Birdwatching in Tayside

Ordnance Survey Landranger maps for this area:

Nos. 52, 53, 54, 58.

Do you know any of these sites? If you are familiar with the birds of these locations, please write to paul(at)wildlifeweb(dot)co(dot)uk and let us have some details.

Rannoch Moor (Grid Ref. )


Strathearn (Grid Ref. )


Killiecrankie (Grid Ref. )


Loch of the Lowes (Grid Ref. )


Loch of Kinnordy RSPB Reserve(Grid Ref. NO 360540)


1 mile west of Kirriemuir on B951, open daily in Spring and Summer and at weekends for rest of year. Three hides (one accessible to wheelchairs) viewing loch. Large black-headed gull breeding colony. Black necked grebe and ruddy duck. Osprey during summer and pink footed and greylag geese during autumn/winter.

Montrose Basin (Grid Ref. NO 690580)


A tidal basin with extensive mud, sand and shingle flats.
Surrounded by farmland with reedbeds, marshland and scrub mostly at the west end by the river South Esk. A SSSI, Ramsar and SPA.

Access from public roads to the east near the road bridge and at Tayock. Three hides require key for access from the SWT Ranger; all three at west end accessed from Old Mill car park (one mile walk). The SWT run the Montrose Basin Wildlife Centre (free to SWT members) off the main road (A92) on the south side 1 mile from town centre.

Balgavies Loch (Grid Ref. NO 535508)


5 miles east of Forfar on A932, public viewing point with room for 5 cars and hide with car park at the west end available for key holders (Keys from Montrose Basin Ranger).

Inner Firth of Tay (Grid Ref. )


Outer Firth of Tay


Loch Leven



Other Sites

Loch of Lintrathen. (SWT) NO280550 8 miles west of Kirriemuir on B951
A SSSI and Ramsar site. Access restricted to key holders (opens
car park and hide) as the loch is a public water supply (Keys from Montrose Basin Ranger).
Several parking
places on surrounding public roads with good views of loch. Pink footed and 
greylag geese during autumn/winter.

Montreathmont Forest. (Forestry Commission) NO580540
4 miles south of Brechin on A933
Open access from rides on foot only. Mostly conifer plantation
with some deciduous trees, open moor and ponds. Capercaillie and
woodcock plus all common woodland birds.

Crombie Country Park NO528404 6 miles north of Monifieth on B961 
A man-made reservoir with surrounding woodlands.

Monikie Country Park NO505380 4 miles north of Monifieth on B961
A man-made reservoir with surrounding woodlands.

Loch Lee NO430802 16 miles north west of
Edzell
Natural loch set in dramatic mountain setting 20 minute walk
from car park in Glen Esk. 

Caenlochan National Nature Reserve NO210780
Large mountainous plateau with arctic plants and sub-arctic
birds. Access from Glen Clova and Glen Isla.

Forfar Loch NO440505
Car park at Leasure Centre. Path round loch with public hide at
west end.

Auchmithie NO683443 3 miles north of Arbroath
Cliffs good for puffins.