The Scottish Wildlife Trust has been supporting crofters in Wester Ross

Work is underway to help spruce up the largest reed bed in Wester Ross to help improve the site for wildlife.

Crofters supported by the Scottish Wildlife Trust have cut back vegetation, the first step towards reclaiming areas of open water within the bed at Loch Poll an Dunain, a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) on Achiltibuie's Achlochan Peninsula.

Michelle Henley, reserves project officer at the trust, said: "Reed beds are rich habitats for wildlife but they need to be well managed to ensure there is new growth, and that they don't become too dense.

"Cutting back the reeds and creating pools of open water will create greater diversity within the habitat, which is great for encouraging such as corncrake, sedge warbler and reed bunting, as well as insects and amphibians.

"There's a real enthusiasm in the local community to making the reed bed better for wildlife and I'm grateful to everyone who has pitched in so far, as well as to the players of the National Lottery and others who are supporting this work through the Coigach & Assynt Living Landscape Partnership."

The next stage of the project will be to excavate a number of shallow pools, and a small wildlife hide will be built overlooking the loch to allow local people and visitors to enjoy the wildlife attracted by the improved habitat.

The work is taking place as part of Coigach & Assynt Living Landscape Partnership's (CALLP) Achlochan Coastal Heritage Project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Pilgrim Trust and EB Scotland.