Arbuthnott Estate Cottages – Sunset Song, Arbuthnott

Bird watching in Aberdeenshire

Aberdeenshire offers over 150 miles of coastline, ancient fishing harbours, and rolling hills of countryside which provide a stunning backdrop in which to discover birds and wildlife.

The dramatic cliffs of the Bullers of Buchan, just 27 miles north of Aberdeen, are a popular nesting site in spring for colonies of puffins and guillemots. Grey seals and dolphins can also be spotted in the area.

Cambus o’May, a tranquil pine woodland about an hour’s drive west of Aberdeen, is a great place to see ground forest birds such as black grouse and capercaillie, and if you’re lucky a golden eagle soaring overhead. If you want a guaranteed siting of this majestic bird though, head to Huntly Falconry Centre in Cairnie, where you can interact with birds of prey and watch stunning flying displays.

The RSPB reserve, the Loch of Strathbeg, is Britain’s largest dune loch, and home to thousands of wintering wildfowl, including a fifth of the world’s pink-footed geese. In spring look out for breeding terns, gulls, and warblers. Spoonbills have also been reported on the loch.

Another dune reserve is Forvie National Nature Reserve, a place of stark beauty that has been compared to the Sahara Desert. It’s particularly renowned for its birds, including a breeding colony of eiders. There is also a seal haul-out nearby on the mouth of the Ythan.