Snow Buntings are large buntings with striking “snowy” plumages. Males in summer have all white heads and underparts contrasting with a black mantle and wing tips. Females are a more mottled above. In autumn and winter birds develop a sandy/buff wash to their plumage and males have more mottled upperparts.

Snow Buntings breed in far northern Europe and migrate south in winter. They are a very scarce breeding species in the UK and can be found on the highest mountain peaks in Scotland where they nest in rocky crevices.

Snow Buntings are best looked for in winter (from late September to early March) where they can sometimes be seen in large flocks on the seashore or on adjacent short rough grassland at coastal sites in Scotland and eastern England.

Date: 26th March 2008

Location: Cairngorm, Highland