 Red-breasted Merganser © David Palmar
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Outing to:
Great Cumbrae Saturday 18th June 2022 |
PRICE: Free
This outing was planned for 2020, and never happened for obvious reasons, so now's your chance!
TIME: 10:00 - 16:00 (approx.), but you are free to leave earlier!
VENUE:
Great Cumbrae is one of Scotland's most accessible islands, just a 10 minute ferry ride from Largs on the mainland. It has a variety of habitats, so a range of marine, coastal and inland birds should be visible, including sea ducks like Eider, Shelduck and Red-breasted Merganser, gulls of several species, other seabirds such as Gannets and Shags, waders such as Oystercatchers and Redshanks, and passerines such as Rock Pipit, Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler. These are just some examples - we should see many more!
Given fair weather, there are good views of Cowal, Bute and Arran, and we should see Ailsa Craig.
Arrive at Largs ferry terminal about 10am and buy tickets in the terminal building before catching the 10.15 ferry.
Tickets are not available on the ferry. Ferries every 15 minutes. £3.60 return for foot passengers. Meet the leader Eddie Williams at Cumbrae Slip.
TRAVELLING:
By train from Glasgow Central:
Normally leaves 8.49 and arrives in Largs 9.45, but in the light of the current temporary timetable and the possibility of rail disruption, check these times before travelling. Largs ferry terminal is a 5 minute walk from the station.
By car:
Free parking in Charles St or Broomfield Place, a 15 minute walk south of the ferry terminal.
Paid for parking in main car park on Largs seafront near the ferry terminal. Costs £5 for over 3 hours.
This outing was planned for 2020, and never happened for obvious reasons, so now's your chance!
TIME: 10:00 - 16:00 (approx.), but you are free to leave earlier!
VENUE:
Great Cumbrae is one of Scotland's most accessible islands, just a 10 minute ferry ride from Largs on the mainland. It has a variety of habitats, so a range of marine, coastal and inland birds should be visible, including sea ducks like Eider, Shelduck and Red-breasted Merganser, gulls of several species, other seabirds such as Gannets and Shags, waders such as Oystercatchers and Redshanks, and passerines such as Rock Pipit, Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler. These are just some examples - we should see many more!
Given fair weather, there are good views of Cowal, Bute and Arran, and we should see Ailsa Craig.
Arrive at Largs ferry terminal about 10am and buy tickets in the terminal building before catching the 10.15 ferry.
Tickets are not available on the ferry. Ferries every 15 minutes. £3.60 return for foot passengers. Meet the leader Eddie Williams at Cumbrae Slip.
TRAVELLING:
By train from Glasgow Central:
Normally leaves 8.49 and arrives in Largs 9.45, but in the light of the current temporary timetable and the possibility of rail disruption, check these times before travelling. Largs ferry terminal is a 5 minute walk from the station.
By car:
Free parking in Charles St or Broomfield Place, a 15 minute walk south of the ferry terminal.
Paid for parking in main car park on Largs seafront near the ferry terminal. Costs £5 for over 3 hours.
Arran and Bute from Great Cumbrae, with Eiders on the rocks © David Palmar
BOOKING INFO: We are not asking people to book, but it might be helpful for David Palmar to have an indication of numbers a day or two in advance. If those attending could let David Palmar know if they are willing to offer a lift, or would like a lift, and are willing to share their contact details with people who offer or want a lift, it may be possible to arrange car sharing. Contact email on Outings page.
TERRAIN: Walk round north and west sides of Great Cumbrae towards Millport along a relatively quiet road by the sea (but watch out for bikes!), then by a footpath over the hill. Walking distance approximately 5 miles. Walking boots advised.
OPTICS: Binoculars essential for passerines. Telescope will be useful for sea watching.
FOOTWEAR and CLOTHING: Walking boots and suitable outdoor clothing for the time of year and location. A check of the weather forecast beforehand is advisable.
NB: May be postponed due to poor weather. Check this page, SOC website and Clyde Birding on Twitter in advance.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Café and toilets available at Fintry Bay halfway round, about lunchtime. Seating areas inside and outside the café, and opposite on the shore of Fintry Bay for those who bring a packed lunch.
Millport has plenty of facilities for eating and drinking.
Bus every 15 minutes back to the ferry slip from Millport. Cost £2 single.
Leader Eddie Williams lives in Millport, has local knowledge and experience, and records species seen on Birdtrack.