Commissioned Report 252 - Scottish Natural Heritage

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