Local Wildlife 

The Avoch and Killen area includes a mix of habitats: built-up areas, coast, farmland, woodland, grassland, and waterways, which together support a rich variety of wildlife. The coastal waters are of international importance and the area offers opportunities to see wildlife that is uncommon in other parts of the UK.

Coastline

The coastline is the most natural part of the Avoch and Killen area and is internationally important for its birds, dolphins, and marine habitats. It shapes the character of the area, offers recreational opportunities, and is one of the easiest places to see wildlife, including Herons, Oystercatchers, Wigeons, and nesting Terns in the summer.

Farmland

Inland from the coast, the land is mainly used for farming and forestry. The farmland, much of it high-quality, includes both arable and grazing areas and was largely shaped by 19th-century estate improvements. Most of it is intensively managed, though a small wet meadow near the Avoch–Killen road stands out as a more natural area.

Brown hares are a welcome sight and we are lucky in our area to be able to see a wide range of farmland birds, including Yellowhammers, Chaffinches, Siskins, Greenfinches, Reed Buntings, Linnets and Tree Sparrows, some of which also visit our gardens. 

Yellowhammers, once common across the UK, are now rare in some areas but are still present locally thanks to suitable food and nesting habitats. These and others such as Oystercatchers and Curlews, also reflect the health of local insect life. 

Rooks and Jackdaws nest in parts of Avoch but are declining nationally. Greylag and Pink-footed Geese provide an impressive and sometimes noisy spectacle as they move to and from their night time roost on Munlochy Bay to nearby fields, where they feed during the day. Most of the geese are visitors, moving north to breed in the summer though some stay all year round. Numbers are highest in spring and autumn, as geese travel to and from their wintering grounds further south.

Forestry and Woodland

Forestry and woodland are a major part of the local landscape, including areas like Rosehaugh Estate, Ormonde Hill, and the old railway line. These woodlands support wildlife such as red squirrels, badgers, and pine martens. Tree cover in the village has also grown over time.

The area supports a variety of birds of prey, including Red Kites, Buzzards, Sparrowhawks, and Ospreys, thanks to the mix of habitats. In autumn, large numbers of Thrushes, such as Redwings and Fieldfares, and sometimes Waxwings, pass through on migration, drawn by the abundance of berry-bearing trees like rowans. Migrating Blackbirds also stop over in some years, feeding on rowan and honeysuckle.

Rivers and Burns

The Avoch Burn is the most visible watercourse in the area, but it is part of a wider network including the Rosehaugh, Shaltie, and Killen Burns. Look out for the cherry trees along the Avoch Burn. Although these are not native, they are an important and attractive part of the village’s landscape which are managed by Highland Council on Council land. They are especially valued by the community not only for their seasonal beauty but also for the way they help people feel connected to nature. 

The pink-flowered trees are a distinctive feature along the Avoch Burn, near the playing fields, and around Coronation Park. There is a younger line of white-flowered cherries along Mackay Terrace. Many of the older trees were planted in 1953 funded by sponsorship from local families and fishing boat, to mark Queen Elizabeth. While their direct ecological value may be modest, their cultural and significance in the landscape is considerable.

In addition to the burn, there are a few ponds locally. Rosehaugh Estate has a large loch, which was expanded after a flood in Avoch to help reduce future flood risks downstream.

Built-up Areas

Gardens and green spaces in built-up areas are valuable for wildlife and offer the easiest opportunities for individuals and the community to enhance habitats and enjoy nature.