UK Wildlife

Snow Bunting Arctic Visitor and Mountain Breeder

Snow buntings are Arctic specialised birds that spend winter on UK coastlines and high ground, with a tiny breeding population on the highest Scottish mountains.

Key Facts

Fewer than 60 pairs breed in the UK, only on summits above 900m in the Cairngorms
Winter flocks arrive from Greenland and Iceland, feeding on coastal strandline seeds
Males are brilliant white with black wing patches in summer plumage
Adapted to extreme cold with dense plumage and behavioural thermoregulation
One of the world's most northerly breeding songbirds

Welfare Considerations

Snow bunting breeding success in Scotland depends on Arctic-alpine habitat quality. Climate change threatens to reduce suitable snow-patch habitat on Scottish summits. Disturbance from hill walkers near nest sites is a concern during breeding season.

What You Can Do

Follow cairn area access codes during June-July to avoid nest disturbance
Join Cairngorm highland winter wildlife watching to support conservation funding
Support climate action to protect Arctic and sub-Arctic breeding habitats