Sixteen raptor species recorded on Scottish moorlands

16 raptor species recorded in historic study

A decade-long study tracking birds of prey across Scottish moorland has recorded 16 different raptor species in the past year.

Independent surveyors monitored 15 flight routes covering 10km each across four areas – Southern Scotland, Tayside, Angus Glens and the Grampians – between spring and summer.

The routes predominantly covered managed heather habitat, with some rewilding and forestry areas included.

Types of raptors sighted

Buzzards remained the most commonly recorded species at 38% of total sightings, up from 35% previously. Red kites showed a steady increase, rising from 13% to 20% over three years, whilst kestrels dropped from over 16% to 8.5%.

Golden eagles, peregrine falcons and hen harriers were recorded across all four survey areas. Other species included white-tailed sea eagles, ospreys, goshawks, sparrowhawks, ravens, short-eared owls and tawny owls.

GWCT received 421 records

The GWCT, administering the study currently in its fifth year, received 421 species records in 2025 compared with 523 in 2024. Scotland’s Regional Moorland Groups attributed the decrease to “catastrophic breeding conditions” in 2024, when prolonged cold, wet weather reduced insect availability and devastated broods.

The research aims to build a conservation status index for Scotland’s estimated 20 raptor species. The GWCT said it would improve “understanding as to the role of heather moorland in conservation and sustainable management”.

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