Udale Bay

Address: RSPB Udale Bay, B9163, Jemimaville, Dingwall IV7 8LU

Grid ref: NH712651

What3Words: equipment.cashew.dwarves

This peaceful intertidal bay on the Black Isle is winter home to thousands of waders, ducks and geese. In the autumn, big flocks of migrating wigeons gather in the bay to feed on abundant eelgrass. Ospreys are frequently seen during the summer, fishing in the bay.

Plan your visit

The trails and hide are open at this reserve. The Kirkmichael car park and viewing screen remain closed due to ongoing maintenance. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Open at all times.

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: Free, but donations are very welcome

Children: Free, but donations are very welcome

Facilities

Car park is closed
Viewing point
Nature trails

Accessibility

How to get here

By train

Dingwall, 15 miles (25 km).

By bus

Jemimaville, approximately 0.6 mile (1 km) away. From Jemimaville, travel west along the B9163 for approx 0.6 mile (1 km).

By bike

The reserve is near Route 1 of the National Cycle Network.

By road

Travelling north along the A9 from Inverness, turn right onto the B9169 signed to Culbokie. Continue for approximately 9.5 miles (15 km) then round a sharp left bend. Take the next left (B9163) to Cromarty. After approx 0.6 mile (1 km), park in the lay-by on your left.

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

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Contact Udale Bay

RSPB Udale Bay, B9163, Jemimaville, Dingwall IV7 8LU
cromartyfirthreserves@rspb.org.uk
01463 715000
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What will you see?

Our star species

Lapwing

Though lapwings don't nest around the bay, you'll see them late into spring before they move inland to breed.

Pink-footed goose

Pink-footed geese assemble here from late September to March. Up to 10,000 pass through on their way north.

Scaup

The nationally important wintering flock is best viewed from the Ivy Cottage car park.

Redshank

You can see redshanks throughout the year at Udale Bay.

Wigeon

During winter, flocks of wigeon are a daily sight - up to 10,000 arrive here in early October during migration!

The bay becomes quieter as the winter migrants have left for their summer breeding grounds, though pink-footed geese remain into April feeding up on their return migration. The local Highland-breeding waders such as lapwings, redshanks and oystercatcher may be present quite late into the spring.

The bay is quieter but some gulls, waders and ducks remain, following the tide in and out of the bay. Terns are often seen from the Newhall Point car park searching for fish in the Cromarty Firth.

Winter migrants begin to arrive to take advantage of the rich feeding to be had in the bay. Up to 10,000 wigeons stop off in the bay on their return migration to feed on the beds of eel grass. They are joined by waders, also en route to their wintering grounds.

Winter migrants such as wigeons, pink-footed geese, teals, bar-tailed godwits, dunlins and knots, join oystercatchers, lapwings and redshanks to take advantage of the rich feeding to be had in the bay. They are best viewed two hours either side of high tide as the birds are pushed closer to the hide. A nationally-important flock of scaup spends the winter in the Cromarty Firth - good views can be had with a telescope from the Ivy Cottage car park especially around high tide. The viewing screen at Kirkmichael can be good for ducks and waders.

About Udale Bay

Habitat

Udale Bay is a reserve mainly comprised of coastal, estuary, mudflat and wetland habitats.

Conservation

The wet grassland fields above high tide are managed by conservation grazing by cattle belonging to a local farmer – along with volunteers managing the gorse scrub, this keeps the fields nicely open for wintering ducks and geese. Invasive Spartina anglica (Common cord grass) is an aggressive hybrid which quickly grows across the mudflats and saltmarsh outcompeting the saltmarsh plants and reducing feeding and roosting areas for wintering birds. A program of herbicide treatment across large patches and hand removal of young plants is a major part of the conservation work at Udale Bay.

Site information

This nature reserve is important for wildlife. RSPB Scotland welcomes responsible access, in line with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Activities and events

Activities for children and families

For more information on events and to book tickets, please visit events.rspb.org.uk/udalebay

Udale Bay