The Birds of Moray and Nairn

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Knot orange JMC (SV93217) was ringed at Nigg (Highland) on 11 February 2021 and sighted at Southport & Ainsdale (Merseyside) on 12 April 2021, at Formby (Merseyside) on 2 May 2022, at Skogarnes (ICELAND) on 28 May 2022, at Formby (Merseyside) on 18 August 2022 and in Findhorn Bay (NJ0462) on 21 February 2023, after 2 years. As the estuary is relatively small, viewing is easy from the car parking area along the northern edge of the ‘Lossiemouth Bay’ caravan park, and although good views of birds are possible with binoculars it is recommended that a telescope is used for close-up views and identifying birds at longer distances. Time of year, state of the tide and weather conditions all affect the numbers of birds, however, walkers, dog-walkers, canoeists and surfers can cause excessive disturbance. Coal Tit Y993569 was ringed at Inchberry (NJ3155) on 9 March 2014 and caught again at Inchberry on 28 December 2020, after 6 years 9 months. Sandwich Tern DD92262 was ringed on Inner Farne, Farne Islands (Northumberland) on 12 July 2013 and sighted at Findhorn on 22 August 2013.

The district of Moray and Nairn stretches along the southern shore of the Moray Firth from Cullen in the east to Nairn in the west. Shag white HHT was ringed on the Isle of May (Fife NT6599) on 18 July 2018 and sighted at Findhorn Bay (NJ0364) on 21 November 2018, after 4 months. Sandwich Tern yellow UBT (DK52586) was ringed on Inner Farne (Farne Islands) on 20 June 2015 and sighted at RSPB Ham Wall (Somerset) on 29 May 2018, at Kartong (THE GAMBIA) on 19 September 2019, at Formby Point (Liverpool) on 16 July 2019 and on Findhorn beach (NJ0364) on 4 August 2020, after 5 years 1 month. Sandwich Tern blue KNA was ringed as a breeding adult at Scolt Head (Norfolk) on 31 May 2018 and sighted on Findhorn beach (NJ0364) on 7 September 2019, after 1 year 3 months. pm) Whooper Swan 7, Goldeneye 5, Wigeon 300, Raven 1 (flew over) Cloddach quarry Martin & Jenny Cook

Shag 1493206 (green CNS) was ringed on the Isle of May (Fife NT6599) as a nestling in summer 2017 and sighted at Portgordon harbour (NJ3964) on 8 October 2017. Sandwich Tern DE65761 was ringed at the Ythan estuary (Aberdeenshire) on 5 June 2013 and sighted at Findhorn on 18 August 2013. There are extensive woodlands largely composed of conifer plantations. In many areas however these are sufficiently mature to have been colonised by Crested Tits, Siskins and crossbills. Capercaillies persist in very small numbers. The birchwoods of the upland glens ring with the song of Willow Warblers and Tree Pipits in spring; Redstarts and Spotted Flycatchers also breed. Two wonderful rivers, the Spey and the Findhorn, lend much to the character of the area and many smaller rivers and streams drain the interior into the Moray Firth. Typical breeding species are Dipper, Grey Wagtail and Common Sandpiper. Goosanders inhabit the smaller upland tributaries with a few Red-breasted Mergansers breeding on the lower reaches.

Sandwich Tern blue KKP was ringed at Scolt Head (Norfolk) on 9 June 2017 and sighted at Port Seton (Lothian) on 7 August 2020 and on Findhorn beach (NJ0364) on 9 September 2020, after 3 years 3 months. Kittiwake EX33795 was ringed on the Isle of May ( Fife NT6599) on 26 June 2016 and sighted on Findhorn beach (NJ0364) on 22 August 2016 after 1 month 3 weeks. Iceland Gull yellow T:36T was ringed at Peterhead harbour (Aberdeenshire NK1346) on 22 December 2020 and sighted at the Lossie estuary (NJ2470) on 26 February 2021, after 2 months 4 days.The channels of the Findhorn River in the south western corner are some of the hardest to get to but some of the birds that can be seen here include Little Grebe, Common Sandpiper, Grey Wagtail and on rare occasions Kingfisher and Little Egret. In winter there will also be good numbers of Teal, Mute Swan and Grey Heron. Grey Wagtail 1, Purple Sandpiper 1 (at headland), Velvet Scoter 3 (offshore) Burghead Allan Lawrence Sandwich Tern green EDJ (DT02590) was ringed as a nestling at Forvie (Aberdeenshire NK0025) on 16 June 2014 and sighted at Findhorn Bay (NJ0463) on 2 October 2021, after 7 years 3 months. Mosset Burn will usually hold wildfowl in winter such as Teal, Wigeon and Mallard. The grassy areas either side will often have large numbers of feeding geese in spring. The southern end of the bay also holds the main overnight roost for Pink-footed Geese during the winter.