H FIRTH OF FORT
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the site, with several species of warbler to be found here.
6 It’s always worth checking the scrub and woodlands around
North Berwick Bass Rock
5
The seabird cities of Bass Rock, Forth Islands & Dunbar Harbour
* * *
Also at this time, you might come across some highly mobile, shimmering flocks of Golden Plover in the area.
Gannet plunge diving close inshore (Feb-Oct)
Tremendous gaggles of Pink-footed Geese touching down on Aberlady Bay (Sept-Nov)
Some of nature’s top spectacles to look out for during your visit:
Belhaven Bay
& Bass Rock
From breeding seabirds to wintering wildfowl and from scarce passage waders to rare vagrants, the coastline of East Lothian provides unforgettable birdwatching all year round.
4
The best time to visit the bird reserve (wader scrapes) is high tide. Shallow pools offer rich pickings for feeding waders and wildfowl and most of the common waders can be seen here. Check out the pond for Grey Heron and diving ducks on your way over to the wader scrapes. In summer, Swallows, Martins and Swifts carry out low altitude fly-bys for insects above the water’s surface. the grassland, and migrants such as Wheatear.
3 Look out for Skylark and Meadow Pipit, which breed amongst 2
Going east along the wall, Skylark sea duck such as the dapperly dressed Eider and Velvet Scoter are present throughout the year with Slavonian Grebe, Goldeneye and divers seen in winter.
On the doorstep of Scotland’s capital city
If it’s birds you’re here to see, you’re in luck all year round
Welcome to the East Lothian coast
* rgh dinbu To E
* Goosander at close range (July- (June-July) * Creches of days-old Eider chicks ipe (autumn best) * Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff and Sn
A great site to see...
view Red-necked Grebe. The best place in Britain to + moulting individuals present Numbers usually peak at 40 in late summer.
Gosford Bay
from the seawall at the east side of the river mouth, best 2-3 hours before high tide. A rich diversity of waders, wildfowl and gulls can be viewed at close range on the rising tide.
1 START
With a dramatic and varied patchwork of habitats along 40 miles of coastline (including estuaries, beaches, cliffs, dunes, rocky islands, salt marsh and man-made lagoons), a corresponding large number of bird species can be seen within a relatively small and accessible geographical area.
Using Ferny Ness as a vantage point, Gosford Bay is an excellent place to observe sea ducks, divers and grebes. Good numbers of Slavonian Grebe and Red-breasted Merganser are present over winter, alongside rafts of Long-tailed Duck and Common Scoter. Calm weather at high tide is an advantage. The evening gull roost at the west end of the bay (on Seton Sands) can include the odd Mediterranean Gull, particularly in autumn and winter.
7
Red-necked Gr 54 B64
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* One of the best sites to view ed by a man-made seawall * A patchwork of habitats enclos birds at close range
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1 Ash Lagoon
River Esk mouth
River Esk
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2
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s an np sto Pre To
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Ash Lagoon
5 Wader scrapes + 3 hides
Eider
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Boating Pond
Musselburgh Lagoons
Tra nen t
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Golf course Racecourse
August)
Long-tailed Duck
A19 9
A199
ebe
KEY
Suggested route John Muir Way Driving road Rough track road Places to park Scrub/woodland Hide Visit us at SOC HQ
Telephone: 01875 871 330 Email: mail@the-soc.org.uk Website: www.the-soc.org.uk
The SOC Waterston House Aberlady East Lothian EH32 0PY
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ar John Muir Dunb White Sands Country Park Barns Ness
ACK? sightings on BIRDTR Why not enter your lunteer-surveys/birdtrack www.bto.org/vo
Contact us
© The SOC 2015. The SOC is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation SC009859. Design by LSDZIN www.lsdzin.com. Slavonian Grebe by Ray Wilson www.raywilsonbirdphotography.co.uk. Red-necked Grebe by Hugh Harrop www.hughharrop.com. Belhaven Bay Aerial image by Cameron McVean/ Ashton Communication. Pink-footed Geese at Waterston House by Ian Andrews. Bass Rock cover image by Roy Merrifield www.roymerrifieldphotography.com. Waterston House image by June Scott. All other photography courtesy of Laurie Campbell www.lauriecampbell.com. Leaflet reprinted August 2015.
Watching over our birds
Join us... Whether you’re new to birdwatching, a keen ornithologist or somewhere in between, the SOC can help you further your knowledge and enjoyment of Scotland’s wonderful birdlife.
Who are we? On the one hand, a birdwatching club. The SOC is Scotland’s bird club with 15 branches around the country and a growing membership of over 3000. We bring together like-minded individuals with a passion for birds, nature and conservation.
Scotland’s
Bird Club
On the other, a network of volunteers across Scotland, gathering vital information about our wild birds. Recording and monitoring is our bread and butter. The data we collect is made available to conservationists, planners and developers and is one of the first points of reference in informed conservation planning.
What’s in it for you?
AFTER YOUR VISIT
+ an anonymous donor
www.facebook.com/ scotlandsbirdclub www.twitter.com/ scottishbirding
Waterston House
Height barrier: Height barriers are in existence.
A walk up the River Esk is productive whatever the season. Dipper and Grey Wagtail are resident, as are the geese in the autumn (Sept/Oct best), and swans.
the tide tables. Make sure you check of a telescope For scanning, the usee your visit! could enhanc charges may apply PLEASE NOTE: Parkinge locations featured. at a number of th
9 A19
BEFORE YOU GO...
Gosford Bay
* Please note this is a premium rate service. Visit www.the-soc.org.uk/birdline-scotland/ for more information.
Aberlady
Height barrier: There is a height barrier at the entrance off the B1348.
* Lothian Bird News groups.yahoo.com/group/lothianbirdnews/ information on bird sightings and rarities * inFortheup-to-the-minute Lothians, contact Birdline Scotland on 09068 700234*
B1348
Slavonian Grebe
& artists’ prints Wildflower garden (seasonal) Toilets Tea/coffee making facilities
HADDINGTON
The SOC is very grateful for the financial support received from the following funders:
Information on birdwatching in East Lothian
Musselburgh
Wheelchair access: The path around the car park at Longniddry Bents is rough and hilly making it difficult for wheelchair users, however some of the best birdwatching can be from your car!
Wheelchair access: The seawall and hides are wheelchair accessible from the boating pond car park only.
* * *
The perfect place to begin your birding trip to the area or if you’re new to birdwatching and looking to get started.
A1
resources * Birdwatchingting s board * Recent sigh * Tide tables pment * Optical equi gallery * Wildlife art programme r-round * Yea of events and exhibitions children’s corner * Library and food , cards, s, bird * Gift ks boo second-hand
your journey to the coast using public transport at * Plan www.traveline.info or call 0871 200 22 33 * First Bus Edinburgh timetable information www.firstgroup.com train timetables, fare and ticket information * Scotrail www.scotrail.co.uk or call 0344 556 5636 * Walk or cycle the John Muir Way www.johnmuirway.org and site information can change. If in doubt check with * Access the landowner or East Lothian Countryside Ranger Service.
99 A1
About Waterston House
To Edinburgh
Getting to East Lothian
The SOC
EE FR
Useful information
Open 7 days a week (except over the festive period). Check website for detailed opening hours.
Enjoy Scotland’s outdoors responsibly • take responsibility for your own actions • respect the interests of other people • care for the environment.
* Welcome pack PLUS...
and * Talks outings across Scotland
Access to * Scotland’s
largest ornithological library
opportunity * toTheconnect with leading bird experts
Club’s journal * The every quarter
free thank you *giftA when you pay by Direct Debit**
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP RATES
Adult (aged 18+) £32 Family (2 adults and all juniors at the same address) £43 Junior/Student (in full time education) £12 Unwaged (in receipt of state benefit) £12 Concession (pensioner) £24 Joint Concession (at same address) £31 To join the SOC or for more information about membership call 01875 871 330 visit www.the-soc.org.uk or email membership@the-soc.org.uk *Rates
Scottish Ornithologists’ Club
www.the-soc.org.uk
valid until August 2017, subject Offer not available to previous introdu to change thereafter. ctory offer subscribers. Please note, a £15 postage supplem ent applies to non-UK addresses. **Terms and conditions apply. See website for details.
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