Chanonry Point
Chanonry Point is an internationally renowned cetacean-watching point. In recent years, 130 individual Bottle-nosed Dolphins have been identified in the area. They often put on spectacular displays during the hours either side of high tide through the summer months. Best viewing is from the beach by the lighthouse. Harbour Porpoises are regular and sightings of Common Dolphins, Basking Sharks and a Bearded Seal have been recorded. Recent whale sightings include Minke and Sowerby's Beaked Whales.
Seawatching from the point can be excellent in late summer and autumn. Arctic, Pomarine and Great Skuas, Manx Shearwaters, Puffins and Black Guillemots are regular. Scarcer species like Long-tailed Skua, Leach's Petrel and Sooty Shearwater are occasionally reported. Sanderling and Grey Plover can also be present on the beach, although most waders are disturbed once the first dog-walkers arrive.
The car park can fill rapidly, especially at weekends, so it may be best to arrive early. Autumn evenings often see good numbers of Whimbrel passing through. Rarer species reported in recent years include Wryneck, Black Redstart and Pectoral Sandpiper. In winter it is a good site for Long-tailed Duck and early morning or late evening flights of Red-throated Divers through the Inverness Firth.
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