wildlife photography on Skye

[eeyore]

I have just booked my holiday for the first week of may on skye , with the primary objective of seeing and hopefully photographing sea eagles and golden eagles (with secondary targets of Otters and seals)

if anyone knows of good locations on skye for these species i would be very interested to hear about them - please feel free to pm me if you have info you dont want to put on the boards.

[geordie1970]

If you've not looked here yet Scottish Birding and Wildlife Links there is a lot of info. Hope you get the weather and some good pics

[Tinkerbell]

Hi Pete

I seem to recall that in the Tourist Info office in Portree, there was a blackboard with recent sitings of eagles etc. to direct those interested in seeing them to the right place. Seems a good idea to pass on the information to others who may wish to enjoy such sights, whilst saving them from a wasted journey in the wrong direction.

Hope you have a great time, it should be lovely up in Skye in May. By the way Plockton on the mainland near the bridge is beautiful too.

Tinkerbell

[rlchew]

Hi Pete

Firstly, take a look at these websites ....

Skye Birds

IOSF

This book is also highly recommended .... I bought a copy.

This book also has a section on Skye .... I bought that one too!

The Tourist Information Centre in Broadford (next to the garage) always has a "recent sightings" board and very helpful staff.

The Aros Centre has (or at least did have) a RSPB information point on Golden Eagles and White-tailed Eagles, again with very helpful staff and CCTV links to nests. I understand that White-tailed Eagles can be seen fishing fairly frequently in Portree Bay but I have never been lucky there. I have seen one around Loch Eishort near Ord.

Golden Eagles .... I have seen them over the Black Cuillin along Glenbrittle (but far too distant for photos) and also near Ord.

Seals .... the best location that I have found is Loch Dunvegan where they haul out on the rocks at low tide.

Otters .... I have seen them along the shores of Loch Slapin near Torrin and Loch Eishort near Ord.

Corncrake .... try Vaternish around Trumpan Church or Trotternish around Kilmuir .... I have heard calling birds here but never seen them.

Best of luck and have a great trip .... just make sure that WAB receives a full trip report .

Richard

[Zebethyal]

Don't forget to take something to counteract the mosquito population.

They have been known to hunt in clouds

Regards

Tim

[Blackdog]

Have a good time Pete, I hope you get some Eagle shots. Oddly enough, I'm going up to Abernathy on the second weekend of May to have a look for Capercailie and, if I'm really lucky, Osprey.
Don't forget to try the local waters while your there of course
Warren

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Blackdog

Have a good time Pete, I hope you get some Eagle shots. Oddly enough, I'm going up to Abernathy on the second weekend of May to have a look for Capercailie and, if I'm really lucky, Osprey.
Don't forget to try the local waters while your there of course
Warren

i intend to bring copious ammounts of the local (fire)water back with me

by the way you can forget photographing the ospreys at garten with a DSLR - they are considerably too far away - digi scoping is a different fish of kettles of course

2 good locations i've found are the rothiemurcus fish farm near aviemore for feeding shots (which the owners must just love ) , and a nest location near kincraig ( I will pm you the exact location as it doesnt seem like a good move to put that on the open boards)

you could also call into loch of the lowes on your way north - you cant get close enough to the nest to get shots but you might get them feeding

[geordie1970]

Originally Posted by Zebethyal

Don't forget to take something to counteract the mosquito population.

They have been known to hunt in clouds

Regards

Tim

Get yourself some "Avon skin so soft" the fishermen up here swear by it to keep the midge away.

[Ian Gray]

I also recommend Avon skin so soft ( but they break through any
defence eventually). Going in the first week of may you should
be visiting before scotland's fifth season - midge season
So save your money for the fire water. Apart from the wildlife
Skye has some spectacular walks. The black cuillins are stunning
and the view from the top of Ben More takes some beating .


Ian

[Blackdog]

50/50 DEET is excellent for fending off the beasties, providing you remember to take it with you! The last time I was in midgeland my deet was back in Bristol. Oh, did I get chewed It's not good if you have very sensitive skin though.

[ron1863]

Hello,

I don't know if you have booked a photography holiday or are going to a hotel but the following web site advertises photography holidays and I am sure they may be helpful to you

Photography holidays, tours, courses & workshops.

You should be O.K. with the midges as it will still be a bit early for then but then again, it has been very mild. "Avon Skin so Soft" does work but not forever - midges are persistent. Good Luck

[John]

Hi Pete.

Somehow I have missed this thread.

I was on the Isle of Skye over Easter (my 2nd visit) and I doubt if there is a place where you can be confident of getting either Eagle close enough to photograph anywhere on that island. Having said that I have seen Goldies relatively Close looking from Loch Slappin, near Torrin, to the Cuillins. Here is a link to the map.
Streetmap.co.uk- search results


The best place to view the White-tailed Eagles is from Torvaig (just north of Portree. Here is a link to where you stand (marked with an arrow) looking over to Raasay. I had them over my head two years ago but this year they were very distant over Raasay.
Streetmap.co.uk- search results

Hope that helps Pete.

John

[wildlifesnapper]

Originally Posted by Blackdog

50/50 DEET is excellent for fending off the beasties, providing you remember to take it with you! The last time I was in midgeland my deet was back in Bristol. Oh, did I get chewed It's not good if you have very sensitive skin though.

Hi

be careful using Deet , I've read somewhere that it can damage/melt some types of plastic i.e. flashguns.

neil

[Gaina]

6 drops of pure t-tree oil and 6 of eucalyptus on your cap should see to the midgies .

Hope you have a great time

[Mexico]

My family and myself are just booking a holiday near Arisaig on the Morar peninsula despite our fears of the midges. Thanks for the useful advice on combatting them! Any other tips?

Also, a friend of mine has just announced a 'road trip' from Gloucester to Skye in June for a trip to a distillery or two. I've put my name down already and am ordering some more memory cards. I've never really done Scotland so can't wait!

Mex