The birds have also returned to breed on Skye and although population expansion has been slower than anticipated  but there are now over 15 territories on the island. Stop in at the Serpentarium , or seek sea life on a Glass Bottom boat for even more wildlife. Observing the abundance of game birds Martin wrote: Mull Charters operates out of Ulva Ferry and the skipper of the boat trip has a uniqe relationship with the local Sea Eagles. A good site in autumn and winter. In late summer this is a super area for Auks, Gannets and Gulls. Regular boat trips from Elgol bring visitors to the heart of the Cuillins and the spectacular Loch Coruisk, seen in the photograph. Over the years it has picked up a number of scarce wildfowl including Garganey and Green Winged Teal, so check everything thoroughly. Golden Plover are scarce but listen for them on Am Mam or neighbouring hills. It will be worth checking any area which provides cover, such as the nearby gardens at Waterstein. It’s a quiet time of the year for Tours , even more so with the current restrictions, but we’re still operating “as and when”. Eagles on the Island The scenery of Skye is unrivalled in the UK. It is quite possible to sit with Golden Eagles and Ptarmigan on the Cuillins and with a good scope, watch rafts of Manx Shearwaters on Loch Scavaig below. Curlew Sandpiper are recorded annually and Broad-billed Sandpiper was a recent first. This unclassified road continues through Moll to eventually rejoin the A87(T) at Sconser Golf Course, providing excellent views to Scalpay and Raasay. A brand new location for Sand & Stone Escapes, we are excited to offer Milovaig House, a newly renovated 19 th century croft er’s house perched on the cliffs of the Isle of Skye.. 3. Unfortunately however, egg collecting, a real threat in Victorian times, remains a genuine problem. The area contains some mature hardwood stands and much of the modern forestry planting will eventually be replaced by hardwoods as part of a larger millennium forest project. The walk round Ardnish is always worthwhile and affords a number of excellent observation points. The Coral Beach, Claigan. Their diet includes mice, rabbits, and annoyingly for the local farmers, as … A location which is rarely watched but which could reap good pickings for those prepared to make the effort. The weather here, as elsewhere on the island, plays its part, and the Bay can often be relatively sheltered when gales are belting in from the west. 1. Now, it might also be possible to observe White-tailed Eagles in the same thermals. This is the peninsula which lies between Lochs Slapin and Scavaig in the south west of Skye and is reached by following the A881 from Broadford, through the villages of Torrin and Elgol. The project was initially managed through the  RSPB, and  involved attaching colour wing tags to birds but this practice has now ceased and colour rings are now fitted. There are a number of areas worth observing:- Though there is a breeding colony of Shag and Black Guillemot, the area comes into its own during stormy weather as a seawatching point. Other records have included Storm and Leach's Petrel, Sabine's Gull, and several species of Skuas and Divers. 3. Broadford Bay (NG650250), can be watched from numerous points including the New and Old Pier, and the Co-op Car Park. All can be viewed easily, but a good telescope is certainly helpful as many are coastal sites. There are often huge numbers of auks and Kittiwakes offshore. Skye Fairy Pools. This is an excellent location for sea watching from spring through to autumn with Shearwaters, Skuas, Gannets, Auks and Gulls high on the list. Spring or winter, rain or shine, explore Skye’s unspoilt wilderness and wildlife; see Golden Eagles, Sea Eagles, Otters, Seals, Porpoise and Red Deer. Skye is home to some beautiful natural views, but it’s not … The area is designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) for Golden Eagles and has 8 pairs in the wider Cuillin area. However, it is a special island well worth a visit in its own right with some superb walks through contrasting landscapes. We also have regularly sighting of Seals and Dolphins. Moorhen and Coot, extremely rare on Skye, formerly bred here and both have been seen again in recent years. On your boat trip to from Elgol you will be in an ideal situation to see a huge variety of bird-life. One of the best locations for Teal. 4. By the beginning of the 20 th century the situation had changed completely. Consequently a collaborative project commenced in 2000 between Scotland and Ireland, 'The Irish Golden Eagle Reintroduction Project' which removes a small number of these surplus but at risk birds from their Scottish eyries, for eventual release in the wild to re-establish a breeding population in the mountains of the west of Ireland. Little Auks are probably regular in winter off Lusa. The scattered crofting communities of Skye are host to a wide range of species and the towns of Broadford, Kyleakin, Portree and Dunvegan, provide shelter from the vagaries of the weather and additional feeding opportunities. With some free time I took a trip to Inverness yesterday, and couldn’t resist a quick phone pic … Strathaird This is the peninsula which lies between Lochs Slapin and Scavaig in the south west of Skye and is reached by following the A881 from Broadford, through the villages of Torrin and Elgol. 3. 3. Every year we have very occasional sightings of Sea Eagles above the landing steps which lead to Loch Coruisk but the Golden Eagles are more common around our part of … Isle of Skye Fairy Pools. 2. A number of species, scarce elsewhere on the island, are likely to be found including ChiffChaff, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, and Wood Warbler. This is a good spot for Iceland Gull. Ferries and Boat Trips are an ideal way to see wildlife in and around Skye. Don't expect to see huge numbers of birds but what you do see may be extremely rewarding. A ferry service connects Uig on Skye with Tarbert on the Isle of Harris and Lochmaddy on North Uist. There is a public car park (NG133478) at the end of the unclassified road which goes to the west from Glendale. During your trip you will experience one of Scotland's premier wildlife attractions, the sea eagle along with other various sea birds, seals, porpoise, dolphins and whales. With its wild uplands and coastline, Skye in particular is a stronghold for eagles of both species with around 30 pairs of golden eagles and around a dozen pairs of white-tailed eagles. There are always huge number of Gulls in the Harbour area and in winter you are likely to find both Glaucous and Iceland Gulls. For those patient enough to sit and watch on still, sunny days, it may be possible to watch several pairs of Golden Eagles interact at the margins of their territories. The westernmost location in Skye overlooking the minches, and probably one of its best seawatching points. The Red Hills are one of the best locations on the island to see Ptarmigan. The Hebrides generally lack the biodiversity of mainland Britain, but like most of the larger islands, Skye still has a wide variety of species. This interesting peninsula, a classic example of a tombola, is easily accessible from Gedintailor, Braes at NG525350. The A87 trunk road links the Skye Bridge with Uig, towards the north of the island. The coastal fringes only provide limited feeding in the intertidal zone, though offshore can always be rewarding and the Point of Sleat is an excellent spot for sea-watching and local migration. Personal highlight was a Sea Eagle sitting on a rock, not unusual, but it’s a rock that for 8 years I’ve felt was a perfect perching place, but the Eagles clearly had disagreed until Saturday! Other common waders are present including Greenshank, Ringed Plover and Dunlin. There are various good observation points to afford excellent views of seabirds some of which breed nearby. However, on the east side of Hunish are several stacks and arches affording spectacular views of breeding Fulmars, Shags, Guillemots and Razorbills. The Sound of Raasay is excellent for sea-watching. The largest of the Inner Hebrides, it's home to some of Scotland's most iconic landscapes. Camas na Sgianadin (NG625255), easily observed from large roadside lay-by or from the forest walk which starts beside the cemetery. The Harbour area can be easily watched from the nearby streets. Garden birds may include Twite and Reed Bunting as well as regular appearances by Wheatear, Whinchat, Stonechat, Raven and Merlin. About the Isle of Skye. A factor in this success is the level of human disturbance to nest sites, and it is absolutely critical to avoid any disturbance during the breeding season which lasts from March through until August. A regular ferry service leaves from Sconser (NG525323). Its wildlife attracts people from all over the world to see eagles soaring in the skies, otters tucking into freshly caught crab on the shore or red deer roaming through the hills. Following some initial difficulties the project was resumed on Rum in 1975, and it was not surprising that within a few years wandering birds found their way to Skye. 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