Loch Leven

The mountains of Lochaber are amongst the tallest and most spectacular in Britain , and have a typical montane flora and fauna, including golden eagle, ptarmigan, snow bunting, mountain hare and alpine plants. Further down the hillside is a typical mosaic of blanket bog, upland heath and acid grassland habitats, frequented by red deer, adder, slow-worm and insectivorous plants. There are also nationally notable raised bogs, home to scarce species of dragonfly and visited by white-fronted geese in the winter.

A wealth of wildlife is present in the Lochaber area including local specialities such as Sea Eagle, Chequered Skipper butterfly and scarce dragonflies. By visiting a range of habitats we have the chance of seeing a wide selection of the wildlife that make Scotland such an exciting wildlife destination.

Gold ringed dragonfly

As members of Wild Scotland www.wild-scotland.co.uk we adhere to a strict wildlife watching code in order to minimise any disturbance. We also encourage visitors to record the wildlife that we see. These wildlife records will then be passed on to the relevant recording schemes for use in conservation and education. Where possible we will also make a contribution to recording schemes such as the current BTO Bird Atlas project. www.birdatlas.net

Glen Loy

There is plenty to see in Glen Loy itself. The downloadable list of wildlife seen in Glen Loy was compiled largely later on in the 2007 season and at a time when we really didn't have time to look too hard, so we would expect to find much more, particularly in the way of interesting plants. Other mammals that are found in Glen Loy include Otter, Wildcat and Mountain Hare, whilst the bird list is likely to include Hen Harrier, Ptarmigan, Greenshank, Golden Plover, Dunlin and Ring Ouzel, with a chance of Dotterel on the tops. Butterflies are also likely to include the scarce Chequered Skipper, Pearl-Bordered Fritillary and Green Hairstreak.

Forest floor

“Atlantic rainforest”

The area is particularly notable for its native oak and hazel woods - dripping with ferns, mosses and lichens, and carpeted with spring flowers such as Bluebell and Wood Anemone. There are also fascinating remnants of Caledonian Pinewood, with ancient ‘granny' pines sheltering pine marten families, and harbouring cone-stripping crossbills in the upper branches. The whole district is dissected by deep fjords – sea lochs attracting porpoises and otters, each hosting a wealth of fascinating, marine communities, several of which are nationally notable. The coast itself is highly varied, ranging from rocky cliffs to white ‘coral' beaches, fringed by sand dunes and even some machair, with a stunning display of wild flowers in the summer. A good range of seabirds including both red-throated and great northern diver can be seen in sheltered bays. Black throated divers and scarce breeding ducks such as scaup and goldeneye breed on the larger lochs, and the rivers are home to salmon, dipper and grey wagtail. A particular local interest is provided by the Caledonian Canal, whose towpaths are covered with flowers and butterflies in the summer, with adjacent scrub and woodland providing a home for a large number of bird species.

Other wildlife that we have seen in the Lochaber area during the 2007 season includes Harbour Porpoise, Grey and Common Seal, Red Squirrel, Otter, Sea Eagle, Black Grouse, plus Great Northern, Black-Throated and Red-Throated Divers. There have been regular sightings of dolphin in Loch Linnhe over the summer. A variety of ducks and waders have been noted on the shores of Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil, including Eider, Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser and Goosander. A good range of seabirds can be expected off the coast in season on trips from Arisaig or in the Sound of Mull, including guillemot, razorbill, gannets, puffin and shearwaters.

Glenloy Wildlife

wildlife

“Atlantic rainforest”