christies, in 1906. They flooded this area, which used to be a sandy heath, so they could go fishing.
However, the area quickly became a very important spot for wildfowl in winter. Many birds came to stay there. One of the most common visitors is the teal. Hundreds of teal birds can be seen there at times. This is written in the record book inside the bird hide. The teal is so important that it is the symbol for the National Nature Reserve. You can see it on signs at the reserve's entrance.
Morton Lochs became a National Nature Reserve in 1952. It was only the second NNR ever created in the whole of the UK!
Amazing Wildlife at Morton Lochs
The forests around Morton Lochs and Tentsmuir are a great home for the red squirrel. You might even spot them right outside the John Berry hide! There are bird feeders placed in the woodland and near the John Berry hide. These feeders attract many different birds. You can see tits, finches, and great spotted woodpeckers.
Many kinds of wildfowl visit the lochs. These include the water rail, goldeneye, little grebe, teal, mallard, moorhen, greylag goose, and mute swan. Many other birds come too! People have also seen kingfishers, marsh harriers, ospreys, and even otters here.
