Aberlady Bay, the estuary of the Peffer Burn west, lies on the Firth of Forth 15 miles east of Edinburgh. The extensive mudflats, musselbeds, intertidal sand and saltmarsh extend to 1100 acres and are bordered by dunes, calcareous grassland, freshwater marsh, pools, scrub and woodland. Five golf courses adjoin the area and the adjacent sea is also rich in birdlife. This wide range in habitats within a fairly small area supports a varied population of resident and migratory birds and its accessibility leads to good observer-coverage. These two factors have given Aberlady a high birdlist - 249 species by 1988. The site has been designated a Grade 1 Site of Special Scientific Interest on geological, botanical and ornithological grounds and Aberlady Bay is managed by East Lothian District Council as a Local Nature Reserve.

Access

The reserve is open to the public at all times but it is an important aim of management to ensure that visitor usage does not adversely affect the wildlife of the area. Those whose interests are rather general are encouraged to use other sections of the East Lothian coastline, but bona fide naturalists are welcome. All visitors are asked to avoid disturbance by following the main paths and dogs should be exercised elsewhere. The full-time warden, who can be contacted for advice at any reasonable time (telephone 01875 870588), posts a regular bulletin, indicating some of the birds to look out for, at the far end of the Timber Bridge. Groups are asked to make prior arrangement with him so that he may advise on suitable tides and routes and ensure an even spread of party visits throughout the year.

The site can be reached by car or bus (124 or 125 from St Andrew's Square Bus Station, half-hourly service) via the A198 Musselburgh-North Berwick road. The nearest railway station is at Longniddry, three miles away. From the car park at the Timber Bridge, a path leads northwards to Gullane with a spur, just past the Sewage Works, leading to the beach. A private road from Aberlady to Kilspindie (pedestrian access only) leads to a path round the north side of Kilspindie Golf Course to Gosford Bay. Keys to a hide on this path can be obtained by visiting parties on application to the Warden. Maggie's Loup, the clifftop with concrete defence blocks at the west side of Gullane Bay, is a good, if exposed, vantage point. Even at low tide some wildfowl will be close in at Gullane Point and, although the viewpoint is not so high, one can usually obtain some shelter from the wind here. The dunes at Aberlady and the edge of the Kilspindie Golf Course provide some elevation but little shelter and it is really only at high tide that seabirds are sufficiently close in for these stances to be worthwhile. The little promontory (Bellfire Knowe) 100 yards along the Kilspindie road is a particularly good viewpoint as the incoming tide is filling up Aberlady Bay.

This is perhaps the season that Aberlady has most to offer the birdwatcher but be warned that the site is exposed and can be very cold! Pink-footed Geese numbers peak in early November with 15,100 recently and they can be seen regularly until January - a superb spectacle as they flight in at dusk from feeding areas. These are usually to the south-east, near Drem, and it is there that the flocks are best searched through for the presence of an occasional White-front or Bean. Barnacles and Greylags are regularly found in the flocks at Aberlady and Snow Goose is almost annual in occurrence. Geese like to roost undisturbed on the water or sand at the entrance to the Bay and are best watched from the Car Park or the road to Kilspindie. Brents (both races) occur frequently but usually keep separate from other geese and feed on the saltings. A flock of Whooper Swans, usually 40-50 strong roosts at Aberlady and a few Bewick's are sometimes found amongst them. Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, Shelduck and Goldeneye are the ducks likely to be seen in the Bay with the occasional Pintail, Shoveler or Tufted Duck. The sea off Aberlady and nearby Gullane Bay is especially good for wildfowl: Eider, Long-tailed Duck, Common and Velvet Scoter and Red-breasted Merganser are the main species with small numbers of Scaup and sometimes a Surf Scoter. Red-throated is by far the commonest Diver with largest numbers in Gullane Bay in late afternoon when they gather to roost. Black-throated and Great Northern Divers are seen fairly regularly and White-billed has been identified on a handful of occasions. Red-necked and Slavonian Grebes are common in winter but Black-necked is a considerable rarity. A calm sea and a telescope are essential for counting these birds but a few individuals can usually be picked out closer inshore.

Although there are high numbers of waders in winter, the range of species is smaller than at passage periods and they are in drab plumage. This is the time, however, for seeing Purple Sandpiper on the rocks at Gullane - strangely, they are almost unheard of at Kilspindie. Influxes of Snipe occur when severe weather elsewhere drives them to the coast and an odd Jack Snipe can sometimes be flushed from the saltmarsh. Merlin and Peregrine are often attracted by the waders at high tide and have disrupted many a counting session! Fieldfares (up to 5000) are supported by Sea Buckthorn berries, especially in severe weather, and a few wintering Blackcaps may also be seen there. A large flock of Crows, sometimes including Hoodies, also feeds on these fruits. On the saltmarsh look for Snow and Lapland Buntings (often identified only by flight-calls), Twites, Lesser and Mealy Redpolls and occasionally Shore Larks. Expect to see half-a-dozen Short-eared Owls hunting on calm afternoons and Long-eareds sometimes roost by day in the thickets - please wait for them to emerge at dusk rather than going in to flush them. Patience and luck are also required to see Water Rails which turn up at the Marl Loch each winter.

An influx of Lesser Black-backed Gulls in early March presages spring and the first Wheatear is often seen before the month is out. This season is an exciting one at Aberlady with daily arrivals of migrants and the constant likelihood that you're missing the action by being at the wrong end of the reserve! A wide ranges of passerine species arrives to breed and many others simply pass through. Willow Warblers sing from the Sea Buckthorn thickets and a few Lesser Whitethroats rattle from the taller bushes. Hirundines and Swifts hunt over the freshwater Marl Loch and migrant Tree Pipits may be identified by their calls as they fly over. Pied and White Wagtails feeding at the edge of the saltmarsh are often joined by Yellows (of several races) whilst Grey Wagtails tend to keep to the area of the Timber Bridge. A small duck rising from a pool is probably a Teal but Shovelers are regular at this season and the rarer Garganey has stayed to breed on a few occasions. Check whether that's a Whinchat (common) or a scarcer Stonechat (only slowly regaining its numbers after a catastrophic fall caused by hard winters).

Lapwings, Redshanks, Ringed Plovers and Snipes all breed here and a pair of Dunlin and Woodcock usually also nest. The winter waders such as Grey Plover and Bar-tailed Godwit are now assuming their summer finery. Fresh water may hold Wood Sandpipers, Ruffs or perhaps a Temminck's Stint whilst Greenshanks, Common Sandpipers and Black-tailed Godwits feed on the estuary. Compare Arctic and Common Terns on the beach, watch Sandwich Terns plunge-diving into the sea or perhaps the rarer Little by the Bridge at high tide. Marsh Harrier is recorded almost annually in spring and an Osprey may fly over with its attendant flock of mobbing Crows or Oystercatchers. Spring days are never long enough!

Early June may see the arrival of a late passage migrant such as Turtle Dove or Red-backed Shrike and is often the peak of Sanderling passage - these waders time their arrival on their Arctic breeding grounds to coincide with the melting of the snows. Birds breeding locally advertise their territorial possession by song: Sedge Warblers and Reed Buntings are abundant in the marsh, Linnets, Meadow Pipits and Skylark in drier grassland and Redpolls, Bullfinches and Blackcaps use the Sea Buckthorn spinneys for nesting. Drab Eider ducks seem to nest everywhere and usually sit tight. Should you accidentally flush one cover its three to five eggs with grass or down to hide them from Crows.

Tern flocks should be checked in summer for the presence of Roseates and Little Gulls, mostly immatures, often appear at this time. On the sea look for Puffins from Fidra or Craigleith and passing Manx Shearwaters from further afield. Great Crested and Red-necked Grebes start to assemble in late summer - at this time they are all adults in full summer plumage and are probably failed breeders. As early as mid-June local Lapwings are already flocking and Golden Plovers have started arriving from the hills.

This is primarily a time for looking at waders at Aberlady with twenty species in a day not too difficult to achieve. If the tide is out or during neap tides view from the main road or walk up the private road to Kilspindie (no cars here please). It is much better however to visit on a spring tide when waders will be pushed in from feeding areas in Aberlady and Gosford Bays to roosting sites. For the smaller species this is usually at the sandpit, for larger waders the saltmarsh at the east side of the Bay, opposite the Marl Loch. It is best to settle down and wait for the water to bring the birds to you but please, what ever you do, don't walk along the water's edge putting everything to flight. Bar-tailed Godwits and Knot are often in orange breeding plumage and black-and-silver Grey Plover are particularly fine. Look amongst the Dunlin for Curlew Sandpipers from Siberia, first the adults and later the fresh-plumaged juveniles. These, and the sparrow-sized Little Stints, occur annually but are much commoner in some years than in others. Dusky-plumaged Spotted Redshanks dash after prey in the Peffer Burn and Whimbrels betray their presence in the large Curlew flocks by their seven-note whistling. Occasionally all the waders will rise in panic and an alert watcher may find the culprit - perhaps a Merlin, Peregrine or Sparrowhawk.

Most of the passerine summer migrants depart in August and, although species such as Tawny Pipit and Bluethroat have occurred in autumn, spring passage is generally better here. Seawatching from Gullane Point can be worthwhile, especially in strong onshore winds when Bonxies and Arctic Skuas can be expected and Pomarines and Black Terns are also regular. Long-tailed Skua and Sooty Shearwater have been seen here very occasionally but Little Auks are perhaps regular in November gales.

By mid-September the first Pink-footed Geese have arrived from Iceland and flocks of Barnacles may be with them by the end of the month, en route for Caerlaverock.

Peter Gordon

Barns Ness is the most visited migration watch point on East Lothian's North Sea coast. It is not a prominent geographical focus for migrants and rarities like St Abbs or Fife Ness; rather one of many localities down the east coast which attract a variety of migrants. A total of 208 species have been recorded (up to the end of 1988 and mainly since 1976).

Where to go

Access to Barns Ness is off the A1 immediately north of Torness Power Station, and there is a car park next to the beach. The promontory is owned by East Lothian District Council and access is open to the general public, except for the lighthouse grounds and camping site.

It is a good idea to check the area around the wire dump first, as this will be a guide to whether there are any migrants about. The round trip (see map) takes in most of the habitats and takes at least an hour. The walk in front of the lighthouse (have a look in the garden) takes you to an area of seaweed wrack, from where you can cut back through the marram grass and then the gorse to the camp site. If this is open to campers (April to end September) you will have to skirt round and back to the wire dump; if closed it is well worth walking through, checking the plantation and buckthorn hedges which provide some of the best cover in the area. The sycamores by the camp site entrance are worth a look in any case. To see migrant passerines you may need patience and perseverance. Migrants can be confiding but can be easily scared into thick cover, never to appear again. Wander around slowly, looking at any movement in cover; if there is a wind find a sheltered, sunny spot and wait a while. You will soon discover the most productive areas. In fall conditions a night in the camp site and early walk may well pay dividends.

If seawatching there are two possibilities. In most circumstances you are best watching from just north of the lighthouse (where you can also watch from a car in inclement weather). However, in the foulest weather, you will have difficulty seeing over the breaking waves from there and it is better to forfeit some distance for a little extra height; park by the gorse near the wire dump and use a telescope from there. Estimate the numbers of the common species (Kittiwake, Fulmar, Gannet etc) as well as the scarcer species - this is easiest done by making an accurate count of one species over say 6 minutes and multiplying this up to give a total of birds per hour.

Barns Ness is not a place where you can guarantee easily seeing lots of birds! However, there is probably more to see than you expect, and in all sorts of weather conditions. Large passerine falls and seabird passages occur only infrequently and an opportunity to visit in these conditions should not be missed. However, that is not to say that Barns Ness is not always worth a visit.

Rather few people go to Barns Ness between December and February. In common with other stretches of rocky East Lothian coastline, waders and sea duck occur in moderate numbers; Turnstone and Purple Sandpiper are the most noteworthy. Gales, especially from the north or east, provide interest in winter with divers, Little Auks and Glaucous Gull to look out for.

In the latter half of March the Rock Pipits along the shore are worth a close look. In 1985 it was first recognised that most of them were of the Scandinavian race littoralis - at this time of the year these have greyer upperparts, a more prominent supercilium and a pink flush on the breast. Up to 20 can be present presumably on passage. Early spring migrants, like Wheatear, Chiffchaff, Black Redstart and White Wagtail, rarely turn up before 1st April, but from then passage birds pass through until late May. Falls in April are most likely to consist of Wheatear, Goldcrest, Robin and Blackbird. In April diurnal passage, especially of Meadow Pipits, can be marked in westerly weather; hirundines, finches are also involved. In 1988, a Stone-curlew was flushed from the grassland on the way to Skateraw.

Later in the spring light easterly winds accompanied by drizzle, and fine conditions to the south of the North Sea, lead you on an expectant search for that elusive trio - Bluethroat, Wryneck and Red-backed Shrike - all of which have occurred reasonably frequently in recent years. The commonest migrants associated with such falls are Willow Warblers, and if you find a Redstart, Lesser Whitethroat or Pied Flycatcher you know you have picked the right day. A few Tree Pipits pass over during passage. Yellow Wagtails have become a regular feature of spring and at least one pair has bred annually since 1984. Seabirds are not a prominent feature of spring visits with passages of terns and Manx Shearwaters more frequent than skuas. Unusual raptors such as Osprey, Marsh Harrier and Hobby have also been seen.

The gorse patches hold breeding Linnet, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Yellowhammer etc, and before their disappearance from Lothian, the occasional Stonechat. With the establishment of the large trees behind the campsite, other species like Blackbird, Song Thrush, Carrion Crow, Robin now breed. Migrants such as Whitethroat and Sedge and Willow Warblers may also stay to breed in the area. Ringed Plover, Moorhen, Shelduck, Jackdaw, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Starling also breed - but interestingly no House Sparrows! It is most useful to know the status of resident birds in order to assess the extent of a small fall.

It is worth visiting Barns Ness from August until early November, and in common with spring, easterly winds will provide most variety of birds. In August to early September seawatching can be productive even on fine, sunny days; in these conditions waders migrate along the coast - Whimbrel are the most obvious as they nearly always call as they fly overhead. Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Ruff, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper and Green Sandpiper all occur in small numbers and may occasionally stay for a short period on the beach or rock pools. This is also a good time to see a Black Tern drift past. Needless to say large passages occur in moderate to strong north to east winds with Arctic Skuas and Manx Shearwaters predominating early in the autumn. Sooty Shearwaters are by no means common but Barns Ness and St Abb's Head are the only local places where they are regularly seen. Other seabirds recorded include Storm and Leach's Petrels, Balearic Shearwater, Long-tailed Skua, Sabine's Gull and Great Shearwater. Passerine falls at this time mainly concern Willow Warblers - other likely migrants include Spotted and Pied Flycatchers, Redstart, Whinchat, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat. Reed Warbler and Icterine Warbler are rare visitors; in August 1985 a Greenish Warbler frequented the sycamores, and on 4th September 1965 a Woodchat Shrike was ringed in the wire dump. Up to 40 Tree Sparrows and maybe a Corn Bunting also pass through in August - but where do they come from?

Later in the autumn, during late September to early November, the variety of birds likely to turn up changes considerably. Blackcap and Goldcrest are predominate in falls, along with the commoner winter visitors such as Redwing, Fieldfare and Brambling. The bushes may also hold species like Chiffchaff, Garden Warbler, tits (which occur on passage only), Blackbird, Robin and Dunnock. Rarities recorded at this time of year are Pallas's, Yellow-browed and Barred Warblers, Little Bunting, Richard's Pipit, Great Grey Shrike, Scarlet Rosefinch and Red-breasted Flycatcher. Visible (or diurnal) migration is a little-studied aspect of Barns Ness passage which occurs in the first 2-3 hours of daylight often in clear westerly weather. Species involved include Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Siskin, Redpoll, Snow Bunting, Lapland Bunting and Snipe. As the autumn progresses seawatching is dominated more by Great Skua, Kittiwakes, divers, occasional Little Gulls and only straggling Manx Shearwaters. In the last couple of years gales in early November have proved excellent for watching Pomarine Skuas, with 37 on 3-4th November 1984 and 108 on 31st October 1985. Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Merlin and Short-eared Owl are the more frequently seen raptors on autumn passage; Hen Harrier and Long-eared Owl have occurred.

During autumn, ducks pass Barns Ness in considerable numbers, and most passage occurs in westerly weather. Wigeon, Teal and Goldeneye are the most regular species during August to October with smaller numbers of scoter, merganser and the other diving ducks.

Barns Ness may be the most convenient and well watched site in the area but there are several other sites on the North Sea coast with excellent potential for receiving migrant passerines and for watching seabirds. Some of these localities are on private land and due consideration should be taken. From north to south these are: Seacliff, Scoughall-Pefferside, Tyninghame area (covered separately), small clumps of woodland and gorse between Dunbar and Barns Ness, Skateraw (by Torness car park and up Dry Burn), Torness including the Visitor's Centre, Thorntonloch and scrub at the mouths of Bilsdean and Dunglass Burns. In addition to the more frequent migrants the following have also been recorded at these sites: Bluethroat, Turtle Dove, Red-backed Shrike, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Nightingale, Pallas's, Arctic and Reed Warbler and Rustic Bunting.

This site lies between Linlithgow and Bathgate in West Lothian and reaches 312m (just over 1000 ft) near Cairnpapple. But it is from the top of Cockleroy that one can see, on a clear day, from Goatfell on Arran to Bass Rock. The main routes into the Bathgate Hills are on unclassified roads which come off the B9080 at Linlithgow and off the A89 at Bathgate, but access can also be obtained via Dechmont, Uphall, Bridgend or Kingscavil.

Within the Bathgate Hills lies the 800 acre Beecraigs Country Park with Beecraigs Loch as one of its many attractions (see map). In summer the Park Centre occasionally organises birdwatching walks to suit the amateur as well as the expert: telephone Linlithgow 844516 for details. The centre, which is a few hundred yards NW of the loch, is open Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday 1-6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. During the winter it is open the same times Monday-Thursday, closed on Friday and Saturday, and open on Sunday 11am-4pm. There are several car parks and a multitude of walks in the Park (see free leaflet from the Centre for details of the latter). Although there is virtually unrestricted access to all parts of the Country Park, this is not the case with the rest of the Bathgate Hills. It is in the interest of all that the public does not abuse the privilege of access to or across private land. REMEMBER THE COUNTRY CODE. Thus at Bangour and Lochcote Reservoirs, there are no car parking facilities - indeed vehicular access to Lochcote is prohibited. In this case, park at the village of Torphichen and walk: it doesn't take long.

The rich variety of habitats, the lochs and reservoirs; slopes with heather, bracken and gorse; arable land and meadows; plantations of mixed conifer and stands of deciduous woodland; streams, ditches, dykes and hedges, all provide sanctuary and sustenance for a considerable variety of wildlife. Although some 100 species of birds have been recently recorded in the Country Park, several may be seriously under-recorded and regular visits could easily rectify this situation.

In spring, small numbers of Fieldfare are seen between March and May but a flock of 250 flew east over Longmuir Plantation early one morning in April 1986. A late Great Grey Shrike was spotted being mobbed by a pair of Blackbirds just south of Cairnpapple at the end of April 1983, after a large influx of these birds to Britain the previous autumn.

Small numbers of returning Swallows and House Martins with the occasional Swift can be seen in late April-May hawking over the waters for insects, especially if the weather is cold and damp. Breeding warblers include Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff and especially Willow Warbler. and other very infrequent visitors have included Grasshopper Warbler (near Bangour), Ring Ouzel and Redstart (Beecraigs) and Jack Snipe (Lochcote).

Other breeding birds of the area include:

a) On the waters 1-2 pairs Little Grebe, 2-3 pairs Mallard and a few pairs of Moorhen and Coot regularly at Bangour (Bg), Beecraigs (Bc) and Lochcote (L); 1 pair Great Crested Grebe most recent years (Bc); 1 pair Heron in the trees on the island (Bc) in 1984-85 and 1 pair used to breed (Bg) in the 1970s; 1 pair Mute Swan (Bc) in 1986-87; 1 pair Greylag (Bc) most recent years; and 1-2 pairs Tufted Duck (Bc) occasionally.

b) On the hills there are usually several pairs of Lapwing and Curlew, the latter mostly around Cairnpapple; an occasional pair of Snipe at the marsh just north of Lochcote, and elsewhere in the hills; 3-4 pairs of Wheatear with 1 pair on the slopes of Cockleroy; Skylarks and Meadow Pipits are everywhere, especially around Cairnpapple; Kestrels are always present and presumably breed locally; Whinchat do not seem to be as common as they were 10 or 20 years ago.

c) In the woods and hedgerows. 1 pair Sparrowhawk nest regularly in Beecraigs Wood, there are probably others; Tawny Owls are always present; probably 2-3 pairs each of Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers (certainly 1 pair Green in the woods NW of Lochcote and 1-2 pairs Great Spotted in Beecraigs Wood); 5-6 pairs of Woodcock (roding birds over the wood south of Cockleroy, Beecraigs Wood, around Bangour Reservoir and Longmuir Plantation); probably 2-3 pairs of Jay almost certainly in Beecraigs Wood and possibly in Longmuir Plantation; dozens of Goldcrests and Coal Tits breed in Beecraig Wood along with occasional Spotted Flycatcher, Tree Pipit and Long-tailed Tit.

Several other interesting birds have been reported in summer. These include a Long-eared Owl surprised in Beecraigs Wood in June 1982 and spotted in the same place in July the following year. Fifty Crossbills were seen in August 1985 in Beecraig Wood although smaller numbers are more usual in the autumn-winter period. A Wood Sandpiper was seen at Bangour in August 1982, and, as far as can be determined, the last sighting of a Corn Bunting in area was in summer 1982.

In autumn-winter, up to 500 Lapwing gather in the newly ploughed fields, a favourite is in front of Riccarton Farm. Flocks of Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Yellowhammers, Woodpigeons and small coveys of Grey Partridge occur, but Goldfinches are less common than they were 5-10 years ago. In recent years up to 15 Little Grebes have been congregating on Beecraigs Loch in October and November. Flocks of Magpies, 20-24 strong, are often seen in the Beecraigs Loch and Torphichen areas.

200-300 Fieldfares with smaller flocks of Redwings arrive in October. Small numbers of Brambling are seen most often in January and February feeding with the other finches. A visitor which is usually seen alone, however, is the Short-eared Owl; a few have been seen in most recent winters.

Numbers of wildfowl increase dramatically at this time of year. Skeins of Pink-footed Geese, sometimes 200-300 strong, make their way south or west over the Bathgate Hills. Increasing numbers of Whooper Swans (45 in November 1986) stay from October to December in the flooded field south of Longmuir Plantation. Best for winter wildfowl is Lochcote: up to 450 Mallard, 200 Tufted Duck, 100 Pochard and 30-40 Teal are regularly seen here between October-December. Wigeon and Goldeneye are seen irregularly. The reservoir normally freezes at some time in January-February forcing the birds to leave. They return, but in smaller numbers, in March. Both Beecraigs and Bangour hold small numbers of wildfowl though 240 Tufted Duck and 150 Mallard are peaks at the former. No doubt there is some movement between the reservoirs in the hills and Linlithgow Loch. Rare visitors include Water Rail (Lochcote) and Pintail (Beecraigs). Cormorants occasionally visit Lochcote and Beecraigs but you have to be up very early to see them.

The area covered by this article includes the east end of Belhaven Bay, Seafield Pond (West Barns), the Biel Burn and the coastal walk between Belhaven and Dunbar. The Biel Burn flows into Belhaven Bay forming a small sandy estuary. Most obvious here are the many gulls which bathe and roost. In winter it is worth looking out for a Glaucous Gull, as it is at Dunbar Harbour, whilst in summer and autumn Kittiwakes are common. An adult Mediterranean Gull was seen on 16th January 1977. Waders occur in relatively small numbers, but on the highest tides a lot of Tyninghame's waders find less disturbance at this end of the bay. Two Avocets were seen in March 1984. Kingfishers have been seen on the river occasionally, even perching on the foot-bridge at Belhaven.

The pond at West Barns, or Seafield Pond as it is also known, was only recently established in its present state. Previously the area included a rubbish tip and was a favoured habitat for Water Rail and Jack Snipe. The pond is now part of the Country Park and is used for canoeing by schools but it still attracts a variety of species. Being one of the only areas of freshwater on Lothian's North Sea coast the pond has great potential, but it is unfortunately rather small, has restricted habitats and it often disturbed. Nevertheless this is East Lothian's main site for Tufted Duck (up to 50!) with Pochard, Coot and Little Grebe in winter. Mute Swan, Mallard, Moorhen and Coot breed. Other species recorded include Slavonian Grebe, Scaup, Garganey, Gadwall, Shoveler, Pintail, Smew, Goosander, Long-tailed Duck, Whooper Swan, Little Gull and Black Tern - so it is always worth a look! Kingfisher make rare visits and Water Rail are still to be heard occasionally. Sedge Warblers breed in the margins, and migrants turn up from time to time at the pond or adjacent scrub. Hoopoe, for example, has turned up several times. The pond's muddy edges yearn for a rare wader, but as yet only Green and Common Sandpipers and Greenshank have been recorded.

The north-western point on the Golf Course juts out into Belhaven Bay and is ideally situated for scanning for seabirds. From this point, and the cliff top further east, a telescope and a calm sea are an advantage. In the second half of winter this bay holds a good number of divers, although birds like Red-necked Grebe and Long-tailed Duck are less numerous than at Gosford or Gullane. Common Scoter occur, but Velvet Scoter and Slavonian Grebe are rarities. Great Northern and Black-throated Divers are not easy to see in Lothian but this is one of the most likely sites. Up to 100 Purple Sandpipers winter here along with a flock of Golden Plover, and Rock Pipits are resident breeders. In summer the cliff nesting House Martins at 'HM' (see map) and the harbour colony of Kittiwakes are worth a visit, while in 1984/85 a male Black Redstart wintered below the cliffs.

Blackness is situated some 3 miles NE of Linlithgow, with the B903 the only access road to Blackness village. A suitable parking place is to be found in a public layby opposite the Blackness Boat Club. From here it is only a few minutes walk to the castle and the Forth.

The site described consists of the bay to the east of Blackness Castle, sometimes identified as Abercorn Bay, but locally known as 'Back Shore'. It is a shallow, muddy bay which is completely covered at all but the lowest of high tides. Blackness Bay itself lies west of the castle but is not included since it is not a favourite haunt of waders or wildfowl - and is not in Lothian Region!

At high tide many waders leave Blackness to roost inland or on the opposite shore, but the ducks approach closer. Some waders do remain to roost on the few exposed rocks to the north of the castle, if the tide does not cover them, but this cannot always be guaranteed. To get the best out of a visit it is essential to time your visit to coincide with a rising tide. Be at the bay some 2 hours before small tides, or 3-3½ hours before larger tides. The best strategy is to study the waders as the tide pushes them in and then scan the bay for ducks etc when the tide has filled the bay.

Some woodland species are to be seen in the scattered trees and gorse near the castle and also on the edge of the West Shore Wood. These are usually represented by tits and finches. In winter thrushes are frequently to be found in the hawthorns. Being far west in Lothian winter Buzzards have been reported in the area. The regular sightings of Corn Buntings are now possibly a thing of the past, but it is still worth keeping an eye open for this West Lothian rarity.

Quite a sizeable number of waders are to be found in the bay in winter but the variety is restricted. Oystercatcher, Redshank, Dunlin, Golden Plover and Lapwing are the most common with smaller numbers of Curlew and Turnstone. Knot, Bar-tailed Godwit, Ringed Plover and the occasional Grey Plover can also be present. In autumn occasional visits from Black-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank and Ruff (45 in the fields in 1976) have been recorded. Other autumn migrants are surely visitors but must go unrecorded at this underwatched site. A Little Stint wintered in the bay (1973/74) - an unusual occurrence in Lothian.

Reasonable numbers of terns visit the bay in autumn with August gatherings of Sandwich and Common Terns. The elusive Roseate Tern, recorded recently at Port Edgar in August, could well make an appearance. A Black Tern was present in September 1987.

Ducks present in late autumn and winter are predominantly Wigeon and Mallard with some Eider, Shelduck, Goldeneye and Red-breasted Mergansers. The Wigeon flock is one of the largest in Lothian and commonly numbers up to 500 (exceptionally 900 in November 1985). Other species can be found, more especially in hard weather when inland sites are ice-bound; Tufted Duck, Pochard, Teal and the occasional Pintail can be present. Marine ducks more common in the outer Forth, such as Common and Velvet Scoter and Long-tailed Duck are absent. However the now less common Scaup has occasionally been recorded.

Divers and grebes reach Blackness but are usually restricted to the commoner species with only Red-throated Diver and Great Crested Grebe being regular; Black-throated and Great Northern Divers have been recorded. Red-necked Grebe are almost annual but Slavonian Grebe is much rarer this far up the Forth. To see the ducks, divers and grebes it is advisable to walk eastwards along the shore (scanning at suitable intervals) as they are usually spread over the entire bay - indeed most of the Wigeon are at the east end of the bay where there is less disturbance.

A mention should be made of the species that are regularly seen at Hound Point moving or migrating westwards. In contrast the same species are rarely, if ever, seen at Blackness. It seems that they either pass over unnoticed at high level or else turn inland or back east before reaching this area. Commoner species at Hound Point, such as Gannet, Manx Shearwater, Fulmar, skuas and Kittiwake are only recorded sporadically. Some species such as Guillemot and Cormorant are seen but there are only a few records of Gannets, skuas and Little Auks at the present time. Perhaps with increased watching and awareness this situation could change.

Calder Wood is part of the Almondell and Calder Wood Country Park run by the local authority. The Wood is open throughout the year and there are no restrictions on access. Parking is available just off Bank Street, in Mid Calder, then down the footpath next to the Masonic Hall, or by parking in the lay-by on the A71, between the two shale bings, then along the road side to the crash barrier, and in.

The woodland contains a variety of different habitats, mature woodland through to marshland. The woodland, mainly ash, oak, birch and elm, with a rich scrub layer, attracts all the regular woodland species, including Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk, Woodcock and Tawny Owl. The more open areas attract Spotted Flycatcher and several pairs of Tree Pipit. The two burns, which form part of the boundary to the wood, hold several pairs of Dipper and Grey Wagtail, and look out for Kingfisher, which is sighted several times a year, normally close to Mid Calder. The high scrub and marsh in the south attract Grasshopper Warbler, Yellowhammer, Long-tailed Tit, Bullfinch, Blackcap and Garden Warbler.

During the summer months the leaf cover combined with the steep valley slopes, especially in the north, can prove most frustrating when trying to view birds, so early morning visits are recommended; this avoids disturbance from the regular park users, joggers and dog-walkers, and ensures the birds are at their most active. Also worthwhile is a late evening visit around sunset, which should be rewarded by a roding Woodcock, and the possibility of seeing a Tawny Owl.

During the winter months good mixed flocks of tits (100+), Goldcrest and Redpoll (up to 50) are worth following for an hour or so, to check for Treecreeper, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Willow Tit (a rarity in Lothian).

Access to Almondell, to the north of Calder Wood, is signposted from the A89 at Broxburn and off the B7015 at East Calder. Car parks, toilets and picnic areas are available at both entrances. Polkemmet Country Park lies between Whitburn and Harthill on the north side of the B7066. The park was formerly a private estate with the River Almond running through the grounds and a mixture of broadleaved and coniferous woodland along its banks. Parking is at the Park Centre.

Cobbinshaw Reservoir is located on high ground (900 feet) on the Forth watershed, and originated as a watering stop for steam trains on the adjacent main line. Like Gladhouse low water levels in the past afforded excellent birdwatching but in recent years the levels have been kept very high, restricting the possibilities for birds. Relatively few wildfowl use the reservoir and the main interest remains a small goose roost, a few Whooper Swans and a Black-headed Gull colony south of the causeway. This area was, and may still be, a major haunt of Jack Snipe in winter (up to 12). A list of uncommon species recorded in the past includes Red-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Whooper and Bewick's Swans, Long-tailed Duck, Marsh Harrier, Osprey, Little Stint, Pectoral Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Green and Wood Sandpipers, Great Skua, Rock Pipit and Reed Warbler. Very few birdwatchers visit this site nowadays - perhaps good birds still turn up! Access is off the minor road between West Calder and Carnwath.

There are several parkland and river walks both north and south of Dalkeith. North, walks through the grounds of Dalkeith House (access at NT334677) take you along the Esk and around the mature woodland and parkland. South of the town, between the A68 and the A7, similar habitats are located in the grounds of Newbattle Abbey College. Woodland birds are abundant and Hawfinch are among the more interesting species present, although the woodpeckers and warblers are more easily seen.

The Dalmeny shore between South Queensferry and Cramond provides varied and productive habitats for birdwatching, but remains surprisingly poorly watched, despite the welcome shelter given from westerly winds and the number of interesting birds reported in the past. For details of seawatching from Hound Point see that section.

The wood and farmlands belong to the Rosebery Estate and access is restricted to the Dalmeny shore path which runs the 3½ miles from Cramond to the Long Craig Gate - the two access points. At Cramond a passenger ferry is the only means of crossing the River Almond; this runs 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (April to September) and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (October to March), but is closed every Friday and between 1 to 2 p.m. daily (and in bad weather). The cost is 50p. Dalmeny House and its gardens are open May to September 2 to 5.30 p.m., except Friday and Saturday and the shore walk can be joined from there.

At high tide many waders leave to roost on Cramond Island but the ducks come in closer, so it is best to be around as the tide is changing. Be at the Cramond end some three hours before a spring tide, but later for neap tides. The best view points, near Ferry Cottage, Eagle Rock, Snab Point, near Dolphinton Burn and at Hound Point are interspersed with wooded sections.

Woodland species are well represented on the estate, but with restrictions of access the chances of seeing them are consequently slim. Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers are quite frequently seen, as are warblers and tits. Buzzards are occasionally seen in winter (but surprisingly find it unsuitable for breeding) and Jays, a localised species in Lothian, are rare but may be heard in the woods.

Many thousands of waders use Drum Sands for feeding in winter and on passage, but the vast majority leave the area at high tide to roost on the islands due to disturbance of the shore roosts. Redshank, Curlew and Oystercatcher are the most numerous, but in autumn Whimbrel, Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwit are occasionally seen, with less frequent Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper. A Spotted Redshank has been regularly seen in winter in recent years - an unusual sight in Lothian.

Large numbers of terns frequent the area with August gatherings of Sandwich Terns, especially at Hound Point, reaching over 500. The sheltered nature of the bay may also explain the lingering of a few Common Terns into mid October. Rarities such as Caspian and Gull-billed Tern have also been recorded.

At all seasons ducks are present in good numbers. Of the few breeding species Shelduck and Eider are the most obvious with 10-35 pairs of each and late June to early July is the best time to see the young. In 1987, a remarkable 450 Eider ducklings were counted. At high tide most of the ducks move inshore between Hound Point and Cramond, with concentrations off Dalmeny House and Cramond. Amongst the large numbers of Mallard, other species most often seen in autumn are Wigeon, Teal, Pintail and Shoveler. Flocks of Red-breasted Merganser, Goldeneye and Eider also winter, but species like Long-tailed Duck and scoter, common in the outer Forth, are virtually absent. Tufted Duck and Pochard may also appear in hard weather. Brent Geese are occasional visitors but tend not to stay very long. A White-billed Diver was observed on 18 February 1978.

A large number of Cormorant winter in the area notably near Inchgarvie, where a count in March 1980 showed 1800 to be present. These birds feed here at certain stages of the tide and roost mainly elsewhere. Numbers of Shags also rest on The Buchans on a rising tide. Herons roost on Inchgarvie during October to February and up to 14 birds have been counted. A huge roost of Starlings make use of the Forth Rail Bridge in winter and their congregation as it gets dark regularly attracts a Peregrine out for an easy meal.