wildlife watching on Skye and North Uist

[crazywolf]

Yeah i can imagine that time just disappears up there. I'm just going to have to try take in and enjoy as much as possible and make sure i dont try to fit too much in. to be honest i could probably take ten work days off it just depends how far my pennies reach!

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by crazywolf

where abouts on Mull did you see the otters Chris? sorry if i seem lazy, just not been up to the islands before and want to get as much out of it as possible.

I found the north shore of Loch Scridain very good. If you do go to Mull pm me and I'll give you a good White-tailed Eagle site as well. Though give me a few days as I sometimes vanish from here for a bit! Try Mull Birds website too, it's brill'.

Regards, Chris

[big bill]

Hello Sam ,a lot of good places have been given for your touring holiday up here in the North ,what a lot of folks have forgot to mention is our other lovely creature THE DREADED MIDGE really ferocious especially over in Skye and for some unknown reason the west coast.
I took family from Southampton over to Skye a couple of years back and stopped at the side of Loch Sligachan not a midge in sight for a Barbi set up with in 20 minutes we were infested with them just a simple point to watch out for as they are lethal and take no prisoners .
But have a nice holiday there is no place better for scenery and wildlife than the North of Scotland enjoy.

[AndyC]

Originally Posted by crazywolf

to be honest i could probably take ten work days off it just depends how far my pennies reach!

Do it! A week will be gone before you know it.
We have visited Benbecula and the Uists for five years now and have just returned from two weeks (several days lost to dire weather!).
We always spend all week wandering about in the most out of the way places but the only placs we have seen otters are - right outside the cottage (Kyles Flodda, Benbecula) or Lochmaddy harbour! We spoke to a couple who saw a pair at L. Sgioport on South Uist the week before last. Generally the rocky east coasts of the Uists are better for otters (and seals).

WTE eagles turn up anywhere on the Uists but again the east side is better, if you don't see one in a week you must be blind! Golden eagles we see daily when driving down South Uist. If you park at L. Druidibeag (S. Uist) and walk north up the little hill with the radar station you might get a good close up view. There are probably places as good on N. Uist but we haven't found them.

Short eared owls are seen most days alongside the main road across Benbecula. Hen harriers are two a penny!

There are all manner of wading birds, some of them very rare and interesting no doubt, but I can't identify most of them

When we were up the red deer were all hanging around the roadsides and in gardens but we don't usually see them so close to habitation.

Midgeys have never bothered us on the Uists, it is very windy even when it's calm

Enjoy


Andy

[crazywolf]

Hi Everybody, sorry for not replying sooner i've been away. i just want to say a massive thankyou to everyone who has been so generous with their time. its really nice to discover just how generous people can be with their knowledge and time. i think its maybe the common thread of loving the wild side of nature that does it. i hope you all have a great spring and if i get some decent snaps up on skye i'll be sure to post them.

all the best

Sam

[jasper]

HI
Just got back from two weeks on Mull yesterday spent most of the time photographing the wild life in the Island. Otters were showing well behind the campsite at Craignure, Fishnish, Salen bay, Loch Scridain and Loch Na Keal at the Knock end, at the Knock end of Loch Na Keal yesterday there were eight immature White-tailed eagles just hanging around on the beach and an adult male watching from a tree and at the same time an Otter swam past can't get much better than that!!
Just to let you know one of the boats from the Ulva ferry are doing White-tailed eagle trips on Loch Na Keal, throwing a few fish over the side to attract the birds and so far have not failed to attract the birds. I have posted some pictures from yesterday and they awaiting approval.

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by jasper

HI
Just got back from two weeks on Mull yesterday spent most of the time photographing the wild life in the Island. Otters were showing well behind the campsite at Craignure, Fishnish, Salen bay, Loch Scridain and Loch Na Keal at the Knock end, at the Knock end of Loch Na Keal yesterday there were eight immature White-tailed eagles just hanging around on the beach and an adult male watching from a tree and at the same time an Otter swam past can't get much better than that!!
Just to let you know one of the boats from the Ulva ferry are doing White-tailed eagle trips on Loch Na Keal, throwing a few fish over the side to attract the birds and so far have not failed to attract the birds. I have posted some pictures from yesterday and they awaiting approval.

Sounds great. Thanks for the Ulva eagle info' too. We are of to Mull in a couple of weeks, so we might give that a go. What was the weather like? When we went last May it was pretty poor. All I ask for is one clear day so I can do Ben More.

Regards, Chris

[crazywolf]

Hi i'd just like to say a huge thanks to all those who were so free with their in fo. i've just returned from skye and it was one of the best weeks of my life, was meant to be 2 weeks but had an unfortunate incident with my camera being blown over whilst on tripod, still kicking myself and whilst skyes remoteness is a wonderful attribute it also makes it tricky to get fast repairs done so i had to return to the world of laptops and deadlines and other human nonsense! saw most of what i went to see including otters sea eagles basking sharks etc, also learnt how to appreciate the water of life, not hard when your having a bbq of fried prawns sat on a beach in the rain at glen brittle. if anyone is considering going then do it, i only saw half of the island but i was enchanted, time runs differently and though they are few in number some of the pubs are belting, especially the Old Inn at carbost, well worth shelling out a few punds for the bunkhouse so you can fully appreciate the live music.

many thanks

Sam