Skye Cottage Wildlife - Mammals

Skye wildlife around Seal Haven Self Catering Cottage

It is estimated that the shores and islands of north-west Skye are home to about 2%
of the UK population of the common seal Phoca vitulina. Given an estimated UK
population of 30,000 seals, the colony in this area numbers somewhere around the
600 mark. This gives rise to the name of Seal Haven for your holiday cottage. In
the photograph at the foot of the page, you will see some seals basking on a sunny
day in February 2008, just below Seal Haven.

Seals have been known to dive as deep as 4,100 metres (13,450 feet) and can remain
submerged for up to an hour. Grey and common seals, however typically dive to a
maximum depth of around 200 metres (655 feet), for periods of up to 15 minutes,
although they can go deeper and for longer. Putting it in perspective, the crush
depth of a WW2 U-boat was, typically 200-280 metres. Even the latest attack
submarine has a normal maximum operating depth of around 1600 feet and will
collapse at an estimated 2400 feet (730m). Seals are true creatures of the deep.

It is a pity that most people only see seals flopping about in their ungainly way
on the shore. There is little that compares with the grace and speed of a swimming
seal. Whether alone or in a group, the movements of a seal in its true environment
is like an underwater ballet. It can swim at speeds of 20 knots (around 23 miles
per hour) when it is pursuing its prey, although most of the time it cruises at
about two or three knots.

Both grey and common seals eat a variety of prey - fish, shellfish, squid and
octopus. They are opportunistic feeders, and will eat whatever is available,
including cod, herring, flounder, sculpin, salmon, mackerel, sandeel, shrimp and
whelk. Their fishy diet often brings them into conflict with Scottish fishermen.
See Scottish Natural Heritage site for more information. Thanks to them for the
seal facts in the last three paragraphs.

In addition to seals there are many other interesting wildlife residents of Skye.
Many are within a short walk of Seal Haven cottage. Otters live on the shore and can be
seen playing and feeding in the sea and on land. They have been observed running
along the road in front of the cottage on numerous occasions or running acrosss the
road in front of the car. Otters are normally shy creatures however. The best
times to observe them are at dawn and dusk by quietly walking on the shoreline.
Visit the Forestry Commission site for more information about otters and details of
the otter hide situated at Kylerhea.

In recent years the sheep population has been declining although there are still
many sheep in the area. One result of this is that Red Deer are moving into the
habitat once the preserve of the sheep. The deer now come down to the low ground
where they can often be seen in the early morning although, to the observant, will
often be spotted on the ridges overlooking Seal Haven, at any time of the day. A
point to note while driving in the Highlands is to observe the deer warning signs,
particularly at night, as deer often graze at the side of the road and are
difficult to see in the dark. You can read more about red deer, at the Forestry
Commission page. Come at meet them at Seal Haven cottage on the Isle of Skye. At
the cottage you an also meet our visitor friendly pigs, and sheep are still a big
part of the landscape around the cottage.

See our Skye Cottage Links pages to visit the sites mentioned on this page.

by Neil Gracie - 12th March 2010

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Scottish Natural Heritage
Forrestry Commission
BBC Natures Larder

www.isleofskyeholidays.co.uk