Scotland · five wildlife sites
Nature reserves & wildlife sites in West Lothian
Explore these places for wildlife in West Lothian. Seasonal notes suggest when to look; sightings are not guaranteed.
01 / 05
Tailend Moss
Near Bathgate.
- Habitat
- Lowland raised bog contains wet peat cuttings, pools, heath and fringing vegetation.
- Wildlife to look for
- Water vole (elusive), common toad (more active in warmer months), small heath butterfly (summer), common darter dragonfly (summer–early autumn).
02 / 05
Kinneil Local Nature Reserve
Near Bo’ness.
- Habitat
- Reclaimed coastal ground, grassland and scrub overlook extensive Forth mudflats.
- Wildlife to look for
- Shelduck, knot (mainly autumn–winter), redshank, wigeon (mainly autumn–winter).
03 / 05
Linlithgow Loch — protected wildlife site
Near Linlithgow.
- Habitat
- A shallow freshwater loch is fringed by reeds, other aquatic vegetation and parkland.
- Wildlife to look for
- Great crested grebe, mute swan, tufted duck, goldeneye (winter).
04 / 05
Beecraigs Country Park — woodland wildlife site
Near Linlithgow.
- Habitat
- Mixed woodland, open grassland and a small loch form a varied country park.
- Wildlife to look for
- Roe deer, badger (mainly nocturnal), jay.
05 / 05
Blackness Bay — protected coastal wildlife site
Near Blackness.
- Habitat
- Tidal mudflats, rocky shoreline and saltmarsh border the Firth of Forth.
- Wildlife to look for
- Shelduck, redshank (especially autumn–winter), curlew (especially autumn–winter), bar-tailed godwit (mainly autumn–winter).