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RSPB Udale Bay

Scotland  >  United Kingdom

Intertidal bay on the Black Isle home to thousands of waders, ducks and geese in winter and big flocks of migrating патка свиркач in autumn.

Added* by Steve Pont
Most recent update 11 февруари 2021
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Description

Udale Bay is an intertidal bay on the Black Isle. A reserve mainly comprised of coastal, estuary, mudflat and wetland habitats. Winter migrants such as патка свиркач, Pink-footed Goose, патка берија, Bar-tailed Godwit, обичен свиркач and Red Knot, join остригар, калуѓерка and црвенонога тринга to take advantage of the rich feeding to be had in the bay. They are best viewed two hours either side of high tide as the birds are pushed closer to the hide. A nationally-important flock of морски кожувар spends the winter in the Cromarty Firth - good views can be had with a telescope from the Ivy Cottage car park especially around high tide. The viewing screen at Kirkmichael can be good for ducks and waders. In the autumn up to 10,000 патка свиркач stop off in the bay on their return migration to feed on the beds of eel grass. They are joined by waders, also en route to their wintering grounds. орел рибар are frequently seen during the summer, fishing in the bay. Terns are often seen from the Newhall Point car park searching for fish in the Cromarty Firth.

Details

Access

Travelling north along the A9 from Inverness, turn right onto the B9169 signed to Culbokie. Continue for approximately 9.5 miles (15 km) then round a sharp left bend. Take the next left (B9163) to Cromarty. After approx 0.6 mile (1 km), park in the lay-by on your left.

Terrain and Habitat

Sea

Conditions

Open landscape

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Yes

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Winter , Autumn , Autumn migration

Route

Paved road

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Car

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

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