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Overview
Kilconquhar Loch is a freshwater body of water, just over 46 hectares/113 acres in area, near a town by the same name in the Fife area of Scotland.
Pronunciation of Kilconquhar is not what one might think, based upon the spelling of it, but correctly pronounced is, instead, Kin-nuchar.
How it came to be, as it is today, and how it maintains itself as fresh, is a matter of discussion. There is enough of an interest in it, though, that it has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Supporting paperwork for this designation paints a picture of a body of water, at the time of the designation, with a varied habitat of reeds, wetland area, along with wooded area that had traditionally supported some migratory, breeding, and over-wintering species.
There is ongoing, organized birding at work here, as evidenced by a hide/blind maintained by the Fife Bird Club there at the Loch. [3][4][5]
Birds
Notable Species
Birding has historically been significant here as evidenced by the supporting paperwork for it's designation as an SSSI.[3]
It's still an ongoing endeavor as shown by the Loch being considered an eBird Hotspot with 85 species reported as sighted.[2]
And the Fife area, as a whole, is significant in birding with 371 species reported as sighted here with 16 globally threatened species. Add to that 99 species reported as rare/accidental in the area.[1]
Rarities
No species have been noted as rare for this specific location as of November 1, 2020.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Common Goldeneye, Greylag Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Pochard, Eurasian Coot, Common Gull, Mallard, Black-headed Gull, Northern Lapwing, Mute Swan, European Herring Gull, Ruddy Duck, Eurasian Jackdaw, Little Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Barn Swallow, Sand Martin, Western House Martin, European Starling
Other Wildlife
To do
Site Information
History and Use
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Areas of Interest
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Nearby Sites of Interest
Fife Ness
Fife Ness is an area at the tip of the Fife Peninsula on Scotland's North coast. A visitor here would find a rocky shore with patches of sandy beaches. Scrub and farmland behind the shore. It's said to be a good spot for passing sea birds, migrants, and the occasional rarity. The Fife Bird Club maintains a presence here, as well. [5]
Eden Estuary
Eden Estuary and Eden Estuary Nature Reserve is located where the River Eden meets the North Sea. It's a large area with a multitude of uses to include birding. [5]
Tentsmuir Forest
Tentsmuir Forest/Tentsmuir Point Nature Reserve is located east of Tayport, Scotland. It affords a birder a variety of habitat to pursue their interests. [5]
Loch Leven
Loch Leven, alternatively known as Vane Farm, is the site of a nature center on the south shore of the loch. A visitor here could expect to see a good variety of bird species spread out over the surrounding variety of habitat such as marshes, lagoons, crags, and wooded areas. [5]
Isle of May
Isle of May is a National Nature Reserve and bird observatory situated where you enter the Firth of Forth on Scotland's east coast. A visitor here might have a chance to see breeding seabirds, migrants, and some rarities in the area. [5]
Largo Bay
Another good location to consider is Largo Bay approximately 2 miles/3 km west of this site. It's a good location with good potential for shorebirds.
Access and Facilities
Access to the hide at the Loch is through contact with the Fife Bird Club. Contact them for specifics regarding access requirements.[4][1]
The Loch is able to be viewed from the churchyard in KIilconquhar, plus there may be a car park near the church.[5]
Contact Details
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References
- Lepage D. (2020) Fife Bird Checklist - Avibase - Bird Checklists of the World. Retrieved 1 November 2020
- eBird - https://ebird.org/hotspot/L3463821
- Registers of Scotland - https://www.eservices.ros.gov.uk/sssi/?_ga=2.88553693.713063320.1604229779-763236183.1604229779
- Fife Bird Club - https://fifebirdclub.org.uk/
- Bird Forum Participant Member Observation
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Kilconquhar Loch. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 26 April 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Kilconquhar_Loch
External Links
Maps
