Page 25 - BBC Wildlife - August 2017 UK

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HEBRIDEAN HIGHLIGHTS

RED-THROATED DIVER DUNLIN
1Nearly all British red-throated divers 5 In summer plumage, this is a smart
nest on small Scottish lochans, and the little wader. The Outer Hebrides host
Outer Hebrides are a major stronghold. around 25 per cent of the UK breeding
Breeding areas include Mointeach population, with higher densities on the
Scadabhaigh on North Uist, the Lewis damp coastal machair of the Uists and
Peatlands and Lochs Eynort and Benbecula and on the Lewis Peatlands
Druidibeg on South Uist. The divers often than anywhere else in the country. The
feed along the coast, so can be seen latter wilderness was threatened by
flying between different locations. windfarm proposals, shelved in 2008.
RINGED PLOVER GREY SEAL
2This pretty wader has a significant 6The small, low-lying and uninhabited
Hebridean breeding population of Monach Islands, just off North Uist and
800–1,000 pairs, accounting for a easily visited on a boat trip, have the
quarter of the UK total. Like the dunlin, world’s second-largest colony of grey
it favours the machair, but tends to nest seals. Around 8,000 pups are born on
in drier spots. The species is famous the beaches every autumn, mostly in
for its ‘broken wing’ distraction display, October. Hundreds of greylag geese
deployed to lure predators away from and fulmars also breed here. Local tour
its vulnerable eggs and chicks. operators include Lady Anne Boat Trips,
Uist Boat Trips and Uist Sea Tours.
HEBRIDEAN
3MARSH ORCHID GOLDEN EAGLE
Endemic to the Outer Hebrides, 7 Dramatic North Harris – home
this delicate species is similar to to most mountains of note on the
the northern marsh orchid but with Outer Hebrides – has one of Europe’s
particularly intense coloration and densest concentrations of golden
prominent deep purple marks on its eagles, with more than 20 breeding
leaves. It grows in a small zone of damp pairs. There is an eagle-watching hide,
machair on North Uist. The Hebridean reached by a track about 1.5km north
subspecies of common spotted orchid of Miabhaig. Eagles can also be seen
is much more widespread. in the South Uist uplands and on the
crossing from Barra to Eriskay.
HARBOUR PORPOISE
4Frequently overlooked
because, unlike dolphins, this
compact cetacean avoids boats.
Look for its arched back and small,
triangular dorsal fin; dolphins have
larger, noticeably curved dorsal fins. You
will seldom see a porpoise’s head clear
of the water. Sightings are possible while
sailing to any of the Hebridean islands, 7
or on boat tours to spot seabirds.