Season: summer
Blue skies and warm weather were the order of the day at St Cyrus Nature Reserve and at the beach. The languid sea lapped the shore at low tide, making a waterside stroll a real pleasure. This beach is wide and flat, with a pleasing arc and backed by dunes, wetland and sheer cliffs, from which various hawks hunt the plentiful wildlife. The rocks at the northern end of the beach are revealed at low tide and are an ideal spot for rockpooling.
The beach as an escape for Ann.
A fine morning at St Cyrus.
Season: spring
This beach runs south from the cliffs and weird rock formations below the village of St Cyrus to the mouth of the North Esk River. You access the beach either by a winding path down the cliffs, or by a more straightforward route from the Visitor Centre. This is now two hundred metres behind the beach, despite once being the lifeboat station. The setting is spectacular, with the cliffs hosting peregrine falcons and other wildlife that thrives where the North Esk River used to run, just behind the beach.
The scene is set by Thérèse from Scottish Natural Heritage, followed by Susan and Nicola.
By the water at St Cyrus beach.
Going to the beach at any time of year gives a complete change to all the senses. The salty seaweed smells the tingling of spray on the face, hard and soft sand underfoot are clear to imagine. But at St Cyrus there was a visit from a great white egret on the estuary this autumn. The chance of seeing wigeon and teal returning, or long tailed sea ducks must surely add to the excitement of not quite knowing what might be seen. Watching the water in case whales or dolphins are passing keeps you alert. But surely rolling up trouser legs and paddling in the shallows on beautiful summer evenings shouldn’t be missed.
It’s one of the most beautiful areas we’ve been to. Windy,but sheltered, and so peaceful.