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Eastfield

Lothian  >  United Kingdom

A nice section of coastline west of Musselburgh with a river going out to sea and a great view across the Firth of Forth.

Added* by Dylan Daunt
Most recent update 26 november 2024
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Description

You arrive at an open area looking out to sea and to the rocky shoreline if the tide is out. At low tide large numbers of gulls and waders can be seen roosting whilst large numbers of birds can be seen on the sea.

During the winter large numbers of Scoters can be seen. Mainly Fekete réce and Füstös réce. Other species often seen are jegesréce, Pehelyréce, Fütyülő réce, Északi búvár, and Füles vöcsök. Rarities on the sea at this time of the year include tükrös réce, Stejneger's Scoter, Pápaszemes réce, Cifra pehelyréce, Alkabukó and Sarki búvár. On the coastline a large full roost can occur predominantly consisting of Viharsirály, Ezüstsirály, Dankasirály and Dolmányos sirály with the occasional wintering heringsirály, Szerecsensirály and Sarki sirály. Wader species often seen include Havasi partfutó, Piroslábú cankó, Nagy póling, kőforgató, Csigaforgató and Kis goda. Rarer gulls and waders seen on the shoreline have been gyűrűscsőrű sirály and Sarki partfutó.

During spring and summer months lots of new birds can be seen including Sarki csér, Küszvágó csér, Kenti csér and the occasional Rózsás csér, lumma, Alka and Lunda.

Autumn migration brings passage seabirds and waders with the chance of all four skua species, atlanti vészmadár and divers. Scarcer waders that could be seen are Nagy goda and Szürke cankó.

This site gives a nice variety of species from a single point and gives you a great chance to learn the identifications of British shorebirds.

Details

Access

From the centre of Edinburgh you can drive, take the bus or cycle. When cycling you can go all the way along the innocent railway path and you will then reach the A199. Then turn towards Musselburgh and take your first left. Parking is available in the housing estate where a short walk is needed to get to the viewpoint. Press P on the map for directions to the parking spot.

Terrain and Habitat

Sea , Beach , Mud flats

Conditions

Flat , Open landscape

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Yes

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Winter

Route

Narrow trail

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Bicycle , Foot , Car , Wheelchair

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Links

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Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

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