The
diversity of the Aberdeen and Grampian area is
matched only by the variety of its wildlife. From
dolphins playing along stretches of the Moray
Firth, to the proud red deer stag standing atop
the Lairig Ghru - the north east of Scotland is
home to a wide range of different species.
Britain's
fastest flowing river, the Spey, meets the North
Sea at Spey Bay. This sweeping estuary is a great
place to view the Moray Firth's population of
bottlenose dolphins - around 40 sightings are
recorded every month. Seals, minke whales, porpoises
and otters can also be spotted here, as can a
range of wetland birds - including the elusive
osprey. |
|
|
Further
along the coast, the gannet colony at Troup Head
is a major attraction, as it's the only one on
the UK mainland. Or join the photographers, artists
and birdwatchers who flock to the Loch of Strathbeg,
near Fraserburgh - Scotland's largest landlocked
lagoon - every autumn, to see displays of flighting
geese.
The
National Nature Reserve at the Sands of Forvie,
one of the country's largest dune systems, lies
about 12 miles north of the bustling city of Aberdeen,
along the coast. |
Managed
by Scottish Natural Heritage, this spectacular,
unspoilt site boasts a varied habitat of river
estuary, coastal cliffs, colourful moorland and
a beautiful stretch of golden sand dune. |
With
hundreds of different species of birds, including
the largest breeding colony of eider ducks in
the UK, visitors can watch them feed on or near
the mudflats of the Ythan Estuary, or out to sea.
The reserve is home to hundreds of wildfowl and
waders in the winter and breeding eiders and terns
in the summer. The remains of Forvie Kirk, an
old salmon fishing station and a visitor centre
make the reserve well worth a visit. |
|
Upland
reserves such as the beautiful birch woods of the Muir
of Dinnet offer an insight into Scotland's natural habitat,
while there are places deliberately not publicised where
you can spot eagles close up, or ospreys fishing, or
deer rutting.
Why
not visit the Glenlivet Estate on the edge of the North
Eastern Cairngorms, or the 6000 plus acres of the Lochnagar
and Loch Muick Nature Reserve in Royal Deeside? Look
out for many other forms of wildlife including badgers,
foxes, bats, red squirrels and numerous varieties of
birds of prey. With miles of waymarked and sign posted
trails you're sure to find lots to explore.
SUGGESTED
LINKS: Glenlivet
Estate 
Balmoral
Estate
UDAT
|
