Morton Lochs

Morton Lochs is part of Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve (NNR) located near Tayport, in the north east of Fife, Scotland. It consists of three small lochs important for a variety of waterfowl species. Access to the nature reserve can be gained from the public footpath through Scotscraig golf course in Tayport, from the many footpaths in Tentsmuir Forest, or by road by turning off towards Morton on the B945 between Tayport and Leuchars. There is a small car park beside the reserve which is close to the two main footpaths. Surrounding the lochs are three bird hides that are accessible for public use, and another hide that requires a key available from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). Three of the hides sit on the largest of the three lochs with the other being on the South Loch.HistoryMorton Lochs is not a naturally occurring wetland system; it was made by local land owners, the Christie family, in 1906. They initially flooded this area of dune heath for fishing, but it quickly became an important centre for wintering wildfowl. Perhaps the most notable visitor is the teal, which comes in its hundreds at times according to entries made in the record book in the hide. The teal is also the emblem for the NNR, and appears on signs at the entrance to the reserve. Morton Lochs was defined as an NNR in 1952, at the time being the second NNR in the UK.

Tags: Landmark & Historical Place