birding...

Scotland is a fantastic destination for birders, with a wealth of speciality species and an ever changing avifauna to match the seasons. Wild places dominate the country, particularly in the north and west, and the birder who comes to love Scotland will never be short of a rewarding new place to visit, or exciting new wildlife experience to seek.

Pride of place for bird habitats must surely go to the native Caledonian pine forest, and the majesty of the undeveloped high mountain tops and plateaux. Here you will discover some of the last remaining unspoilt habitats on the small island of Great Britain, and the birdlife is of course very special. Others which simply must be visited include the upland moor areas, which give rise to tumbling rivers and streams, the many glens with spectacular scenery and remnants of both pine and deciduous forest, the lowland plains and fertile arable lands, bird-rich estuaries, harbours and coastal stretches, and of course the magnificence of the islands from Islay to the Shetlands. A land of opportunity indeed to every birdwatching enthusiast!

Top speciality birds have to be Capercaillie, Scottish Crossbill, Ptarmigan and Crested Tit, none of which can be found in any other part of the UK – if you keep a British List you have to visit Scotland to see them! There is debate currently about whether Scottish Crossbill would better be classified as Parrot Crossbill, but still a bird well worth looking for!

Other key specialities are Golden Eagle, White-tailed Eagle, Black Grouse, Dotterel, Red and Black-throated Divers, Slavonian Grebe and Osprey. A diverse and rewarding list of birds already!

In the summer, breeding visitors to the mainland include Snow Bunting, Short-eared Owl, Long-eared Owl, and a wealth of waders and passerines including Corncrake, Red-necked Phalarope and Ring Ouzel. Seabirds are spectacular from Bass Rock to St Kilda, and skuas, petrels, shearwaters, terns, Gannet and of course auks provide great interest around virtually the entire coast.

In winter months, ducks, divers, geese and gulls can be present in huge numbers at the coast and wet meadows, and during migration Scotland can be the best place in Britain for rarities from east or west. Shetland, North Ronaldsay, the Outer Hebrides and Fair Isle are amongst the best-known spots, but virtually anything on the British List can turn up anywhere!

The Scottish List is far too long to allow me to do credit here, but to further whet the appetite for Scotland, just a few species readily available to the keen birder but not mentioned above include Golden Plover, Red Grouse, Dipper, Hen Harrier, Twite, Corn Bunting, Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoter, Manx Shearwater, Black Guillemot, Tree Pipit, Whinchat and Grey Wagtail. One of the best birding places in Europe awaits you!

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Heatherlea Birdwatching & Wildlife Holidays in Scotland and Worldwide