An incoming tide on the Udale Bay RSPB bird reserve on the Cromarty Firth on the Black Isle. SCO 8284
Udale bay becomes quieter as the winter migrants have left for their summer breeding grounds, though up to 10,000 pink footed geese pass through on their return migration. The local Highland-breeding waders such as lapwings, redshanks and oystercatcher may be present quite late into the spring before they return to their inland breeding grounds. In SummerGulls waders and ducks follow the tide in and out of the bay. The lucky visitor may see ospreys fishing in the bay at high tide, when they search out flat fish in the shallows. Some small flocks of dunlin pass through in the summer. Autumn sees the first Winter migrants begin to arrive to take advantage of the rich feeding to be had in the bay. Up to 10,000 wigeons stop off in the bay on their return migration to feed on the beds of eel grass. They are joined by waders, also en route to their wintering grounds. The best time to view them is two hours either side of high tide as the birds are pushed closer to the hide. Winter migrants such as wigeons, pink-footed geese, teals, bar-tailed godwits, dunlins and knots, join oystercatchers, lapwings and redshanks to take advantage of the rich feeding to be had in the bay. They are best viewed two hours either side of high tide as the birds are pushed closer to the hide. This makes Udale bay a very special place to visit at any time of year.
Size: 5870px × 4167px
Location: Udale Bay, Cromarty Firth. Black Isle. Highland Region. Scotland. United Kingdom.
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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