Commissioned Report 252 - Scottish Natural Heritage

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.
WN T. MA OC L. KN DN BA CU RK
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.
Based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of
the controller of HMSO © Crown copyright (1996) Licence no. 100017908
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.
Based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of
the controller of HMSO © Crown copyright (1996) Licence no. 100017908
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