Great Cumbrae

An easily accessible small island off the Ayrshire coast, approx. 6km long and km across at its widest point. The west side of the island has an especially remote feeling. The walking is easy, mainly on surfaced but sparsely used roads, save for cycles in summer. Bird life is particularly abundant in springtime. This article […]

The Story behind the Photo 5

Eurasian Spoonbill at Hunterston in 1978 In the days before Global Climate Change was a phrase we all got to know, winters in Ayrshire tended to be cold, wet and dreich affairs (so, what’s changed, I hear you say?).  The general pattern of our winter weather was something which people in the south-west of Scotland […]

Summer Photos 2014

My plan of doing quarterly photo updates on the site means that the summer one is always a bumper crop, and this one is positively laden with great pictures, not just of exotic or rare stuff, but also great pictures of commoner species. My thanks go to Gordon Fowley, Angus Hogg, Jamie Pike, Bob Ross, […]

Gull and Tern Photos

This page contains links to pictures of our gulls and terns with the most recent first. Click on an entry to view the full-size photo. You can then use the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard to move through the gallery. Details of the bird and photographer (who retains the copyright) are shown […]

Garden, Woodland and Farm Bird Photos

This page contains links to pictures of our garden, woodland and farmland birds with the most recent first. Click on an entry to view the full-size photo. You can then use the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard to move through the gallery. Details of the bird and photographer (who retains the copyright) […]

Portencross to Hunterston

Location and Access Portencross (NS 175 488) is at Farland Head which projects into the Clyde Estuary just south of the Cumbrae Islands. At the cross roads on A78 on the northern edge of Seamill, take B7048 west for 2km to the road end where there is a large free car park and seaside picnic […]

Fairlie Sands

Location and Access The main site is a shallow, tidal bay on the southern outskirts of Fairlie where the burn down Fairlie Glen enters the sea. The bay can be viewed from a roadside car park on the A78 (NS 207 543) or from the car park and picnic area, with toilets, on the promontory […]

Fairlie Glen

Location and Access Travelling by car, park at Fairlie railway station having turned off the A78 Ardrossan-Largs coast road in Fairlie at the sign to “Park and Ride”. There is a regular train service Glasgow-Largs and bus service along A78. Facing the railway line, take the path on the left and then turn right in […]