Part of the northern fringe of Strath Brora is officially designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its biological interest, including scarce breeding birds such as Golden Plover and mammals like Water Vole, The European significance of the area is also acknowledged by its inclusion in the Caithness and Sutherland Peat lands SPA (Special Protection Area),. These designations ensure that wildlife interest is taken into account by the appropriate Planning Authority (Highland Council or the Scottish Executive) when development proposals could adversely affect the area concerned.

The problem with national arid international designations is that land outside the boundaries is deemed 'fair game" for developers (and foresters!). The local importance of landscape,, recreation and wildlife ought to be given equal weight to any local economic benefits claimed by developers in support: of their case., but it isn't unless residents make the case forcefully themselves.

The eastern Sutherland block of hills, stretching virtually from the coast and. Bonar Bridge to Rogart and Kinbrace inland, is without doubt the largest and least spoilt: area of heather moorland north of the Great Glen, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) recognises its regional and national value as a wild landscape.

The greater proportion of heather to moor grass and sedge attracts higher densities of Red Grouse, Golden Plover and Mountain Hare than the wetter uplands of central and western Sutherland. These, together with the ubiquitous Meadow Pipit and Field Vole, ensure rich pickings for birds of prey and other predators. Strath Brora itself offers the richest variety of habitat in the whole of this region, and acts as a major corridor through it, particularly for birds,

Otters "work" the river, lochans and hillside burns, where a small population of the endangered Water Vole has recently been discovered.. Pine Martens are becoming much commoner and the Polecat is making a comeback as escaped ferrets re-adopt the distinctive dark markings of their wild ancestors. Wildcats are still a rare sight but can. sometimes be found surprisingly close to habitation. Most visitors to the area are happy enough to see the deer! Of the five widespread reptiles and amphibians, the declining Slow Worm is most in need of protection,

"The flora of the area may not be exceptional in. Highland terms but spring sees the emergence of the delicate Bog Pansy and, later in the year, there are good populations of orchids, including Green-winged, Northern Marsh, Heath Spotted and Lesser Butterfly. There is hardly a better place for a fungus foray in late autumn,. Much work still needs to be done on the insects, particularly as new species arrive in response to global warming. In the last decade the Speckled Wood butterfly has expanded its range northwards from the Dornoch Firth to the Strath of Kildonan. Dark Green Fritillery and Large Heath are on the wing in late summer. There are many more moths than butterflies, of which the Emperor and the Poplar Hawk are among the most impressive. Northern dragonflies adapted to the cooler climate excite visiting naturalists from the south. Even freshwater mussels survive in the upper river -testament to the water quality, just as the rich lichen flora reflects the purity of the air.

It is the birdlife of Strath Brora which is the most visible evidence of the area's diversity, Both of Sutherland'"s flagship species - Black-throated Diver and Greenshank - are present. Whilst the former (and its smaller Red-throated cousin) are fairly easily located on the larger lochans, Greenshank s nest secretively in rough terrain, often well away from water, Most of the British breeding population, is found in Sutherland and several pairs nest: in the Strath. They can sometimes be seen feeding along the river. Other commoner species of wader, like Curlew, Lapwing, Redshank and Snipe are declining nationally and. locally, so the relatively high numbers of these assume greater significance. Ringed Plovers, more familiar on the beach, occupy the larger shingle banks. Greylag Goose, Wigeon, Teal and Red-breasted Merganser breed in the quieter wetlands. Dippers inhabitat the faster flowing burns, descending to the main river in winter.

Resident birds of prey include Peregrine and Golden Eagle. The latter does not nest in the Strath but birds from, nearby territories hunt over the hills and wandering miniatures are often present in winter. Hen Harrier and Merlin are mainly summer visitors. No less than thirteen different species of diurnal raptor and four species of owl have occurred in the last decade, Ospreys can now be seen fishing regularly in summer. White-tailed Eagle and Red. Kite (both from reintroduced populations) may appear at any season. The rare migratory Black Kite has transited twice in spring and Goshawks have attempted to breed in the vicinity,. The northern counterpart of our familiar Buzzard, the Rough-legged Buzzard, is a rare winter visitor (but beware pale Common Buzzard look-alikes!). Our local. Bam Owls are the most northerly in the world.

It is not only birds of prey which migrate through the Strath, In spring and autumn large numbers of Icelandic Pink-footed and Greylag Geese pass through, sometimes using Loch Brora as a rest stop. Flocks of Whooper Swans also use this route, as did Sutherland's first Bewick's Swan for over a century in April 1999.

At the smaller end of the spectrum, important remnants of birch woodland hold high densities of Willow Warbler and healthy populations of Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart and Treecreeper; as well as Woodcock, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Reed Buntings, Sedge Warblers and Grasshopper Warblers sing from waterside scrub. Wheatears are abundant in summer, outnumbering the resident Stonechat and the migratory Whinchat. There is a small, scattered breeding population of Twite on the hills arid winter flocks of Redpolls in the woods. In irruption years these can include large numbers of Mealy Redpolls from the northern Continent.

The opportunity for local residents and visitors to observe these and many other birds and animals in such beautiful unspoilt surroundings is a privilege that must not be given up lightly.

August, 2003