A seawatching hotspot with year-round appeal
Its position on a headland jutting out into the Moray Firth makes Burghead a great place for seawatching, especially in winter, and in spring when migrants are on the move. But while you’ll need to be prepared for some extended scope-viewing in wind-lashed conditions, don’t forget to look for birds at close quarters too – the small harbour can be productive.
MATT MERRITT
WHERE TO WATCH
1 In winter, the beach can hold good numbers of waders, which should include Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew,
Redshank and Oystercatcher. Low tide is best, and you’ll have to wait for quiet times when there aren’t too many walkers or dogs around.
2 Check the harbour itself for gulls, which can include Glaucous and Iceland Gulls (especially just after fishing boats have returned), sea ducks (most often Eider, but occasionally Long-tailed Duck), and Guillemots. Look for Rock Pipits and Turnstones on the walls.
3 There’s a visitor centre on the headland, from which you get the best all-round views over the Moray Firth. From autumn through to late spring, look for Common Scoter,
Long-tailed Duck, Red-breasted Merganser and of course Eider (with the possibility of King Eider or the scarcer scoters among them), plus Gannets, Fulmars, Razorbills, Guillemots and a few Puffins. Great and Arctic Skuas are possible in spring and autumn. Great Northern and Red-throated Divers are regular, with Black-throated and White-billed (the latter in spring) possible.
4 The north shore is often a more sheltered spot from which to seawatch, and the rocks here are a good place to look for Purple Sandpiper in winter, plus Redshank, Turnstone, Oystercatcher, Shag and more Rock Pipits.