Top Ten Scottish Birds

The BWWC guide to Scottish wildlife

OSPREY

Since its celebrated return to Strathspey as a breeding bird in the late 1950’s, the Osprey has come to symbolize the enduring power of wildlife to return from the brink.

Now adopted as the emblem of the Cairngorms National Park, the “fish hawk” is usually first on the must-see list of every wildlife watcher visiting the Highlands.
GOLDEN EAGLE

The epitome of all that is rare, wild and free, there are few sights to compare to a Golden Eagle quartering crag and moor in search of the next meal.

With prime eagle watching country within easy reach of the Hotel, you’ll have the best possible chance of a dream encounter with this formidable lord of the skies.
CAPERCAILLIE

Best known for their flamboyant ‘leking’ courtship display, this Turkey-sized grouse is none the less a resident of Strathspey all year round.

A sudden clatter in the dawn mists of the ancient Caledonian pine forests is usually the first clue that the ‘horse of the woods’ is near at hand.
PTARMIGAN

Only the hardiest and most resilient of species can survive amidst the arctic montane habitat of the Cairngorm massif – but the Ptarmigan does just that, seemingly thriving on a diet of high altitude fresh air.

Famous for its snow-white winter plumage, there is no better place to observe this most enigmatic member of the grouse family.
DOTTEREL

Whilst traversing the slopes of Cairn Gorm and Ben MacDui in June & July in search of Ptarmigan, you might also come across this other famously tame mountain specialist.

In one of Nature’s most unusual role reversals, look out for the drably-colored male incubating the eggs whilst the beautiful female does her own thing in the ling.
SCOTTISH CROSSBILL

Its status as the only endemic bird in Scotland makes the Scottish Crossbill one of the most sought-after species in Britain.

The irony is that such a relatively rare bird is often surprisingly easy to track down – a feeding party in the canopies of their beloved Scots pine, results in a noisy shower of cones and seeds that can hardly be missed!
CRESTED TIT

Without doubt one of the bonniest birds of Scotland, ‘cresties’ are specialists of Caledonian pine forests. Their eponymous crest makes them unmistakable and more often than not they are seen perched on low branches oblivious to the presence of excited birdwatchers.
SLAVONIAN GREBE

With 50% of the UK breeding population (20 pairs) of Slavonian Grebes present between May and August, a summer visit to the Highlands might be your only chance to witness their stunning breeding plumage and comical ‘weed rush dance’ on the remoter upland pools and lochans.
BLACK GROUSE

The soft bubbling call of Black Grouse piercing the dawn moorland mists is an unforgettable precursor to a ferocious contest of cock birds attempting to secure breeding rights with watching Greyhens.

With their red combs, petrol blue throats and lyre-shaped tails, a visual feast is guaranteed at any traditional leking ground.
SEA EAGLE

Whilst a day trip to the west coast will be required to ensure an encounter with one of these ‘flying barn doors’, the journey is surely worth the effort.

Britain’s biggest bird of prey dwarfs even the Golden Eagle and is a formidable hunter as it boldly plunges Osprey-like into sheltered bays in search of fish or offal.