Important International Site for Birds

Tentsmuir Point and the Tay Estuary is an area of international importance for wintering waders and wildfowl (geese and ducks ).

Waders

You will notice that many species of waders live in the same area. They can get along because they are different sizes, with different lengths of legs and bills adapted to different ways of feeding and preferred foods. This also helps their identification. Looking at the birds' bills and their feeding behaviour is one way you can tell some of the birds apart. You can also see how well adapted the birds are to their environment.

The birds come to feed on the mudflats and sand, digging with their bills, or diving in the shallow inter-tidal waters. Most of the animals living in the mud and sand are invertebrates - lugworms, cockles, ragworms.

Table of Waders and Wildfowl most likely to be seen

Waders most likely to be seen	Waterfowl most likely to be seen
Oystercatcher	Common Eider
Dunlin	Common Scoter
Redshank	Common Shelduck
Curlew	Tufted Duck
Knot	Red-breasted Merganser
Ringed Plover	Goosander
Sanderling	Greylag Geese
Grey Plover	Pink-footed Geese
Bar tailed Godwit
Whimbrel

Adaptations - legs

Some birds have long legs because they need to walk through deep water. Having long legs means that the bird can look down into the water to see its food and surprise it. Those birds with short legs often run along the water's edge looking for snails in the sand. Some bend their legs and dip up and down, some are stiff-legged and look like clockwork toys.

Webbed feet allow for better swimming.

Adaptations - bills

Most birds' bills show adaptations for feeding. Long beaks help them reach food deep in sand or mud; curved bills allow stones to be turned over, or move seaweed, disturbing insects; short bills can scoop up animals on or near the surface; sharp bills can puncture shells; blunt, flat bills allow successful spooning and sieving; strong, sharp bills allow shells to be split apart.

Behaviour

Some birds will be loafing (staying in the same place doing nothing in particular), others may be resting on or off the water with their heads tucked under their wings, or busy washing and preening their feathers. Many will be feeding, flying or walking/running.

Conservation

Wildfowl issues - when considering issues about the conservation of waders and wildfowl, remember that some species of wildfowl are still hunted and eaten today: duck and geese. Shooting is strictly controlled within 'seasons' to prevent the death of chicks and feeding parents. Even so, uncontrolled shooting still occurs in Scotland.

Members of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) conform to an accepted Code of Practice - this recognises that the protection of birds is important for their survival. Not all wildfowlers are members of BASC.