LOTHIAN SKATER AW
Rocky shoreland, farmland and mixed woodlands and great seawatching
Skateraw forms part of the Barnes Ness SSSI and is an important inter-tidal area. In the last few years it has become one of the best sites for migrants in Lothian. A large part of this walk takes place on the Torness Nuclear Power station perimeter, which is wide and offers excellent birding as some species have adopted it. In stormy weather, please use the upper walkway for you own safety, and there is seating here, too. The section from the Visitor’s Centre car park and along the old A1 has farmland either side and is well worth stopping at various points. STEVE NEWMAN
WHERE TO WATCH
1 The car park has quite a bit of cover on the landward side, with Yellow-browed Warbler and Hawfinch having been spotted here. You also get a wide vista of the old harbour and at low tide, Oystercatcher and Redshank are visible.
2 The top of the old Lime Kilns offers an excellent high view of the western and eastern shores of the bay. Black Redstart have been seen on the beach below and on our visit there were Meadow and Rock Pipits around.
3 The tip of the breakwater is a good seawatching spot with sea ducks, grebes, swallows, House Martins and Pied Wagtails all visible. Look out for the nesting Peregines. On no account should you try to visit in stormy or rough weather.
4 Skateraw House is a private garden, but the trees visible from the road and those opposite can hold some interesting species. On the walk back down to the car park check for Goldfinch, Yellowhammer and Sparrowhawk.
PRACTICAL INFO
POSTCODE: EH42 1QR
GRID REF: NT734 752
MAPS: OS Explorer 351, OS Landranger 67
PARKING: A small free car park for some 20 cars. Turn off the A1 and turn left then follow the signs to Skateraw Harbour
TERRAIN: Mostly flat with some steps on the power station perimeter, tarmac roads and grassy tracks
ACCESS: Open all year round
FACILITIES: Toilets on site
TIME: Two hours
INSIDER KNOWLEDGE Small Copper butterflies are present here.
TARGET SPECIES AUTUMN
● Little Stint
● Curlew Sandpiper
● Ringed Plover
WINTER
● Great Northern Diver
● Black Necked Grebe
● Fieldfare
SPRING
● Wheatear
● Pallas’s Warbler
● White Wagtail
SUMMER
● Black Redstart
● Gannet
● Peregrine