With a landmass covering 535 square miles, at no point more than 5 miles from the sea, lochs penetrating deep inland towards a huge and spectacular mountain mass, Skye allows you to experience a whole range of species from pelagic to upland montane at virtually the same time. It is quite possible to sit with Golden Eagles and Ptarmigan on the Cuillins and with a good scope, watch rafts of Manx Shearwaters on Loch Scavaig below. It is equally possible to see either Golden Eagles or White Tails from virtually any public road on Skye. The scattered crofting communities of Skye are host to a wide range of species and the small towns of Broadford, Kyleakin, Portree and Dunvegan, provide shelter from the vagaries of the weather and additional feeding opportunities. I live in a small crofting community, and our wild garden of just over an acre regularly hosts over 50 Twite, as well as regular appearances by Wheatear, Whinchat, Stonechat, Raven and Merlin. It is therefore well worth looking out for birds anywhere on the island. As in most things in life the greater the efforts you put in, the greater the rewards will be, and as many species are underecorded, and many areas totally unwatched, your observations could be vitally important for future conservation.

Over the last few years, I have regularly watched a number of the following sites. All can be viewed easily, but a good telescope is certainly helpful as many are coastal sites.