PRICE: Free
TIME: 10:00 - 15:00 (approx.), but you are free to leave earlier!
VENUE:
Meet at 10am at the National Trust for Scotland Nature Centre (outside of St Abbs) for a 10.15 start.
https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/st-abbs-head/planning-your-visit
(Note - this is not the St Abbs Visitor centre).
From there the plan is to spend the morning at Mire Loch, the lighthouse garden and maybe a bit of seawatching from the lighthouse.
Lunch at the lighthouse or at the nature centre. We may not be near the café at lunch time, depending on the weather, what we see and where we go, so please bring a packed lunch.
A farm visit near Reston thereafter is a possibility, and on the way back we may visit some of the coastal sites such as Torness, Barns Ness, or Thorntonloch, depending on what is about.
TRAVELLING:
Public transport is unlikely to be a practical option.
By car from Glasgow, leave 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes for the journey. After Cockburnspath, turn off the A1 on to the A1107, (signposted Coldingham and Berwickshire Coastal Route), then in Coldingham, turn left (B6438 High St, signposted St Abbs). After 1 1/2 miles, follow the brown sign, turning left to St Abbs Head Nature Reserve.
The National Trust for Scotland Nature Centre has a car park. Non NTS members need to pay £3 for parking. NTS members should ensure they display their free parking car sticker.
There is limited parking further on (at Pettico Wick Bay and at the lighthouse) if the proposed walk to the Mire Loch and the lighthouse (3.7 miles with some hilly bits for the round trip) is too long for some people. In that event, further car sharing at this point would be a good idea.
BOOKING INFO: We are not asking people to book, but it might be helpful 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 [email protected].
TERRAIN: Mostly quiet roads and footpaths, which may be muddy in places. Walking boots advised.
OPTICS: Binoculars essential for passerines. Telescope will be useful for seawatching.
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
Toilets available at the Nature Centre, and next door is the Old Smiddy café which should be open.
At this time of year there may be butterflies and dragonflies as well as birds.
Leaders Donald Wilson and Sandy McNeil have local knowledge and experience.
TIME: 10:00 - 15:00 (approx.), but you are free to leave earlier!
VENUE:
Meet at 10am at the National Trust for Scotland Nature Centre (outside of St Abbs) for a 10.15 start.
https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/st-abbs-head/planning-your-visit
(Note - this is not the St Abbs Visitor centre).
From there the plan is to spend the morning at Mire Loch, the lighthouse garden and maybe a bit of seawatching from the lighthouse.
Lunch at the lighthouse or at the nature centre. We may not be near the café at lunch time, depending on the weather, what we see and where we go, so please bring a packed lunch.
A farm visit near Reston thereafter is a possibility, and on the way back we may visit some of the coastal sites such as Torness, Barns Ness, or Thorntonloch, depending on what is about.
TRAVELLING:
Public transport is unlikely to be a practical option.
By car from Glasgow, leave 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes for the journey. After Cockburnspath, turn off the A1 on to the A1107, (signposted Coldingham and Berwickshire Coastal Route), then in Coldingham, turn left (B6438 High St, signposted St Abbs). After 1 1/2 miles, follow the brown sign, turning left to St Abbs Head Nature Reserve.
The National Trust for Scotland Nature Centre has a car park. Non NTS members need to pay £3 for parking. NTS members should ensure they display their free parking car sticker.
There is limited parking further on (at Pettico Wick Bay and at the lighthouse) if the proposed walk to the Mire Loch and the lighthouse (3.7 miles with some hilly bits for the round trip) is too long for some people. In that event, further car sharing at this point would be a good idea.
BOOKING INFO: We are not asking people to book, but it might be helpful 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 [email protected].
TERRAIN: Mostly quiet roads and footpaths, which may be muddy in places. Walking boots advised.
OPTICS: Binoculars essential for passerines. Telescope will be useful for seawatching.
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
Toilets available at the Nature Centre, and next door is the Old Smiddy café which should be open.
At this time of year there may be butterflies and dragonflies as well as birds.
Leaders Donald Wilson and Sandy McNeil have local knowledge and experience.