Bottle-nosed Dolphins and Minke Whales are now big tourist attractions around the Scottish coastline. Sadly one site on the Moray Firth has become so congested with visitors that it is no longer worth the photographer’s while spending time there.

At this time of year wader flocks are starting to build up in numbers around the Firths. Local Scottish birds are joined by migrants, which have come from as far away as northern Canada and Russia.  Most of our Oystercatchers  are either local or have come the short hop from the Northern or Western Isles of Scotland.

A few Spotted Redshanks pass through on their way south.

A good proportion of the Common Redshank that winter are of Icelantic origin. In the hand they are generally larger than the Scottish birds.