Kevin Waite, Angus Hogg, Henry Martin
Maidens village (NS 21 08) has an
attractive harbour much of which dries out at low tide and a foreshore with good feeding for
birds. There is a large free car park overlooking the harbour. All the birding is within an
easy walk of here. There is also plenty of parking overlooking the beach along Maidens shore
road. Buses along the coast by Maybole are regular. Access by cycle is easy and safe from and
to Culzean Country Park but take due care if using the main A719
coastal road to Maidens.
Disabled parking. View harbour from car park, foreshore from
grassed area but note this area is also used for dog-walking.
A719 approach
needs care.
The good combination of rocky promontory, coastal mudflat and sandy beach backed
by marram grass attracts a wide range of passage and wintering birds, notably seabirds and
waders. The rocky shoreline to the south of Maidens and towards Turnberry point is a Site of
Special Scientific Interest. Redshank, Dunlin, Golden Plover, Eider, Shelduck and
a range of gulls are common. Curlew Sandpiper and Water Pipit have
been recordedand pale-bellied Brent Geese have been over-wintering in recent
years. An offshore scan may be rewarded with interesting passage and wintering seabirds
including Red-throated, Black-throated and Great Northern Diver and
Great Crested and Slavonian Grebe.
The rough ground adjoining the beach is good for flocks of Linnet, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, etc.
A family party of Otters was seen playing on the sea from the headland during the New Year Bird Race in January 2002.
Maidens has a good range of catering possibilities ranging from picnicking (with toilets nearby) by the beach to eating in some of the best restaurants in Ayrshire.
Last upated: July 2003
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