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Description
Skye has always been known for its beautiful landscapes and coastline, making it a popular tourist destination, but it’s often overlooked by birders in favour of other parts of Scotland. However, this Inner Hebridean island has a lot to offer in terms of bird life, including a quarter of Scotland’s recently-reintroduced Pygargue à queue blanche population, as well as Aigle royal.
Broadford Bay may not be the best spot for eagles but they are occasionally seen here and can turn up anywhere on the island. What this site does have is a variety of waders and waterfowl, particularly on passage and in winter. The intertidal zone may not be wide but the bay provides a rich feeding ground that is sheltered from south-westerly winds. Migrants get funnelled into this area, especially in autumn, and although there are rarely large numbers of birds in the bay, the rate of turnover is high.
The waders that can be seen here include Bécasseau maubèche, Barge à queue noire, Barge rousse, Grand Gravelot, Pluvier argenté, Bécasseau violet, Courlis corlieu and Courlis cendré. Eider à duvet can be seen year-round and other wildfowl records include Fuligule milouinan, Harelde boréale, Macreuse brune, Bernache cravant and Cygne chanteur. Plongeon catmarin are resident. A few Grèbe esclavon winter here, plus Plongeon imbrin and the scarcer Plongeon arctique. The nearby area of Lusa is the best place to see the latter, as well as wintering Mergule nain. Also, Fou de Bassan, Skuas, Terns and Guillemot à miroir can be seen offshore.
In the moorland and wooded areas around the coast, keep an eye out for resident Linotte à bec jaune which flock together in winter, plus other migrating passerines. Ashaig is one of the better areas to look for them. The inlets and islands around Ardnish and Ashaig are also good for waders and gulls. However, the best place to get close views of waders is in the south-east corner of the bay at Harrapool, where you can park at the Hebridean Inn and use your car as a hide.
There's potential for vagrants and scarce migrants such as Pouillot à grands sourcils so it's worth checking the woodland near the cemetery and the hospital on the west side of the bay. Rare gulls may turn up in this area, particularly around the mouth of the Broadford River, including Goéland bourgmestre and Goéland à ailes blanches. One of the more oustanding records for the bay was a Chevalier à pattes jaunes in the autumn of 2018.
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Accès
Broadford Bay is on the north side of the A87, the main road going from the Skye Bridge to Portree. It is best explored both by car and on foot and can be watched from several different points including the Co-op car park at the west end and the Hebridean Inn car park at the east end.
Ardnish is best accessed from the end of Waterloo Road or from Lower Breakish. You can even wade over to Ardnish from Ashaig at low tide. Ashaig is easily accessed with ample parking at the cemetery, by turning off the A87 on the opposite side to the Ashaig Campsite. There is a coastal walk from Ashaig going east to Lusa, the best spot in the area for seawatching.