A haven for shorebirds

Portobello beach is part of the Firth of Forth Special Protection Area, meaning it contains important biodiversity, particularly birds.

The in and out of tides on beaches like Portobello attracts a variety of water birds, who feed on the small creatures left exposed in shallow waters, sand flats and mud flats when the tides go out.

Oystercatchers

You’ll likely hear them before you see them -hence their Scots name ‘pleep’.

Spot these distinctive black and white shore birds foraging mussels or rooting around for critters in the sand at low tide, using their long red beaks.

Mussels

Their long blue-black shells, often with a pearly interior, are a common find on Portobello beach. They can be found living on intertidal rocks and piers in the area.

Mussels live their lives attached to hard surfaces where the water line goes up and down with the tide. They tend to live in clusters, which helps them hold on against the waves. They can ‘walk’ to adjust their position and when out of the water, they close up tight to avoid drying up. They range greatly in size and will generally grow bigger in deeper water.

'Seaweed'

Seaweed is commonly washed up on the shores of Portobello. If you look closely, you’ll notice many different kinds.

Bladder wrack is a common find here, recogniseable by its air-filled ‘bladders’, that help it float upwards towards the light. Bladder wracks live in intertidal waters and are themselves a habitat for small worms and snails.