LOOK OUT FOR THESE THREE UPLAND BIRDS

4 THE WHEATEAR is a summer visitor and in September will be beginning its migration to central Africa, so you're more likely to see it on the wing. It's small, roughly robin-sized, with a distinctive white rump and black 'T' shape on the tail (its name is actually derived from 'white arse'). Males have a neat blue-grey back, black cheek and white streak above the eye. Females are browner and though have similar, but more discreet, facial features. Common in the uplands in summer.

THE PTARMIGAN is a plump gamebird that’s a member of the grouse family. Commonly found in the northern areas of the Scottish Highlands, it breeds in arctic-like conditions and only when it’s extremely cold will it escape from the mountains and head for the edges of the woodland. In summer, it has mingled grey, brown and black plumage with a white belly and underwings; in the winter, it turns all white bar the tail and eye patch, which remain black.

THE GOLDEN EAGLE is a powerful and agile hunter commonly seen soaring on high air currents as it searches for its prey of deer, rabbit, hare and grouse. They’re most easily spotted in the Scottish Highlands around desolate craggy areas and are often confused with buzzards. It’s easy to tell the difference – the golden eagle is huge with a wing span of over two metres, while buzzards are much smaller with a wing span of 1-1.4m.