Arran Wildlife Arran is home to some of Scotland's most beautiful and iconic wildlife.  Whilst the information below is just a summary, you may wish to visit the Arran Wildlife Festival's webpage. or read my blog about walking and wildlife on Arran for more information about wildlife watching on Arran. Arran wildlife Festival The isle of Arran Wildlife Festival is taking place from the 12th-20th May 2010.  It is an annual extravaganza of guided walks, talks and films that will help you enjoy Arran's wildlife.  There are lots of fun events for families, some walks to see some very special wildlife, and workshops for those wishing to develop their wildlife watching skills. For more information please visit the Wildlife Festival's Website. Marine Wildlife Marine Mammals Arran's coast is very varied and it is possible to view a wide variety of marine wildlife from the shore. Common and Atlantic Grey Seals can often be seen hauled out on rocks at low tide. Both species vary a lot in colour and size, but can be distinguished b the shape of their heads.  Common seals have a typical "spaniel" type appearance, and grey seals tend to have a bigger "roman" nose.  Both species eat fish and molluscs and are adapted to a life at sea with a thick layer of blubbery fat under their fur and a highly efficient circulatory system that allows them to hold their breath for long periods. A good place to view seals is along the beach from the village shop at Kildonan. As well as seals, the waters of the Clyde marine area are home to dolphins and harbour porpoises.  We also have sightings of Minke Whale from time to time.  It is a good idea to look out for these from the deck of the Caledonian Isles Ferry on your way over to Arran.  It is also possible to take boat trips around the island which will increase your chances of seeing these charismatic mammals. Basking sharks We are also very fortunate here on Arran that it is possible to watch basking sharks, often at close quarters as they come near to the shore to feed on plankton blooms in the summer months. Basking sharks are the worlds second biggest fish and can reach epic proportions of up to 12m in length.  After over fishing in the last century, sharks of this size are rare however, but we often see fish up to 3 or 4m in length. For more information and to report a basking shark sighting, please visit the Marine Conservation Society's basking shark pages. Seabirds We have a variety of sea birds that nest on or near to Arran and it is possible to view gannets fishing offshore from the comfort of a beachfront cafe when the fish are in town.  The Gannets nest on the nearby island of Ailsa Craig, an spectacular RSPB reserve and home to 70,000 breeding birds including gannets, guillemots, razorbills, and even puffins. Visit the RSPB's Ailsa Criag webpages here. A trip to Ailsa Craig dring the breeding season is a must birdwatchers and and can be arranged through Arran Power and Sail or Ocean Breeze Ribtours. Returning to Arran, it is possible to sea eider ducks, black and common guillemots, fulmar, red breasted mergansers, a whole range of waders and much more by taking a quiet stroll along the shore. Lamlash Bay No Take Zone Lamlash bay is home to a community of Red Maerl, a rare calcified seaweed that is important as a nursery for fish and molluscs, including commercially important scallops.  In the past this area was dredged and damaged by intensive scallop fishing but in 2008 part of the bay was designated a No Take Zone, effectively outlawing fishing or the collection of marine life by any means.  It is hoped that in future, the maerl beds will recover and that this will have positive effect on the health of all marine life in the bay and the surrounding area. The designation of the No Take Zone is just part of a hard fought battle by the community of Arran to protect marine wildlife in Lamlash Bay. For more information about proposals to protect the bay please visit the Community of Arran Seabed Trust's website. Birds of Arran Arran is a haven for birds and is great place to view a wide variety of species.  The following is just a brief introduction.  For more information it would be a good idea to visit the Arran Birding Website. Please send your bird records to Arran's bird recorder via info@arranbirding.co.uk. Birds of Prey Arran is a great place to watch birds of prey and is home to a number of important species including hen harrier, golden eagle and short eared owl. However, other more common species are abundant and great fun to watch including Kestrel, Buzzard and Sparrowhawk. Upland birds Perhaps due in part to the lack of foxes on this island Arran is an important place for ground nesting birds in upland areas. During the breeding season the moors are filled with the cries of curlew, the squeaking of meadow pippits and the gutteral calls of red grouse. If you are lucky you may encounter a snipe or golden plover whils out walking in the hills. The mountain tops are also home to ravens that enjoy tumbling and playing in the winds that rush up from the glens. Coastal and Seabirds As mentioned above, sheltered coastlines support breeding populations of oystercatcher, black guillemot, shelduck, eider, and red breasted mergansers. You may also see red throated divers fishing along the shore. The cliffs at Drummadoon and Clauchlands are home to fulmar. We are regularly visited by seabirds that come to fish in our bays including the graceful diving gannet, that nests on Ailsa Craig to the south, common guillemots, and arctic terns. Gardens and woodland Our woodland and garden bird species include most of the common species found on the Scottish mainland, but you are unlikely to see a magpie here. We also have crossbills, redpolls and other finches living in the conifer forests.

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