Waterbirds

Scotland's coast is of particular importance for waterbirds and there are a number of sites of international importance for the wintering populations of wildfowl, waders and geese that they support. Some species of wader such as Eurasian oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus), dunlin (Calidris alpina alpina), common redshank (Tringa tetanus), ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres) and purple sandpiper (Calidris maritima) are associated with coastal environments. Many species are long distance migrant visitors that breed in the high Arctic and winter on Scotland's coasts. Wildfowl such as common shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) and Eurasian teal (Anas crecca) occur in estuaries whilst species such as common eider (Somateria mollissima) are found on more open coasts.