When to see
Although a few Knot are occasionally seen around the bay in summer, the main population over-wintering will arrive in late August and stay to March when they will make their long migration back to the breeding grounds, some as far away as arctic Canada. Over the winter their numbers fluctuate as the birds do not stay on the bay the whole time. Occasionally a much larger flock of 2000+ birds comes into the bay, but this group is more often seen on the coast between Nairn and Burghead. Findhorn Bay can also be a stop over for birds migrating in spring and autumn from further south.
Where to see
At low water Knot can be seen feeding on the centre of the bay in groups. They tend to stay in fairly tight groups unlike the Dunlin which spread out much more when feeding. At high water they will roost around the edge of the bay. The beach is another location where they can sometimes be seen feeding.
Plumage
For most of the time we see Knot in their winter plumage which is generally light grey above and white underneath. On a dull day this colouration can make them hard to spot at a distance on the bay. Before they migrate in spring they can often be seen in their breeding plumage with their striking red under-parts and more colour on the upper-parts. Juveniles returning in late summer have an orange-pinkish wash underneath and a more patterned back.
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