Cottage Wildlife: Birds

A few of the birds to be seen near Seal Haven Cottage Skye.

The Isle of Skye is a large island with over 350 miles of coastline. With the diversity of mountain, moorland and sea, there are many opportunities for viewing a large variety of birds of all types including migratory species, many of them here in Skinidin, near the cottage and in the surounding Dunvegan and Glendale areas.

The two large eagles, the Sea or White-tailed Eagle and the Golden Eagle are both to be found in Skinidin or in the nearby hills. The Sea Eagle tends to be seen more easily and it is not unusual to find them sitting by the road-side near the cottage on a telephone pole, seemingly quite comfortable with the nearness of human habitation. This larger of the two eagles has been the subject of a breeding programme on the island of Rhum since around 1975 and can be seen all around the island. Skye is also reckoned to have one of the highest population densities of Golden Eagle, in Scotland. A bit harder to see but not at all impossible.

The Dunvegan Area and Neist Point, all within a short distance of Skinidin and Seal Haven self catering cottage, figure in the RSPB's list of the top 52 best birdwatching sites in Scotland. On the cottage doorstep in Skinidin, you will see the Common Buzzard overhead with herons, ducks and geese on the shore. The local islands have heronries containing a significant number of nests. Dunvegan Castle woods, a short drive from the cottage, being mature woodlands, is home to a good variety of species from spring through to autumn.

You can visit the BBC, Nature's Calendar to see a good article on eagle watching in Skye.

An interesting book has been written by R.L. MacMillan called Skye Birds, ISBN 0 9550253 0 3. This gives an up to-date survey of resident and migratory birds including those visitors blown off course who have landed here by mistake. There are also useful historical notes plus the current 'where to see' section. Worth a read and a copy is available in Seal Haven for the use of guests.

by Neil Gracie - 12th March 2010

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