Upland birds

Our uplands echo with the sound of waders and are home to many birds of prey, plus rare breeding species.

Scotland’s extensive areas of uplands and moorlands support hen harrier, merlin and even the iconic golden eagle.

Parts of Scotland’s uplands are also of international importance for their concentrations of breeding waders, including golden plover and greenshank.

Our highest mountains are home to rare breeding species such as dotterel and snow bunting.

Snow Bunting. ©Lorne Gill/SNH. For information on reproduction rights contact the Scottish Natural Heritage Image Library on Tel. 01738 444177 or www.nature.scot
Snow Bunting.
Click for a full description

©Lorne Gill.

Various common and widely distributed species are found across our uplands and moorlands. These include:

  • meadow pipit
  • skylark
  • northern wheatear
  • stonechat
  • twite
Male Stonechat (Saxicola torquata). ©SNH. For information on reproduction rights contact the Scottish Natural Heritage Image Library on Tel. 01738 444177 or www.nature.scot
Male Stonechat (Saxicola torquata).
Click for a full description

©NatureScot.

Meadow pipit. ©Lorne Gill/SNH. For information on reproduction rights contact the Scottish Natural Heritage Image Library on Tel. 01738 444177 or www.nature.scot
Meadow pipit.
Click for a full description

©Lorne Gill.

Find out more

Read our guidance for planners and developers on protected animals.

Hen harrier chapter – Species Action Framework Handbook

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