Wildlife Watching

The entire length of the coast from Fraserburgh to St Cyrus is great for wildlife watching-no matter where you go you are sure to see something. Even really busy places like the Donmouth in Aberdeen or the busy harbours such as Fraserburgh and Peterhead can be havens for all sorts of wildlife; don’t think just because it is noisy there will be nothing to see.  However, you do have to be in the right time at the right place and be prepared!

 

Wildlife Watching Tips!

Move slowly and quietly-if you are in a quiet place watching animals any noise or fast movement will scare them away

Use binoculars instead of trying to get really close

Wear natural coloured clothes such as greens and browns-pink is very nice but it will scare stuff away

Hide behind any trees or rocks when you are watching

Why not take some paper and a pencil with you and draw what you see to help you identify the wildlife when you get home

Identifying animals by looking at their tracks is also fun, try looking at the prints left in the sand by birds at low tide and see if you can identify who made them. Swimming birds like ducks will leave webbed footprints, whereas wading birds which walk on mud, will leave tracks with long slender toes spread wide apart (their long toes help to spread their weight and stops them sinking in the mud).

The wildlife and the coast are very special, take care not to disturb them and take all litter home with you or find a bin!

 

What to take

Warm clothes, including a hat as it gets very cold at the beach if you are sat still for a long time

Waterproof jacket

Binoculars and camera if you have them

A notebook and pencil to write down and draw what you have seen

Lunch (very important)