Brodick Bay Walk

Starting and finishing at the car park at the front at Brodick NS021359, this walk takes you through a variety of habitats where you should see a range of birdlife in a couple of hours. The walk initially on the road continues on rough paths, parts of which can be slippy after rain. Appropriate footwear should be worn.

Before setting off take a moment to look at the pier where a colony of Black Guillemots is established. Walk away from the pier on the path on the shore side of the bay. At any time of the year shore birds including Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover and Turnstone can be seen on the rocks. Shags often sit out here to dry their wings.

At the putting green cut through the car park to the path passing the children's play area and continue on this path known locally as the Fisherman's Walk along the side of the golf course. On the first part of this stretch check the sea for Gannets, Sandwich Terns and sea ducks like Eiders and Red-breasted Merganser. A long the river, look out for Mallard and occasional Goosander. Little Grebe and Kingfisher are also reported here in the winter.

Taking care on the golf course, follow the path to the footbridge over the river. Do not be confused by the farm yard ducks that hang about here but look for Dipper and Kingfisher in the winter.

Coming off the bridge, turn to your right and head down to the shore at Cladach.  At lower tides numbers of different species of gulls roost here along with shore birds including Redshank and Curlew.

Retracing your steps back to the bridge, cross back over the bridge and turn right along a path through a little wooded area to Brodick Primary School. The woodland is worth a look and a listen for tits, finches and warblers.

At the main road, turn left and head back towards the village with the golf course on your left and houses with gardens on your right. Again check for tits, finches, thrushes and wagtails.

By the Brodick Hall car park walk the woodland edge, round the tennis court, by the river and back to the children's play area. Again it is good for woodland birds and is another area where Kingfisher has been seen in winter. From there retrace your steps back along the front towards the pier.