What to see and where in the Northern Isles and North Highland

You are spoilt for choice as to where to go for wildlife viewing in springtime in the Northern Isles and North Highland. Here are some of the highlights.

A wee primrose that's proud to be Scottish

Blue spring squill tints the cliff top heaths interspersed with flashes of bright yellow banks of primrose. In late spring we can also see the first flowering of the Scottish primrose. This small red flower is only found in the coastal grasslands and heaths of our area and nowhere else in the world.

Towering sea cliffs and soaring birds

Throughout the spring seabirds return to the cliffs to nest. Guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, fulmars, shag and puffins all stake a claim to different parts of the cliffs and in some areas form dense colonies which are very spectacular to see, hear and smell! For an unforgettable experience why not visit Noss National Nature Reserve (ferry starts mid-April) and Hermaness National Nature Reserve . Whilst spring means we see the return of many birds that migrated south in the autumn, it also means the departure of birds like barnacle geese that over-wintered here. Wintering great northern divers can still be seen in sheltered coastal bays up to May before they migrate to their breeding grounds in Scandinavia and Iceland. Along the coasts also keep a watchful eye out for whales, dolphins and porpoises. Fancy a day sea watching along the coast? Then have a look at our useful guide for watching and identifying marine life in North-west Scotland.

Mudflats, seals and dolphins

The mudflats of Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve , on the east coast of Sutherland, are a great location to watch seals, otters, osprey and a whole range of waders and wildfowl. Adjacent pinewoods are also a home for cross-bill, pine marten, and rare plants such as St. Olaf's candlestick and twinflower. There is a new bird hide here overlooking Balblair Bay which is suitable for all ages and abilities. Our northern broadleaf woodlands are also most spectacular in spring with bluebell, primrose, celandine and wood anemone all flourishing before the trees come into full leaf and shade out the woodland floor.

Bogs awash with the colours of spring

The boglands and moors that are common in our area are full of colour in late spring with the yellow of bog asphodel and brilliant white of cotton grass. A good place to view peatlands in our area is The Forsinard Flows National Nature Reserve in central Sutherland. These undulating wet peatlands also come alive in spring to the calls of golden plover, dunlin, greenshank and around hill lochs, red or black-throated divers.

Where golden eagles soar

In more mountainous areas, especially during February and March, golden eagles will be displaying above their territories doing spectacular sky dances. On crofts and farmland, skylark and lapwing display and the first swallows and house-martins arrive in April or early May, a sure sign that summer isn't too far away.