Birding in and around Inverness (Written by the Al McNee)
IN INVERNESS
Over the last 20 years ago there have been huge changes in Inverness and the city – that’s now what it is – has grown enormously. From a birding perspective, the one famous site in Inverness was the Longman area, in particular the outfall where excellent numbers of sea-ducks and gulls could be seen, with waders also abundant around the muddy edges of the saltmarsh. Unfortunately, this habitat has been completely destroyed and the site is usually worth only the briefest of looks! Anyone finding themselves in Inverness with time for birding has to be prepared to move around and this article looks at some of the better locations within or close to Inverness.
Over the last 20 years ago there have been huge changes in Inverness and the city – that’s now what it is – has grown enormously. From a birding perspective, the one famous site in Inverness was the Longman area, in particular the outfall where excellent numbers of sea-ducks and gulls could be seen, with waders also abundant around the muddy edges of the saltmarsh. Unfortunately, this habitat has been completely destroyed and the site is usually worth only the briefest of looks! Anyone finding themselves in Inverness with time for birding has to be prepared to move around and this article looks at some of the better locations within or close to Inverness.
CALEDONIAN STADIUM
Approaching Inverness on the A9 at the roundabout immediately south of the Kessock Bridge, take the third exit which leads to the Caledonian Stadium [NH672472]. It is possible to park close to the stadium [perhaps not on match days!] and look east into the Inverness Firth. Best at high tide, in winter small numbers of divers, mainly Red-throateds, Slavonian Grebes, Long-tailed Ducks, Goldeneye, Scaup and Red-breasted Mergansers are present. Also in winter and usually after strong winds with an easterly component, auks, Kittiwakes and Shags can be driven in and this spot can be good for Little Auks. From Spring onwards it is possible to see Ospreys fishing, often perched on distant posts, with Buzzards and Red Kites visible towards the Black Isle, and Whitethroats and Sedge Warblers breed behind the stadium. Once autumn arrives, it is possible to have all four species of skua present, driven west into the firth up to the bridge, but almost all turn round on approaching the bridge and head back out. It is over 20 years since really good numbers of skuas were seen regularly here, sometimes with Sabine’s Gulls accompanying, but this may be due to the site being now under-watched than them being absent. Please note that currently it is not possible to access the old Longman Dump area to the south-east.
Approaching Inverness on the A9 at the roundabout immediately south of the Kessock Bridge, take the third exit which leads to the Caledonian Stadium [NH672472]. It is possible to park close to the stadium [perhaps not on match days!] and look east into the Inverness Firth. Best at high tide, in winter small numbers of divers, mainly Red-throateds, Slavonian Grebes, Long-tailed Ducks, Goldeneye, Scaup and Red-breasted Mergansers are present. Also in winter and usually after strong winds with an easterly component, auks, Kittiwakes and Shags can be driven in and this spot can be good for Little Auks. From Spring onwards it is possible to see Ospreys fishing, often perched on distant posts, with Buzzards and Red Kites visible towards the Black Isle, and Whitethroats and Sedge Warblers breed behind the stadium. Once autumn arrives, it is possible to have all four species of skua present, driven west into the firth up to the bridge, but almost all turn round on approaching the bridge and head back out. It is over 20 years since really good numbers of skuas were seen regularly here, sometimes with Sabine’s Gulls accompanying, but this may be due to the site being now under-watched than them being absent. Please note that currently it is not possible to access the old Longman Dump area to the south-east.
LONGMAN BAY
The Longman Bay area behind the dump is accessible from the old A9 road, but you have to park suitably after taking the Milton of Culloden turn-off from the A96 [NH710470], some 3 kilometres east of the city centre. Here there can be impressive numbers of waders and wildfowl, with locally scarce Pintail and occasional highlights such as Green-winged Teal. In summer this area does not usually have much to offer.
The Longman Bay area behind the dump is accessible from the old A9 road, but you have to park suitably after taking the Milton of Culloden turn-off from the A96 [NH710470], some 3 kilometres east of the city centre. Here there can be impressive numbers of waders and wildfowl, with locally scarce Pintail and occasional highlights such as Green-winged Teal. In summer this area does not usually have much to offer.
MERKINCH LOCAL NATURE RESERVE/SOUTH KESSOCK/CLACHNAHARRY
To access this area it is best to park at the turning circle at South Kessock [NH654472]. Here, except at high tide when they are covered, there are two raised banks – “islands” – that can hold good numbers of waders, gulls and wildfowl. This area used to be exceptional for Goosanders, but smaller numbers can still be seen at most times of the year as well as higher numbers of Red-breasted Mergansers, Ospreys fish daily at low tide throughout the breeding season, Brent Geese have been seen passing through in early autumn when good groups of a wide variety of waders are also worth checking through. When food supplies in the Beauly Firth are good –as in late Winter and early Spring 2016 – there may be large influxes of auks, gulls and Shags. After checking this location thoroughly, walk south along the sea wall, once again checking for waders and wildfowl on the water. From early autumn through to early spring a good variety of commoner wildfowl can be seen, principally Wigeon and Tufted Duck, but they are often in the company of Little Grebes and less commonly Slavonian Grebes and Red-throated Divers. About half-way along the sea wall a path drops down to a small woodland which is worth spending some time working through at any time of year. Winter has seen very good numbers of finches using it, Woodcock are numerous in cold spells and breeding birds include Grasshopper and Sedge Warblers, Whitethroats, Blackcaps and Reed Buntings. At high tide the area is prone to flooding, so stick to the obvious raised path at such times. Just before you cross the railway line [yes, it is acceptable to do this, but listen out for the trains] you will see a small pool on the left. This regularly has Water Rail [more often heard than seen] and occasional scarce waders such as Wood Sandpiper.
To access this area it is best to park at the turning circle at South Kessock [NH654472]. Here, except at high tide when they are covered, there are two raised banks – “islands” – that can hold good numbers of waders, gulls and wildfowl. This area used to be exceptional for Goosanders, but smaller numbers can still be seen at most times of the year as well as higher numbers of Red-breasted Mergansers, Ospreys fish daily at low tide throughout the breeding season, Brent Geese have been seen passing through in early autumn when good groups of a wide variety of waders are also worth checking through. When food supplies in the Beauly Firth are good –as in late Winter and early Spring 2016 – there may be large influxes of auks, gulls and Shags. After checking this location thoroughly, walk south along the sea wall, once again checking for waders and wildfowl on the water. From early autumn through to early spring a good variety of commoner wildfowl can be seen, principally Wigeon and Tufted Duck, but they are often in the company of Little Grebes and less commonly Slavonian Grebes and Red-throated Divers. About half-way along the sea wall a path drops down to a small woodland which is worth spending some time working through at any time of year. Winter has seen very good numbers of finches using it, Woodcock are numerous in cold spells and breeding birds include Grasshopper and Sedge Warblers, Whitethroats, Blackcaps and Reed Buntings. At high tide the area is prone to flooding, so stick to the obvious raised path at such times. Just before you cross the railway line [yes, it is acceptable to do this, but listen out for the trains] you will see a small pool on the left. This regularly has Water Rail [more often heard than seen] and occasional scarce waders such as Wood Sandpiper.
Having crossed over the railway track you will see the Muirtown Pools on either side of the track. These look exceptionally good for waders but are yet to hit the jackpot in terms of really rare species, however Spotted Redshank, Ruff, Common Sandpipers, Curlew Sandpipers and Little Stints are occasional visitors. The left hand[east] pool is one of the best places to see Kingfisher in the Highlands, the birds often favouring the last channel which runs to the far left corner. Moorhen, Grey Herons and Water Rail are normally present [the latter more heard than seen], with the best bird seen here a Citrine Wagtail many years ago. This whole section has the potential to turn up something really good and is definitely worth the effort, though, as with so many urban sites, it is prone to disturbance. Generally, the pools are best an hour or so before and after high tide.
Climb up the steps and the Muirtown Basin is in front of you and the final sea-lock of the Caledonian Canal to your right. The basin can hold good numbers of gulls including the odd white-winger, wildfowl and waders, with the odd diver present on occasions. A walk out to Clachnaharry can be rewarding, not just for general birding, but to watch the procedures involved as vessels enter and exit the canal. Grey Seals, Otters and Bottle-nosed Dolphins may be an unexpected bonus, particularly from the very end point of the canal.
THE RIVER NESS
Perhaps the best access for river-side birding is from Whin Park. From the car park [NH657434], walk back along the path which has a drainage channel alongside. Kingfisher is possible here. At the end of the path, cross over the channel and walk back along the river side. On the river should be Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Goldeneye and Goosander, plus Common Sandpiper in the breeding season when there should also be a variety of breeding warblers within the park, the best but scarcest being Garden Warbler. Walk up to the canal at the southern end of the park and here is a good spot for some of our commoner raptors, including Osprey and Red Kite, Kingfisher again a possibility. Non-winter visits are best made early as the park gets very busy with parents and children later. [NB Road-building operations are likely to be ongoing in the immediate future at this site}.
Perhaps the best access for river-side birding is from Whin Park. From the car park [NH657434], walk back along the path which has a drainage channel alongside. Kingfisher is possible here. At the end of the path, cross over the channel and walk back along the river side. On the river should be Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Goldeneye and Goosander, plus Common Sandpiper in the breeding season when there should also be a variety of breeding warblers within the park, the best but scarcest being Garden Warbler. Walk up to the canal at the southern end of the park and here is a good spot for some of our commoner raptors, including Osprey and Red Kite, Kingfisher again a possibility. Non-winter visits are best made early as the park gets very busy with parents and children later. [NB Road-building operations are likely to be ongoing in the immediate future at this site}.