Nigg Bay

Much of Nigg Bay reserve is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Protection Area for birds (SPA) and a RAMSAR wetland of international importance. The reserve contains an extensive area of intertidal mudflats which provide feeding and shelter for thousands of wintering ducks and waders. The saltmarsh supports many varied plants typical of the habitat including sea aster and glasswort. The wet grasslands which can been seen from the hide are managed specifically for breeding waders.

During the spring and summer northern marsh orchids are dotted amongst the grass and amphibious bistort grows in the pond. Grazing the grassland creates a mix of short open grass and tall tussocky areas, excellent conditions for lapwing, snipe and redshank. The scrape in front of the hide provides further muddy areas ideal for feeding and raised islands for nesting birds.

The wet grassland either side of the hide is grazed by sheep and cattle belonging to a local farmer, this helps to create a short tussocky grassland that is favoured by lapwing and snipe. Volunteers help to rotationally coppice the gorse bushes to create an open habitat for the waders and to encourage close dense gorse growth that benefits yellowhammers and stonechats.

In 2017, a scrape was created in front of the hide to provide better breeding and feeding areas for lapwing and redshank. Invasive Spartina anglica (Common cord grass) is an aggressive hybrid which quickly grows across the mudflats and saltmarsh outcompeting the saltmarsh plants and can reducing feeding and roosting areas for wintering birds. A program of herbicide treatment across large patches and hand removal of young plants is a major part of the conservation work at Nigg Bay.

This nature reserve is important for wildlife. RSPB Scotland welcomes responsible access, in line with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

RSPB Nigg Bay reserve is part of a group of reserves run by the Central Highland Reserves team, which also includes Udale Bay on the opposite side of the Cromarty Firth, Culbin Sands and Loch Ruthven.