Commissioned Report 252 - Scottish Natural Heritage

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.
Based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of
the controller of HMSO © Crown copyright (1996) Licence no. 100017908
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
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