WILDLIFE: IN THE WATER, IN THE AIR & ON THE LAND
The areas we visit on our trips around Bute, Argyll, Cowel & the Clyde Coast are a haven for wildlife. Many of the areas are remote and only reachable by boat. We are extremely lucky and fortunate to be able to encounter so many different animals in their natural habitat when on our trips and as the seasons change so does the animals we encounter.
We are mindful and respectful of the enviroment that we operate in and that the welfare and safety of all the animals we ecounter is vitally important.
We will take you through some of the animals we encounter, some regularly, some occasionally, where in the water, on the water, in the skies or on the land.
IN THE WATER
The waters around Bute provide a rich feeding ground for many of the larger visitors to the area. The waters are enriched by the gulf stream and it attracts Minke whales, dolphins, porpoises and seals, along with basking sharks.
In the shallower waters of the shoreline, sea otters find rich pickings. These truly magical animals are elusive by their very nature but can often be spotted in the water, given away by the v-shape as they swim or on the shore eating their bounty.
Seals and porpoise are the most common animals we encounter in the water when on our trips,\followed by dolphins. Seals are defensive by nature and tend to keep their distance, but both porpoise an dolphins are far mor curious and often come close to the boat, even racing us as we make our way.
Minke whales are the smallest of the baleen family of whales to be found in Scottish waters, being between 8.5 and 9 metres long, but still managing to weigh around 10 tonnes fully grown. Minkie whales visit our waters during the summer months to feed and breed, before heading to the warmer waters for the winter. We are fortunate to encounter these beautiful mammals regularly during the season.
The biggest visitor to our waters is also one of the most elusive, but during the summer month, the waters around Argyll & Bute become a Basking shark hospot. These magnificent creatures are a slow moving and gentle member of the shark family that feeds on zooplankton which they filter out of the water, swimming slowly back and forth with their enormous mouths wide open. It really is a magical experience to encounter these ocean going giants on our travels, which can grown to 12 meters and weigh over 4 tonnes.
The rarest of the visitors we have encounterd on our trips are Orcas. Also known as killer whales, they travel in pods and are ruthless hunters. The pod we enoubter is well known on the West Coast traveling from Cornwall to the Hebridies regularly.
ON THE WATER
The sheltered shores, uninhabited islands and calm waters, warmed by the Gulf stream, is home to many attracts different residents and visitors.
One of the most elusive is the sea otter but if you know where to look and keep your distance, you can see these beautiful creatures playing in the shallows or feasting on shellfish on the rocky shores.
The area is home to large seal populations and during late spring you will see proud parents nurturing their pups as they soak up the sunshine. The small islands around the Kyles of Bute and Scalpsie bay are two of the best places to spot these lovable creatures.
It will be no surprise that birds love the shores and waters of the area. The unmistackable sound of the oystercatcher on the shore is an ever-present as is the splash of the Kittiwake and Gannet as they dive from the sky for fish. Two of the most patient residents are the Heron and Cormorant, who will stand motionless in the shallows waiting for dinner to swim by.
IN THE SKY
The skys around Bute & Argyll are a bird watchers paradise. Sea, Golden and White-Tailed Eagles, Red Kite & Osprey are amoungst the most popular with the bird watching community but there is such a rich and diverse bird life to see.
Spotted Flycatcher, Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl,
ON THE LAND
Much of the land around Argyll & Bute is agricultural, forrest or moorland and largely uninhabited. Sheep and cattle dominate but there are many many other animals that have made this area their home. Red and Roe deer are common sites as are Rabbits and Hares. Grey squirrels and foxes are not so common on the islands as they are heavily managed. On Bute for example, both these animals managed to get onto the island in the last 20 years, either swimming across or introduced by humans. Foxes appear now to be fully culled on the island but the grey squrrel has proved a bit more of a problem. Both these animals had an devistating impact on native species. especially ground nesting birds and red squirrels. Another animal that is heavily managed on Bute is the hedgehog. You will come across them but they tend to be in areas away from ground nesting birds.
The balance of keeping the natural eco system of islands like Bute is one that has to be protected to maintain the native species and to this end, those bringing non-native species to the island face heavy fines and even imprisonment.
Of the smaller mammals on Bute, if you keep your eyes peeled and are lucky, you can spot field voles, wood mice, stoats, weasels, polecats & ferrets.
The island previously had some strange inhaibitants in the shape of Red-necked Wallabies & Beavers, having been introdiced by the 3rd Marquess of Bute, but appear to have died out.
On the North of the island, there are a population of feral goats.
One mammal that has thrived on Bute is the bat. At night, you will be able to see them hunting almost everywhere on the island.
