Birdwatching the North Coast of Grampian
Ordnance Survey Landranger maps for this area:
Nos. 27, 28, 29, 30.
The following notes were received from Lenny Simpson of Portknockie:
Birdwatching around Portknockie offers a good range of species and habitats. Portknockie lies on the Moray Firth coast
approximately 60 miles NW of Aberdeen just off the A96.
Species to be seen:
All the usual species of gulls with the odd white winged gull in the winter.
Commoner Wader species can be seen all year round,
with the odd rarer species on passage.
From the clifftops look out for Gannets, Guillemots, Razorbills, Black Guillemots, and the occasional Puffin.
Other to look for are Fulmars, the odd Skua, Shearwater, and Divers.
Flocks of ducks include Goldeneye, LT Duck, and Eiders.
Large roosts of Shags can be seen at the Bowfiddle Rock in Autumn and Winter.
Other species to look out for along the cliff paths are Stonechat, Whinchat, Wheatear, Yellowhammer, Linnets, Skylarks,
Wrens, Pipits, Cornbunting and Partridge.
Also worth looking for are Sparrowhawks, Kestrel, Buzzard and the occasional Perigrine.
Cetaceans to look for are Bottlenosed Dolphins, Harbour Porpoise, and Minkie Whale.
Also worth looking for are Common and Grey Seals which can be seen on the rocky beaches under the cliffs.
Findhorn Bay (NJ 03 64, Map 27)
Burghead (NJ , Map 28)
Lossiemouth (NJ , Map 28)
Spey Bay (NJ , Map 28)
Macduff (NJ 70 64, Map 29)
Troup Head (NJ 82 67, Map 29)
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