Field observations in the Scottish Highlands over decades - ptarmigan, red grouse, golden plover, dotterel, bird counts.The author documents hatch-dates of ptarmigan and red grouse in relation to blaeberry growth and climate. He collates field observations on golden plover, involving proportions of dark-plumaged summering birds, breeding success, population density within and amongst areas, and declines since the late 1970s. Another chapter reviews evidence on dotterel abundance. The author criticises a paper claiming benefits of game-keeping for moorland birds and a report on effects of predation on birds.