Expect the unexpected at this migrant hotspot
The RSPB has managed the reserve here at Kinnordy for the Lyle Estate. It is set on one of Scotland’s fault lines, used by birds on migration, so anything can turn up, as the past records show.
WHERE TO WATCH
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Kinnordy is a great place to start your visit to Angus. The car park here has a mixture of trees surrounding it, with the chance of warblers and even Crossbill.
2 the insects the gulls feed on. New additions include Marsh Harrier and Bearded Tit, which have expanded away from the big Tay populations. Bitterns are also seen along with numerous egrets. The reserve was once famous for the density of breeding ducks, but with the decline of the gulls they also have declined. 3
A third hide offers you the chance of fishing Osprey, with even Otters present. The fish here are limited to Pike and Perch feeding on themselves. In fact the gull chicks were eaten by the Pike and when they were flooded out it was the ducklings that suffered! Winter brings in large numbers of Teal and Wigeon, along with Mallard, Gadwall and Tufted Duck. Goldeneye and Goosander can be found and the reserve was the first location of breeding Ruddy Duck in Scotland, sadly now removed. 4
Not yet removed are the beavers. What a thrill it would have been to have them here back in 1979 when I was the warden here! There is mass of willow and Alder for the beavers to enhance this wetland, but the path back to Kirriemuir does flood occasionally!
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A lane down the side of the reserve is ideal for looking for migrants, with both Great Grey Shrike and Yellow Wagtail found here. Waders use the area to feed, and species like Wood Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit and Ruff have been seen.
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Gatehouse is a great place to start a trip to explore Galloway and its coastline. It has several habitats at hand to look for varied wildlife, and there are some great walks in the area, so it’s not surprising that more and more folk are starting to come to this area.
WHERE TO WATCH
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The A75 takes you from one end of Dumfries into Galloway. Here it gives you chance to look over the Fleet with its many channels and marshland. Waders are a must here, especially in winter, with many Curlew using the channels to feed. Little Egrets are also possible, with high tide pushing sawbills hunting the fish. 2
A small car park either side of Cardoness Castle offers a lovely walk along the ‘canalled’ Fleet, with reedbeds, woodland and tidal water. Listen out for Sedge Warblers in spring, with Reed Warbler rare in these parts. Both Blackcap and Garden Warbler are possible along with Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. 3
A large car park offers you the chance to walk into community woodland and onto the Fleet Forest. Here you will find a mixture of trees including Oak, Beech, Elm and conifers. The river runs close by, with a large lochan now taken over by alder and vegetation. Look out for Great Spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper and Nuthatch. The Cally golf course runs around and through the woodland, giving openings to spot thrushes and wagtails feeding in the open. The Cally Loch offers Mute Swan, Coot, Moorhen and a mixture of ducks.
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Sandgreen is a spot to try for more waders, and with changing tides you may find species like Oystercatcher, Dunlin and Ringed Plover. This coastline is very impressive and wild, with plenty of gorse and scrub, so look out for Raven, Buzzard and even Red Kite.
5 Out in the bay is found the Murray’s Isles, belong to the National Trust of Scotland. Here breeding Cormorants, Oystercatchers and mixed gulls can be found in spring. Check out winter divers and even grebes in this area.