Granddad’s Camera
Snow bunting, as it appears in the game

No.080 · Birds · Rare

Snow bunting

Plectrophenax nivalis

A small white-and-brown bunting that drifts like snowflakes over the plateau in winter; a handful stay to breed high up in summer.

When to look

November to April, mostly at dawn, day and dusk.

Time of day

Best time
Day, October–March on the plateau and ski slopes; a very few breed in June–July.
Where in the game
the Cairngorms (mountain)
Size
About 16 cm
Wingspan
32–38 cm
Weight
About 33 g (28–39 g)
Lifespan
Typically 3 years once breeding; the oldest ringed bird was nearly 9 (BTO)
Population
About 60 breeding territories in the UK (BTO, 2011) and around 13,000 birds in winter (BTO, 1981–84)
Status
Amber (Birds of Conservation Concern 5, 2021)

Diet

Seeds in winter; insects for chicks in summer.

Habitat

High, stony plateau and snow patches; in winter also coasts and tops.

Breeding

Nests in rock crevices in June–July; 4–6 eggs, incubated by the female for 12–13 days; chicks fledge after 12–14 days; one or two broods

Field signs

  • A rippling, tinkling 'tirrirrip' call
  • White wing patches in flight
  • Flocks working over open ground or ski-slope car parks
  • Rust and white males

Did you know?

  • Only about 60 breeding territories occur in the UK, all in the Scottish mountains; in winter the numbers swell to around 13,000 (BTO).
  • Male snow buntings sing from a rock on the plateau in spring.
  • Snow buntings breed farther north than almost any other songbird.

Moments worth waiting for

  • Winter flock December to February, day
    A flock of snow buntings blows across the snow like flakes, dropping suddenly to feed on seeds on a windswept ridge.

Photo tip

Look on the ski slopes, car parks and plateau snowfields in winter, and use a fast shutter for flocks. Underexpose slightly on snow.

Be a good naturalist

Stay well back from any suspected summer nesting area on the plateau and never use playback. Leave a wide berth for birds with chicks between June and July.

The law

Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981: it is an offence to disturb it at or near the nest.

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