Gosford Bay is situated on the southern banks of the Firth of Forth along the east Lothian coastline, approximately 8 miles from the western edge of Edinburgh.

Gosford Bay is one of, if not thee best site in the UK for Red-necked Grebe. They arrive here from their breeding grounds in August and offer the chance to see more than 40 of them in their summer plumage at one time.

As well as the Red-necked Grebes, Gosford Bay has been playing host to a returning Black-necked Grebe which has over wintered here for the past 5 years. Slavonian Grebe are also present here in large numbers, and it is possible to see more than 50 in a single trip. Great-Crested Grebe are possible but less frequent than the others.

Red-throated and Black-throated Divers are seen regularly, where as Great-northern Divers are possible but less frequent.

What ever time of the year you decide to come, you will be pleasantly surprised and overwhelmed with the abundance of bird life the Firth of Forth has to offer.

 

 

GETTING TO GOSFORD BAY

Getting here is best reached by taking the A198 from Tranent off the A1, and heading east towards North Berwick. Upon taking this route, you will reach the village of Longniddry. Continue straight through here until you reach the round-about and take a left signposted for Gullane and Aberlady. Follow this road for half a mile until you come to a T junction with the sea now directly in front of you. Take a right turn here and continue for 500 yards where you will now see a sign for, Longniddry Bents (Gosford). Follow the bendy road through the car park until you drive up a little slope with a lay-by at the top, and view from here.

If you are travelling by train, get off at Longniddry station, walk down the steps to the main road and follow the same directions as above.

If you decide to take the bus, follow the First Buses link at the bottom of the page for up to date time tables Although when you are on the bus, you may have to ask the driver to let you off at this car park as there are no designated bus stops.

 HABBITAT

The habitat here is purely coastal and open sea. The Bay holds a vast range of wildfowl, waders, gulls, terns, skua’s and many sea birds. As this site is controlled by the tide, I would advise you to check the weather and tide tables before you set off. A high tide would be more beneficial for all as the birds are closer and give great views.

 

WHEN TO VISIT

Any time of the year is a great time to come as there is always so much to see. However, a nice calm day with a high tide would be the best time to visit, as anything out on the water will be picked up. On the other hand, this is Scotland and the weather can be so unpredictable meaning these days are few and far between.

Spring and Autumn hold high peaks of Common and Velvet Scoter, and offer an excellent chance of seeing the rarer but frequent Surf Scoter in amongst the flocks.

Autumn however is probably the most productive of the seasons here as it spells the time for our returning Red-necked Grebes in summer plumage. But as the Grebes are arriving, the Terns and Skua’s are starting to migrate back to their winter grounds. Onshore winds bring excitement when looking out to sea, as all four species of Skua can be seen heading along the Forth.

Arctic, Common and Sandwich Terns are also undergoing the same route, but keep your eyes peeled for Manx Shearwaters.

Winter time at Gosford is very exciting as there are so many different species of sea duck to be found. It is possible to see all 5 species of Grebe here, Little Grebe have been known to arrive here if near by freshwater pools are frozen over. The three Divers can also be seen although finding a Great-northern is a little more tricky, but very possible. Long-tailed Duck, Common and Velvet Scoter are present in large numbers, as are Red-breasted Merganser and Eider Ducks.

What ever the time of year, you will not be disappointed.

BIRDS TO BE FOUND

Common and Velvet Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Eider Duck, Red-necked Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, Red-throated Diver, Black-throated Diver, Gannets, Guillemots, Razorbills, Shags, Cormorants, Fulmars, Kittiwake, Gulls, Common, Sandwich and Arctic Tern, passage waders, Manx Shearwater and Skua’s with the chance of Long-Tailed.

It’s always worth keeping an eye out for Black Guillemot which is a rare bird in Lothian but a few have turned up here in recent times. The rarer but frequent Great-northern Diver and Surf Scoter should always be checked for.

Near by Gosford Bay is Seton Sands which is one of the best sites in the county for Med Gull. They could easily be seen among the gulls at Gosford Bay so it is always worth a good check.

 

SOME RECORDS FROM GOSFORD BAY

Surf Scoter: A pair was present on and off for many years from 1984 onwards, being joined every so often by others. In 1989 a total of ten Surf Scoter were present in Gosford Bay, 6 drakes and 4 females. This was an exceptional record but a visit in late winter, early spring seems to be the best bet for this species when the Common and Velvets grow in vast numbers. However, there is a chance of one turning up at any time as the Firth of Forth is undoubtedly one of the best places in the UK for this species.

White-billed Diver: In 1991, a first summer was in Gosford Bay from 31st July- 25th of September. Amazingly it was joined by a second bird (also a first summer) between 25th – 30th of August, meaning that 2 birds were present at the same time.

Black Scoter: The first record of this species was a male in Gosford Bay from 31st of December 1987 to the 1st of January 1988. This was a first for Lothian and also the first record of this form in Britain. Only two other sightings of this bird were made in Lothian, one of which was again in Gosford Bay on the 14th of March 1989, these records probably all relate to the same bird.

American Wigeon: A drake was seen here briefly in 1996, thought to be the same bird that was present at near by Aberlady from the 29th October 1995 through to 28th March 1996.

Black Stork: A report of one flying high, north-east over near by Longniddry on the 29th May 1946. It was presumably the same bird seen a few days later at Port Seton on the 2nd of June.

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