LOCH SPYNIE RSPB
Sheltered freshwater close to the Moray Firth
While dashing between the Moray coast’s many excellent birding sites, it’s easy to miss this tucked-away reserve, but even a brief visit can be very productive, and it has a good record of attracting rarities and vagrants such as American Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck, Bonaparte’s Gull and Purple Heron. Winter is the best time to go, as there’ll be a chance of all sorts of wildfowl, but it’s well worth calling in at any time of year – you’ll always stand a good chance of finding your own birds. MATT MERRITT
WHERE TO WATCH
1 As you approach the lane to the reserve, check the fields of the pig farm for gulls. Most will be commoner types, but the likes of Iceland Gull or Glaucous Gull can and do pop up among them in winter.
2 In winter, the fields alongside the lane can attract Whooper Swans, plus flocks of Greylag and Pink-footed Geese. Check for Tundra Bean and Barnacle Geese among them, while recent visitors were three Snow Geese.
3 Check the trees and feeders near the car park thoroughly before you start walking. Great Spotted Woodpeckers are regular, Siskins and Lesser Redpolls are common in winter, and Bullfinches are often seen, as are Tree Sparrows. Check finch flocks for Bramblings. In summer, Spotted Flycatchers, Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs breed. As you walk through the woods to the hide, look for Woodcock in winter.
4 The loch itself should hold Tufted Ducks, Goosander and Goldeneye in winter, plus Whooper Swans and Kingfisher and a chance of Slavonian Grebe. The aforementioned goose flocks may arrive to roost at dusk. Black-headed Gulls and Common Terns breed here. Grey Herons breed in the woods.
5 Walk around the southern end of the loch and you’ll get better views of the reedbeds. Reed and Sedge Warblers breed here, as have Bearded Tits. Water Rails are regular. Check the field for geese again.