Birds to See in Scotland in August
202 bird species on our list for Scotland are recorded regularly in August
Of these, the most often recorded are European Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Lesser Black-backed Gull and Barn Swallow. New this month: Whooper Swan, Barnacle Goose, Greenshank and Purple Sandpiper and 22 more.
On the move in August
GBIF · AugArriving
At their peak
From Scotland’s bird records, 2019–2024: arriving birds are regular this month but not last; leaving birds are regular this month but not next.
Other months
All 202 birds in August
202 birds
European Herring GullLarus argentatusResidentCommon55–67 cmRecorded all year · 5.01% in Aug
WoodpigeonColumba palumbusResidentCommon40–42 cmRecorded all year · 3.92% in Aug
JackdawColoeus monedulaResidentCommon34–39 cmRecorded all year · 3.55% in Aug
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusSummer visitorCommon52–64 cmRecorded all year · 3.41% in Aug
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 3.23% in Aug
Carrion CrowCorvus coroneResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 3.15% in Aug
RookCorvus frugilegusResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 2.72% in Aug
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 2.56% in Aug
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 2.32% in Aug
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon29–37 cmRecorded all year · 2.14% in Aug
European RobinErithacus rubeculaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 1.91% in Aug
Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusResidentCommon40–45 cmRecorded all year · 1.88% in Aug
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 1.77% in Aug
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusResidentCommon38–44 cmRecorded all year · 1.65% in Aug
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 1.64% in Aug
House MartinDelichon urbicumSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.57% in Aug
MagpiePica picaResidentCommon44–46 cmRecorded all year · 1.57% in Aug
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleusResidentCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 1.57% in Aug
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 1.53% in Aug
Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytesResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 1.48% in Aug
CurlewNumenius arquataResidentCommon50–60 cmRecorded all year · 1.48% in Aug
BlackbirdTurdus merulaResidentCommon24–25 cmRecorded all year · 1.46% in Aug
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.46% in Aug
Grey HeronArdea cinereaResidentCommon90–98 cmRecorded all year · 1.40% in Aug
Common GullLarus canusResidentCommon40–46 cmRecorded all year · 1.39% in Aug
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 1.32% in Aug
Northern GannetMorus bassanusSummer visitorCommon87–100 cmRecorded all year · 1.31% in Aug
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboResidentCommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 1.29% in Aug
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensisSummer visitorCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 1.22% in Aug
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 1.11% in Aug
European ShagGulosus aristotelisResidentCommon65–80 cmRecorded all year · 1.06% in Aug
RedshankTringa totanusResidentCommon27–29 cmRecorded all year · 1.06% in Aug
Great TitParus majorResidentCommonRecorded all year · 1.02% in Aug
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilusSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.94% in Aug
Hooded CrowCorvus cornixResidentCommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.89% in Aug
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentCommon75–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.88% in Aug
BuzzardButeo buteoResidentCommon51–57 cmRecorded all year · 0.86% in Aug
EiderSomateria mollissimaResidentCommon50–71 cmRecorded all year · 0.82% in Aug
LinnetLinaria cannabinaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.82% in Aug
Coal TitPeriparus aterResidentCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.78% in Aug
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.74% in Aug
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisSummer visitorCommon36–41 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.73% in Aug
FulmarFulmarus glacialisResidentCommon45–50 cmRecorded all year · 0.73% in Aug
DunnockPrunella modularisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.71% in Aug
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.71% in Aug
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaSummer visitorCommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.70% in Aug
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorCommon21–24 cmRecorded all year · 0.63% in Aug
DunlinCalidris alpinaResidentCommon16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.61% in Aug
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.59% in Aug
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybitaSummer visitorCommon10–12 cmRegularly Mar–Nov · 0.56% in Aug
Northern LapwingVanellus vanellusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.55% in Aug
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorCommon31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.54% in Aug
WheatearOenanthe oenantheSummer visitorCommon15–16 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.54% in Aug
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.52% in Aug
Common SwiftApus apusSummer visitorCommon16–17 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.47% in Aug
Common MerganserMergus merganserResidentCommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in Aug
Great SkuaStercorarius skuaSummer visitorUncommon50–58 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.44% in Aug
Arctic TernSterna paradisaeaSummer visitorCommon33–39 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.43% in Aug
Black GuillemotCepphus grylleResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.43% in Aug
MoorhenGallinula chloropusResidentCommon30–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in Aug
GoldcrestRegulus regulusResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in Aug
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentUncommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in Aug
Eurasian TealAnas creccaWinter visitorCommon34–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in Aug
Rock PipitAnthus petrosusResidentCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.38% in Aug
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinereaResidentUncommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Aug
StonechatSaxicola rubicolaResidentUncommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in Aug
RazorbillAlca tordaResidentCommon38–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in Aug
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaResidentUncommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.33% in Aug
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisusResidentUncommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Aug
Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinusResidentCommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.32% in Aug
Manx ShearwaterPuffinus puffinusSummer visitorUncommon30–38 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.32% in Aug
GreenfinchChloris chlorisResidentCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Aug
Red KnotCalidris canutusWinter visitorUncommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Aug
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisResidentUncommon23–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Aug
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataResidentUncommon53–69 cmRecorded all year · 0.31% in Aug
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhulaResidentCommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.30% in Aug
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusSummer visitorUncommon41–46 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.30% in Aug
GreenshankTringa nebulariaWinter visitorUncommon30–35 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.30% in Aug
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatusResidentCommon13–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in Aug
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos majorResidentUncommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in Aug
SanderlingCalidris albaResidentUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.29% in Aug
KestrelFalco tinnunculusResidentUncommon32–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in Aug
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosaSummer visitorUncommon40–44 cmRecorded all year · 0.27% in Aug
TreecreeperCerthia familiarisResidentUncommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Aug
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorUncommon54–58 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.26% in Aug
Common SnipeGallinago gallinagoResidentCommon25–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.26% in Aug
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorUncommon40–46 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.25% in Aug
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucosSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.25% in Aug
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in Aug
Song ThrushTurdus philomelosResidentCommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in Aug
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaResidentCommon40–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in Aug
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclusResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Aug
CootFulica atraResidentUncommon36–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Aug
Eurasian SkylarkAlauda arvensisResidentCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Aug
Common ShelduckTadorna tadornaResidentCommon58–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Aug
WhitethroatCurruca communisSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.22% in Aug
Atlantic PuffinFratercula arcticaSummer visitorUncommon28–34 cmRegularly Apr–Dec · 0.22% in Aug
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorResidentCommon52–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Aug
Stock DoveColumba oenasResidentUncommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Aug
BlackcapSylvia atricapillaSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Aug
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinellaResidentUncommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.20% in Aug
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenusSummer visitorCommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.18% in Aug
Common RedpollAcanthis flammeaResidentUncommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Aug
Common ScoterMelanitta nigraResidentUncommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Aug
White-tailed Sea-eagleHaliaeetus albicillaResidentUncommon66–94 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Aug
RuffCalidris pugnaxSummer visitorUncommon20–32 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.17% in Aug
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorCommon42–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Aug
Golden PloverPluvialis apricariaWinter visitorUncommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.17% in Aug
TwiteLinaria flavirostrisSummer visitorUncommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.16% in Aug
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striataSummer visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.15% in Aug
Eurasian Tree SparrowPasser montanusResidentUncommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Aug
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Aug
Little EgretEgretta garzettaWinter visitorUncommon55–65 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Aug
Hen HarrierCircus cyaneusResidentUncommon41–52 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Aug
Red KiteMilvus milvusResidentUncommon60–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Aug
Eurasian NuthatchSitta europaeaResidentUncommon12–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Aug
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatusResidentUncommon46–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Aug
DipperCinclus cinclusResidentUncommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Aug
Sooty ShearwaterArdenna griseaPassage migrantUncommon40–51 cmRegularly Jul–Nov · 0.10% in Aug
Eurasian JayGarrulus glandariusResidentUncommon32–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.10% in Aug
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataResidentUncommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Aug
GadwallMareca streperaResidentUncommon46–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Aug
Velvet ScoterMelanitta fuscaResidentUncommon51–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.09% in Aug
MerlinFalco columbariusWinter visitorUncommon24–33 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Aug
Mediterranean GullIchthyaetus melanocephalusWinter visitorUncommon37–40 cmRegularly Jun–Mar · 0.08% in Aug
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentUncommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Aug
Common KingfisherAlcedo atthisResidentUncommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Aug
European Storm-petrelHydrobates pelagicusSummer visitorUncommon14–18 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.08% in Aug
Little GullHydrocoloeus minutusSummer visitorUncommon25–30 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Aug
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorusResidentCommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Aug
WhinchatSaxicola rubetraSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.07% in Aug
Garden WarblerSylvia borinSummer visitorUncommon14–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.06% in Aug
Green SandpiperTringa ochropusWinter visitorUncommon21–24 cmRegularly Aug–Mar · 0.06% in Aug
Red GrouseLagopus scoticaResidentUncommon37–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Aug
Crested TitLophophanes cristatusResidentUncommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Aug
Tree PipitAnthus trivialisSummer visitorUncommon14–16 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in Aug
Western Marsh-harrierCircus aeruginosusSummer visitorUncommon48–56 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Aug
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusSummer visitorUncommon34–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Aug
Tawny OwlStrix alucoResidentUncommon37–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Aug
European Pied FlycatcherFicedula hypoleucaSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.05% in Aug
Water RailRallus aquaticusResidentUncommon23–28 cmRecorded all year · 0.04% in Aug
Whooper SwanCygnus cygnusWinter visitorCommon140–165 cmRegularly Aug–Mar · 0.04% in Aug
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaWinter visitorUncommon27–30 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.03% in Aug
Arctic LoonGavia arcticaResidentUncommon58–77 cmRecorded all year · records held back in Aug (protected)
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufaResidentUncommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Aug
Common LoonGavia immerResidentUncommon66–91 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Aug
Grey PartridgePerdix perdixResidentUncommon28–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Aug
Wood SandpiperTringa glareolaPassage migrantRare19–21 cmRegularly Aug–Sep · 0.03% in Aug
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusResidentUncommon31–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.03% in Aug
Wood WarblerPhylloscopus sibilatrixSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.02% in Aug
Curlew SandpiperCalidris ferrugineaSummer visitorUncommon18–23 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.02% in Aug
Spotted RedshankTringa erythropusResidentRare29–31 cmRegularly Apr–Jan · 0.02% in Aug
Purple SandpiperCalidris maritimaWinter visitorUncommon20–22 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.02% in Aug
Grasshopper WarblerLocustella naeviaSummer visitorUncommon12–13 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.02% in Aug
Common RedstartPhoenicurus phoenicurusSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Aug
Common Reed-warblerAcrocephalus scirpaceusSummer visitorRare13–14 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Aug
Lesser WhitethroatCurruca currucaPassage migrantUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Aug
Red-backed ShrikeLanius collurioSummer visitorRare16–18 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.02% in Aug
Pomarine JaegerStercorarius pomarinusSummer visitorRare46–51 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.02% in Aug
Barn OwlTyto albaResidentUncommon33–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Aug
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.02% in Aug
Little TernSternula albifronsSummer visitorUncommon21–25 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.02% in Aug
Little StintCalidris minutaPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.02% in Aug
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsisWinter visitorUncommon58–70 cmRegularly Aug–Jun · 0.02% in Aug
Corn BuntingEmberiza calandraResidentRare16–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Aug
GarganeySpatula querquedulaPassage migrantRare37–41 cmRegularly Mar–Aug · 0.02% in Aug
Yellow WagtailMotacilla flavaSummer visitorRare15–17 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Aug
Black TernChlidonias nigerPassage migrantRare22–26 cmRegularly Aug–Sep · 0.01% in Aug
Long-tailed JaegerStercorarius longicaudusPassage migrantRare48–58 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in Aug
Little Ringed PloverThinornis dubiusSummer visitorRare14–17 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in Aug
PochardAythya ferinaResidentUncommon42–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Aug
Great White EgretArdea albaWinter visitorUncommon80–104 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Aug
Surf ScoterMelanitta perspicillataWinter visitorRare48–60 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.01% in Aug
Roseate TernSterna dougalliiPassage migrantRare33–41 cmRegularly Jun–Sep · 0.01% in Aug
Ruddy ShelduckTadorna ferrugineaSummer visitorRare58–70 cmRegularly May–Nov · 0.01% in Aug
Common CraneGrus grusPassage migrantRare100–130 cmRegularly Aug–Oct · 0.01% in Aug
Common RosefinchCarpodacus erythrinusPassage migrantUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in Aug
Northern PintailAnas acutaWinter visitorUncommon59–76 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.01% in Aug
Brent GooseBranta berniclaWinter visitorUncommon55–66 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.01% in Aug
Ring OuzelTurdus torquatusSummer visitorUncommon23–24 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.01% in Aug
Mandarin DuckAix galericulataResidentRare41–49 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Aug
Northern GoshawkAstur gentilisRecords withheldRare46–61 cmRegularly Feb–Aug · records held back in Aug (protected)
Eurasian SpoonbillPlatalea leucorodiaSummer visitorRare80–90 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in Aug
Great ShearwaterArdenna gravisPassage migrantRare43–51 cmRegularly Aug–Sep · 0.01% in Aug
Pectoral SandpiperCalidris melanotosPassage migrantRare19–23 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.01% in Aug
Balearic ShearwaterPuffinus mauretanicusPassage migrantRare35–40 cmRegularly Aug–Sep · 0.01% in Aug
Red-necked GrebePodiceps grisegenaWinter visitorRare40–50 cmRegularly Jul–Apr · 0.01% in Aug
WryneckJynx torquillaPassage migrantRare16–18 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.01% in Aug
Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatusPassage migrantRare18–19 cmRegularly Aug · 0.01% in Aug
Sabine's GullXema sabiniPassage migrantRare27–33 cmRegularly Aug–Sep · 0.01% in Aug
European Green WoodpeckerPicus viridisResidentRare30–36 cmRecorded all year · 0.01% in Aug
Leach's Storm-petrelHydrobates leucorhousPassage migrantRare18–21 cmRegularly Jun–Oct · 0.01% in Aug
Common QuailCoturnix coturnixSummer visitorRare16–18 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in Aug
HobbyFalco subbuteoSummer visitorRare28–35 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.00% in Aug
Red-billed ChoughPyrrhocorax pyrrhocoraxWinter visitorRare39–43 cmRegularly May–Mar · 0.00% in Aug
Bearded TitPanurus biarmicusSummer visitorRare13–15 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.00% in Aug
Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochrurosWinter visitorRare13–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.00% in Aug
Black SwanCygnus atratusResidentRare110–142 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.00% in Aug
Willow TitPoecile montanusWinter visitorRare11–12 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.00% in Aug
Bonaparte's GullChroicocephalus philadelphiaPassage migrantRare28–38 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.00% in Aug
Marsh WarblerAcrocephalus palustrisSummer visitorRare13–14 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.00% in Aug
Rose-ringed ParakeetPsittacula krameriResidentRare38–42 cmRegularly Oct–Aug · 0.00% in Aug
Data: EOD – eBird Observation Dataset (Cornell Lab of Ornithology), accessed via GBIF.org, CC BY 4.0. Records from 2019–2024, aggregated and filtered by Birdfact. How these lists are made