News

Over the last few weeks numbers of Wigeon have continued to rise and there are now around 3,200. Their numbers are fairly steady at the moment and this may be around the maximum we will see, although it is possible that there are still a few more to arrive.

Over the last few days there has been a spectacular influx of Pink-footed Geese and this morning there were 10,500. They are still arriving and we may well see this number increase over the next week or so. By the end of October good numbers of these will move on to over-winter on estuaries further south. Mixed in with these have been other species such as Barnacle and Brent Geese and yesterday a Snow Goose.

Another recent arrival has been the Whooper Swans with 20 seen on the Bay yesterday and more sightings today. Numbers of waders have not changed a great deal although Dunlin are up to 1000 and about 150 Golden Plover and 4 Grey Plover are around the bay off the bird-hide.

Other regular sightings over the last couple of weeks has been a Little Egret near the Mosset channel and a Kingfisher by the channels on the south-west corner of the bay. Among the departures have been the Osprey with the last seen about a week ago.

 

The influx of waders into Findhorn Bay has continued over the last few weeks. There are now in excess of 750 Redshank, 350 Curlew and 600 Oystercatcher. Numbers of Knot are fluctuating a bit although they are a regular feature at the moment on the Bay. Among the 500 or so Dumin and 100 Ringed Plover there have also been sightings of Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint over the last couple of weeks.

The duck and geese always arrive a bit later and they have not appeared in any great number yet, although there are around 300 Wigeon and 150 Teal as well as 11 Pintail. Among the geese there has been a group of 100+ Canada Geese and a 13 Barnacle Geese recently, but the Pink-footed Geese have yet to arrive.

Passing through the area at the moment are Wheatears and several sightings have been reported along the coast including at Findhorn. Finally, a few Osprey still remain and can be seen fishing on the Bay but they will be departing over the next 3 weeks.