Snipe Loch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Snipe Loch |
|
|---|---|
Snipe Loch and fishing platforms
|
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Location | Coylton, South Ayrshire, Scotland |
| Type | Freshwater loch |
| Primary inflows | Loch Fergus Burn, rainwater and field drainage |
| Primary outflows | Snipe Loch Burn |
| Basin countries | Scotland |
| Max. length | Circa 525 ft (160 m) |
| Max. width | Circa 160 ft (49 m) |
| Surface area | 5.77 acres (2.34 ha) |
| Average depth | Shallow |
| Settlements | Ayr |
Snipe Loch is a freshwater loch (the Scottish word for a lake). It is found in a low-lying area in Coylton, East Ayrshire, Scotland. The loch is near the B742 road and Cloncaird Farm. It is located about 5 miles (7 km) east of Ayr, just north of Martnaham Loch.
How Snipe Loch Was Formed
Snipe Loch is a type of lake called a 'Kettle Hole'. This means it was formed after the last Ice Age. When glaciers melted, large blocks of ice were left behind. These blocks got buried by sand and gravel. As the ice melted, it left a hollow in the ground, which then filled with water to become a loch.
The loch gets its water from the outflow of Loch Fergus. It also collects rainwater and drainage from nearby fields. The water from Snipe Loch then flows into Martnaham Loch. Old maps show that there used to be a special gate, called a sluice, on the outflow. This sluice helped control the water level in the loch. The loch was also fed by natural springs near Cloncaird Farm.
What Does "Snipe" Mean?
The name "Snipe Loch" might make you think of the snipe bird, which is a small wading bird. However, in the Scots language, the word "snipe" can also mean a plain or featureless place. It can also describe something long and thin, or a boggy (wet and muddy) area.
Nearby lochs like Loch Fergus and Martnaham Loch are much bigger. They also have clear features like castles or islands. Snipe Loch, on the other hand, is smaller and less dramatic. This might be why it was called "Snipe Loch," meaning a simpler, less remarkable place.
What Snipe Loch Is Used For
Snipe Loch is a popular spot for fishing and bird watching. People often come here to catch fish. The loch is regularly stocked with rainbow trout. You can also find other fish like perch, pike, and eels living naturally in the water.
The loch is also a great place to see different kinds of birds. You might spot wild ducks, teal, and widgeon swimming on the water. Almost half of the loch's shoreline is covered by deciduous woodland. This means there are trees that lose their leaves in autumn, providing a good habitat for wildlife.
