« Back to Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray listings

Sands of Forvie National Nature Reserve

Collieston, Nr. Ellon

This fascinating reserve includes an extensive area of towering sand dunes, coastal heath, sea cliffs, and several lochs. It supports the largest colony of breeding eider duck in Britain. Up to 5,000 birds can be seen feeding on the mussel beds in the adjoining Ythan estuary. A summer highlight are the terns. Around 1,500 pairs of sandwich terns breed here, plus common, arctic and little terns. In autumn one of the great sights are the thousands of pink- footed geese coming in to roost on Meikle Loch. Visitor centre at Collieston. Hide at Waulkmill. There is a good network of footpaths.