Hide to seek birds
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A NEW hide on the edge of Tomintoul has been officially opened as part of a project to protect wading birds.
From inside the hide visitors can view lapwings, curlews and oystercatchers amongst many other species.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Wednesday, RSPB Scotland conservation Karen Cunningham said: "Tomintoul and Glenlivet is one of the few remaining hotspots for breeding farmland waders in mainland Scotland.
"The farmland in this area is home to some of the highest densities of lapwing and curlew, both species that are suffering huge declines across the UK."
The hide has been built as part of the Peesie project, which is the local name for lapwings.
Other activities include loaning out equipment for farmers to manage the rushes on their land.
Shallow muddy ‘scrapes’ are also being created which provide important feeding sites for waders and their chicks during the breeding season.
Polly Freeman is from the Tomintoul and Glenlivet Landscape Partnership which is funding the project.
She said: “The bird hide provides a fantastic opportunity to view these birds close-up when they return in the spring time for nesting and breeding, but it’s also a chance to view other wildlife at other times of year.”
Within the bird hide, new displays have been set up to help visitors identify and learn more about waders, while a blackboard will enable them to record new sightings.
The hide is within walking distance of the village of Tomintoul, near to the turn-off towards The Lecht ski centre.
