Typical of these northern species is the great skua, breeding on moors and peat bogs near the sea in Sutherland and Caithness. This spectacular sky pirate defends its nesting territory with great enthusiasm. Shyer and scarcer, the red throated diver haunts moorland pools near the sea, and its wailing call seems the very essence of the wild northlands.

The auk family, including the easily recognisable puffin, breed on suitable cliffs right round the northern coastline. The Nature reserve of Handa in the north-west is one of the best places to see these spectacular seabird cities of nesting guillemots and razorbills. Puffins are burrow-nesters (rather than on cliff ledges) and there are several places where they can be seen in close-up, including in the vicinity of the Stacks of Duncansby, near John o' Groats, and also by Faraid Head near Durness. From sea-duck on Loch Fleet to Manx shearwaters on Rum, Highland seabirds abound - and are an important element of any Highland wildlife experience.