Fort William area (1 Viewer)

[shorebirder]

Hi Visiting Fort William in a weeks time, is the are any good for sea duck,divers,grebes? looking at the map it seems a little too far away from the coast. Can anyone suggest any areas near Fort William or would OBAN or Ardnamurchan area be better for sea ducks??
Thanks
Dave

 

[Quercus]

Fort William is on the coast!

The more sheltered sea lochs (such as at Fort William) are good for Eider, RB merganser, black guillimot and all 3 divers,

Islay is best for wildfowl of all types at this time of year if you can get there!

 

[farndonian]

I know a little the area, although not in late winter. I have seen ducks and divers off Cuilcheanna (c 12m South of Fort William). I also like Kingairloch (South from Fort William to Corran ferry; from the ferry head for Ardnamurchan and left off that road onto B8403) - a beautiful spot with a rare silence interrupted only by the gossiping of eiders last time I was there.

Enjoy yourself; this a beautiful part of the world, although Fort William itself is perhaps slightly less so

Roger

 

[shorebirder]

Thanks both,
Would Oban have more sea ducks? am aware FW is actually on the coast but it is quiet a way up the sea loch. Thought that numbers may dwindle the further up the loch you go. Could off course be completely wrong.
Thanks for any more info
Dave

 

[Dave Kennedy]

Hi, Dave,

If you have access to transport, anywhere with a coastal view along the A861 from Glenuig to Loch Ailort, and then the A830 from Loch Ailort past Arisaig to Mallaig can yield Great Northern Divers. *NOTE* On leaving Arisaig on the way to Mallaig, just as you're leaving Arisaig, turn left on to the old coast road which will bring you back to the main road at the sands of Morar.

You could also try the short Rhu road west out of Arisaig (a dead end - you must return the same way), which offers good seawatching for divers, grebes, ducks etc. Don't ignore any freshwater lochs in the area - I have seen red-throated and black-throated divers on them.

Ferry crossings in the area - e.g. Mallaig-Armadale (Skye), Kilchoan (Ardnamurchan) - Tobermory (Mull), or, if you have a whole day to spare, the Small Isles vessel which sails a round trip from Mallaig to Rum, Eigg, Muck, Canna etc., can yield good seabirds, including gannet, Manx shearwater, razorbill, guillemot, Great Skua and so on. Note that this is dependent on what birds are actually present at this time of year, and Calmac Ferries' winter timetable! Weather too, I guess!

Best wishes,
Dave Kennedy

 

[Geoff Brown]

I saw black guillemots from the Corran Ferry in May last year

 

[gordon hamlett]

Anywhere round the coast is going to be productive but don't expect to see the same numbers of sea ducks that you would see in the Moray Firth.

Staying locally, I would echo the decision to explore Ardnamurchan. Watch at Corran while waiting for the ferry. Black Guillemots nest on the pier on the far shore.

Next stop is Sallachan Point, then any number of places to view Loch Sunart until you get to Ardnamurchan Point itself. Chance of both eagles etc along the way.

If you are driving that far though, it's not much further to get to the Moray Firth with eg Alturlie Point for Scaup plus red kite on Black Isle opposite, Nairn Harbour, Findhorn Bay, Roseisle Forest and Burghead harbour. The picnic site at Roseisle is particularly good, with a great view of Burghead Bay. Walk through to beach for good numbers of common and velvet scoters, long tailed ducks, goldeneyes, mergansers, divers, grebes, waders (inc purple sands at the harbours), geese, merlin, peregrine, snow buntings etc.

Full details in my book - Best Birdwatching Sites in the Scottish Highlands

HTH

Gordon Hamlett

 

[Apodemus]

I live in Fort William and agree with what has already been said. Don't forget to walk the shore of Loch Linnhe every night, as there's a good chance of seeing otters. If you see a guy walking there with a white and brindle lurcher, say hello to me.

Mike

 

[shorebirder]

Thanks all for the responces, look forward to the trip.
Dave