After more than two decades of absence, Black-headed Gulls have returned to Lochwinnoch.

The installation of new rafts has provided a lifeline to these birds, facilitating their return to RSPB Scotland Lochwinnoch nature reserve which sits in the Castle Semple and Barr Lochs Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Renfrewshire.

The SSSI once hosted a large colony of Black-headed Gulls with a recorded number of 500 in 1984.

The flock's size had decreased by half by 1991, and by the mid to late 1990s, the site was bereft of any Black-headed Gulls.

However, the introduction of a floating raft experiment by RSPB Scotland in 2018 kickstarted the return journey, and by 2023, 17 pairs of birds were raising their young at the reserve.

(Image: Andy Hay)

Earlier this year, a grant from SUEZ Communities Fund allowed RSPB Scotland to install more rafts, bringing the total up to 11.

This summer saw at least 50 pairs of Black-headed Gulls nested on the rafts and floating vegetated islands in the loch.

Undisturbed by predators and high water levels, the rafts also provide excellent bird-watching opportunities.

Tabby Lamont, site manager at Lochwinnoch nature reserve, said: "The success of the rafts for bringing Black-headed Gulls back to Lochwinnoch shows how populations can begin to recover when we protect the spaces our birds need.

"It’s been incredible to see the difference the rafts have made for the birds, and the conservation work around the rest of the site.

"For visitors and our team working here, it is brilliant to have gulls back on the nature reserve, but their presence also benefits other birds.

"Black-headed Gulls are known to mob predators and intruders to protect their young by dive-bombing or flying at them making a loud noise, this also keeps predators away from other birds nesting near to the gull colony.”