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Month-long project to shine a light on Highland nature reserve

Nick Sidle A robin is perched on a stone sign for the reserve. Carved into the stone are the words: "Merkinch Local Nature Reserve". The sky behind the bird and sign is blue. The robin is a small brown bird with a red breast.Nick Sidle
Land at Merkinch in Inverness was designated a local nature reserve almost 20 years ago

A month-long project is promoting the wildlife and history of the Highlands' only local nature reserve.

Merkinch in Inverness was designated a reserve almost 20 years ago, and over the years volunteers have regenerated an area which had previously experienced problems with flytipping.

It covers more than 124 acres (50ha) along the shores of the Beauly Firth and is one of almost 100 local nature reserves in Scotland.

An international environmental project, Cùra Guardian, is highlighting the work being done on the site to conservationists in other countries, including Kenya and the US.

Nick Sidle Kingfisher sits perched on a branch in an area of reeds. It is a brightly coloured bird with turquoise, white and orange feathers. Nick Sidle
Kingfishers hunt on the reserve
Nick Sidle The heron is a large bird with feathers of different shapes of grey. It has a long, orange beak. The heron is flying low over an area of water.Nick Sidle
Herons are a familiar site at the reserve

Highland-based photographer Nick Sidle will be posting images of the reserve as part of the project, which is running until the end of May.

His previous assignments have included diving in a shark cage off Australia to capture images of a great white.

Cùra Guardian said the project would "shine a light" on the benefits the Inverness reserve brings to people and wildlife.

The reserve's habitats include salt water marshes, reed beds and wooded areas, and it is home to large numbers of herons as well as ducks and deer.

Nick Sidle An aerial view of the reserve on the Beauly Firth. Also visible are houses of Merkinch and South Kessock, the Kessock Bridge and the marina next to it. The long channel in the foreground is part of the Caledonian Canal.Nick Sidle
The reserve is on the shores of the Beauly Firth
Nick Sidle An aerial view of a group of people gathered at the reserve.Nick Sidle
The month-long project will celebrate work at the reserve

The reserve has strong links to the community of Merkinch, and paths through the site were named by local schoolchildren.

One of the paths - Midgie Lane - runs between Heron Pond and the Witch Pond, which was named after a concrete foundation of a long-gone crane which was dubbed the witch's coffin.

A pathway along the sea shore, giving views across the Beauly Firth, was originally constructed so horses could haul boats loaded with cargo to their moorings.