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A CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT TO PHOTOGRAPH LANDSCAPE CHANGE AT THE YTHAN ESTUARY
Photo Gallery - click on the drop down menu at top left of this page to select the Photoposts gallery
Information about the project is further down this page following the Updates ......
UPDATES..... MORE ON THE NEWS PAGE
AUTUMN INTO WINTER 2026
The first storms of the winter have arrived on October 24/25th with Storm Boelo gusting winds of up to 60 mph. The changes to the estuary and coastline will become evident soon as the winds continue and finally subside. There will be more storms to follow over the winter with the so-called "Super El Nino" creating more extreme weather conditions. Sadly it is not just the impact on the seascape we are likely to see but also the problems for wildlife feeding and sheltering along the estuary and coastline. Many seabirds come inshore for the winter but with storms battering the North Sea coast there will be little protection and diving for food near the surface of the water becomes difficult. Over the past few years we have found many emaciated puffins and guilliemots on the shoreline, some having survived the storms but others not.
COMING SOON:
A section of the website is being developed to cover the past, present and future of the estuary from the perspective of the people who have lived here in the past, the changes in topography of the estuary and the challenges to the wildlife.
FREE COURSE AVAILABLE:
If you are interested in learning more about coastal erosion and landscape change on the estuary you can follow a FREE Open University course of 3 hours self study which you complete in your own time. It gives a wonderful background to the changes you can see here on the Ythan estuary and the consequences of increases in sea level and temperature on the landscape, marine life and human activity.
https://www.open.edu/openlearn/nature-environment/environmental-studies/managing-coastal-environments/
PHOTO GALLERY:
Go to menu above, top left hand corner. There is a page for each PhotoPost . PLEASE NOTE - THE MOST RELEVANT IMAGES FOR EACH POST ARE SELECTED EVERY 3 MONTHS FROM ALL THE PHOTOS SUBMITTED the remaining photos will be archived.
About the project
About the project
This citizen science project provides an opportunity for adults and children to voluntarily share their photographs of the Ythan estuary taken from four viewpoints. The purpose is for the observation and recording of the ongoing changes to this coastal environment. It is also an opportunity for learning more about the history and future of coastal erosion.
There are 4 posts along the estuary:
PhotoPost 1 is on the lower boardwalk at Newburgh Seal Beach at an appropriate height for both children and wheelchair users. It also overlooks the seal haul out on the opposite side of the estuary, which lies within Forvie National Nature Reserve. https://www.nature.scot/enjoying-outdoors/visit-our-nature-reserves/forvie-national-nature-reserve
PhotoPost 2 is on the upper boardwalk at Newburgh and has a wonderful view spanning the Forvie Sands dune system, the wider estuary and seal haul out.
PhotoPost 3 is on the upper estuary along the edge of Newburgh Golf Course. It overlooks the tern nesting area on the opposite (north) side and downriver to the sea. It is a feeding and nesting area for an abundance of birdlife throughout the year. See location on map and What3Words below.
PhotoPost 4 is on the Forvie (north) side of the estuary along the Nature reserve's Dune Trail. It overlooks the bends in the river where most changes are expected to occur in the future. See location on map and What3Words below.
Car parking
For Posts 1, 2 and 3 parking is available at Newburgh Beach Car Park for a small parking fee. For Post 4 free car parking is available at the entrance to Forvie NNR at Waterside, just north of Newburgh village immediately after the Ythan bridge.
History
The idea for Forvie PhotoPosts was inspired by visitors to the Ythan estuary and local photographers who often comment on the rapid changes to the topography. This is particularly evident in recent years with the increasing number of winter storms shifting large quantities of sand around the estuary and coast. Many visitors take photographs of both the landscape and wildlife. Providing fixed photo posts allows a stable platform and good perspective from which to photograph the Ythan estuary. The aim is to build up a record of this dynamic area as it changes with the weather, tides and seasons over the coming years.
The project was initiated by Elaine, a volunteer and former seasonal ranger from Forvie National Nature Reserve, assisted by reserve staff and volunteers, members of Ellon Men's Shed and is jointly funded by NatureScot and Newburgh and Ythan Community Trust for the benefit of all.
Project Manager: Elaine Sherriffs
How to get involved
How to get involved
TO SEND A PHOTOGRAPH:
Photographs can be sent via email to forviephotoposts@gmail.com There is no limit to the number of photographs you can submit.
PLEASE NOTE:
You should avoid taking photographs of children or photographs which could easily identify people, for example of faces or close up to people.
CONSENT:
By voluntarily submitting your photographs, you are providing consent for them to be shown on both this website and the Newburgh and Ythan Community Trust website (www.newburghtrust.co.uk).
To comply with the Data Protection Act 2018, no personal details will be retained or disclosed and the identity of anyone submitting photographs will remain anonymous.
SEE THE GALLERY for the photographs in date order - ther is a page for each of the PhotoPosts numbered 1-2-3-4. Enjoy browsing the pages!
How to find the posts: Posts 1 and 2 are signposted on the Newburgh Beach Boardwalk. Posts 3 and 4 are marked on the map below and you can use the app What3Words to find the exact location.
Post 3 on What3Words = laughs.pizza.stocks
Post 4 on What3Words = monk.proudest.mental
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