FORT GEORGE
Historic site is a great spot to watch migrants from
FOLLOWING THE 1746 defeat at Culloden of Bonnie Prince Charlie, George II created the ultimate defence against further Jacobite unrest. The result, Fort George, is the mightiest artillery fortification in Britain, if not Europe. It sits on the narrows of the Moray Firth, with Chanonry Point on the opposite side (to the south-west) and a large tidal push between the two. The fort is still used for training but open to the public with shooting ranges in the area. Many of the birds using the firth pass through here on migration as well as moving from feeding grounds, so it is a great place to catch up with passage skuas in May, with 2013 being a great year for especially Long-tailed Skua passage, while, in contrast, January 2016 was amazing for Little Auks passing through the firth. Summer sees a good movement of terns with local breeding taking place east of here, with Sandwich, Common and Arctic Terns likely. Osprey breed, especially to the east of here, and are seen moving around the firth. Waders can move through in numbers, especially heading for roosts at high tide, so look out for Oystercatcher, Curlew, Ringed Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Turnstone, Knot and Dunlin. Autumn passage has included both Yellow-browed and Barred Warblers, but the winter ducks are well known from the firth, with Long-tailed Duck, Goldeneye, Common and Velvet Scoters, Eider as well as a fly-by King Eider, and plenty of divers. The Moray Firth Bottlenosed Dolphins are often seen and I have had amazing views of porpoises and both seals.