Birds to See in Highland in August
153 bird species on our list for Highland are recorded regularly in August
Of these, the most often recorded are European Herring Gull, Barn Swallow, Woodpigeon, Pied Wagtail and Eurasian Oystercatcher. New this month: Greater Scaup, Greenshank, Great Crested Grebe and Velvet Scoter and 6 more.
On the move in August
GBIF · AugArriving
At their peak
From Highland’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 153 birds in August
153 birds
European Herring GullLarus argentatusResidentCommon55–67 cmRecorded all year · 3.93% in Aug
Barn SwallowHirundo rusticaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 3.02% in Aug
WoodpigeonColumba palumbusResidentCommon40–42 cmRecorded all year · 2.72% in Aug
Pied WagtailMotacilla albaSummer visitorCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 2.67% in Aug
Eurasian OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegusResidentCommon40–45 cmRecorded all year · 2.53% in Aug
Hooded CrowCorvus cornixResidentCommon44–51 cmRecorded all year · 2.51% in Aug
European RobinErithacus rubeculaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 2.42% in Aug
ChaffinchFringilla coelebsResidentCommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 2.33% in Aug
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinusResidentCommon64–79 cmRecorded all year · 2.25% in Aug
Common GullLarus canusResidentCommon40–46 cmRecorded all year · 2.07% in Aug
Grey HeronArdea cinereaResidentCommon90–98 cmRecorded all year · 2.07% in Aug
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensisSummer visitorCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 2.01% in Aug
MallardAnas platyrhynchosResidentCommon50–65 cmRecorded all year · 1.94% in Aug
Eurasian WrenTroglodytes troglodytesResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 1.88% in Aug
European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelisResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 1.78% in Aug
House SparrowPasser domesticusResidentCommon14–17 cmRecorded all year · 1.71% in Aug
BuzzardButeo buteoResidentCommon51–57 cmRecorded all year · 1.68% in Aug
Northern GannetMorus bassanusSummer visitorCommon87–100 cmRecorded all year · 1.66% in Aug
Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carboResidentCommon80–100 cmRecorded all year · 1.64% in Aug
Carrion CrowCorvus coroneResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 1.60% in Aug
CurlewNumenius arquataResidentCommon50–60 cmRecorded all year · 1.59% in Aug
Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisResidentCommon21–23 cmRecorded all year · 1.54% in Aug
House MartinDelichon urbicumSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 1.49% in Aug
Rock DoveColumba liviaResidentCommon31–34 cmRecorded all year · 1.47% in Aug
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleusResidentCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 1.47% in Aug
JackdawColoeus monedulaResidentCommon34–39 cmRecorded all year · 1.45% in Aug
Coal TitPeriparus aterResidentCommon10–12 cmRecorded all year · 1.44% in Aug
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundusResidentCommon38–44 cmRecorded all year · 1.39% in Aug
Great TitParus majorResidentCommonRecorded all year · 1.38% in Aug
European ShagGulosus aristotelisResidentCommon65–80 cmRecorded all year · 1.31% in Aug
BlackbirdTurdus merulaResidentCommon24–25 cmRecorded all year · 1.25% in Aug
Greylag GooseAnser anserResidentCommon75–90 cmRecorded all year · 1.16% in Aug
Common RavenCorvus coraxResidentCommon54–67 cmRecorded all year · 1.16% in Aug
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilusSummer visitorCommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 1.11% in Aug
Eurasian Collared DoveStreptopelia decaoctoResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 1.00% in Aug
KittiwakeRissa tridactylaSummer visitorCommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.97% in Aug
RedshankTringa totanusWinter visitorCommon27–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.94% in Aug
RookCorvus frugilegusResidentCommon45–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.87% in Aug
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscusSummer visitorCommon52–64 cmRegularly Jan–Oct · 0.86% in Aug
Eurasian SiskinSpinus spinusResidentCommon11–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.85% in Aug
LinnetLinaria cannabinaResidentCommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.82% in Aug
GoldcrestRegulus regulusResidentCommon9–10 cmRecorded all year · 0.79% in Aug
Common SwiftApus apusSummer visitorCommon16–17 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.71% in Aug
Common TernSterna hirundoSummer visitorCommon31–35 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.71% in Aug
FulmarFulmarus glacialisSummer visitorCommon45–50 cmRegularly Dec–Sep · 0.71% in Aug
StonechatSaxicola rubicolaResidentCommon12–13 cmRecorded all year · 0.69% in Aug
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensisSummer visitorCommon36–41 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.68% in Aug
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinereaSummer visitorCommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.66% in Aug
Black GuillemotCepphus grylleResidentCommon30–32 cmRecorded all year · 0.65% in Aug
Sand MartinRiparia ripariaSummer visitorCommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.65% in Aug
WheatearOenanthe oenantheSummer visitorCommon15–16 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.63% in Aug
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticulaResidentCommon17–19 cmRecorded all year · 0.62% in Aug
Great SkuaStercorarius skuaSummer visitorCommon50–58 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.59% in Aug
OspreyPandion haliaetusSummer visitorCommon54–58 cmRegularly Mar–Sep · 0.59% in Aug
EiderSomateria mollissimaResidentCommon50–71 cmRecorded all year · 0.58% in Aug
TreecreeperCerthia familiarisResidentCommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.55% in Aug
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos majorResidentCommon23–26 cmRecorded all year · 0.53% in Aug
DunnockPrunella modularisResidentCommon14–15 cmRecorded all year · 0.52% in Aug
Red-throated LoonGavia stellataResidentCommon53–69 cmRecorded all year · 0.52% in Aug
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisusResidentCommon28–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.51% in Aug
Common MerganserMergus merganserResidentCommon58–68 cmRecorded all year · 0.51% in Aug
Rock PipitAnthus petrosusResidentCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.50% in Aug
White-tailed Sea-eagleHaliaeetus albicillaResidentUncommon66–94 cmRecorded all year · 0.46% in Aug
Manx ShearwaterPuffinus puffinusSummer visitorUncommon30–38 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.45% in Aug
Common RedpollAcanthis flammeaResidentCommon12–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in Aug
RazorbillAlca tordaSummer visitorCommon38–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.44% in Aug
Red KiteMilvus milvusResidentCommon60–66 cmRecorded all year · 0.42% in Aug
GreenfinchChloris chlorisResidentCommon15–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in Aug
DunlinCalidris alpinaResidentUncommon16–22 cmRecorded all year · 0.41% in Aug
Arctic JaegerStercorarius parasiticusSummer visitorUncommon41–46 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.40% in Aug
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollisResidentCommon23–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in Aug
Song ThrushTurdus philomelosResidentCommon20–23 cmRecorded all year · 0.40% in Aug
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striataSummer visitorCommon14–16 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.40% in Aug
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serratorResidentCommon52–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.39% in Aug
Arctic TernSterna paradisaeaSummer visitorUncommon33–39 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.38% in Aug
Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpresWinter visitorCommon21–24 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.38% in Aug
Mute SwanCygnus olorResidentCommon140–160 cmRecorded all year · 0.37% in Aug
KestrelFalco tinnunculusResidentCommon32–39 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Aug
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponicaWinter visitorCommon37–41 cmRecorded all year · 0.36% in Aug
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatusResidentCommon13–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in Aug
Northern LapwingVanellus vanellusResidentCommon28–31 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in Aug
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhulaResidentCommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in Aug
Canada GooseBranta canadensisResidentUncommon76–110 cmRecorded all year · 0.35% in Aug
Crested TitLophophanes cristatusResidentCommon11–12 cmRecorded all year · 0.34% in Aug
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybitaSummer visitorCommon10–12 cmRegularly Mar–Oct · 0.32% in Aug
TwiteLinaria flavirostrisSummer visitorUncommon13–14 cmRegularly Dec–Oct · 0.31% in Aug
Eurasian TealAnas creccaResidentCommon34–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Aug
MoorhenGallinula chloropusResidentCommon30–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.28% in Aug
Common PheasantPhasianus colchicusResidentCommon50–90 cmRecorded all year · 0.25% in Aug
Atlantic PuffinFratercula arcticaSummer visitorUncommon28–34 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.24% in Aug
Eurasian WigeonMareca penelopeWinter visitorCommon42–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in Aug
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinellaResidentCommon16–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.24% in Aug
DipperCinclus cinclusResidentUncommon17–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Aug
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorusResidentCommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.23% in Aug
GoldeneyeBucephala clangulaWinter visitorCommon40–51 cmRecorded all year · 0.22% in Aug
GreenshankTringa nebulariaWinter visitorUncommon30–35 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.22% in Aug
Tufted DuckAythya fuligulaResidentCommon40–47 cmRecorded all year · 0.21% in Aug
BlackcapSylvia atricapillaSummer visitorCommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Feb · 0.19% in Aug
Red KnotCalidris canutusWinter visitorUncommon23–26 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.19% in Aug
SanderlingCalidris albaWinter visitorUncommon18–20 cmRecorded all year · 0.19% in Aug
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucosSummer visitorCommon18–20 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.18% in Aug
MagpiePica picaResidentUncommon44–46 cmRecorded all year · 0.18% in Aug
European Storm-petrelHydrobates pelagicusPassage migrantUncommon14–18 cmRegularly Jun–Sep · 0.17% in Aug
WhimbrelNumenius phaeopusSummer visitorUncommon40–46 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.16% in Aug
Red GrouseLagopus scoticaResidentUncommon37–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Aug
Eurasian JayGarrulus glandariusResidentCommon32–35 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Aug
Eurasian SkylarkAlauda arvensisSummer visitorCommon16–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Aug
Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostraResidentCommon15–17 cmRecorded all year · 0.15% in Aug
Common ShelduckTadorna tadornaResidentCommon58–67 cmRecorded all year · 0.14% in Aug
Black-tailed GodwitLimosa limosaWinter visitorUncommon40–44 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.13% in Aug
Peregrine FalconFalco peregrinusResidentUncommon34–58 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Aug
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclusResidentUncommon14–16 cmRecorded all year · 0.13% in Aug
Horned GrebePodiceps auritusResidentUncommon31–38 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Aug
Hen HarrierCircus cyaneusResidentUncommon41–52 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Aug
CootFulica atraResidentUncommon36–42 cmRecorded all year · 0.12% in Aug
Common SnipeGallinago gallinagoResidentUncommon25–27 cmRecorded all year · 0.11% in Aug
Tree PipitAnthus trivialisSummer visitorCommon14–16 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.11% in Aug
WhitethroatCurruca communisSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.10% in Aug
Sooty ShearwaterArdenna griseaPassage migrantUncommon40–51 cmRegularly Jul–Oct · 0.09% in Aug
MerlinFalco columbariusResidentUncommon24–33 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Aug
Common ScoterMelanitta nigraResidentUncommon43–54 cmRecorded all year · 0.08% in Aug
Arctic LoonGavia arcticaResidentUncommon58–77 cmRecorded all year · records held back in Aug (protected)
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenusSummer visitorUncommon12–13 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.07% in Aug
Golden PloverPluvialis apricariaResidentUncommon26–29 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Aug
Tawny OwlStrix alucoResidentUncommon37–43 cmRecorded all year · 0.07% in Aug
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufaResidentUncommon32–34 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Aug
Eurasian Tree SparrowPasser montanusResidentUncommon13–14 cmRecorded all year · 0.06% in Aug
WhinchatSaxicola rubetraSummer visitorUncommon12–14 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.06% in Aug
Greater ScaupAythya marilaWinter visitorUncommon39–56 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.06% in Aug
RuffCalidris pugnaxPassage migrantUncommon20–32 cmRegularly May–Sep · 0.05% in Aug
Snow BuntingPlectrophenax nivalisWinter visitorUncommon15–18 cmRecorded all year · 0.05% in Aug
Water RailRallus aquaticusSummer visitorUncommon23–28 cmRegularly Mar–Jan · 0.05% in Aug
Common RedstartPhoenicurus phoenicurusSummer visitorUncommon13–15 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.04% in Aug
Ring OuzelTurdus torquatusSummer visitorUncommon23–24 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.04% in Aug
Wood WarblerPhylloscopus sibilatrixSummer visitorUncommon11–13 cmRegularly Apr–Aug · 0.03% in Aug
Common KingfisherAlcedo atthisWinter visitorUncommon16–17 cmRegularly Jul–May · 0.03% in Aug
Stock DoveColumba oenasResidentUncommon32–34 cmRegularly Dec–Oct · 0.03% in Aug
Little GullHydrocoloeus minutusPassage migrantRare25–30 cmRegularly Aug–Apr · 0.03% in Aug
Pomarine JaegerStercorarius pomarinusPassage migrantRare46–51 cmRegularly May–Oct · 0.02% in Aug
GadwallMareca streperaSummer visitorRare46–56 cmRegularly Mar–Dec · 0.02% in Aug
Sabine's GullXema sabiniPassage migrantRare27–33 cmRegularly Aug–Sep · 0.02% in Aug
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeusSummer visitorRare34–43 cmRegularly Apr–Oct · 0.02% in Aug
Western Marsh-harrierCircus aeruginosusSummer visitorRare48–56 cmRegularly Apr–Sep · 0.02% in Aug
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsisWinter visitorUncommon58–70 cmRecorded all year · 0.02% in Aug
Barn OwlTyto albaResidentUncommon33–39 cmRegularly Dec–Oct · 0.02% in Aug
Little TernSternula albifronsSummer visitorRare21–25 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.02% in Aug
Mandarin DuckAix galericulataSummer visitorRare41–49 cmRegularly Feb–Oct · 0.02% in Aug
Velvet ScoterMelanitta fuscaWinter visitorUncommon51–58 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.02% in Aug
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatusResidentUncommon46–51 cmRegularly Aug–May · 0.01% in Aug
Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeataSummer visitorUncommon44–51 cmRegularly Jan–Nov · 0.01% in Aug
Little StintCalidris minutaPassage migrantRare13–15 cmRegularly Aug–Sep · 0.01% in Aug
Garden WarblerSylvia borinSummer visitorUncommon14–15 cmRegularly May–Aug · 0.01% in Aug
Great ShearwaterArdenna gravisPassage migrantRare43–51 cmRegularly Aug · 0.01% 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