Findhorn Bay RFI (1 Viewer)

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

I am lucky enough to be spending Christmas 07 in Northern Scotland, specifically in Findhorn Bay. I have never been to Scotland birding so was hoping some intelligent poeople may point me in the right direction.

Is it possible to try and use this as a base to catch the Highland species - maybe I could stop on the way up. What's in the local area, what's this bit of the coast like?

Any help appreciated!

 

[delia todd]

Hi Jimmy

Nice stretch of coast there... there'll be one or two who can help you better than me. Henry lives in the area.

There's this entry on Opus too

D

 

[Capercaillie71]

I'm sure others will be able to tell you more about the area than me, but you will be close to Culbin Forest, which has Crested Tits and Crossbills:

http://forestry.gov.uk/culbin

The coast is mostly sandy beaches (rockier between Burghhead and Lossiemouth to the east of Findhorn),a nd this coast is good for sea ducks. There is some information about the Moray Firth here:

http://www.morayfirth-partnership.org/mfptreasure/

You aren't too far from the well-known speyside bird sites (about 30 miles to RSPB Abernethy reserve) so you could easily visit from Findhorn, or stop on the way. The upper Findhorn valley (Strathdearn) is good for eagles (40 or so miles away). Winter time is a good time to see Capercaillies as they are less secretive, but it is still a case of luck whether you find any. An early morning wander around forest tracks at Abernethy is one possibility. There are Caper closer to Findhorn at Darnaway Forest (10 miles SW of Findhorn), but I don't know how easy they are to find here.

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Wow guys, you're getting my really excited. Thanks for these responses already!

 

[Sandra (Taylor)]

You don't even need to wander round the forest, Marcus, to see capers. Just drive through from Boat of Garten towards Nethy Bridge and also through Carrbridge - and keep looking into the forest from the car. There are loads of Vacation reports on Scotland. Read some of those to get ideas. There's a good hide near the airforce base there (forget what it's called) looking out onto the bay. Will there be waders at Christmas? Saw a flock (?) of turnstones by the side of the road on the beachy part - turning stones making a lovely 'swooshing' sound. Unforgetable. But this was in Spring I think.

Sandra

 

[Ken Hall]

the only thing I would add to what has been said already is, the hide on the east side of Findhorn Bay is usually a disgusting tip, and the surrounding area no better. Also it faces west, so not much good after midday in winter. And the tide goes a long long way out, so a 'scope is essential then. There is a much nicer hide on the east side of Loch Spynie, between Elgin and Lossiemouth, good for Whooper Swans and winter ducks. Also worth a look are Loch na Bo and Loch Oire, both near Lhanbryde.

 

[Ian Bell]

You don't even need to wander round the forest, Marcus, to see capers. Just drive through from Boat of Garten towards Nethy Bridge and also through Carrbridge - and keep looking into the forest from the car.

Sandra

Not very wise,especially at the time of year you are coming.Ice and snow can easily be on the Moray roads,so please drive carefully ?

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

the only thing I would add to what has been said already is, the hide on the east side of Findhorn Bay is usually a disgusting tip, and the surrounding area no better. .

What like a tramps den? Really that bad?

My target birds would be Ptarmigan, Caper, Scots Cross (and parrot?), Crested Tit, Golden Eagle. Then I'll search out some sea duck too maybe a good one who knows. Any local info would be much appreciated . Sites times etc. Appreciate some may not be so local, but any nearby haunts appreciated.

Also any sites were the birds come in pretty close would be good as am interesed in photograpjy too!

 

[jpoyner]

What like a tramps den? Really that bad?

My target birds would be Ptarmigan, Caper, Scots Cross (and parrot?), Crested Tit, Golden Eagle. Then I'll search out some sea duck too maybe a good one who knows. Any local info would be much appreciated . Sites times etc. Appreciate some may not be so local, but any nearby haunts appreciated.

Also any sites were the birds come in pretty close would be good as am interesed in photograpjy too!

Caper...your best bet is a slow dawn drive in Abernethy from Nethybridge, but yes watch the roads!!

Ptarmigan...Scan from the Cairngorm ski area car park or take the funicular up and scan from the cafe. DO NOT head up in to the Cairngorms looking for birds in winter unless you are an experienced hill walker!!!

Scot/Parrot Xbills....Very mobile depending on cone crop, try messaging me nearer your visit and I might be able to give you some up to date sites.

Crestie..Anywhere you can find feeders in the villages around Abernethy Forest the easiest way in winter!! Plenty of them to scan! Also Roseisle Forest or Culbin a good bet.

Goldie..Upper findhorn valley.

One really important factor to bear in mind is the short day length this far north mid-winter. Birding light can be going by 2.30pm on a dull day and it's not really light till about 9.00am. So if you are based up on the Moray Firth, set off early and head down to Speyside aiming to get there for first light to get a good days birding in. Icy roads are a hazard, but it's just common sense really, they are well treated in winter, just watch the minor roads, even in the day.

John

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Caper...your best bet is a slow dawn drive in Abernethy from Nethybridge, but yes watch the roads!!

Ptarmigan...Scan from the Cairngorm ski area car park or take the funicular up and scan from the cafe. DO NOT head up in to the Cairngorms looking for birds in winter unless you are an experienced hill walker!!!

Scot/Parrot Xbills....Very mobile depending on cone crop, try messaging me nearer your visit and I might be able to give you some up to date sites.

Crestie..Anywhere you can find feeders in the villages around Abernethy Forest the easiest way in winter!! Plenty of them to scan! Also Roseisle Forest or Culbin a good bet.

Goldie..Upper findhorn valley.

One really important factor to bear in mind is the short day length this far north mid-winter. Birding light can be going by 2.30pm on a dull day and it's not really light till about 9.00am. So if you are based up on the Moray Firth, set off early and head down to Speyside aiming to get there for first light to get a good days birding in. Icy roads are a hazard, but it's just common sense really, they are well treated in winter, just watch the minor roads, even in the day.

John

Thanks John. Dark in the afternoon, means hangovers will certainly be a problem too! Sounds like a definitely need to plan my time effectively to see as many birds as possible. Having jst walked the coast to coast (in July) I can see the difficulties of the Highlands in the depths of winter,

Thanks for taking the time to reposnd.

 

[jpoyner]

Think that winter has to be my favourite time on the Moray Firth at least.....the light can be amazing and the rafts of sea-duck unbeatable anywhere in the UK. The hide at Spynie is well worth a visit at dusk to watch the geese coming in too.

John

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Only one month to the trip so any up to date info appreciated. Lots have mentioned the drive for capers - which raod is this? Any up to date info on the crossbill flock? Any winter duck off the coast in numbers? Also where is a good spot for snow bunts?

 

[Capercaillie71]

Lots have mentioned the drive for capers - which raod is this?

I assume the reference is to the yellow road through Abernethy forest on this map:

http://www.multimap.com/map/browse....-3.68927634479736&lat=57.2499399946779&icon=x

It leads to the Osprey centre at Loch Garten, which will be closed at the moment, although I remember one BF member saying they walked up to the centre out of season and flushed a caper from right next to the hide.

BTW, I've driven that road (in daytime) many times and never seen a caper. If you are suitably equipped and have a map, a wander along some of the tracks away from the road may be productive.

 

[wimog]

Crossbills

Crossbills can currently be seen in Clash Wood above Tomnavoulin on the Glenlivet Crown Estate at NJ199267

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

Any up to date gen appreciated - thanks to all helpers thus far!

 

[Capercaillie71]

If you are passing the Loch Garten osprey centre, a crested tit was coming regularly to the feeders there a week or so ago:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=102392

 

[Marcus Conway - ebirder]

If you are passing the Loch Garten osprey centre, a crested tit was coming regularly to the feeders there a week or so ago:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=102392

Oooh nice one!

 

[Mike Richardson]

It leads to the Osprey centre at Loch Garten, which will be closed at the moment, although I remember one BF member saying they walked up to the centre out of season and flushed a caper from right next to the hide.

I think that was me. I visited the area last October and was able to walk around the reception centre and along the path to the Osprey hide (don't know if I was suppose to). The Caper (female) flew up from the scrub and scared the **** out of me. I wrote a brief trip report at the time. Area also good for Red Squirrel.