Along the coastline in summer the high cliffs and stacks support amazing seabird colonies. Later in the year the bays shelter migrating and wintering ducks and the beaches provide refuge and feeding for numerous wader species. Seabird passage can be spectacular particularly along the East coast.

At inland sites, many species that have suffered badly from intensification of agriculture in other areas are still to be found in reasonable numbers here. Undisturbed moorland and flows support some very special breeding species such as Greenshank, Black-throated Diver and Common Scoter.

With a number of great birding locations and always wonderful scenery, birding in Caithness and Sutherland can be very rewarding at any time of year and there’s plenty of scope for discovering something interesting and unusual.

• Visit our Tour Operators & Other Services page to find a local guide to take you on your next adventure
• View our Heritage Map to find nature sites to visit if you're planning your own travels

Photos on this page by Ken Crossan, Wendy Sutherland.