An area of low-lying sand dunes, Barry Links are located between Monifieth and Carnoustie and extend out into the mouth of the Firth of Tay behind Buddon Ness. The links are largely occupied by a military training area and the most extensive rifle-range in Scotland, associated with Barry Buddon Camp. At the northeastern side of the links is the Carnoustie Championship Golf Course. Much of the area is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) to protect its sand dune systems and the vegetation is of European importance, designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). In addition to these designations, Barry Links also represents a Special Protection Area (SPA) for birds under the European Birds Directive. Shore nesting birds include terns on the beaches, and shell duck in old rabbit burrows. Summer visitors include skylarks, meadow pipits, linnets and stonechats, which use the dunes for shelter or as nest sites. In winter, passage birds like fieldfares and redwings feed on the plentiful sea buckthorn berries. Bounded to the north by the Dundee-Aberdeen railway, the links also support small mammals, amphibians and reptiles.
