Welcome to Bute Bird Group

We are a group of people who enjoy birdwatching to identify, understand and monitor the varied bird life on and around the Isle of Bute. Bute’s position in the Firth of Clyde provides a sheltered refuge for sea birds, including gannets and divers. The island has a wide range of habitats from a rocky and sandy coastline that is home to waders and shore birds, farmland that supports a strong curlew population and upland habitats that make golden eagles and white-tailed eagles frequent visitors too. This is why Bute is one of the best places for birdwatching in Scotland.

There is plenty to see at all times of the year. Flocks of Greylag and occasionally Greenland White-fronted Geese spend the winter in Bute, along with Whooper Swans and many Wigeon. In summer you can watch our Ospreys and many other summer migrants. Spring and autumn provide opportunities to see migrating birds and rarities passing through.

New to Bute?

The Bute bird list stands at over 200 species, so you will have plenty to find. See the Library pages for details. Take a look at the Best Bird Sites page to find great places to start your birdwatching.

Remember that your birdwatching can start before you even set foot on Bute. As well as watching gannets and other seabirds during the ferry crossing, look out for interesting birds as you enter Rothesay harbour. Red-breasted Merganser, Black Guillemot, Eider and Shag are commonly seen here.

New to birdwatching?

If you are new to birdwatching, why not join the Bute Bird group? We share news, sightings and ornithology gossip on our  WhatsApp group – it’s a great way to learn and to improve your identification skills. Don’t forget to look at the Gallery page on this site too.

We are also a very friendly group – people will take the time to help you and meet up to give you help in the field.

Please use the Contact Us button below to get in touch.

Join us

To join the Bute Bird group please contact the membership secretary by using the membership form in the Join Us page, or clicking the button below.

Bute Bird Group is a part of Bute Museum and Natural History Society. By joining the Society you also get the extra benefit of automatically becoming a member of Bute Bird Group.

We hold regular indoor meetings in the Society’s meeting room within the Museum at Stuart St, Rothesay. We also have regular outings on Bute and a programme of field trips beyond our island throughout the year. See the Programmes Page for details.

Thanks to local artist Brian Large for the watercolour of the Hen Harrier at the top of this page.