Clean up for nature at Forvie

High tides and storm surges have left large amounts of plastic, net and other items of litter on what is usually one of Aberdeenshire’s most beautiful beaches. Every year, thousands of birds, seals, dolphins and marine mammals die by swallowing or becoming entangled in rubbish.

Reserve Manager Annabel Drysdale is keen to encourage anyone to take part. She says: “There is a lot of rubbish but it is particularly bad at certain parts of the shore, so just a bit of help can make a real difference. Beach cleaning is so worthwhile and it can be fun looking at all the strange things that wash up.’

Past objects recovered from the beach include an armchair, an inflatable lobster and a message in a bottle from a child in Fife.

The beach clean will start at 11am from Waterside car park at the A975 road bridge, but volunteers can also join in along their usual walk or drop in throughout the day. Bags, gloves and refreshments will be provided. For more information, phone 01358 751330.

The Forvie dunes stretch along the Ythan estuary and are home to the largest colony of breeding eider ducks in the UK. During the summer, terns hover, dive and twist in the air. Four species of tern nest in the dunes here, whilst inquisitive seals can be seen further out in the water.