RSPB Highlands & Islands

22/05/2026

Happy International Day for Biological Diversity!

Today, we pay homage to the rich tapestry of wildlife here in the Highlands & Islands. In regions such as the Flow Country, you can witness a seasonal haven for a unique range of birds, including:

- Golden Plover
- Dunlin
- Greenshank
- Skylark
- Meadow Pipit
- Hen Harriers
- As well as the more rare residents like Common Scoter, Red-throated & Black-throated Divers!

Healthy ecosystems give us life, and saving them starts right at home. You can take action by learning more about these rare environments, connecting with the community by protecting local habitats, and sharing your stories to inspire others.

How have you connected with nature and supported biodiversity today?

📷 Male Common Scoter by Andy Hay, RSPB Images.

21/05/2026

Bi Glic - An Sgeulachd aig Gille-brìghde is Brìghde

Seo an sgeulachd aig Gille-brìghde is Brìghde, dà gille-bhrìghde a tha a’ fuireach anns na h-Eileanan Siar. Tha an sgeulachd aca a’ soilleireachadh mar a dh’ fhaodadh buaireadh leantainneach buaidh a thoirt air eòin a tha a’ neadachadh air an talamh rè seusan a’ briodachaidh. Tha am pròiseact mar phàirt de Iomairt Buaireadh Fiadh-bheatha Bi Glic / Be Wise airson nan Eileanan Siar.

Mar eisimpleir, tòisichidh an Gille-Bhrìghde ag itealaich san adhar agus a’ gairm nuair a bhios iad a’ faireachdainn fo bhagairt. Ged a dh’ fhaodadh e a bhith coltach gu bheil tòrr Gille-Bhrìdean anns na h-Eileanan Siar, tha an àireamh air a bhith a’ crìonadh, gu h-àraidh ann an ceàrnaidhean eile de thìr-mòr na h-Alba. Mar rud cunbhalach air na machraichean agus na cladaichean againn, tha e furasta dìochuimhneachadh gu bheil na h-eileanan nan daingneach do ghrunn ghnèithean a tha a’ crìonadh ann an àiteachan eile.

Ann an Gàidhlig, tha an Gille-Bhrìghde ainmeil airson a bhith ag èigheachd ‘Bi glic, Bi glic’ a tha a’ ciallachadh ‘Be wise, be wise’, agus tha an iomairt ag iarraidh air daoine èisteachd ris na h-eòin agus a bhith glic fhad ‘s a tha iad a-muigh as t-Samhradh seo.

Chaidh am beòthachadh seo a thoirt beò leis an neach-beothachaidh Cashlin MacKenzie às leth RSPB Alba. Tha am pròiseact air a mhaoineachadh le Maoin Ath-nuadhachadh Nàdair Riaghaltas na h-Alba, air a rianachd le Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

Seo an sgeulachd aig Gille-brìghde is Brìghde, dà gille-bhrìghde a...

21/05/2026

Bi Glic / Be Wise - The Story of Gilbert and Bridget

This is the story of Gilbert and Bridget, two Oystercatchers living in the Outer Hebrides. Their story highlights how continued disturbance can affect ground nesting birds during the breeding season. The project is part of the RSPB Scotland’s Bi Glic / Be Wise Wildlife Disturbance Campaign for the Outer Hebrides.

Oystercatchers will start flying into the air and call when they feel threatened. Although it may seem that there are a lot of Oystercatchers in the Outer Hebrides, their numbers have been declining, especially in other areas of mainland Scotland. As a regular on our machair and shore areas, it is easy to forget that the islands are a stronghold for several species which are declining elsewhere.

In Gaelic, the Oystercatcher is known to shout ‘Bi glic, Bi glic’ which means ‘Be wise, be wise’ and the campaign asks for people to listen to the birds and be wise while out and about this Summer.

This animation was brought to life by animator Cashlin MacKenzie on behalf of the RSPB Scotland. The project is supported by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, administered by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

This is the story of Gilbert and Bridget, two Oystercatchers living in the Outer Hebrides. Their story highlights how continued disturbance can affect ground...

21/05/2026

On 17th May there was significant vandalism to the seasonal rope cordon and signage erected to protect the Little Terns nesting at Eoligarry on Barra. The rope was cut at each post (over 60 of them) and the signs have been damaged. Footprints were found throughout the nesting area and cattle have subsequently grazed the area.

Prior to this vandalism there were up to 12 Little Terns nesting, there are now none. Disturbance events such as this are not only a wildlife crime but have serious consequences for the animals they impact.

In recent years this site has been the most important site for Little Tern in the Outer Hebrides and an important site for Scotland. A large part of its success has been down to the efforts of local volunteers who each year erect and maintain the cordon around the nesting area to alert people to avoid the area.

We are extremely saddened that these deliberate actions have caused such damage to the Little Terns on Barra for this year and undone hours of dedicated volunteer effort.

Both the vandalism and the wildlife disturbance have been reported as crimes to the police.

If you have any information, then please contact Police Scotland quoting incident PS-20260518-2030

14/05/2026

Corncrake surveys start next week so every report helps, send your reports through filling in this simple form https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/09416b94a1ef4ea58c546d2520a54b3d

07/05/2026

Surveyor Volunteer Role available in Uist
Can you tell the difference between an Arctic tern and a Little Tern? If you can, we are looking for volunteers to help set up trail cameras in Uist on tern nesting sites this summer. To find out more and how to apply please visit https://volunteer.rspb.org.uk/opportunities/114935-surveyor-not-on-a-reserve-tern-nest-monitoring-on-uist-2026-05-06

📷Image 1 - Arctic Tern and chick by Shona MacLellan. Image 2 Little Terns by Cliff Reddick. Images taken under license.

21/04/2026

Crex Crex, its that time of year again! We've had our first reports of Corncrakes arriving throughout the islands, Coll, Tiree, Islay and South Uist all hearing the rasping call of the Corncrake. As they start to arrive, you can enter details of when and where you hear it through our Report a Corncrake form https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/09416b94a1ef4ea58c546d2520a54b3d

To celebrate the first arrivals, here is a video school children across Scotland helped to make about Corncrakes which was part of the Corncrake Calling project.

RSPB Scotland

16/04/2026

We all want to help birds and make our gardens or outdoor spaces a place where all wildlife can thrive. But some species, such as Greenfinches, are experiencing serious declines because of disease.

10/04/2026

A positive ‘Tern’ of events came to Brora this week!

To prepare for the arrival of the Arctic Terns, we’ve installed a series of signs along Brora Beach to inform both locals and visitors about their important nesting areas.

Throughout the Highlands, these birds are key summer breeding visitors, often nesting in coastal areas. Brora is an especially important location which they return to each year during their migration.

With the help of our fantastic local volunteers, we've also roped off and de-weeded our constructed nesting areas to give these birds the best possible chance to thrive. A huge thank you to Brora Golf Club and Species on the Edge for their help in making this happen!

23/03/2026

We had an incredible weekend at the annual Caithness International Science Festival in Wick!

Families and other locals came by to interact with our bog wildlife and the wonders of the Flow Country in a wonderful mix of learning and fun.

Here’s to curiosity, connection, and community and making science accessible and exciting for all ages and backgrounds!