Toilets

Balranald Nature Reserve is famous for corncrakes that are now one of Europe's most endangered species and whose last stronghold is the Scottish Islands. There are also many other species here such as Twites, Skylarks, Meadow pipets, Corn Bunting and House Sparrows that feed near the car park. Many Hebridean and Western Isles, including Coll, Tiree and the Uists, now have corncrake populations that are numbering over 100, with Islay and Iona not too far behind. So successful has the conservation and management for corncrakes been in this region that several young birds from the islands have now been re-located to boost a reintroduction scheme in East Anglia.

In Spring the visitor can spot Whooper swans, Purple Sandpipers, Eiders, Goldeneyes and passage migrants on the reserve and surrounding area. Otters can also be found along the coast. In Summer, Red-necked phalaropes, Snipe, Curlews, Redshanks, Lapwings and Teals can be spotted at Mires of Funzie. Red-throated divers can be seen at Loch of Funzie. Areas around the reserve hold Whimbrels, Golden Plovers, Dunlins, Arctic terns, Great and Arctic skuas. Wetland flowers at the Mires of Funzie are at their best in late July and into August. In Autumn and Winter passage migrants in and around the reserve including Red-breasted Merganser, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Great Skua, Redwings, Long Tailed Ducks, Great Northern Divers and Whooper Swans.

Birdlife found on the reserve include Dipper, Meadow Pipit, Golden Plover, Dunlin, Merlin and Greenshank, which all breed here. The bogs also attract migratory wildfowl during the Autumn. Red and Roe Deer, Fox and Pine Martin can be seen in and around the woods. The pools and lochans provide an ideal habitat for insect life such as Dragon and Damselflies, Water Beetles, newts, frogs and toads, while Butterflies and Moths can be found on the heaths and Grouse, Raven Buzzard and Golden Eagle can be seen on the moorland.

The loch is an important migration staging place for overwintering wildfowl and up to 30000 birds can be seen on and around the loch. It is famous for overwintering Whooper Swans but also has massive flocks of Pink Footed Geese, Barnacle and Greylag Geese. Pochard, Goldeneye, Eider, Sawbills and Snow Geese. There are breeding species such as Great Crested Grebes, Water Rail, Reed Buntings, Mallard Duck, Shelduck and Eider while both Sandwich and Common Terns nest on an artificial island. Mammals spotted on the reserve include the Badger, Otter and Roe Deer and Dragon and Damselflies are common during the summer months.

During Summer the bogs are alive with insect such as Dragon, Damselflies and other insects including Butterflies while Otters hunt in the lochs. The lochs and surrounding reed beds are home to the rare Spotted Crake and are breeding grounds for Teal, Mallard, Tufted Duck and also the largest breeding colony of Goldeneye in the U.K. The reserve also offers refuge for migratory wildfowl, especially Greylag Geese during the Winter months The woodland had Red and Roe Deer, Red Squirrel, Bats,Wood Warbler and many other species of bird while the moors are home to breeding Curlew, Skylark, Plover