Nigg Bay, on the Cromarty Firth, is one of the country’s major stop-over points for migratory birds travelling between their breeding and wintering grounds. Visit the viewing hide any time between October and March and you’re likely to see countless wading birds and waterfowl, such as bartailed godwits, knot, geese and widgeon on the mudflats, saltmarsh and wet grassland. During spring look out for the lapwings’ tumbling display flights as they prepare to breed. The summer months bring a range of breeding birds to the wetland and saltmarsh
areas and ospreys can be seen hunting in the bay. Best time to visit is two to three hours either side of high tide. The viewing hide on this RSPB reserve is open all year.