Chanonry Point (Written by David Galloway)
Chanonry Point, NH750556, situated between the Inner Moray Firth and the Inverness Firth, has long been a prime location for local and visiting birders alike; albeit the very large increase, at times horrific, of dolphin watchers to the Point has dissuaded many from visiting. Notwithstanding Chanonry Point remains a potential hotspot for birders, more particularly at times of passage and during spells of strong winds, especially those with an easterly bias. The Firth's status as a fish conservation area has added to its attraction for many bird species.
Chanonry Point, viewed from the North (Dave Galloway)
During winter months there is usually a daily - first two hours of daylight - incoming movement of divers, auks, sea duck, Shag and Cormorant. It is not unusual to record up to 100 divers, the majority Red-throats. Many travel as individuals but groups of up to ten many occur providing great practice for inflight diver ID. The days of 1000+ Long-tailed Duck incoming are sadly now a thing of memory but 100+ is possible. A sunny winter morning may witness a single female Long-tail being "courted" to the point of despair by several males, the yodelling calls far-reaching. Eiders in fair numbers are a relatively new phenomenon; a 'King' has been noted in the past five years. Several pairs of Red-breasted Merganser and Goldeneye are regular with displays noted in February and March. In recent years small flocks of Common Scoter, with the occasion Velvet, have become fairly regular. Gannets are now much more frequently encountered. Auk numbers fluctuate considerably, ranging from zero to thousands with guillemot normally the most numerous. Small numbers of Black Guillemot are recorded annually. Little Auks are irregular but during wrecks can be numerous and very well seen.
Small numbers of Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Turnstone are regular, often hunched down at high tide on the pier wall or feeding on the shoreline seaweed as are Rock Pipit. Small groups of Knot and godwit can often occur on the leeward side. The adjacent gardens and golf course hold fair numbers of Linnet and Yellowhammer and severe frost or snowfall entices winter thrushes, Snipe, Woodcock and Snow Bunting.
Late March and early April bring small parties of migrating Sandwich Terns. Common Terns, in good numbers, follow in late April and thereafter become regular, based on their highly successful breeding rafts at Avoch, until September. Wheatear pass through in April. In late April and early May good numbers of migrating pipits and wagtails, including White Wagtails, rest and feed on the golf course, as do, less often, godwit and Whimbrel. Migrating waders on the shoreline are less predictable due to human disturbance with early morning providing the best opportunity. Breeding plumaged Turnstone are regular, with breeding plumaged Sanderling frequently noted in May and early June. Mid to late May holds the promise, albeit irregular, of Pomarine and Long-tailed Skuas. Linnet, Yellowhammer, Skylark, Whitethroat, Meadow Pipit, Song Thrush and Oystercatcher all breed successfully on the golf course.
The regular presence of Common Terns attracts the attention of non-breeding Arctic Skuas from early June. From July onwards returning waders appear with Whimbrel and Turnstone usually the earliest. The path along the south-west, Fortrose, side of the golf course is well worth checking for resting waders. Late summer and early autumn sees considerably movements of hirundines heading east towards Moray. August is the most likely month for Manx Shearwater, however they seldom stay for long.
Small numbers of Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Turnstone are regular, often hunched down at high tide on the pier wall or feeding on the shoreline seaweed as are Rock Pipit. Small groups of Knot and godwit can often occur on the leeward side. The adjacent gardens and golf course hold fair numbers of Linnet and Yellowhammer and severe frost or snowfall entices winter thrushes, Snipe, Woodcock and Snow Bunting.
Late March and early April bring small parties of migrating Sandwich Terns. Common Terns, in good numbers, follow in late April and thereafter become regular, based on their highly successful breeding rafts at Avoch, until September. Wheatear pass through in April. In late April and early May good numbers of migrating pipits and wagtails, including White Wagtails, rest and feed on the golf course, as do, less often, godwit and Whimbrel. Migrating waders on the shoreline are less predictable due to human disturbance with early morning providing the best opportunity. Breeding plumaged Turnstone are regular, with breeding plumaged Sanderling frequently noted in May and early June. Mid to late May holds the promise, albeit irregular, of Pomarine and Long-tailed Skuas. Linnet, Yellowhammer, Skylark, Whitethroat, Meadow Pipit, Song Thrush and Oystercatcher all breed successfully on the golf course.
The regular presence of Common Terns attracts the attention of non-breeding Arctic Skuas from early June. From July onwards returning waders appear with Whimbrel and Turnstone usually the earliest. The path along the south-west, Fortrose, side of the golf course is well worth checking for resting waders. Late summer and early autumn sees considerably movements of hirundines heading east towards Moray. August is the most likely month for Manx Shearwater, however they seldom stay for long.
September and October are the best months for skuas with Arctic and bonxies regularly present with a fair chance of Pomarine and Long-tails. Good numbers of Gannets and Kittiwake, both adults and juveniles feed in the Firth in autumn. They are often joined by large numbers of auks and gulls over shoals of small fish in impressive feeding frenzies.
Throughout the year good numbers of red listed House Sparrow, Starling and Curlew are present. Bottlenosed Dolphins, Harbour Porpoise and both Grey and Harbour Seals are regular.
In excess of 150 species have been recorded at Chanonry, from White-tailed Sea Eagle to Goldcrest. Despite people pressure and unpredictability there is great potential for birding.
Throughout the year good numbers of red listed House Sparrow, Starling and Curlew are present. Bottlenosed Dolphins, Harbour Porpoise and both Grey and Harbour Seals are regular.
In excess of 150 species have been recorded at Chanonry, from White-tailed Sea Eagle to Goldcrest. Despite people pressure and unpredictability there is great potential for birding.
