the ai birderBirding near me Local area birdwatching · Scotland
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Dark green pins are full guides; orange pins are short entries. Numbers match the site lists below. The links show public destinations.
| Site | Our best months | Habitat |
|---|---|---|
| 1. RSPB Sumburgh Head | May, June, July | Sea cliffs · coastal grassland · open sea |
| 2. RSPB Loch of Spiggie | October, November, January | Freshwater lochs, marshes and farmland |
| 3. RSPB Mousa | May, June, July | Island grassland, rocky shore and coastal waters |
| 4. Fair Isle Bird Observatory | May, September, October | Island croftland, sea cliffs and migrant shelter |
| 5. Hermaness National Nature Reserve | May, June, July | Sea cliffs · blanket bog · island moorland |
| 6. Noss National Nature Reserve Access notice: Seasonal visitor closure: NatureScot lists September–April; reopening requires operator confirmation. | May, June, July | Seabird cliffs · island grassland · sea |
| 7. RSPB Fetlar | May, June, July | Mire · freshwater pools · island coast |
1 short entries · tiers are our editorial assessment; each entry gives its reason and source.
Watch Ruff, Greenshank.
Best season: Spring and autumn passage; winter for ducks
RSPB Sumburgh Head: Loganair currently lists Sumburgh flights from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Kirkwall; check the dates and seasonal operation for the route you need. Read the complete transport and return plan.
RSPB Loch of Spiggie: The operator's directions place the loch off the B9122 near Scousburgh. Read the complete transport and return plan.
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Compare RSPB Sumburgh Head and RSPB Loch of Spiggie from Sumburgh.
Road estimate to the published visitor approach; traffic, parking and walking are additional.
Road estimate to the published visitor approach; traffic, parking and walking are additional.
Compare RSPB Sumburgh Head and RSPB Loch of Spiggie from Lerwick.
Road estimate to the published visitor approach; traffic, parking and walking are additional.
Road estimate to the published visitor approach; traffic, parking and walking are additional.
Compare RSPB Sumburgh Head and RSPB Loch of Spiggie from Scalloway.
Road estimate to the published visitor approach; traffic, parking and walking are additional.
Road estimate to the published visitor approach; traffic, parking and walking are additional.
RSPB Sumburgh Head: Free entry; see operator for parking. RSPB Loch of Spiggie: Free entry; see operator for parking.
RSPB Sumburgh Head: Follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and the reserve's signs. RSPB Loch of Spiggie: Follow RSPB Scotland's short-lead guidance during the ground-nesting period, 1 April to 15 August, and wherever livestock are present.
RSPB Sumburgh Head: Spring and summer seabird colony · winter coastal birds. RSPB Loch of Spiggie: Spring and autumn passage; seasonal breeding and winter birds.
RSPB Sumburgh Head: The RSPB's sheltered lookout is wheelchair accessible by a ramp and has a Blue Badge parking bay outside it, about fifty metres south of the main car park. RSPB Loch of Spiggie: The northern hide has ramped access, a dedicated wheelchair viewing bay and parking outside, according to the RSPB.
RSPB Sumburgh Head: Loganair currently lists Sumburgh flights from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Kirkwall; check the dates and seasonal operation for the route you need. RSPB Loch of Spiggie: The operator's directions place the loch off the B9122 near Scousburgh.
Social preview photograph: Sumburgh Head lighthouse above grass and coastal cliffs. Nicholas Mutton / Geograph via Wikimedia Commons; converted to WebP · CC BY-SA 2.0. Resized and converted for the preview.
