Gairloch/Loch Ewe/Loch Maree (Written by Andy Williams)
For all sites, refer to OS Landranger series map No. 19
Gairloch
Gairloch offers the visiting birder an array of birding possibilities, with fine beaches, sheltered sea lochs, meandering woodland paths and a couple of very good sea watching sites nearby. The main village nestles along the NE shoreline of Loch Gair and just north of here is a car park/view point (circa NG804774). This provides panoramic views of the sea loch. Although some distance from the sea, the view point can be a useful starting point when trying to locate flocks of sea duck, divers and gulls, that may be further scrutinised from closer vantage points along the shore.
The village itself offers residential gardens and crofts, interspersed with broken areas of mature tree and shrub cover- often a good place to check for spring migrants. The walled garden at the bottom of the hill is relatively well sheltered and often holds Spotted Flycatchers, Treecreeper and common warbler species. This garden has historically also held wintering Firecrest and Yellow-browed Warbler and in spring, a very occasional Pied Flycatcher may be found. It is always worth checking through the mixed gull flocks around Strath bay as occasional Mediterranean Gulls mingle with the Common and Black-headed Gulls and in winter, the occasional Iceland or Glaucous Gull also turns up. In the wider bay area, flocks of auks and divers may also be present and occasional Common Scoter and Long-tailed Duck can be found depending on the time of year. Common wader species and Rock Pipits frequent the immediate shoreline but these may be dependent upon the level of disturbance as the sandy beaches are popular with walkers. A kilometer or so to the south of the village is a golf course that is worth checking for flocks of passage pipits and wagtails. Falls of Wheatears may also pause here in early spring and it is often possible to pick out a bird of the Greenland race.
Another 500 metres or so to the south of the golf course is the small sheltered harbour. Several operators offer a variety of boat trips out into the sea loch and even into the Minch, so the pelagic enthusiast may be well catered for. In early autumn, rafts of moulting, Black-throated Divers are a likely prospect, as are occasional flyby White-tailed Eagles and Bonxies. In winter the harbour can provide fantastic views of Tysties. The sea loch holds good numbers of marine mammals too, with seals, porpoise, dolphins and in summer, Minke Whales are readily observed.
Moving inland from the harbour, there is a network of footpaths from which most common woodland species may be encountered. There is ample car parking (circa NG808752) around the harbour, with public toilets, a café and an Inn nearby.
Gairloch offers the visiting birder an array of birding possibilities, with fine beaches, sheltered sea lochs, meandering woodland paths and a couple of very good sea watching sites nearby. The main village nestles along the NE shoreline of Loch Gair and just north of here is a car park/view point (circa NG804774). This provides panoramic views of the sea loch. Although some distance from the sea, the view point can be a useful starting point when trying to locate flocks of sea duck, divers and gulls, that may be further scrutinised from closer vantage points along the shore.
The village itself offers residential gardens and crofts, interspersed with broken areas of mature tree and shrub cover- often a good place to check for spring migrants. The walled garden at the bottom of the hill is relatively well sheltered and often holds Spotted Flycatchers, Treecreeper and common warbler species. This garden has historically also held wintering Firecrest and Yellow-browed Warbler and in spring, a very occasional Pied Flycatcher may be found. It is always worth checking through the mixed gull flocks around Strath bay as occasional Mediterranean Gulls mingle with the Common and Black-headed Gulls and in winter, the occasional Iceland or Glaucous Gull also turns up. In the wider bay area, flocks of auks and divers may also be present and occasional Common Scoter and Long-tailed Duck can be found depending on the time of year. Common wader species and Rock Pipits frequent the immediate shoreline but these may be dependent upon the level of disturbance as the sandy beaches are popular with walkers. A kilometer or so to the south of the village is a golf course that is worth checking for flocks of passage pipits and wagtails. Falls of Wheatears may also pause here in early spring and it is often possible to pick out a bird of the Greenland race.
Another 500 metres or so to the south of the golf course is the small sheltered harbour. Several operators offer a variety of boat trips out into the sea loch and even into the Minch, so the pelagic enthusiast may be well catered for. In early autumn, rafts of moulting, Black-throated Divers are a likely prospect, as are occasional flyby White-tailed Eagles and Bonxies. In winter the harbour can provide fantastic views of Tysties. The sea loch holds good numbers of marine mammals too, with seals, porpoise, dolphins and in summer, Minke Whales are readily observed.
Moving inland from the harbour, there is a network of footpaths from which most common woodland species may be encountered. There is ample car parking (circa NG808752) around the harbour, with public toilets, a café and an Inn nearby.
Rubha Reidh
From Gairloch village, the westbound B8021 takes you most of the way to the Lighthouse at Rubha Reidh (NG740919). The driving is along a tricky, meandering minor track from just north of Melvaig (NG741871). On account of the small, fragile bridges and shortage of passing places this section is best only tackled by confident drivers in modest sized vehicles. It may be an option to consider parking at the start of this track and undertaking the last leg (circa 5km) on foot. Once at the lighthouse please respect any parking and access signage. There are ample viewpoints that allow for some great sea watching. Seasonal considerations aside, it is possible to see all of the skua and diver species, with good numbers of all the commoner seabirds too. The strong currents form slacks and areas of upwelling around the point, that can attract rafts of Kittiwakes and Common Gulls and under favourable conditions the site has also held Storm and Leach’s Petrels. The site has considerable potential for locating a Sabine’s Gull or Grey Phalarope and under certain conditions shearwater passage can be very enjoyable. The rocky shore can hold Turnstone and Purple Sandpipers and when on passage, Whimbrel may stop off on the areas of turf. In winter Snow Buntings may be located around the lighthouse.
From Gairloch village, the westbound B8021 takes you most of the way to the Lighthouse at Rubha Reidh (NG740919). The driving is along a tricky, meandering minor track from just north of Melvaig (NG741871). On account of the small, fragile bridges and shortage of passing places this section is best only tackled by confident drivers in modest sized vehicles. It may be an option to consider parking at the start of this track and undertaking the last leg (circa 5km) on foot. Once at the lighthouse please respect any parking and access signage. There are ample viewpoints that allow for some great sea watching. Seasonal considerations aside, it is possible to see all of the skua and diver species, with good numbers of all the commoner seabirds too. The strong currents form slacks and areas of upwelling around the point, that can attract rafts of Kittiwakes and Common Gulls and under favourable conditions the site has also held Storm and Leach’s Petrels. The site has considerable potential for locating a Sabine’s Gull or Grey Phalarope and under certain conditions shearwater passage can be very enjoyable. The rocky shore can hold Turnstone and Purple Sandpipers and when on passage, Whimbrel may stop off on the areas of turf. In winter Snow Buntings may be located around the lighthouse.
Red point
Some four kilometres south of Gairloch the B8056 leads to Red Point. (Car park/view point located at circa NG732692). From here, a walk of approximately 1 km leads to the point that can provide relaxed sea watching opportunities. Although perhaps not quite as exciting as Rubha Reidh, the drive is far less taxing and often a preferable compromise. The point can offer a great view of Skye and allows a large area of sea to be viewed. Species encountered are similar to those encountered at Rubha Reidh, with the added bonus of raptors over the moorland nearby. Rock Pipits and Stonechats are often locally abundant.
Some four kilometres south of Gairloch the B8056 leads to Red Point. (Car park/view point located at circa NG732692). From here, a walk of approximately 1 km leads to the point that can provide relaxed sea watching opportunities. Although perhaps not quite as exciting as Rubha Reidh, the drive is far less taxing and often a preferable compromise. The point can offer a great view of Skye and allows a large area of sea to be viewed. Species encountered are similar to those encountered at Rubha Reidh, with the added bonus of raptors over the moorland nearby. Rock Pipits and Stonechats are often locally abundant.
Beinn Eighe NNR/Loch Maree
By following the main A832 south from Gairloch a short stretch of single track road is followed by an easy drive to access the south- west shore of Loch Maree and the Beinn Eighe national nature reserve. The area offers the visiting birder a feast of spectacular scenery. There are a number of interesting birding areas with the best and most readily accessible being at Slattadale (NG888722), Victoria Falls (NG893713), the ‘mountain’ and ‘forest’ circular nature trails (NH001650) and also around the visitor centre (NH020630). A variety of woodland species may be encountered with seasonal highlights including Redstart, Wood Warbler and occasional Pied Flycatcher. The loch holds both Black and Red-throated Divers and occasional Slavonian and Great Crested Grebes with Golden and White-tailed Eagles often encountered overhead. There are historical records of Common and Scottish Crossbill from the coniferous woodlands.
By following the main A832 south from Gairloch a short stretch of single track road is followed by an easy drive to access the south- west shore of Loch Maree and the Beinn Eighe national nature reserve. The area offers the visiting birder a feast of spectacular scenery. There are a number of interesting birding areas with the best and most readily accessible being at Slattadale (NG888722), Victoria Falls (NG893713), the ‘mountain’ and ‘forest’ circular nature trails (NH001650) and also around the visitor centre (NH020630). A variety of woodland species may be encountered with seasonal highlights including Redstart, Wood Warbler and occasional Pied Flycatcher. The loch holds both Black and Red-throated Divers and occasional Slavonian and Great Crested Grebes with Golden and White-tailed Eagles often encountered overhead. There are historical records of Common and Scottish Crossbill from the coniferous woodlands.
Poolewe
The village of Poolewe nestles on the southern shore of Loch Ewe. There is a small, but comfortable bird hide (circa NG863816) that allows easy coverage of the bay although parking is limited. A wide variety of birds frequent the bay including wildfowl and common wading species that are augmented by passage Greenshank in the spring. The bay has several interesting, historical records, including Little Egret, Great White Egret and Bittern. White-tailed Eagles often fly over the bay or sit on rocky islets. The site often holds good numbers of Grey Herons with a well- established heronry nearby at Camas glas.
The car park near the mouth of the River Ewe (NG858807) marks the start of a lovely walk up the east bank of the river. Please note there is no vehicle access past the car park or onto the estate, although cycling is an ideal way to explore the initial 4km of track. The site is good for Dipper and Grey Wagtail and also attracts good numbers of martins and Swallows. Finches include Twite, Linnet and Lesser Redpoll. For the more adventurous birder it is possible to undertake a good circular walk via the Lodge at Kernsary (NG893 793) and then the rough footpath along the North bank of Loch Kernsary, back to Poolewe. (circa 10Km/3-4 hours stroll). This allows views of moorland, loch and mountain with all the typical species for these habitats readily encountered.
The village of Poolewe nestles on the southern shore of Loch Ewe. There is a small, but comfortable bird hide (circa NG863816) that allows easy coverage of the bay although parking is limited. A wide variety of birds frequent the bay including wildfowl and common wading species that are augmented by passage Greenshank in the spring. The bay has several interesting, historical records, including Little Egret, Great White Egret and Bittern. White-tailed Eagles often fly over the bay or sit on rocky islets. The site often holds good numbers of Grey Herons with a well- established heronry nearby at Camas glas.
The car park near the mouth of the River Ewe (NG858807) marks the start of a lovely walk up the east bank of the river. Please note there is no vehicle access past the car park or onto the estate, although cycling is an ideal way to explore the initial 4km of track. The site is good for Dipper and Grey Wagtail and also attracts good numbers of martins and Swallows. Finches include Twite, Linnet and Lesser Redpoll. For the more adventurous birder it is possible to undertake a good circular walk via the Lodge at Kernsary (NG893 793) and then the rough footpath along the North bank of Loch Kernsary, back to Poolewe. (circa 10Km/3-4 hours stroll). This allows views of moorland, loch and mountain with all the typical species for these habitats readily encountered.
Inverewe gardens
A fee is payable to enter the gardens (NG863818) that have an impressive display of flowers, shrubs and trees. The visitor centre offers all public facilities. All woodland species may be encountered with good numbers of common warblers, tits, Great Spotted Woodpeckers etc. being readily encountered. Near the shore of Camas Glas look out for the heronry.
A fee is payable to enter the gardens (NG863818) that have an impressive display of flowers, shrubs and trees. The visitor centre offers all public facilities. All woodland species may be encountered with good numbers of common warblers, tits, Great Spotted Woodpeckers etc. being readily encountered. Near the shore of Camas Glas look out for the heronry.
Loch Ewe
Loch Ewe is a large, impressive sea loch. The loch holds big numbers of divers, auks and grebes in the winter and spring and in good conditions it is easy to record well over a hundred Great Northern Divers in a day. A field scope is recommended, as birds are often distant and widely scattered. Although there are plenty of places from which to view sections of the loch, it is often best to drive along the B8057 from Poolewe, as this offers some elevation and parking opportunities. Birds may be encountered anywhere but key holding areas include the waters off Naast (NG840835). There are good beaches and sheltered bays with a car park at NG816881, and also a decent car park near the loch entrance at NG815921- the latter also providing opportunities for general sea watching. It is worth checking any of the small rocky islets for White-tailed Eagles. The loch also holds Harbour Porpoise and Otters frequent the shorelines.
Loch Ewe is a large, impressive sea loch. The loch holds big numbers of divers, auks and grebes in the winter and spring and in good conditions it is easy to record well over a hundred Great Northern Divers in a day. A field scope is recommended, as birds are often distant and widely scattered. Although there are plenty of places from which to view sections of the loch, it is often best to drive along the B8057 from Poolewe, as this offers some elevation and parking opportunities. Birds may be encountered anywhere but key holding areas include the waters off Naast (NG840835). There are good beaches and sheltered bays with a car park at NG816881, and also a decent car park near the loch entrance at NG815921- the latter also providing opportunities for general sea watching. It is worth checking any of the small rocky islets for White-tailed Eagles. The loch also holds Harbour Porpoise and Otters frequent the shorelines.
