Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire offer a mix of wildlife, both in the city and on the surrounding coast. Whether you’re on the search for dolphins, red squirrels, deer, seabirds or seals, here’s your guide to the best spots for wildlife watching in Aberdeen.
Most days of the year, this coastal lookout offers a chance to watch the resident bottlenose dolphins of Aberdeen Harbour- a must-visit for anyone interested in wildlife watching in Aberdeen!
You may also spot harbour porpoise, seals, otters, minke whales and over 200 species of birds from the Greyhope Bay Centre.
Donmouth Local Nature Reserve
Located where the River Don meets the sea, Donmouth is perfect for birdwatching and seal spotting on the sandbanks.
Terns, waders, wildfowl and more can be spotted here, thanks to the river’s salt marshes and mudflats.
Managed by the city’s Ranger Service, these three Local Nature Reserves have diverse habitats for wildlife watching in Aberdeen: woods, heathland, grassland and ponds.
Den of Maidencraig (on Aberdeen’s west edge) offers peaceful woodland trails and a chance to spot roe deer and birds.
Seaton Park’s proximity to the River Don and Old Aberdeen makes it a quiet urban haven- look for otters, swans, herons, ducks and occasional woodland mammals.
In Hazlehead Park, you’ll find the local Pets’ Corner, plus opportunities to spot red squirrels in the wooded areas.
Duthie Park, known for its gardens, boating pond and access to the Deeside Way, attracts waterbirds and small mammals along the River Dee.
Newburgh Beach, at the mouth of the Ythan Estuary, is a great location for wildlife watching in Aberdeen, with grey seals, terns, eider ducks and other coastal birds.
Further afield is Fowlsheugh Nature Reserve (near Stonehaven), a dramatic cliff colony home to tens of thousands of seabirds including puffins, razorbills, kittiwakes and fulmars in spring and summer.
For puffin breeding grounds, the iconic Bullers of Buchan cliffs offer a front row seat to seabird nesting tunnels, razorbills, guillemots and kittiwakes.
St Cyrus National Nature Reserve has coastline, dunes, volcanic cliffs and abundant wildflowers. Wildlife that can be spotted here includes peregrine falcons, grey seals, dolphins and killer whales can be occasionally seen offshore.
Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve, north of the city, covers lochs and bogs with sightings of swans, geese, dragonflies, red squirrels and even ospreys in summer.
Glen Tanar Estate, in the Cairngorms National Park, offers guided wildlife tours. Rare species such as Scottish wildcats, pine martens, golden eagles and red squirrels can be seen here.
Dolphins and seals can be seen year-round at Greyhope Bay and Newburgh, with calmer seas and more visible bird activity in the summer months.
Seabird cliffs like Fowlsheugh and Bullers of Buchan are most active in late spring and early summer (April–July).
Woodland and heath reserves such as Scotstown Moor and Den of Maidencraig are particularly exciting to explore during spring and autumn migrations.
From dolphin spotting at Greyhope Bay to red squirel sightings in Hazelhead Park, there’s a variety of places and opportunities for seeing wildlife in and around Aberdeen. With parks, heathland and cliffs, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire offers lots of opportunities to connect with nature. Book your stay with us today and see for yourself!
