Commissioned Report 252 - Scottish Natural Heritage

Scottish Natural Heritage 

Commissioned Report 252 

Moray Firth Wildfowl & Wader Roosts

COMMISSIONED REPORT 

This report should be quoted as: 

Commissioned Report No.252 

Moray Firth Wildfowl 

& Wader Roosts 

(ROAME No. F98LG20) 

For further information on this report please contact: 

Simon Cohen 

Scottish Natural Heritage 

Fodderty Way 

Dingwall Business Park 

DINGWALL 

IV15 9XB 

Telephone: 01349-865 333 

E-mail: simon.cohen@snh.gov.uk 

Bob Swann, North of Scotland Ornithological Services. (2007). Moray Firth Wildfowl 

& Wader Roosts. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No.252 (ROAME 

No. F098LG02). 

This report, or any part of it, should not be reproduced without the permission of Scottish Natural 

Heritage. This permission will not be withheld unreasonably. The views expressed by the author(s) 

of this report should not be taken as the views and policies of Scottish Natural Heritage. 

© Scottish Natural Heritage 2007.

COMMISSIONED REPORT 

Summary 

Moray Firth Wildfowl and Wader Roosts 

Commissioned Report No. 252 (ROAME No. F98LG20) 

Contractor: Bob Swann, North of Scotland Ornithological Services 

Year of publication: 2007 

Background 

Much of the economic activity in the Highlands is concentrated around the coastline of the 

Inner Moray Firth. This coastline is internationally important for its wintering shorebird 

populations and several Special Protection Areas have been designated to protect these 

interests. Development pressures along the coast require SNH staff to have detailed 

information on the location of shorebird feeding areas and roost sites. The information on 

roost sites is not available from standard sources of data such as Wetland Bird Survey 

counts. This report gives the location of all known shorebird roosts in the Moray Firth 

between Brora and Burghead. It also gives details of how the number of birds using these 

roosts has changed over the last 25 years and describes possible causes of these changes, 

particularly with regard to recreational activities. 

Main findings 

 

121 roosts were located in the Moray Firth between Brora and Burghead. 

Of these roosts 35 had shown an increase in the numbers of waders using them, whilst 

34 had remained unchanged and 52 had declined. Of the latter group only 7 had 

actually completely ceased to be used. 

The main reason for wader roosts declining was increased disturbance, particularly by 

walkers. 

Often this disturbance comes from a very small number of people, but these people are 

disturbing the site on a very regular basis. Dog walkers in particular fall into this 

category. 

Dunlin, bar-tailed godwit, common redshank, red knot and Eurasian oystercatcher 

appeared to be most prone to desert roosts, particularly small ‘marginal’ roosts. 

The main reason for wader roosts increasing in numbers was their location in areas that 

had difficult access, thus reducing potential disturbance. 

At some roost sites some wader species have become habituated to the close proximity 

of walkers, but these are mainly sites where some form of barrier, prevents direct 

disturbance. 

Of roosts used by ducks 22 had shown an increase in the numbers using them, whilst 19 

had remained unchanged and only 15 had declined.

Fewer duck roosts showed declines, due to the habit of duck just drifting offshore, when 

disturbed by walkers. 

For further information on this project contact: 

Simon Cohen, Scottish Natural Heritage, Fodderty Way, Dingwall Business Park, Dingwall, IV15 9XB 

Tel: 01349–865 333 

For further information on the SNH Research & Technical Support Programme contact: 

Policy & Advice Directorate Support, SNH, Great Glen House, Leachkin Road, Inverness, IV3 8NW. 

Tel: 01463 72500 or pads@snh.gov.uk

INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................... 1 

Local changes in wader and wildfowl numbers....................................................... 2 

METHODOLGY .......................................................................................................... 3 

Location of roosts.................................................................................................... 3 

Shorebird data......................................................................................................... 3 

Disturbance and local infrastructure........................................................................ 4 

RESULTS ................................................................................................................... 5 

DALCHAM-DORNOCH............................................................................................... 5 

Dalcham, Brora ....................................................................................................... 5 

Brora ....................................................................................................................... 5 

Golspie .................................................................................................................... 6 

Loch Fleet ............................................................................................................... 6 

Embo....................................................................................................................... 8 

DORNOCH FIRTH.................................................................................................... 10 

Dornoch and Cuthill Sands ................................................................................... 10 

Ardmore Bay ......................................................................................................... 11 

Edderton Sands .................................................................................................... 12 

Tain Bay ................................................................................................................ 13 

Morrich Mor ........................................................................................................... 14 

Inver Bay ............................................................................................................... 15 

Drumancroy, Portmahomack ................................................................................ 16 

CROMARTY FIRTH.................................................................................................. 17 

Nigg Ferry ............................................................................................................. 17 

Nigg Oil Terminal .................................................................................................. 17 

Nigg Bay................................................................................................................ 18 

Barbaraville - Saltburn........................................................................................... 19 

Invergordon ........................................................................................................... 21 

Rosskeen .............................................................................................................. 21 

Dalmore................................................................................................................. 22 

Alness Point .......................................................................................................... 22 

Alness Bay ............................................................................................................ 23 

Foulis - Ardullie ..................................................................................................... 24 

Inner Cromarty Firth .............................................................................................. 25 

Udale Bay.............................................................................................................. 26 

BEAULY FIRTH ........................................................................................................ 28 

Lentran. ................................................................................................................. 28 

Bunchrew .............................................................................................................. 28 

Muirtown Basin...................................................................................................... 29 

North Beauly Firth ................................................................................................. 30 

INVERNESS FIRTH.................................................................................................. 32 

Chanonry Point ..................................................................................................... 32 

Avoch .................................................................................................................... 32 

Munlochy Bay........................................................................................................ 33 

Kilmuir ................................................................................................................... 34 

Ness Mouth ........................................................................................................... 34 

Longman Point - Alturlie Point............................................................................... 35 

Castle Stuart (or Petty) Bay .................................................................................. 37 

Dalcross - Ardersier .............................................................................................. 38 

INNER MORAY FIRTH ............................................................................................. 39 

Fort George – Whiteness Head ............................................................................ 39 

Nairn Bar ............................................................................................................... 40 

Culbin Bar ............................................................................................................. 41 

Findhorn Bay......................................................................................................... 42 

SUMMARY OF CHANGES....................................................................................... 45 

DISCUSSION............................................................................................................ 46 

RECOMMENDATIONS............................................................................................. 47 

REFERENCES.......................................................................................................... 48 

v

List of figures page 

Figure 1 Moray Firth 3 

Figure 2 Roosts at Dalchalm and Brora 5 

Figure 3 Roosts in Golspie area 6 

Figure 4 Roosts at Loch Fleet 7 

Figure 5 Roosts in Embo area 8 

Figure 6 Dornoch Point roosts 10 

Figure 7 Roosts at Lonemore (Cuthill Sands) 11 

Figure 8 Roosts at Ardmore Bay 12 

Figure 9 Roosts at Edderton Bay 12 

Figure 10 Roosts in Tain Bay 14 

Figure 11 Roosts on the Morrich Mor 15 

Figure 12 Roosts at Inver Bay 16 

Figure 13 Roost area at Drumancroy 16 

Figure 14 Roosts at Nigg Oil Terminal and Nigg Ferry 17 

Figure 15 Roosts at Nigg Bay 18 

Figure 16 Roosts at Balintraid and Saltburn 20 

Figure 17 Roosts at Invergordon and Roskeen 21 

Figure 18 Roosts at Dalmore and Alness Point 22 

Figure 19 Alness Bay roosts 23 

Figure 20 Roosts between Foulis and Ardullie Point 24 

Figure 21 Roosts in Dingwall Bay 25 

Figure 22 Roosts on east side Inner Cromarty Firth 26 

Figure 23 Roosts at Udale Bay 27 

Figure 24 Lentran Roosts 28 

Figure 25 Bunchrew roosts 28 

Figure 26 Muirton Basin Roost 29 

Figure 27 Redcastle – Tarradale roosts 30 

Figure 28 Charlestown roost 30 

Figure 29 Roosts on Chanonry Point 32 

Figure 30 Roosts at Munlochy Bay 33 

Figure 31 Roosts at Kilmuir 34 

Figure 32 Roosts at Ness Mouth and Longman 35 

Figure 33 Roosts on the east side of Longman Bay 36 

Figure 34 Roosts at Castle Stuart (Petty Bay) 37 

Figure 35 Roosts in the Dalcross-Ardersier area 38 

Figure 36 Roosts in the Fort George – Whiteness Head area 39 

Figure 37 Roosts on the Nairn bar 40 

Figure 38 Roosts on the Culbin bars 42 

Figure 39 Roosts at Findhorn Bay 43 

vi

List of tables 

Table 1. Wader numbers Dalchalm, Brora. 

page 

5 

Table 2. Wader numbers at Brora. 6 

Table 3. Wader numbers at Golspie. 6 

Table 4. Wildfowl and Wader numbers in Loch Fleet 7 

Table 5. Numbers of waders using Loch Fleet roosts in recent years. 8 

Table 6. Wader numbers at Embo roosts. 9 

Table 7. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Dornoch and Cuthill 

Sands. 

10 

Table 8. Numbers of waders using Dornoch and Cuthill Sands roosts in 

recent years. 

10 

Table 9. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Ardmore Bay. 11 

Table 10. Wildfowl and wader numbers at Edderton Bay roosts. 13 

Table 11. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Edderton Sands. 13 

Table 12. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Tain Bay. 13 

Table 13. Numbers of wildfowl and waders using Tain Bay roosts in recent 

years. 

13 

Table 14. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Morrich Mor. 14 

Table 15. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Inver Bay. 15 

Table 16. Numbers of wildfowl and waders using Inver Bay roosts in recent 

years. 

15 

Table 17. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Drumancroy. 16 

Table 18. Changes in wader numbers at Nigg Ferry. 17 

Table 19. Changes in wader numbers at Nigg oil terminal. 18 

Table 20. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Bayfield, Nigg Bay. 19 

Table 21. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Meddat, Nigg Bay. 19 

Table 22. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Tarbat, Nigg Bay. 19 

Table 23. Changes in wader numbers at Barbaraville. 20 

Table 24. Changes in wader numbers at Balintraid. 20 

Table 25. Changes in wader numbers at Saltburn. 21 

Table 26. Changes in wader numbers at Invergordon. 21 

Table 27. Changes in wader numbers at Roskeen. 21 

Table 28. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Dalmore. 22 

Table 29. Changes in wader numbers at Alness Point. 22 

Table 30. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Alness Bay. 23 

Table 31. Numbers of wildfowl and waders using Alness Bay roosts in recent 

years. 

23 

Table 32. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Foulis-Ardullie. 24 

Table 33. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers in the Inner Cromarty 

Firth. 

25 

Table 34. Numbers of waders using Inner Cromarty Firth roosts in recent 

years. 

26 

Table 35. Wader numbers at Findon pre 1985. 26 

Table 36. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Udale Bay. 27 

Table 37. Wader numbers at Balblair pre 1995. 27 

Table 38. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Lentran. 28 

Table 39. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Bunchrew. 29 

Table 40. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at and off Muirton. 29 

Table 41. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers on the North Beauly. 30 

Table 42. Numbers of waders using North Beauly roosts in recent years. 31 

Table 43. Changes in wader numbers at Chanonry. 32 

Table 44. Changes in wader numbers at Avoch. 32 

Table 45. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Munlochy Bay. 33 

Table 46. Numbers of wildfowl and waders using Munlochy Bay roosts in 

recent years. 

33 

Table 47. Changes in wader numbers at Kilmuir. 34 

vii

Table 48. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Ness Mouth. 34 

Table 49. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Longman, Inverness. 35 

Table 50. Numbers of waders using Longman- Alturlie roosts in recent years. 35 

Table 51. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Alturlie, Inverness. 36 

Table 52. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Castle Stuart (Petty 

Bay). 

37 

Table 53. Numbers of wildfowl and waders using Castle Stuart roosts in 

recent years. 

37 

Table 54. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers in the Dalcross-Ardersier 

area. 

38 

Table 55. Numbers of wildfowl and waders using Dalcross - Ardersier roosts 

in recent years. 

38 

Table 56. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers in the Whiteness Head 

area. 

39 

Table 57. Numbers of waders using Whiteness Head area roosts in recent 

years. 

40 

Table 58. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers on Nairn Bar. 40 

Table 59. Numbers of wildfowl and waders using Nairn Bar roosts in recent 

years. 

41 

Table 60. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers on Culbin Bar. 41 

Table 61. Numbers of wildfowl and waders using Culbin Bar roosts in recent 

years. 

42 

Table 62. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Findhorn Bay. 42 

Table 63. Numbers of wildfowl and waders using Findhorn Bay roosts in 

recent years. 

44 

Table 64. Change in number of waders using roosts according to firth. 45 

Table 65. Reasons for changes in numbers at wader roosts. 45 

Table 66. Number of roosts where the following wader species declined or 

increased significantly, by at least two orders of magnitude. 

45 

Table 67. Change in number of ducks using roosts according to firth. 46 

viii

INTRODUCTION 

The Moray Firth is the most northerly estuarine complex in the United Kingdom, to 

hold shorebirds in nationally and internationally important numbers (Swann & Mudge 

1989). As such much of its shoreline has been given protection, under UK 

legislation, as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and more recently, under EU 

legislation, as Special Protection Areas (SPAs). This legislation should give 

protection from development to the main feeding and roosting areas. 

The first detailed counts of wildfowl and waders in the Moray Firth took place in early 

1970s as part of the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Birds of Estuary Enquiry. 

The figures from these counts were used in ‘Nature conservation within the Moray 

Firth Area – Revised Prospectus’ (Nature Conservancy Council 1978). In the early 

1980s the number and distribution of ducks and waders in the Moray Firth was 

monitored for Britoil PLC as part of the Beatrice Environmental Monitoring 

Programme. The results from this were published in a detailed report (Symonds & 

Langslow 1985) providing both high and low water counts throughout the Moray Firth 

with details of individual high tide roost sites. In January 1985 the first co-ordinated 

count of the entire Moray Firth from Brora to Burghead was undertaken and these 

have continued till present. Swann & Mudge (1989) compared the wader counts 

done between 1984 and 1988 with the earlier ones done between 1970 and 1975. 

More recently Kalejta-Summers (2006) examined changes in the distribution and 

numbers of waders in the Moray Firth, as shown by The Wetland Bird Survey 

(WeBS) high tide roost counts, between 1988 and 2003. 

The Highland Ringing Group (HRG) has been catching waders and ducks at high tide 

roosts in the Moray Firth since 1977. The origin and migration patterns of waders 

using the Moray Firth was described by Swann and Etheridge (1996). Rehfisch et al 

(2003) examined the fidelity of waders to Moray Firth high tide roosts both within and 

between seasons. 

This report aims to record the location of all shorebird roosts, both past and present, 

in the Moray Firth from Brora in the north to Burghead in the east. It also provides 

details of the species composition of these roosts and for each species the numbers 

(based on order of magnitude) that currently use the roost. In order to assess recent 

changes in species composition and abundance at these roosts information is also 

given on the on how numbers have changed between 1985-1994 and 1995-2006. 

These periods were chosen to roughly reflect the periods prior to and after the 

creation of SPAs on the Moray Firth. Details are also given of any changes in 

infrastructure, particularly recreational infrastructure that may have had an impact on 

the number of roosting birds. 

Research has shown that wader roosts are susceptible to increased disturbance from 

recreational activities. For instance in the Dutch Wadden Sea, walkers were shown 

to most often affect roosts of Eurasian oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus, bartailed 

godwits Limosa lapponica and Eurasian curlew Numenius arquata (Smit & 

Visser 1993). Dogs and walkers were also responsible for disturbance to wader 

roosts (including bar-tailed godwit) on the Dee Estuary (Kirby et al. 1993). Numbers 

of roosting waders were significantly lower at weekends, when disturbance rates 

were highest. 

The human population of the Highlands has been increasing in recent years. 

Between 1994 and 2004 it rose by 1.9%. This hides rapid growth in districts like 

Nairn (+7%), Inverness (+5.4%) and Sutherland (+4%). This increase in population 

1

puts extra pressure on the coast particularly through increased disturbance from 

recreational activities. A survey of recreational pressure on coastal reserves 

managed by The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in the Moray Firth 

conducted in winter 2005-06 (Crowther & Elliot 2006) showed that although 

recreational pressure was highest at weekends, it was still significant on weekdays. 

The report concluded that of the recreational activities recorded, dog walking had the 

potential to cause disturbance to wintering bird populations, and horse riding and 

quad biking have the potential to cause direct damage to fragile habitats. 

A variety of legislation covers recreational activities. For example, there is a right to 

public recreation on the foreshore, which includes activities such as wildfowling, dog 

walking and bait digging below mean high water springs. More recently the Scottish 

Outdoor Access Code (SOAC) has given the public the general right to responsible 

access in the countryside, including on bicycle and horse riding, though this right 

does not extend to motorised vehicles such as motorbikes or quad bikes. The recent 

Nature Conservation Act (Scotland) introduced the principle of third party damage to 

designated sites as an offence. Therefore recreational activities, which cause 

damage to designated sites, are irresponsible and fall outwith SOAC. 

Increased disturbance is likely to have the greatest impact on roosting wildfowl and 

waders. For each major feeding area, there tends to be only a limited number of 

sites for safe high tide roosts (Symonds & Langslow 1986). If these are regularly 

disturbed the shorebirds may abandon them and therefore may be forced to fly 

further to find safe, undisturbed roosts. 

It is uncertain if energy limitations, predation, or weather are important in determining 

roost selection, but studies show that most species are site faithful (Rehfisch et al. 

2003). Over wintering shorebirds face the conflicting demands of being lean to 

facilitate escape from predators (Page & Whitacre 1975; Cresswell 1994) and of 

being fat to survive periods of cold weather. They benefit by reusing roosts that are 

sheltered and undisturbed rather than searching for new but potentially unsuitable 

roosts. The availability of safe, sheltered roosts, close to feeding sites may be critical 

to survival, if, as proposed by Wiersma and Piersma (1994), shorebirds wintering in 

temperate climes are at the limit of their metabolic requirements. 

Local changes in wader and wildfowl numbers 

Kalejta-Summers (2006) examined changes in the numbers of waders on the Moray 

Firth based on the WeBS counts carried out between October 1988 and February 

2003. She showed that there had been significant increases in the number of 

sanderling Calidris alba and red knot Calidris canutus present on the Moray Firth 

during the mid-winter period (December-February) and significant declines in the 

number of purple sandpiper Calidris maritima and ruddy turnstone Arenaria interpres. 

No other species, showed significant trends. HRG data, however, shows that 

northern lapwing Vanellus vanellus numbers have increased markedly over this 

period, particularly in late summer and early autumn (ie outwith the mid-winter period 

examined by Kalejta-Summers). 

Kalejta-Summers, B. (in prep) examined changes in duck numbers on the Moray 

Firth over the same time periods and showed significant increases in the number of 

common teal Anas crecca , but significant declines in the number of Eurasian wigeon 

Anas penelope and mallard Anas platyrhynchos. 

2

These changes should be taken into account when examining changes in numbers at 

individual roosts. 

METHODOLGY 

Location of roosts. 

Where possible field visits were made to all known (historic and current) high tide 

roost sites in the Moray Firth between Brora and Burghead (Figure 1). A GPS 

reading was taken at the core of the roost and at larger roosts other readings were 

taken to show the extent of the roost area. If it was impossible to access a roost (eg 

on an offshore bar) six figure grid references were taken from the relevant 1:25,000 

OS maps. If a single GPS reading was taken, roosts were marked on Figures 2-39 

using an arrow. If more than one GPS reading was taken the total extent of the roost 

is marked on Figures 2-39. 

Figure 1. Moray Firth 

Shorebird data. 

Data on the number of ducks and waders using individual roosts was obtained from 

three sources. 

1. WeBS data from the co-ordinated counts carried out in the Moray Firth each 

winter in October, December, January and February, since January 1985. This 

data is kept locally on a finer scale, than that submitted to BTO allowing, in many 

cases, counts to be allocated to specific roosts. 

2. Highland Ringing Group data. During attempts to cannon net shorebirds at 

roosts, throughout the Moray Firth, details were recorded of the birds caught and 

the number of birds present at each roost. The data were then extracted from 

Highland Ringing Group cannon net report forms, held by R.L.Swann. 

3

3. For some sections where data was limited the original, and if necessary present, 

WeBS counter was contacted and asked to provide details of roost location and 

species numbers over time. 

Orders of magnitude have been used in the individual roost accounts that follow, 

rather than actual numbers. There are several reasons for this. Although actual 

figures are available for all WeBS sections, they are not available for all individual 

roosts. Data from sources 2 and 3 above was often cited to the nearest 10, 50, 100 

etc. There was much variation from one winter to the next, and even within a nonbreeding 

season in usage of a particular roost. As much of the data was not 

normally distributed interval data, working out means and standard deviations would 

not have been appropriate. There was no intention to work out statistically based 

declines in the number of roosting birds. The overall aim was to produce a gazetteer 

of Moray Firth roosts and to indicate whether numbers at individual roosts had 

declined or increased since the creation of SPAs on the Moray Firth. 

The order of magnitude for each species was based on maximum counts per winter. 

They were averaged for the two study periods; pre 1995 (ie 1985-1994) and post 

1994 (ie 1995-2006). The order of magnitude scale used was 1 = 1-25, 2 = 26-50, 3= 

51-100, 4 =101-250, 5 = 251-500, 6 = 501-1000, 7 = 1001-2500 and 8 =2501-5000. 

These order of magnitude figures are used in tables 1-63. Where they are shown in 

red italics in the table this means that use of the roost by these species is very 

irregular. 

In the sections that follow the following abbreviations have been used in the tables. 

abbreviation species scientific name 

WN Eurasian wigeon Anas penelope 

T common teal Anas crecca 

MA mallard Anas platyrhnchos 

PT northern pintail Anas acuta 

OC Eurasian oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 

RP ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula 

GP European golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria 

L northern lapwing Vanellus vanellus 

KN red knot Calidris canutus 

SA sanderling Calidris alba 

PS purple sandpiper Calidris maritima 

DN dunlin Calidris alpina 

BA bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 

CU Eurasian curlew Numenius arquata 

RK common redshank Tringa totanus 

TT ruddy turnstone Arenaria interpres 

Disturbance and local infrastructure. 

Visits were made to each roost site and details taken of any change in local 

infrastructure affecting the roost. The date of installation of any relevant 

infrastructure was obtained from Highland Council planning department records, if 

available. Observations regarding disturbance were taken from HRG cannon net 

report forms and personal observations. 

4

RESULTS 

DALCHAM-DORNOCH 

Dalcham, Brora 

The main roost here, mostly used by ringed plovers, dunlin and sanderling (table 1) is 

situated at NC91433 05400 on sand and gravel at the top of the beach, on the north 

side of a burn (A on Fig 2). This burn gives the birds some protection from 

disturbance. If disturbed the birds often fly to NC91530 05945, a similar site on the 

north side of the next burn (B on Fig 2). Severe disturbance from walkers results in 

the roost becoming fragmented and birds being found in small groups scattered all 

along the beach. 

Figure 2. Roosts at Dalchalm and Brora 

Based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of the 

controller of HMSO © Crown copyright (1996) Licence no. 100017908 

E 

Table 1. Wader numbers Dalchalm, Brora. 

OC RP SA DN BA 

Pre 1995 1 3 2 3 1 

Post 1994 1 4 2 3 1 

Peak numbers are usually recorded in late summer/autumn. Despite high levels of 

disturbance ringed plover numbers increased between the two time periods. 

Brora 

The main roost here is on a small point below the old radio station at NC90867 

03396 (C on Fig 2). An alternative roost is a bit further down the beach at NC90744 

03380 (D on Fig 2). Both sites are prone to disturbance by walkers and joggers, 

using the track at the top of the dunes above the shore. The birds are used to this 

and often remain in situ as people pass by. If they stop above the roost, or if they 

walk along the beach the birds will be disturbed. At NC91043 03678 small numbers 

D 

5 

C 

A 

B

of common redshank and purple sandpipers will occasionally roost on the rock 

armour and adjacent gravel beach (E on Fig 2). 

Table 2. Wader numbers at Brora. 

OC PS BA CU RK TT 

Pre 1995 3 2 1 2 2 2 

Post 1994 3 2 1 2 2 1 

Table 2 gives some idea of the number of birds recorded at these roosts. In addition 

occasional order 5 flocks of bar-tailed godwit and order 5 or 6 flocks of red knot can 

make use of these roosts for short periods of time (eg October 1978, February 2005). 

Again, despite regular disturbance, no major changes in numbers has been recorded 

between the two periods. 

Golspie 

The main roost here, mainly used by dunlin and ringed plover (table 3), is on the 

beach just north of the pier at NH82998 99643 (A on Fig 3). 

Figure 3. Roosts in Golspie area 



Table 3. Wader numbers at Golspie. 

OC RP DN BA CU RK TT 

Pre 1995 2 3 4 1 2 2 2 

Post 1994 2 3 3 1 2 2 2 

A 

B 

If disturbed birds tend to move further north along the beach. Most people walk on 

the tarmac path above the beach. It is mainly dog walkers that go down onto the 

beach, causing disturbance. If severely disturbed the birds will fly further south to 

roost on a gravel ridge at NH82195 97969 (B on Fig 3). Despite the disturbance, the 

only decline is a drop in dunlin numbers using the site. 

Loch Fleet 

This is the most important site for shorebirds in the section of coast. It is a large tidal 

basin and there are several roosts. The use of these roosts is often dependent on 

wind direction and disturbance, with a large amount of interchange between the 

roosts. Overall numbers in the bay have shown some declines (table 4) with fewer 

6

Eurasian wigeon, mallard, dunlin, bar-tailed godwit (all these species showing almost 

50% reduction in numbers), and northern lapwing. There is little evidence that these 

declines are due to increased disturbance. The decline in ducks, may be due to 

reduced feeding opportunities, following the closure of a sewage pipe leading into the 

upper part of the loch from the Cambussavie Hospital in the late 1980s (T Mainwood 

pers com). 

Table 4. Wildfowl and Wader numbers in Loch Fleet 

WN T. MA OC RP L. KN DN BA CU RK TT 

Pre 1995 7 4 6 7 3 4 4 6 5 5 5 1 

Post 1994 6 4 5 7 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 1 

The main roost on the north side of the loch is on the saltmarsh in Balbair Bay from 

NH80397 97345 to NH80127 97207, centred around NH80297 97296 (site A on Fig 

4). When disturbed some of the birds move to roost on a large spit on the east side 

of the bay at NH80507 96727 (B on Fig 4). Access to Balblair Bay is by a long 

bumpy track from the A9, so disturbance tends to be limited. Details of current usage 

of these and the other Loch Fleet roosts are given in table 5. 

Figure 4. Roosts at Loch Fleet. 

C 



On the inner part of the bay there is a small roost on the saltmarsh, centred at 

NH76896 97290 (site C on fig 4), where Eurasian curlew often roost, spreading out to 

NH76943 97133. Duck frequently haul out here. Access to this area is difficult so 

the birds are relatively undisturbed. On very high tides (>4.7m), the waders often 

roost at the mound, west of the A9. 

7 

D 

A 

E 

B

Table 5. Numbers of waders using Loch Fleet roosts in recent years. 

OC RP L. KN DN BA CU RK 

Roost A 6 0 0 4 4 4 4 4 

Roost B 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 

Roost C 3 0 0 0 0 0 4 2 

Roost D 5 0 3 4 4 4 3 2 

Roost E 6 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 

On the south side of the bay the main roost is at Skelbo point, centred on NH79446 

95339 and spreading out along the saltmarsh east to around NH79629 95214 (site D 

on Fig 4). Despite the close location of a nearby car park and public notice board, 

birds appear to be used to people. A deep channel between the car park and roost 

site, also reduces potential disturbance. 

The final roost is found on the beach on the south side of the mouth at NH81242 

95388 (site E on Fig 4). This roost is used almost exclusively by Eurasian 

oystercatcher (table 5). Ringed plover also roost on the beach though slightly further 

south. A nearby car park encourages lots of walkers to this general area. As the tide 

rises, however, a large creek fills with water, making access to this site quite difficult. 

Occasionally walkers come north from Embo and disturb the roost, causing the birds 

to return to roost D or disperse over to the beach on the north side, where 

disturbance is a much more regular occurrence, due to a network of tracks. 

Embo 

There is a small roost on the tip of the pier at NH82041 92105, mainly used by ruddy 

turnstone and purple sandpiper (A on Fig 5). If disturbed they fly to the point at 

NH81656 91998 (B on Fig 5), which tends to be used by Eurasian oystercatcher and 

Eurasian curlew (Table 6). 

Figure 5. Roosts in Embo area. 



B 

A 

C 

Disturbance here is a regular occurrence with people walking south from the caravan 

site at Grannies Hielan Hame. There was a small late summer – autumn roost on the 

shore at the north end of Dornoch Golf course at NH81233 91218 (site C on Fig 5), 

which was mainly used by ringed plover. Increased disturbance by walkers, 

8

following the coastal track bounding the golf course, led to the abandonment of this 

roost in the early 1990s. 

Table 6. Wader numbers at Embo roosts. 

OC RP DN PS CU RK TT 

Pre 1995 2 2 5 1 2 3 3 

Post 1994 3 0 3 1 2 1 3 

Overall there have been small increases in the numbers of Eurasian oystercatcher, 

but large declines in ringed plover, dunlin and common redshank in this area. 

9

DORNOCH FIRTH 

Dornoch and Cuthill Sands 

Large numbers of waders and duck feed in this area and use four main roost sites. 

There is considerable interchange between these roosts, depending on weather and 

disturbance. Overall changes are shown in Table 7. Of the duck northern pintail 

have increased. The only wader decline affects bar-tailed godwit, where numbers 

have dropped by over 60%. 

Table 7. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Dornoch and Cuthill Sands. 

WN T. MA PT OC RP KN DN BA CU RK 

Pre 1995 8 3 5 3 5 2 6 7 6 5 4 

Post 1994 8 3 5 4 5 2 6 7 4 5 4 

Traditionally the main wader roost was on Dornoch Point around NH80200 87140 (A 

on Fig 6), with the saltings at NH80113 87721- NH80176 87520 being used as a 

secondary roost (site B on Fig 6). The roost on the point now tends to be only used 

by Eurasian oystercatcher. They are often disturbed and move to roost B, which has 

now become the main roost, or Innis Mhor. This is despite the fact that vehicular 

access to the point has been restricted since the late 1980s, by a line of wooden 

posts on the north side of the airstrip. The walk south along the beach from Dornoch 

to the point, however, remains very popular. 

Table 8. Numbers of waders using Dornoch and Cuthill Sands roosts in recent years. 

OC RP KN DN BA CU RK 

Roost A 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Roost B 5 0 6 7 4 5 4 

Roost C 5 2 5 6 4 5 3 

Roost D 5 2 5 6 4 5 3 

Note: Figures in red italics means only irregular use of roost. 

Figure 6. Dornoch Point roosts. 

C 



As table 8 shows some birds continue to roost at the western end of the Dornoch 

Sands (site C on Fig 6), concentrated on a salting point at NH77977 88254 and 

spilling east along the beach (particularly on neap tides,

88319. Even here, however, walkers from Dornoch, can cause disturbance, 

particularly at weekends. As a result of this disturbance a high percentage of the 

waders feeding on The Dornoch Sands flight 4-5 kilometres to roost on Innis Mhor 

(see Tain Bay section). 

At Cuthill Sands the main roosts are a series of salting points at Lonemore (site D on 

Fig 7). The birds move between the points, depending on disturbance, tide height 

and wind direction. The main points are at NH77113 88277, though this point is 

rapidly disappearing as a result of erosion, NH76945 88224, NH76830 88169 (often 

the core site) and NH76541 88053. 

Figure 7. Roosts at Lonemore (Cuthill Sands). 

D 



These Lonemore roosts are mainly used by Eurasian curlew, Eurasian oystercatcher 

and smaller numbers of common redshank and ringed plover. In some winters 

significant numbers of red knot, dunlin and bar-tailed godwit can also make use of 

them, for short periods of time. 

Ardmore Bay 

There are two main roost sites, the use of which depends on wind direction. The first 

is on the saltings at the head of the bay, just to the east of the channel, from 

NH70244 85752 to NH70194 86852 (site A on Fig 8). The other is on Rubha nan 

Sgarbh at NH70110 87963 (site B on Fig 8), which to this day is still a great 

cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo roost, but also holds some ducks and waders. 

During westerly winds the duck tend to use the beach just to the south from 

NH70076 87897 to NH70084 87627 (site C on Fig 8). 

Table 9. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Ardmore Bay. 

WN T. MA OC L. DN CU RK 

Pre 1995 5 6 3 1 1 1 1 1 

Post 1994 6 6 4 1 1 1 1 1 

11

Figure 8. Roosts at Ardmore Bay. 



There has been some increase in duck numbers, particularly mallard and Eurasian 

wigeon. Wader numbers are very low at this site. Access to these roosts is 

extremely awkward, by land. In the past, however, punt gunners have come in from 

the firth and this has caused much disturbance. 

Edderton Sands 

There are two main roost sites here and once again their use is often dependent on 

wind direction. 

Figure 9. Roosts at Edderton Bay. 

B 

A 



The main roost, used mainly by ducks and a few waders (Table 10) is on the 

saltmarsh, at the west end of the bay from NH72610 84318 to NH72529 84510 (site 

A on Fig 9). Some waders also use the gravel ridge at NH72422 84680 (B on Fig 9). 

This area forms part of the RSPB reserve and access is very awkward, so 

disturbance is not a major problem. 

12 

A 

B 

C 

C

Table 10. Wildfowl and wader numbers at Edderton Bay roosts. 

WN T. MA OC RP BA CU RK 

Roosts A+B 8 6 2 3 1 1 3 3 

Roost C 3 0 1 3 3 

The saltings on the east side of the bay from NH74323 84359- NH74338 84423 (site 

C on Fig 9) form a secondary roost, used particularly during periods of strong 

easterly winds (table 10). This site can be accessed from the Meikle Ferry road, or 

from a small layby on the A9. The roost does therefore get disturbed from time to 

time, particularly by wildfowlers, occasional walkers and the farmer. 

Table 11. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Edderton Sands. 

WN T. MA OC RP BA CU RK 

Pre 1995 8 2 2 2 1 3 3 1 

Post 1994 8 6 2 3 1 1 3 3 

Common teal numbers, using the bay, have increased significantly in recent years 

(Table 11). Bar-tailed godwits now rarely use it. On rare occasions large flocks of 

red knot and dunlin (order 4/5) use roost C for short periods of time, if displaced from 

Ardjachie Bay. 

Tain Bay 

There are four main roosts located between Ardjachie and Tain (Figure 10). Overall 

there has been little change in the numbers using this area (Table 12), though 

northern pintail, red knot and Eurasian curlew have shown increases, whilst mallard 

have declined. 

Table 12. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Tain Bay. 

WN T. MA PT OC RP L. KN DN BA CU RK 

Pre 1995 8 6 5 1 4 0 3 2 4 2 3 5 

Post 1994 8 6 4 3 4 1 3 4 4 2 4 5 

The roost at Ardjachie is located on the saltmarsh running south from the point at 

NH75518 84992 to NH75227 84694, centred around NH75318 84782 (site A on Fig 

10). This is the largest roost in the bay used by large numbers of duck and waders 

(Table 13). Access is restricted to this site, so the only disturbance tends to come 

from the occasional wildfowler or the local farmer feeding stock. 

Further east another regular roost is found on the boulder beach just east of the 

Morangie distillery. Ducks and waders use the area between NH77347 83367 to 

NH77244 83489, with the core around NH77304 83431 (site B on Fig 10). Access to 

this area is not easy so, apart from the occasional wildfowler, birds are seldom 

disturbed. 

Table 13. Numbers of wildfowl and waders using Tain Bay roosts in recent years. 

WN T MA PT OC RP KN DN BA CU RK 

Roost A 8 0 0 3 4 1 4 4 2 4 5 

Roost B 8 6 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 5 

Roost C 7 6 4 0 4 0 0 4 0 0 5 

Roost D 2 2 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 

13

Figure 10. Roosts in Tain Bay. 

A 



There are two roosts at Tain. The first is below the sewage works based on the 

salting point at NH77823 82851 (site C on Fig 10), though it can extend from the 

beach at NH77852 82812, just east of the sewage works outflow, to the west end of 

the adjacent bay at NH77693 82919. Despite being close to Tain, this roost does not 

suffer much disturbance from walkers. Activity at the sewage works, particularly if 

drivers of vehicles stop to lock or unlock the gates can cause some disturbance, and 

the birds move to roost at Morangie or even Ardjachie. 

Formerly, up to the early 1990s, there was a regular roost on the saltmarsh point at 

NH78474 82461 (D on Fig 10) just west of the suspension bridge on the north side of 

the Tain river, used mainly by common redshank (up to 300) and Eurasian 

oystercatchers (50+). As a result of regular disturbance by walkers and children, 

particularly since 1995, this roost is now only irregularly used by a few Eurasian 

oystercatcher and duck. Many of the birds from the latter site now use the sewage 

works roost. 

Morrich Mor 

This is really the outer part of Tain Bay. The main roost is nowadays located on the 

western tip of Innis Mhor at NH83178 86501 (site A on Fig 11), a large offshore 

sandbar, where birds feeding in Tain Bay and off Dornoch Point find a safe 

undisturbed roost site, where access is virtually impossible. On bigger tides (>4.7m) 

the birds disperse further east along the bar, on both sides. Ducks and a few waders 

roost on the saltmarsh opposite the bar at NH83333 85717 (site B on Fig 11). 

Formerly many birds roosted at NH81469 84341 (site C on Fig 11). This roost has 

been abandoned since 2000 due to disturbance from walkers and bombing range 

security guards. Many of the birds from this roost, now roost on the bar at Innis Mhor. 

Table 14. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Morrich Mor. 

WN T. MA OC RP KN DN BA CU RK 

Pre 1995 7 4 5 6 1 5 6 6 4 4 

Post 1994 7 4 4 5 2 7 7 6 5 3 

B 

C 

14 

D

Figure 11. Roosts on the Morrich Mor. 



C 

A 

Changes in numbers are shown in table 14. Common redshank and Eurasian 

oystercatcher numbers have declined (partly as a result of the loss of roost C), 

whereas red knot and dunlin have shown large increases, partly due to many birds 

now roosting here, rather than at Dornoch Point. 

Inver Bay 

This bay holds large numbers of waders and duck. There is much interchange of 

waders (particularly red knot, dunlin and bar-tailed godwit) between this site and 

Morrich Mor and Dornoch Sands. 

Table 15. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Inver Bay. 

WN T. MA OC RP GP L. KN DN BA CU RK 

Pre 1995 6 1 3 6 2 1 3 5 7 5 4 5 

Post 1994 6 2 1 6 3 4 5 6 8 5 4 5 

There have been significant changes in the number of roosting waders in Inver Bay 

in recent years, with ringed plover, European golden plover, northern lapwing, red 

knot and dunlin all showing increases (Table 15). 

The main roost is situated on the southern tip of the sandbar between NH87627 

83091 and NH87737 83167 (site A on Fig 12). There is a secondary roost on the 

saltmarsh around NH 87112 83503 (site B on Fig 12). Further into the bay there is a 

regular roost on the saltmarsh between NH85558 82878 and NH85760 83059 (site C 

on Fig 12). All three sites are very inaccessible, so human disturbance is very rare. 

There is much interchange of waders between all three roost sites. 

Table 16. Numbers of wildfowl and waders using Inver Bay roosts in recent years. 

WN T. MA OC RP GP L. KN DN BA CU RK 

Roosts A+B 0 0 0 6 3 4 5 6 8 5 3 3 

Roost C 6 2 1 4 0 0 5 6 8 5 4 5 

15 

B

Figure 12. Roosts at Inver Bay 



Up until 1990 there also used to be a roost used by common redshank, just west of 

the village at NH86065 82499 (D on Fig 12). A track now runs past this and regular 

disturbance from walkers means it is now no longer used, the birds roosting instead 

at site C. 

Drumancroy, Portmahomack 

The roosts here are located on sections of saltmarsh (and some large erratics) 

between Balnabruach and Drumancroy between NH90014 83459 and NH90275 

83794 centred on the large erratic at NH 90192 83636 (Figure 13). 

Table 17. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Drumancroy. 

WN T. MA OC RP L. DN CU RK TT 

Pre 1995 2 1 2 1 1 1 2 4 3 4 

Post 1994 4 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 

This area does get regular disturbance from walkers, as a result of which curlew in 

particular move off inland. The decline in ruddy turnstone, may be a reflection of a 

UK decline in this species. 

Figure 13. Roost area at Drumancroy 

C 

D 



16 

B 

A

CROMARTY FIRTH 

Nigg Ferry 

There is a small roost on the boulder beach below the cliffs to the east of Nigg Ferry 

at NH80752 68864 (X on Fig 14). 

Table 18. Changes in wader numbers at Nigg Ferry. 

OC CU RK 

Pre 1995 3 1 1 

Post 1994 3 1 1 

This area is relatively undisturbed and there has been no change in use in recent 

years (Table 18). 

Nigg Oil Terminal 

On the outer edge of Nigg Bay land was reclaimed in the early 1980s to construct the 

Nigg oil terminal and Nigg fabrication yard. There are two roosts in this area. The 

first on a small point on reclaimed land at NH79336 71009 to the north of the terminal 

(A on Fig 14) and the second at NH78882 69662 on the outer wall of the oil terminal 

(B on Fig 14) 

Figure 14. Roosts at Nigg Oil Terminal and Nigg Ferry. 

B 

A 



The roost A has seen a major decline in use since 1995 and is now mainly used by 

small numbers of ringed plover, dunlin and Eurasian curlew. This is associated with 

changes in access. Formerly a locked gate restricted access. This gate is no longer 

locked and several boats are now moored in the ‘cove’ between the reclaim and the 

road. This appears to have deterred waders from using this point in recent years. 

17 

X

Site B has tended to be the main roost site. There have been major declines in use 

of this roost since 1995, particularly red knot, dunlin, bar-tailed godwit and common 

redshank (Table 19). These species seldom roost here, now apart from during spells 

of very cold weather, when the inner part of Nigg Bay freezes up. Eurasian 

oystercatchers, however still regularly roost here in large numbers. 

Table 19. Changes in wader numbers at Nigg oil terminal. 

OC RP KN DN BA CU RK TT 

Pre 1995 5 3 6 6 5 2 6 1 

Post 1994 5 2 4 4 4 1 4 1 

As access here is very restricted, being beyond a large fence bounding the oil 

terminal, disturbance is unlikely to account for the decline in numbers using this 

roost. Possibly it is associated with fewer birds now feeding on the mud flats 

adjacent to the terminal. 

Nigg Bay. 

Nigg Bay is the most important site for shorebirds in the Cromarty Firth. There are 

four major roost sites within the inner section of Nigg Bay. On the east side of the 

bay, at Bayfield, the roost is spread out along the saltmarsh, on various points and 

islets, from NH80316 72781 to the east side of the Arabella channel at NH80386 

73601 (siteA on Fig 15). The core of the roost is normally around NH80303 73423. 

On the west side of the Arabella channel is a continuation of this roost stretching 

round the large saltmarsh point from NH80015 73557 (the core of the roost) to 

NH79883 73675 and often including the islet at NH79804 73752 (site B on Fig 15). 

Figure 15. Roosts at Nigg Bay. 

Y 

D 

C 

Based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of the controller of HMSO © Crown copyright (1996) 

Licence no. 100017908 

18 

X 

B 

A

This is the most important roost site in Nigg Bay. There have been recent increases 

in the numbers of waders using it, particularly Eurasian oystercatcher, European 

golden plover, northern lapwing, red knot, dunlin and Eurasian curlew (Table 20). 

Table 20. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Bayfield, Nigg Bay. 

WN MA PT OC RP GP L. KN DN BA CU RK 

Pre 1995 8 3 4 5 1 2 4 6 6 5 4 6 

Post 1994 8 1 4 6 1 6 6 7 8 5 5 6 

Some of these changes are due to birds relocating to this roost from Nigg oil 

terminal. Further west the next roost occupies the large area of saltmarsh at Meddat 

and extends from NH78624 73598 to NH78250 73136 (site C on Fig 15). The core 

of this roost is around the islet at NH78347 73359. 

Table 21. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Meddat, Nigg Bay. 

WN OC RP L. KN DN BA CU RK 

Pre 1995 7 4 0 1 6 6 4 5 4 

Post 1994 6 5 1 1 7 7 7 5 5 

Increases in the numbers of waders (Table 21) again probably involve birds 

relocating from Nigg oil terminal. 

Just west of the Balnagown River is the fourth roost at Tarbat stretching from 

NH77496 72957 (core) to NH77763 72926 (site D on Fig 15). 

Table 22. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Tarbat, Nigg Bay. 

WN MA OC L. KN DN BA CU RK 

Pre 1995 7 4 5 1 5 4 4 4 4 

Post 1994 8 4 5 3 5 4 2 4 4 

Duck numbers are very high here in October and November. Small numbers of 

Eurasian oystercatcher, northern lapwing, Eurasian curlew and common redshank 

regularly roost here, whereas red knot, dunlin and bar-tailed godwit are more erratic. 

The latter species having declined in recent years (Table 22). 

Access to these saltmarsh sites is not easy. There is a track leading down to the 

north edge of the bay (X on Fig 15) and another into the shore at Tarbat (Y on Fig 

15). Water filled channels and creeks within the saltmarsh help impede access to the 

shore at high tide. The saltmarsh at Meddat is particularly difficult to access being 

bounded by the Balnagown River, the channels leading into the coastal re-alignment 

section and a ditch behind the seawall at the back of the saltmarsh. The problems of 

access and the large areas of suitable habitat for roosting waders means that these 

sites have remained very important to large numbers of shorebirds. There is a great 

degree of interchange between these roosts, depending on wind direction, tide height 

and disturbance. They therefore should be considered as a whole unit when 

assessing species composition and numbers. 

Barbaraville - Saltburn 

The roost at Barbaraville is located on a small salting point just south of the village (Y 

on Fig 16) at NH74784 71887. Formerly an important roost for birds feeding off 

Barbaraville and down towards Balintraid, it has seen a severe reduction in use in 

recent years since about 1993 (Table 23). This is due to the creation of a track 

running south from the village to the actual point, where a seat as been installed by 

local residents, so that people can watch (disturb?) the local wildlife. 

19

Table 23. Changes in wader numbers at Barbaraville. 

OC L. KN DN BA CU RK TT 

Pre 1995 5 2 4 2 5 3 4 2 

Post 1994 2 0 0 0 2 2 2 2 

The roost at Balintraid is made up of three ‘bits’. Firstly a small gravel point below 

the road at NH73790 70851 (A on Fig 16) mainly used by Eurasian oystercatcher 

and Eurasian curlew. Secondly the old pier at NH74163 71040 (B on Fig 16) used by 

Eurasian oystercatchers and occasionally common redshank. Thirdly a small point 

by the woodland to the north at NH74179 71180 (C on Fig 16) used by common 

redshank in late summer and sometimes by Eurasian oystercatchers. These roosts, 

being close to the main B817 road and the houses at Balintraid pier are all prone to a 

degree of disturbance. Indeed the layby on the B817 by roost C means this roost 

seldom holds birds over the whole high tide period. If disturbed the birds move off 

into the adjacent fields, or up into Nigg Bay. 

Table 24. Changes in wader numbers at Balintraid. 

OC L. KN DN BA CU RK TT 

Pre 1995 5 0 0 0 0 2 4 2 

Post 1994 5 0 0 0 0 2 3 1 

Figure 16. Roosts at Balintraid and Saltburn. 

Based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of the controller of HMSO 

© Crown copyright (1996) Licence no. 100017908 

X 

The Saltburn roost is situated on a long gravel beach at NH73279 70401 (X on Fig 

16), separated from the B817 by a narrow field. Formerly an important local roost, it 

has seen a big reduction in use (Table 25), particularly since the establishment of a 

car park and picnic site at NH77763 72926 in the late 1980s by Highland Council. 

20 

A 

C 

Y 

B

Table 25. Changes in wader numbers at Saltburn. 


Pre 1995 5 3 3 2 3 2 4 2 

Post 1994 3 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 

This site attracts a lot of dog walkers, who tend to walk north along the beach, 

disturbing feeding and roosting shorebirds. Occasionally order 5 flocks of red knot 

and bar-tailed godwit will still occasionally try and roost at sites A and X, but they are 

invariably disturbed and move on up into Nigg Bay. There is much interchange 

between the Saltburn, Balintraid and Barbaraville roosts. 

Invergordon 

There is a small roost at NH69448 68943 on a small gravel beach just below the 

B817 just to the west of Invergordon (A on Fig 17). 

Table 26. Changes in wader numbers at Invergordon. 

OC RP CU RK TT 

Pre 1995 3 1 1 2 2 

Post 1994 3 2 1 4 1 

Small numbers of Eurasian oystercatcher, Eurasian curlew and ruddy turnstone 

regularly use the roost (Table 26). It is increasingly being used by ringed plover and 

common redshank, particularly in late summer, when they are disturbed from sites 

further south. 

Rosskeen 

The roost here is normally located at NH67971 68951 (C on Fig 17) on a gravel 

beach just west of the slipway. If disturbed the birds will use an alternative site just 

east of the slipway at NH68390 69056 (B on Fig 17). This is predominately a ringed 

plover roost used mainly from late summer to early winter. Ringed plovers have 

declined in recent years (table 27), whereas northern lapwing numbers have 

increased. 

Table 27. Changes in wader numbers at Rosskeen. 

OC RP L. DN CU RK TT 

Pre 1995 2 3 2 1 1 1 1 

Post 1994 2 2 4 1 1 1 1 

Figure 17. Roosts at Invergordon and Rosskeen. 

D 

C 

B 



A 

21

There is another roost further west on the pier at NH67332 68857 (D on Fig 17). This 

roost is a secondary roost, predominantly used by Eurasian oystercatcher (order 3-4 

flocks) and northern lapwing (order 3-4 flocks) from Dalmore Bay. 

Dalmore 

The main roost is found on the saltmarsh below the distillery from NH66442 68432 to 

NH66416 68276 (site C on Fig 18). This area has become increasingly prone to 

disturbance. Many dog walkers, walking down from the distillery towards the pier, let 

their dogs run out over the saltmarsh, where they disturb the roosting birds. This has 

led to a decline in the number of birds using this site, particularly common redshank 

and dunlin, where numbers have dropped by over 50%. The numbers in Table 28 

reflect which waders currently attempt to roost at the site. Disturbance usually 

results in birds moving to Balintraid Pier and Invergordon (roosts D and A on Fig 17) 

or to the saltmarsh south of the pier (roost B on Fig 18). 

Table 28. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Dalmore. 

WN T. MA OC L. KN DN BA CU RK TT 

Pre 1995 4 4 3 4 2 1 5 1 4 5 2 

Post 1994 4 2 3 4 4 1 3 1 4 4 1 

Figure 18. Roosts at Dalmore and Alness Point 

A 



This latter roost is located on the saltmarsh between the pier at Alness point 

stretching from NH66042 68042 to NH66199 68130, with a core round NH66132 

68077 (B on Fig 18). 

Alness Point 

The roost here is situated on the north end of a long gravel spit from NH65721 67691 

to the tip of the point at NH65849 67837 (around A on Fig 18). 

Table 29. Changes in wader numbers at Alness Point. 

OC RP DN BA RK TT 

Pre 1995 5 2 5 4 4 1 

Post 1994 5 2 0 0 1 1 

B 

The development of the Deephaven business park between August 2000 and 

December 2003 has improved access to this area, although the lagoon does 

discourage all but the most adventurous dog walkers to go out along the spit at high 

tide. Numbers have, however, dropped at this site and many of the Eurasian 

oystercatcher now roost just inland of the spit on the edge of the lagoon. 

22 

C

Alness Bay 

Table 30 gives details of wildfowl and wader numbers at Alness Bay and how they 

have changed in recent years. There have been increases in common teal, Eurasian 

oystercatcher and northern lapwing, but declines in red knot, dunlin and bar-tailed 

godwit. The birds are split between three main roost areas (Figure 19 and table 31). 

Table 30. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Alness Bay. 

WN T. MA OC RP L. KN DN BA CU RK 

Pre 1995 7 4 4 4 2 2 4 6 4 5 4 

Post 1994 7 5 4 5 2 4 1 4 3 5 4 

At the north end of the bay, waders and ducks regularly roost just below the A9 from 

the beach at NH 63766 68088 to the salting point at NH64282 68132, with the core of 

the roost at NH64282 68132 (site A on Fig 19). The birds appear to be used to 

heavy traffic, though can be flushed by very noisy vehicles. Few people walk along 

this busy road, so the birds are relatively undisturbed. 

Table 31. Numbers of wildfowl and waders using Alness Bay roosts in recent years. 

WN T MA OC RP L KN DN BA CU RK 

Roost A 6 5 3 2 2 4 0 0 0 3 4 

Roost B+C 6 3 1 4 2 3 1 4 3 4 4 

Roost D+E 5 2 3 4 0 0 0 4 3 4 4 

At the south end of the bay, there is a major roost on the large salting spit below the 

A9 at NH62950 67332 (B on Fig 19). Access is difficult, so disturbance from walkers 

is restricted. Most Sundays, however, the Highland Deephaven Clay Pigeon 

shooting club is operating and this causes much disturbance to roosting birds at sites 

B and C. 

Figure 19. Alness Bay roosts. 

B 

D 

C 



A 

E 

23

Further south is another spit at NH63003 66582 which is an alternative roost, along 

with the adjacent gravel islets at NH62980 66457 and NH62986 66372 (site C on Fig 

19). 

Although many people walk on the track behind the seawall, this tends not to disturb, 

the birds, unless they walk right up to the end of the track. This track now has a 

locked gate across it, which prevents vehicular access and has therefore probably 

reduced overall disturbance. 

Beyond the pipe fabrication yard is another area of saltmarsh. This is also used as a 

roost, and birds disturbed off the spits and gravel islands will use this area. It runs 

from NH62835 65783 to NH62910 65642 (site D on Fig 19). Common redshank and 

Eurasian oystercatcher will also use the tip of the old ‘pier’ at NH62984 66073 (E on 

Fig 19). Access to this area is very difficult. It is bounded by the fabrication yard on 

one side and the River Glass on the other, so the birds tend to be undisturbed. 

Foulis - Ardullie 

There are two small roosts in this section. Just north of Foulis Point at NH60401 

64359 (A on Fig 20) there is a site used by Eurasian oystercatcher, northern lapwing, 

bar-tailed godwit and Eurasian curlew, especially in late summer-early winter. 

Although just below the A9 it is seldom disturbed. On very high tides (>4.7m) the 

birds move into adjacent fields. 

Figure 20. Roosts between Foulis and Ardullie Point. 

B 



The second roost site is at Ardullie Point at NH58824 62185 (B on Fig 20). Again 

this is mainly used late summer- early winter and mainly by ringed plover, dunlin and 

common redshank. 

Table 32. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Foulis-Ardullie. 

WN T. MA OC RP L. DN BA CU RK 

Pre 1995 3 1 3 1 3 3 2 1 1 3 

Post 1994 3 1 3 1 3 4 2 1 1 2 

24 

A

There has been little change in numbers, bar an increase in northern lapwing at roost 

A and a decrease in common redshank at roost B. The latter may have relocated to 

roost in the Inner Cromarty Firth. 

Inner Cromarty Firth 

Details of wildfowl and waders using the Inner part of the Cromarty Firth is shown in 

table 33. Although mallard have declined, waders particularly common redshank and 

dunlin have shown a marked increase. 

Table 33. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers in the Inner Cromarty Firth. 

WN T. MA OC L. DN BA CU RK 

Pre 1995 6 4 5 4 4 0 1 4 2 

Post 1994 6 4 4 4 4 4 2 4 5 

There are five main roost sites (Figures 21 and 22). The key site currently is Dingwall 

Bay. The main roosts are located on the saltmarsh below the railway line from 

NH55682 59666 – NH55577 59482 (site A on Fig 21) and from NH55586 59343 – 

NH55632 59159 (site B on Fig 21). There are secondary roosts on the salting points 

at NH55773 59020 (C on Fig 21), NH55976 58831 (D on Fig 21) and NH56163 

58456 (E on Fig 21). Access to sites A and B is difficult because of the railway line 

and tidal creeks. Anyone walking along the railway line will, however, disturb the 

birds. Roosts C and E and to a lesser extent D are more susceptible to disturbance 

from walkers following the path along the Peffery Burn. 

Figure 21 Roosts in Dingwall Bay. 

A 

B C D 

F 



E 

25

The north end of the Conon islands between NH555 571 and NH556 569 (site F on 

Fig 24), is also used by roosting waders, including birds disturbed from Dingwall Bay 

(table 34). 

Table 34. Numbers of waders using Inner Cromarty Firth roosts in recent years. 

OC L DN BA CU RK 

Roost A-E 3 0 4 2 4 5 

Roost F 0 3 0 0 1 1 

Roost G-H 4 2 0 2 4 4 

Roost I 3 0 0 0 3 1 

The main roost on the east section of coast is on a small salting below Urquhart 

Church yard at NH 58009 58709 (site G on Fig 22). Birds, particularly duck and 

Eurasian curlew, are often scattered along this shore up to NH58307 58945. An 

alternative roost is on the saltings further south at NH57216 58117 (site H on Fig 22). 

Both these roosts appear to be alternatives for birds roosting in Dingwall Bay. 

Figure 22. Roosts on east side inner Cromarty Firth. 

H 

G 

Based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of the controller of 

HMSO © Crown copyright (1996) Licence no. 100017908 

In late summer birds often use a small point just south of the Cromarty Bridge, below 

Shoretown at NH59013 59759 (site I on Fig 22). This roost appears to be a 

replacement for some of the birds from the roost at Findon to the north of the 

Cromarty Bridge at NH59678 60552 (site J on Fig 22). This latter roost (table 35) has 

not been used since 1985. There is no obvious reason why this roost site was 

abandoned as disturbance does not appear to be an issue here. 

Table 35. Wader numbers at Findon pre 1985. 

OC L. DN CU RK 

Pre 1985 3 2 1 4 4 

Udale Bay 

The main roost is situated on the saltmarsh at the south edge of the inner part of the 

bay between NH71025 65311 and NH71212 65150, with the core around NH71208 

65185 (site A on Fig 23). This roost is primarily used by Eurasian wigeon, Eurasian 

oystercatcher and smaller numbers of other waders such as red knot, dunlin, bartailed 

godwit and common redshank. Access to this area is difficult as it is bounded 

26 

I 

J

y the river on the south side and ditches and marshy creeks to the north and west. 

Duck and waders often spread out over the saltmarsh up to NH70754 65703 (B on 

Fig 23) with Eurasian curlew, common redshank, dunlin, red knot and bar-tailed 

godwit gathering towards the north end of the saltmarsh, especially if they have been 

feeding on the north side of the bay. There has been relatively little change in the 

number of birds using this site in recent years (table 36). Possibly due to the 

protection it gets as being part of the RSPB reserve. 

Figure 23. Roosts at Udale Bay. 

C 

Based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of the controller of 

HMSO © Crown copyright (1996) Licence no. 100017908. 

Table 36. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Udale Bay. 

WN T. MA OC L. KN DN BA CU RK 

Pre 1995 8 4 4 6 3 4 5 4 4 5 

Post 1994 8 3 3 6 3 4 5 4 4 5 

Traditionally there was a secondary roost at Balblair on a gravel point at NH69833 

67068 (C on Fig 23). This was used by Eurasian oystercatcher and common 

redshank (Table 37) feeding on the north side of Udale Bay, or occasionally by birds 

from Alness Point. 

Table 37. Wader numbers at Balblair pre 1995. 

OC RK 

Pre 1995 4 3 

It has been deserted since about 1997, possibly as a result of disturbance from the 

rig dismantling activities at Balblair Pier (A.Shearer pers com). 

27 

A 

B

BEAULY FIRTH 

Lentran. 

This is the largest roost in the Beauly Firth on a large area of saltmarsh. The main 

roost lies between NH57327 46053 and NH57454 45921 (site A on Fig 24). It is 

bounded on either side by deep channels. Birds also roost in the area between 

NH56659 46861 and NH566840 468526 (site B on Fig 24). Note as a result of 

accretion the saltmarsh has increased in size since Figure 24 was produced. 

Figure 24. Lentran Roosts. 

Based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of 

the controller of HMSO © Crown copyright (1996) Licence no. 100017908 

Access to this area is not easy. There are no obvious tracks and the railway forms a 

boundary on the southern side. As a result of this roosting birds are relatively 

undisturbed. 

Table 38. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Lentran. 

WN T. MA PT OC RP L. KN DN BA CU RK 

Pre 1995 6 2 4 3 4 1 3 3 6 4 4 1 

Post 1994 6 4 4 4 4 1 4 3 5 3 4 4 

Common teal, northern pintail, northern lapwing and common redshank have 

increased in numbers in recent years (Table 38) whereas dunlin and bar-tailed 

godwit have declined. 

Bunchrew 

This bay lying between Bunchrew caravan park and Phopachy contains two roost 

sites. During periods of westerly winds the birds tend to roost on the small saltmarsh 

point on the west side of the bay at NH61131 45882 often spreading out to the north 

west (site A on Fig 25). During periods of southerly or easterly winds the birds prefer 

the stony beach at NH61589 45965 (B on Fig. 25). 

Figure 25. Bunchrew roosts. 

A 

B 

B 

A 



28

This bay appears to have been subject to increased disturbance in recent years. 

This is a reflection of the popularity of the caravan park and an increase in the 

number of dog walkers. The fields on the west side of the bay are regularly used by 

dog walkers, from nearby houses. A track now exists from the caravan park leading 

west towards the bay and results in regular disturbance to the birds in the bay from 

walkers. Possibly as a result of this Eurasian oystercatcher, northern lapwing, dunlin 

and bar-tailed godwits have shown a decline in numbers, though Eurasian curlew 

have increased (Table 39). 

Table 39. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Bunchrew. 

WN T. MA PT OC L. DN BA CU RK 

Pre 1995 5 5 2 2 4 3 5 3 2 4 

Post 1994 5 5 3 2 3 2 2 1 3 4 

Waders disturbed from these roosts by walkers are forced to fly 4km further west to 

the main roost site at Lentran. Ducks just tend to drift further out into the Beauly 

Firth. 

Muirtown Basin. 

A series of tidal pools lie between South Kessock and Clachnaharry to the south of 

the railway line. This area is regularly used as a roost, particularly by common 

redshank, many of which flight in from feeding areas around Ness Mouth, as well as 

off south Kessock. The birds roost on the wall of the railway embankment at 

NH65036 46668 (A on Fig 26). With southerly winds they tend to roost on the north 

side facing the firth, with northerly or very strong westerlies they roost on the south 

side overlooking the pool. A temporary roost (B on Fig 26) often builds up on little 

islets off South Kessock, before they are inundated by the rising tide. This site can be 

used by Eurasian oystercatcher, Eurasian curlew and northern lapwing. 

Figure 26. Muirtown Basin Roost 

A 

B 



Numbers of common redshank and dunlin roosting on the wall by the lagoon have 

increased in recent years (Table 40). 

Table 40. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at and off Muirtown. 

WN T. MA OC L. DN CU RK TT 

Pre 1995 4 4 4 3 1 1 1 4 1 

Post 1994 4 3 3 2 1 4 1 5 1 

Despite the fairly public nature of this site, the common redshank appear to be used 

to people walking past the lagoon on the public footpath on the east side of the 

lagoon. Birds roosting on the seaward side of the wall are only rarely disturbed by 

people walking along the railway line. 

29

North Beauly Firth 

There are three regular roosts on the north side of the Beauly Firth. There have 

been major increases in the number of birds at these sites in recent years (table 41). 

Table 41. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers on the North Beauly Firth. 


Pre 1995 4 1 5 4 3 0 2 1 3 3 

Post 1994 6 3 4 5 4 3 4 2 4 5 

Eurasian wigeon, common teal, Eurasian oystercatcher, northern lapwing, red knot, 

dunlin, bar-tailed godwit, Eurasian curlew and common redshank have all shown 

marked increases. 

The largest roost on the north side of the Beauly Firth is on Redcastle Pier (table 42), 

the tip of a long man-made promontory at NH57959 49106 (A on Fig 27). Birds roost 

on either side, depending on wind direction, though favour the broader western side. 

Figure 27. Redcastle – Tarradale roosts. 



Access to the site is quite tricky, down a small minor road, with few parking places. 

The local householders deter wildfowlers and discourage casual walkers. This keeps 

disturbance to a minimal level. If disturbed, birds fly to the second roost (site B on 

Fig 27) on the saltmarsh south of Acharry at NH56324 48896 to NH56173 48793. 

This is another relatively undisturbed sites as deep channels and reed beds restrict 

access. 

Figure 28. Charlestown roost. 



C 

B 

Further east there is a small roost (Table 42) on the saltmarsh point just to the west 

of Charlestown at NH63905 48296 (site C on Fig 28). It is partly hidden by the 

bushes surrounding the football pitch. The waders appear to be habituated to cars 

30 

A

and walkers on the road. The duck are often flushed by walkers or cyclists but soon 

swim back in. 

A car park built to the west causes little disturbance as most people who park there 

tend to walk further west away from Charleston, along the more open shore line. 

Table 42. Numbers of waders using North Beauly roosts in recent years. 


Achany 3 1 1 3 4 0 0 0 1 1 

Redcastle 5 2 2 5 0 3 4 2 3 5 

Charleston 4 2 4 2 2 0 0 0 2 1 

31

INVERNESS FIRTH 

Chanonry Point 

This large gravel point was an important roost for ringed plovers and dunlin feeding 

off Ardersier and Avoch. Birds roosted either side of the point, depending on wind 

direction and disturbance. They tended to roost on the beach around NH74808 

55831 on the east site of the point (site A on Fig 29). Due to disturbance they had to 

move up and down the beach, often concentrating on the tip of the point at NH75019 

55712 (site B on Fig 29). During easterly winds the main roost was on a small gravel 

point at NH74678 55706 (site C on Fig 29). 

Figure 29. Roosts on Chanonry Point. 

C 



This area is increasingly popular for walkers and the tip of the point, by roost B, is 

used by dolphin watchers. As a result this area is now used by far fewer birds (Table 

43). Although the mean dunlin count 1995-2006 was 639, in the last three years it 

was only 242 (source: local WeBS data). 

Table 43. Changes in wader numbers at Chanonry. 

OC RP DN BA CU RK TT 

Pre 1995 3 3 7 3 1 1 2 

Post 1994 4 3 6 0 2 2 2 

Avoch 

There is a small roost on the salting point on the north side of the burn at NH70149 

54823. The burn limits access to the site at high tide. Eurasian oystercatcher 

numbers have increased in recent years, but dunlin have declined (Table 44) 

Table 44. Changes in wader numbers at Avoch. 

OC RP DN CU RK TT 

Pre 1995 2 1 3 1 3 2 

Post 1994 4 1 1 1 3 2 

32 

B 

A

Munlochy Bay 

Munlochy Bay holds large numbers of waders and wildfowl. There have been major 

increases in the number of common teal, northern lapwing, red knot and dunlin using 

this site in recent years (Table 45) 

Table 45. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Munlochy Bay. 


Pre 1995 7 6 4 6 4 1 4 4 5 5 

Post 1994 7 7 4 6 5 6 5 4 5 5 

The main roost is on the saltmarsh at the south side of the bay from NH66852 52630 

to NH67108 52486, with a core around NH66953 52558 (site A on Fig 30). Access is 

very difficult to this area, so the roost is relatively undisturbed, unless wildfowlers are 

present. 

Figure 30. Roosts at Munlochy Bay. 

D 

B 



A 

The roosts on north side of the bay are mainly used during periods of northerly 

winds. They are more prone to disturbance by walkers. They are situated on two 

small points, the inner one at NH67156 53328 (B on Fig 30) and the other further 

east at NH68264 53041 (C on Fig 30). At the head of the bay there is a small roost 

at NH 65554 53145 (D on Fig 30), used by duck and common redshank. There is 

much interchange between these roosts (table 46). 

Table 46. Numbers of wildfowl and waders using Munlochy Bay roosts in recent 

years. 


Roost A 6 6 2 6 5 6 5 4 5 5 

Roost B 4 4 2 5 0 5 4 4 4 5 

Roost C 4 2 2 5 0 6 5 4 4 5 

Roost D 4 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 

Roost E 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Formerly there was a large roost at NH 68110 52511 (E on Fig 30). Since the field 

behind it was planted with conifers (for Christmas trees), in the late 1980s, it has 

mostly been abandoned by waders, unless there is severe disturbance in the inner 

bay. 

33 

E 

C

Kilmuir 

The roost here was originally situated at the tip of the large point at NH67680 49693 

just north of the village (A on Fig 31). This was used by Eurasian oystercatcher and 

Eurasian curlew, most of which had flighted across from Ness Mouth. The point is 

now subject to regular disturbance by walkers and has not been used since 1985. 

Birds now tend to use the smaller saltmarsh points further north, particularly 

NH68202 50629 (B on Fig 31). 

Table 47. Changes in wader numbers at Kilmuir. 

OC L. KN BA CU RK 

Pre 1995 5 0 1 2 3 1 

Post 1994 6 1 5 4 4 1 

At roost B wader numbers have increased in recent years (Table 47). Birds from the 

south side of the Inverness Firth flight over if disturbed as do birds disturbed out of 

Munlochy Bay. 

Figure 31. Roosts at Kilmuir. 



A 

B 

Ness Mouth 

The roost at Ness mouth has been greatly affected over recent years by land 

reclamation. The nature of the adjacent mud flats has also changed significantly in 

recent years. The practise of discharging nutrient rich waste into this area, via 

sewage pipes, was discontinued in 1999, leading to a reduction in the overall number 

of birds feeding in this area at low tide. The original roost was on saltmarsh, by the 

sewage outflow pipe. This was reclaimed in 1994. The birds then roosted on the 

adjacent seawall at NH66465 47028 (A on Fig 32). Regular disturbance caused the 

abandonment of this roost. Another roost developed on the reclaimed harbour wall 

at NH66049 46935 (B on Fig 32). Eurasian oystercatchers and northern lapwing 

roosted on the top and common redshank on the side of the bank. Again disturbance 

from harbour activities eventually led to the abandonment of this roost, though 

common redshank continue to use it intermittently (table 48). 

Table 48. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Ness Mouth. 

WN T. MA OC RP L. DN BA CU RK TT 

Pre 1995 3 5 4 4 1 3 4 1 1 5 1 

Post 1994 3 4 3 1 1 3 3 1 1 4 1 

34

Longman Point - Alturlie Point 

This large intertidal bay holds a large number of waders and wildfowl. The eastern 

end has been subject to much land reclamation over the last 30 or more years, 

affecting the distribution of feeding shorebirds and the location of high tide roosts. 

Many traditional high tide roost sites have been lost due to the reclamation. 

Table 49. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Longman, Inverness. 

WN T. MA PT OC L. KN DN BA CU RK TT 

Pre 1995 7 5 4 2 5 2 2 4 3 4 6 2 

Post 1994 6 5 4 2 5 2 4 3 4 3 5 1 

Possibly as a result of reduced feeding opportunities (due to the reclamation) the 

number of Eurasian wigeon, dunlin, Eurasian curlew and common redshank have 

shown major declines (Table 49). Red knot and bar-tailed godwit numbers, appear 

to have increased, but this is an artefact of the occasional temporary appearance of 

large flocks in a few recent winters. They are not regular in this part of the firth. 

Figure 32. Roosts at Ness Mouth and Longman. 

A 

B 



Currently at the Longman the main roost site is at NH67729 47090 a small point, by 

an open bund and on the west shore of the landfill site (C on Fig 32), mainly used by 

Eurasian oystercatcher and Eurasian curlew (Table 50). There is another roost on a 

long gravely beach below the new sea wall centred on NH68235 46591 (D on Fig 

32), used by Eurasian oystercatcher, common redshank and occasionally dunlin, red 

knot and bar-tailed godwit (Table 50). Disturbance at both sites is rare, as this is part 

of the Longman landfill site, currently fenced off to restrict access. 

Table 50. Numbers of waders using Longman- Alturlie roosts in recent years. 

OC RP L. KN DN BA CU RK TT 

Roost C 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 1 

Roost D 4 0 0 4 3 4 1 5 1 

Roost E 3 0 2 0 0 0 2 4 0 

Roost F 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 1 

Roost G 1 0 4 0 4 1 4 4 1 

Roost H 4 1 4 0 0 0 1 3 2 

Further east there is a traditional roost site at the salting point at Screeton, centred 

on NH 69973 46412 (site E on Fig 33). Birds here appear to be habituated to regular 

walkers on the old A96 road. However, if people stop or walk onto the saltmarsh the 

35 

C 

D

irds are disturbed and waders fly east to Alturlie or west to the Longman, whilst 

duck drift out to sea. Wader numbers have declined here in recent years. 

At the east, or Alturlie end, of the bay there are three further roosts. Table 51 shows 

that there have been few changes in overall numbers in recent years, bar a decline in 

bar-tailed godwit and common redshank and an increase in dunlin. This hides 

variations between roosts. 

Table 51. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Alturlie, Inverness. 

WN T. MA PT OC RP L. DN BA CU RK TT 

Pre 1995 7 6 4 1 4 1 4 3 2 4 5 1 

Post 1994 7 6 4 1 4 1 4 4 1 4 4 1 

A mixed wader duck roost (Table 50) is found on the gravel beach at Milton of 

Culloden at NH70661 46955 (site F on Fig 33). This area is relatively undisturbed as 

a field separates the shore from the road. Numbers have increased here in recent 

years, probably due to increased usage by birds displaced from roosts E and G. 

Figure 33. Roosts on the east side of Longman Bay. 



There has always been a major roost the Alturlie sewage works at NH71006 47339 

(G on Fig 33). Access is not easy here, so disturbance was originally relatively 

infrequent. The building of the new sewage works from November 1997 till 

November 1999 created more disturbance and the roost has not been used as 

regularly since, particularly by Eurasian oystercatcher. Common redshank and 

Eurasian curlew, attempting to roost at site G, are often disturbed to site F, by 

walkers from Milton. Eurasian oystercatcher and northern lapwing now often try to 

roost on the gravel road below the minor road leading to Alturlie Point, particularly 

round the small salting at NH71417 47997 (site H on Fig 33). Disturbance from 

36 

H 

F 

E 

G

vehicles and walkers is regular and usually forces them to flight inland to roost in the 

adjacent fields. 

Castle Stuart (or Petty) Bay 

This large sheltered, bay supports large numbers of duck and waders. The birds 

roost at a variety of sites, dependant on wind direction and tide height. 

Table 52. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Castle Stuart (Petty Bay). 


Pre 1995 7 3 4 4 2 4 5 4 5 5 2 

Post 1994 7 2 4 4 3 4 3 1 5 4 1 

In recent years there has been a decline in the number of waders using this site, 

particularly red knot (now only irregular), dunlin, bar-tailed godwit, common redshank 

and ruddy turnstone (table 52). 

On the west end of the bay the main roost is on the stony beach by some concrete 

slabs at NH72902 49157 (A on Fig 34). This is the preferred roost during periods of 

westerly winds (table 51). 

Figure 34. Roosts at Castle Stuart (Petty Bay). 

A 



If disturbed, birds will fly up to the top end of the bay at Lonnie, where they roost in 

scattered groups along the beach from NH73471 49246 to the saltmarsh at NH73703 

49547 (site B on Fig 34). Generally speaking, disturbance levels are currently low, 

as there are no tracks on the west or south side of the bay, making access difficult. 

Outwith the bay, there is another roost on the long beach towards Balnaglach 

centred at NH73830 50605 (C on Fig 34). In recent years there has been an 

increase in the number of walkers on the stretch of shore, causing the birds to be 

disturbed. This disturbance is likely to increase as a result of the new golf course 

being constructed here. 

Table 53. Numbers of wildfowl and waders using Castle Stuart roosts in recent years. 


Roosts A+B 7 2 3 4 3 4 3 1 5 4 1 

Roost C 4 0 3 4 0 1 0 1 5 2 1 

37 

B 

C

Dalcross - Ardersier 

The long beach between Ardersier and Fisherton holds a scatter of waders and 

ducks. The number of waders on this stretch of coast has declined in recent years 

(table 54), probably as a result of frequent disturbance by walkers from Ardersier 

village. 

Table 54. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers in the Dalcross-Ardersier area. 

WN MA OC L. KN DN BA CU RK TT 

Pre 1995 5 4 4 4 0 3 3 5 4 3 

Post 1994 6 3 4 4 2 3 2 4 3 1 

The traditional roost site is at NH76281 52661, below the water treatment plant (site 

A on Fig 35), used mainly by Eurasian curlew and northern lapwing (table 55). If 

disturbed the birds fly further along the beach, or inland to fields between the B9039 

and the airport. 

At Ardersier the main site for feeding waders and wildfowl is the bay on the southern 

edge of the village. A variety of birds (table 55) roost on the salting point at NH78029 

54281 (C on Fig 35) or on the gravel point at NH77949 54030, on the south side of 

the bay (B on Fig 35). 

Figure 35. Roosts in the Dalcross-Ardersier area. 

A 



Table 55. Numbers of wildfowl and waders using Dalcross - Ardersier roosts in recent 

years 

WN MA OC L. KN DN BA CU RK TT 

Roost A 5 2 3 4 0 0 2 4 2 1 

Roosts B+C 4 2 4 4 2 3 2 2 3 1 

The number of mallard, bar-tailed godwit, Eurasian curlew, common redshank and 

ruddy turnstone using these sites have declined in recent years, though red knot 

numbers have shown a slight increase (table 54). 

38 

C 

B

INNER MORAY FIRTH 

Fort George – Whiteness Head 

The sandy flats off the Fort George firing range are an important feeding area, the 

birds roosting on the adjacent beaches and on Whiteness Head. There have been 

increases in the number of common teal and ringed plover and dunlin in this area 

(table 56), the latter two species possibly relocating from Chanonry. Bar-tailed 

godwit numbers have, however, declined. 

Table 56. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers in the Whiteness Head area 

WN T. MA OC RP L. KN DN BA CU RK TT 

Pre 1995 5 1 4 7 1 1 6 5 6 5 4 1 

Post 1994 5 4 4 7 2 1 6 6 5 5 4 1 

The long, sandy beach between Fort George and the fabrication yard is used by 

roosting waders, particularly in late summer/autumn. The main roost site, nowadays, 

is at NH77102 57518, above a gravel point (B on Fig 36), and is used mainly by 

Eurasian oystercatcher and a few Eurasian curlew. Formerly the main summer roost 

was above a sand bank at NH77940 57583, down to NH78145 57563 (site A on Fig 

36). It was mostly used by Eurasian oystercatchers and bar-tailed godwit, especially 

in late summer- autumn. Nowadays it is used by smaller numbers of Eurasian 

oystercatchers, Eurasian curlew and a small flock of ringed plover. It appears prone 

to disturbance from army personnel from the firing range. Details of birds using 

these roosts is given in table 57. 

Figure 36. Roosts in the Fort George – Whiteness Head area. 

B 

A 



C 

D 

The main roost now tends to be on the wide sandy beach west of the yard around the 

point at NH794580 (site C on Fig 36). If disturbed birds will cross to Whiteness Head 

and roost on the gravel ridges on the spit around NH801588 (site D on Fig 36). 

These two roosts are used by most of the wader species at this site, the point is the 

preferred roost in mid-winter. Disturbance levels are low, but the occasional dog 

walkers or joggers will disturb the birds on the point. There is a secondary roost 

further up the channel by the salmon bothy at NH816578 (site E on Fig 36). This is 

used by Eurasian oystercatchers, especially in late summer/autumn and also smaller 

numbers of dunlin and common redshank on the small area of saltmarsh. 

Sometimes the common redshank roost on the rock armour below the yard on the 

39 

E 

F

opposite side of the channel. On normal and low tides small numbers of Eurasian 

oystercatchers, Eurasian curlew and common redshank roost on the saltmarsh at 

Denies around NH819575 (site F on Fig 36). On very high tides or during periods of 

very strong westerly winds larger numbers of Eurasian oystercatchers, bar-tailed 

godwit, red knot and dunlin flight up the channel to join them. Many red knot and 

bar-tailed godwit tend to leave, to roost further east at Nairn bar. 

Table 57. Numbers of waders using Whiteness Head area roosts in recent years. 


Fort George A 4 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 

Fort George B 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 

Yard C 7 0 6 6 5 4 0 0 

Whiteness Head D 7 0 6 6 5 5 0 0 

Whiteness Head E 5 2 0 5 0 0 4 0 

Carse of Delnies F 5 0 4 5 4 3 4 0 

The duck are mostly to be found on the lagoon south of site C at NH798578, with 

smaller numbers occasionally on the saltmarsh at Carse of Delnies. 

Nairn Bar 

There are four roosts at this site (Figure 37). Although bar-tailed godwit and common 

redshank have declined in numbers (table 58), Eurasian oystercatcher, red knot, 

sanderling and dunlin have shown large increases. 

Table 58. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers on Nairn Bar. 

WN T. MA OC RP L. KN SA DN BA CU RK TT 

Pre 1995 5 0 2 5 2 1 5 0 6 6 4 5 1 

Post 1994 5 1 3 7 1 1 7 3 7 5 4 4 0 

Figure 37. Roosts on the Nairn Bar (circles give approximate size of roosting area) 

A 

B 



C 

40 

D

The largest roost is found on the tip of the bar around NH910590 (site A on Fig 37). 

The exact position of this roost varies according to the shape of the point and tidal 

conditions, but generally is at the most westerly tip. This roost is used by most of the 

species frequenting this site (table 59). Site B (Fig 37) on the saltmarsh at NH918588 

is a secondary roost used by Eurasian oystercatcher and some red knot, dunlin and 

bar-tailed godwit only during very high tides or strong westerly winds. Site C (Fig 37) 

at NH926598 is a saltmarsh roost mostly used by common redshank and Eurasian 

curlew and occasionally Eurasian oystercatchers during poor weather conditions. 

Site D (Fig 37) at NH937606 is similar, being a saltmarsh site used by Eurasian 

curlew and common redshank. 

Table 59. Numbers of waders using Nairn Bar roosts in recent years. 

WN T. MA OC RP KN SA DN BA CU RK 

Roost A 0 0 0 7 1 7 3 7 5 0 0 

Roost B 0 0 0 5 0 5 0 6 3 0 0 

Roost C 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 

Roost D 5 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 

The duck are mostly found in the channel and as the tide rises get pushed up onto 

the saltmarsh around site D. Generally speaking access to the Nairn Bar area is quite 

difficult, so disturbance levels are currently low. 

Culbin Bar 

The Culbin Bars are an important roosting area for Eurasian oystercatcher, red knot 

and dunlin. Overall bar-tailed godwit and common redshank have declined in recent 

years (table 60), whereas common teal, red knot and sanderling have increased. 

Table 60. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers on Culbin Bar. 

WN T. MA OC RP KN SA DN BA CU RK TT 

Pre 1995 5 1 4 7 2 5 0 7 5 4 5 1 

Post 1994 5 3 4 7 2 6 3 7 4 4 4 1 

Currently there are nine roosts located on the bars, used by a variety of species with 

a degree of interchange between them, dependant on weather, tide height and 

disturbance. Figure 39 shows the locations of roosts A to I. 

Roost A (NH973630), on the tip of the west spit, nowadays is the main roost for 

Eurasian oystercatcher and bar-tailed godwit and a secondary roost for dunlin and 

red knot if roost B is disturbed. Roost B (NH971638), on the tip of the east spit, is 

the main roost for dunlin and red knot and is also used by Eurasian oystercatcher 

and bar-tailed godwit disturbed off roost A. This used to be the largest roost but 

erosion in the late 1990s led to the Eurasian oystercatcher and bar-tailed godwit 

forsaking it for roost A. Roost C, on an area of saltmarsh around NH955617, is 

mainly used by Eurasian curlew. Roost D (NH967631) is a new roost, on a new 

sandy spit created in 2004 and used by grey plover and sanderling. Birds disturbed 

from here move to roost B. Roost G, on an area of saltmarsh and pools at the east 

end of The Gut around NH987637, is mainly used by Eurasian curlew and common 

redshank. Roosts E (NH982638), F (NH981640) and H (NH 985644) are only used 

during periods of bad weather, roost E by dunlin and common redshank, roost F by 

Eurasian curlew and Eurasian oystercatcher and roost H by Eurasian oystercatcher. 

Roost I (NH985633) is a small saltmarsh roost regularly used by small numbers of 

common redshank. 

41

Figure 38. Roosts on the Culbin Bar (circles give approximate size of roosting area). 

C 



D 

B 

Table 61. Numbers of wildfowl and waders using Culbin Bar roosts in recent years. 

WN T. MA OC RP KN SA DN BA CU RK TT 

Roost A 0 0 0 7 0 6 0 7 4 0 0 0 

Roost B 0 0 0 7 2 6 3 7 4 0 0 0 

Roost C 5 3 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 

Roost D 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 

Roost E 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 4 1 

Roost F 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 

Roost G 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 0 

Roost H 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Roost I 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 

A former order 5 Eurasian oystercatcher roost on the outer shore of the bar at 

NJ005648 (not shown on Fig 38) has been abandoned since 1998, due to 

disturbance from walkers. 

Findhorn Bay 

This very large intertidal bay holds large numbers of wildfowl and waders. In recent 

years common teal and mallard have increased. Waders, however, have remained 

stable or, like European golden plover, northern lapwing, red knot, bar-tailed godwit 

and common redshank, declined (table 62). 

Table 62. Changes in wildfowl and wader numbers at Findhorn Bay. 

WN T. MA OC RP GP L. KN DN BA CU RK TT 

Pre 1995 8 2 4 7 2 5 5 6 7 5 5 7 2 

Post 1994 8 6 5 7 2 4 4 5 7 4 5 6 2 

42 

A 

F 

E 

H 

I 

G

On the east side of the bay roosts are located on the saltmarsh islands and points 

around the run way lights between NJ05447 62809 and NJ05535 62299 (site A on 

Fig 39). If disturbed birds often move up to the NE corner of the bay around 

NJ04959 63373 (site B on Fig 39). Another roost also forms at the mouth of the 

Kinloss burn around NJ05618 61897 (site C on Fig 39). These roosts are mainly 

used by red knot, dunlin, common redshank, Eurasian curlew, Eurasian wigeon and 

common teal (table 63). There is much disturbance on this side of the bay from 

walkers and increasingly from sail boarders. This has led to a drop in the number of 

birds using these roosts. 

Figure 39. Roosts at Findhorn Bay. 

G 

H 

E 



F 

I 

On the south shore of the bay there is a roost on the saltmarsh beyond the old rifle 

range centred on NJ04658 61541 (site D on Fig 39), though dependant on weather 

and tides, birds will spill out onto the west side of the channel. This roost is favoured 

by red knot and common redshank and is particularly important in spring. 

Disturbance levels are generally low at this site. The largest duck and wader roosts 

are now to be found in the south west corner of the bay between the distributaries of 

the Findhorn from NJ025623 east to NJ029621 (site E on Fig 39). This roost has 

increased in importance in recent years. This is mainly due to access being 

extremely difficult, so birds tend to be undisturbed. Another roost is located on the tip 

of a sandy spit by Culbin Forest, opposite Findhorn at NJ033643 (site F on Fig 39). 

43 

B 

D 

A 

C

This, formerly large roost, is now mainly used by Eurasian oystercatcher and bartailed 

godwit. It is, however, prone to increasing levels of disturbance from walkers 

following the coastal path round Culbin Forest. It can also be disturbed by people 

undertaking ‘water borne’ recreational activities operating out of Findhorn. 

Table 63. Numbers of wildfowl and waders using Findhorn Bay roosts in recent 

years. 

WN T. MA OC GP L KN DN BA CU RK 

Roost A-C 6 4 3 0 4 3 5 6 0 3 4 

Roost D 4 2 3 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 4 

Roost E 7 5 4 5 4 3 0 6 4 4 4 

Roost F 0 0 2 6 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 

Roost G 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Roost H 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 4 2 0 

Formerly birds disturbed from this roost moved out to roost on the Culbin Forest 

beach at NJ020649 (G on Fig 39) or at NJ022649 (H on Fig 39) or even further west 

at NJ005648 (Culbin Bars site J). Nowadays they tend to flight into the bay to site E. 

In winter 2006/07 roost F was completely abandoned, due to disturbance. Small 

numbers of ringed plover and ruddy turnstone attempt to roost by the groynes on the 

beach at Findhorn around NJ033649 (I on Fig 39), but they are frequently disturbed. 

In October 2006 a roost of 400 Dunlin was discovered further east at NJ062646, 

possibly birds involving birds disturbed from the bay. 

44

SUMMARY OF CHANGES 

Of the 121 Moray Firth wader roosts identified in this report 35 had shown an overall 

increase in numbers, 52 a decrease, whilst 34 remained relatively unchanged, 

between the two time periods, pre 1995 and post 1994. The spatial distribution of the 

three categories varied significantly between the different firths (table 64) 

Table 64. Change in number of waders using roosts according to firth 

Number increased Number decreased Number no change 

Brora-Embo 2 8 5 

Dornoch Firth 8 6 6 

Cromarty Firth 11 15 7 

Beauly Firth 4 1 1 

Inverness Firth 6 13 1 

Inner Moray Firth 4 9 14 

The highest incidence of roost decline was on the Inverness Firth (65%), followed by 

Brora-Embo (53%), then the Cromarty Firth (45%). Only in the Beauly Firth and 

Dornoch Firth did more roosts increase in numbers, compared to those declining in 

numbers. 

Table 65. Reasons for changes in numbers at wader roosts. 

Declining roosts Increasing roosts 

Walkers 24 Difficult Access 19 

Other disturbance 11 Species increase 4 

Species decrease 3 Unknown 12 

Habitat change 5 

Unknown 9 

An increase in disturbance was the main cause of roosts declining in usage, 

particularly disturbance from walkers and especially dog walkers (Table 65). Habitat 

change involved reclamation of saltmarsh roosts (all in the Inverness area) and the 

conversion of a field, behind a large roost into a conifer plantation. A general decline 

in ruddy turnstone numbers led to a significant decline of three small roosts. For nine 

roosts that declined in numbers there was no obvious reason for the decline. At six 

of these roosts the decline was due to a large reduction in the number of bar-tailed 

godwits and dunlin using the roosts. These mobile species appear to be more prone 

to change roosts (table 66). 

Roosts that showed increases in usage were mainly those in areas of difficult access, 

which would reduce the risks of human disturbance (table 65). Three roosts 

increased due to the general increase in northern lapwings in the area and one due 

to an increase in sanderling. For twelve roosts, however, the reasons for the 

increase are not known. 

Table 66. Number of roosts where the following wader species declined or increased 

significantly, by at least two orders of magnitude. 

OC RP GP L. KN SA DN BA CU RK 

Declining roosts 11 2 0 2 9 0 18 14 2 12 

Increasing roosts 4 0 2 9 7 1 5 2 1 8 

Dunlin, bar-tailed godwit, common redshank, red knot and Eurasian oystercatcher 

appeared to be most prone to desert roosts (table 66). There was some evidence 

that these species abandoned small roosts and re-located to fewer, much larger 

45

oosts, in areas of lower disturbance (eg inner area of Nigg Bay, Morrich Mor, south 

side of Munlochy Bay, north shore of Beauly Firth, Nairn Bar. SW corner Findhorn 

Bay). 

The pattern for duck was somewhat different. Overall 22 roosts increased, 15 

declined and 19 remained unchanged between the two time periods. The smaller 

number declining is probably due to duck reacting to disturbance by swimming or 

flying offshore over the high tide period, so they can still be counted. 

Table 67. Change in number of ducks using roosts according to firth 

Number increased Number decreased Number no change 

Brora-Embo 0 4 0 

Dornoch Firth 10 1 1 

Cromarty Firth 2 4 10 

Beauly Firth 3 1 2 

Inverness Firth 5 4 5 

Inner Moray Firth 2 1 1 

Decreases were greatest in Brora-Embo area and Inverness Firth, whilst increases 

were greatest in the Dornoch Firth and Beauly Firth. 

DISCUSSION 

This overview of roosts, shows that although only seven have been abandoned over 

the review period, a large number have declined in usage. The main reason for a 

drop in numbers is increased levels of disturbance. This is predominately a result of 

disturbance from walkers and dog walkers in particular. This latter group often make 

use of coastal areas as their dogs can run wild and there is no necessity to collect 

faeces. There is also a tendency for these people to visit the same stretch of coast 

on a very regular basis, once or twice a day. Disturbance like this displaces roosting 

birds. On coastal areas where the intertidal area is quite narrow it also disturbs birds 

from feeding areas and from pre roost gathering areas. At some sites it may be just 

one individual person visiting the area on a regular basis that can be responsible for 

the decline of a roost. 

The fact that only a small number of roost sites have been completely abandoned by 

waders, shows that there is a strong desire for the birds to try to use traditional sites, 

close to good feeding areas. If disturbance levels decline birds will revert to using 

such sites. For instance at Saltburn, Invergordon periods of bad weather can result 

in a decline in dog walkers and the birds temporarily re-occupying the site, as 

happened in December 2006. 

At other sites birds can become habituated to wakers and continue to use a roost. 

These are usually sites where although people pass close by, an obstacle such as a 

fence or a ditch prevents the birds from being physically disturbed. Using this 

technique it may be possible to manage some roosts to prevent excessive 

disturbance. Some species, however, such as red knot and bar-tailed godwit are 

very sensitive and will not tolerate any form of disturbance. Increasingly these 

species are being restricted to roosts located in the least accessible parts of the 

Moray Firth complex. 

This review suggests that an increase in quite low level recreational activities is 

having some adverse effects on the Moray Firth SPAs by causing increased 

46

disturbance to roosts and forcing the birds to make longer flights to roosts more 

distant from their preferred feeding areas. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

Currently data regarding shorebird numbers in the Moray Firth is gathered by 

volunteer WeBS counters on four days per winter. The data from these counts is 

summed to give counts for each section of each firth. 

In future it would be useful if count data could be gathered at the individual roost 

level. 

New recording systems would have to be established to implement this. This would 

have to be arranged locally as recently the BTO has organised on-line inputting of 

WeBS data and this is being done at the section level. 

Counters could also gather data on disturbance level. A simple recording sheet 

would have to be developed and issued to each counter. 

47

REFERENCES 

Cresswell W. 1994. Age-dependant choice of Redshank (Tringa totanus) feeding 

location: profitability or risk? J. Anim. Ecol. 63: 589-600. 

Crowther, Amy & Elliott, Steph. 2006. Survey of Recreational Pressure at Culbin 

Sands and Nigg and Udale Bays Nature Reserves. Unpublished report to RSPB 

North Scotland. 

Kalejta-Summers, B. 2006. Changes in numbers and distribution of waders in the 

Moray Firth. Scottish Birds 26:1-16. 

Kalejta-Summers, B. (in prep) Long-term changes in numbers and distribution of 

wintering ducks and swans in the Moray Firth, Scotland. 

Kirby, J.S., Clee, C. & Seager, V. (1993). Impact and extent of recreational 

disturbance to wader roosts on the Dee estuary: some preliminary results. Wader 

Study Group Bulletin 68, 53-58. 

Nature Conservancy Council. 1978. Nature conservation within the Moray Firth. 

Revised Prospectus. Unpublished report to North West (Scotland) Region. 

Page G. & D.F. Whitacre 1975. Raptor predation on wintering shorebirds. Condor 77: 

73-83. 

Rehfisch, M.M., Insley, H & Swann B. (2003) Fidelity of overwintering shorebirds to 

roosts on the Moray Basin, Scotland : Implications for predicting impacts of habitat 

loss. Ardea, 91, 53-70 

Smit, C.J. & Visser, G.J.M. (1993). Effects of disturbance on shorebirds: a summary 

of existing knowledge from the Dutch Wadden Sea and Delta area. Wader Study 

Group Bulletin 68, 6-19. 

Swann,R.L . & Mudge,G.P. 1989. Moray Basin wader populations. Scottish Birds 15: 

97-105. 

Swann, R.L . & Etheridge, B. 1989. Variations in mid-winter weights of Moray Basin 

waders in relation to temperature. Ringing and Migration. 10: 1-8. 

Swann, R.L . & Etheridge, B. 1996. Movements of waders to and from the Moray 

Firth. Ringing and Migration. 17: 111-121. 

Symonds, F.L. & Langslow, D.R. 1985. Shorebirds in the Moray Firth 1981-1985. 

Unpublished NCC report to Britoil PLC. 

Symonds F.L. & D.R. Langslow 1986. The distribution and local movements of 

shorebirds within the Moray Firth. Proc. R. Soc. Edin. 91B: 143-168. 

Wiersma P. & T. Piersma 1994. Effects of microhabitat, flocking, climate and 

migratory goal on energy expenditure in the annual cycle of Red Knots. Condor 96: 

257-279. 

48

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