WILDLIFE
reserve and home to more than 70,000 birds including guillemots, razorbills, and even delightful little puffi ns. It is also possible to see black and common guillemots, ful- mar, red-breasted mergansers and a whole range of waders as well as eider ducks and swans while taking a walk along the shore. With its sheltered location sur- rounded by mainland Scot- land, Arran is an ideal sanc- tuary for abundant varieties of marine wildlife.
When you see a basking shark for the fi rst time it is natural to
feel a little intimidated. These huge fi sh can often be seen up-close near the shore as they come to feed on plank- ton blooms in the summer months.
Common and grey seals can often be seen hauled out on rocks at low tide. The two species vary a lot in size and colour but can be easily identi- fi ed by the shape of their head. Grey seals have a larger more ‘Roman’ nose while common seals have a typically ‘spaniel’ type appearance. All in all, Arran is a nature lov- er’s paradise.
Where to see birds on Arran?
By Jim Cassels, local bird recorder. Brodick Castle and Country Park
The majestic beasts run wild on Arran, and they can usual- ly be seen north of the String Road particularly around the Lochranza area.
In late autumn they come down from the hills to browse in the valleys and are a com- mon sight in the villages. Arran has a wide variety of sea birds that nest on or near to the island and it is possible to view these birds at close quar- ters all over the island. Gannets will often be seen fi shing offshore as you travel around Arran and they nest on the nearby island of Ailsa Craig, a spectacular Royal So- ciety for the Protection of Birds
Best early or late in the day to see blackcap, warblers, spotted fl ycatcher and song thrush. Siskin, bullfi nch and owls can also be seen.
North of Arran Best for birds that like remote hill country especially golden eagle, raven, red grouse, curlew, wheatear, meadow pipit. Great for seeing raptors in general.
Southend
Most of the usual moorland species are found here includ- ing hen harrier, short-eared owl, and golden eagle. At dif- ferent times of the year you can also see merlin, whinchat, cuckoo, twite and grasshopper warbler.
South shores
On the shoreline there are turnstone, ringed plover, curlew, oystercatcher, common and purple sandpiper as well as knot and rock pipit. Offshore look out for eider and red breasted merganser, wigeon, gannet, shags and fulmars.
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