Wildlife
The bird hide at Dalchork just outside Lairg on the mouth of the Tirry River has given bird watchers the chance to see fishing ospreys and black throated divers. Sightings have been recorded of hen harrier, merlin, greenshank, glaucus gull, white crane and sea eagle.
Handa Island near Scourie on the West coast is a SWT Reserve and one of the largest seabird colonies in NW Europe. The Great Stack, a pillar of sandstone separated from the island by the sea, has colonies of guillemots, razorbills, skuas and kittiwake.
The RSPB Reserve at Forsinard, which can be reached by train from Lairg as well as by road, is an internationally famous area of 10,000ha of blanket bog. The visitor centre is open Easter to October and the reserve is always open. It is at its best in spring and summer. Look out for hen harriers, golden plovers and greenshanks and enjoy the bogland plants and mosses.
Common and grey seals are often to be seen off the beaches of Brora and Golspie. Minke whales and the Moray Firth dolphins can also be spotted.
Red deer are common in Sutherland and can usually be seen by anyone walking quietly in the hills.
The dramatic Falls of Shin can be reached off opposite the Shin Falls Restaurant on the back road B864 between Lairg and Invershin. An excellent viewing platform has been set up above the falls and salmon can often be seen making their almost impossible leap up the rocks through the cascading water.
Handa Island Great Skua Seals near Brora
