Wildlife
The
Isle of Lewis is the most northerly of the Western
Isles, and is part of an archipelago situated on the
extreme edge of Scotland. The island is blessed with a
diverse range of habitats many of which are rich in
wildlife. Although Lewis is the most densely
populated of the Western Isles, much of the population
is centred in and around Stornoway. This
leaves large areas of the island sparsely populated,
with most of the small rural communities hugging the
coastline.
Lewis
has a varied topography, with the land to the north of
Stornoway
largely comprised of undulating peat moorland and fresh water lochs. This
landscape comes to a dramatic climax at the Butt of Lewis where the spectacular
cliffs are home to several species of seabird including Fulmar Petrel,
Kittiwake, Shag and Black Guillemot. Add to this the spectacle of hundreds
of foraging Gannets and passing cetaceans, and you have one of the best
wildlife watching areas in the Western Isles.
The
southwest of Lewis is a complete contrast to the north, as it contains
some of the most beautiful beaches on Lewis, and is altogether a much more
rugged landscape. The Uig
hills are very rugged indeed and are known to support several pairs of
breeding Golden Eagles and a sizeable herd of Red Deer. There have been
a number of sightings ofWhite-tai1ed Eagles in this area, and these magnificent
birds are certainly expanding their range following re-introduction to Scotland. The
coastline of the Uig and Bernera district is constantly being pounded by
the Atlantic Ocean, and bears the brunt of the southwesterly gales of autumn
and winter. This has created a very dramatic landscape where in addition
to the wonderful beaches and flower covered machair, there are the majestic
cliffs and sea stacks at Mangersta.
Southeast
Lewis is a huge contrast to the Uig and Bemera district, as it totally
lacks the fertile soils and golden sands. It is however an area that is
full of lochs and lochans and these together with the surrounding moorland
and rolling hills, provide rich habitats supporting a diverse range of
wildlife.
The
southeastern area of Lewis is known as the Pairc District, and much of
the land is under the ownership of the Pairc Estate. The district is named
thus, due to the estate having managed much of the land as a deer park.
Red Deer are still present in this area today, as well as in the North
Harris hills and the Uig District. The Pairc District forms a part of the
aptly named South Lochs District of Lewis, and the many fresh and salt
water lochs are home to a large variety of waders and other shoreline feeding
birds. Among the many species that can be seen feeding in this area are:
Redshank, Greenshank, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Ringed Plover and Dunlin.
Shelduck and Red-breasted Merganser are to be seen on Loch Erisort,
and large numbers of Greylag Geese and Lapwing are found throughout the
district. Merlin can be seen speeding over the moor in pursuit of Meadow
Pipit or Wheatear, and our most common bird osprey the Buzzard is well
represented in this part of the island.
Some
of the quieter lochs may have a pair of Red Throated Divers fishing on
them, and if you are very lucky, you may even spot a pair of the elusive
Black Throated Divers. South Lochs is quite a sparsely populated area of
Lewis, and is one of the best places on the island to see Otter. Otters
are sensitive to human disturbance, and although we have a good population
on the islands, the quieter areas tend to be more rewarding for the otter
spotter. The central part of Lewis consists of a vast area of peat moorland
and bog dotted with many fresh water lochs. Many of these lochs are home
to sizable populations of Brown Trout the ancestors of which arrived towards
the end of the last Ice Age approximately 10,000 years ago.
This central part of the island has
been recognised internationally as an area of great conservation importance
due to the large number and variety of breeding birds it supports.
Woodland is a relatively scarce habitat
on Lewis, with the most significant area being the Stornoway Woods. This
large woodland policy was created by the Matheson family following their
purchase of the island in the mid-1840's, and encircles the Lews Castle
that was built by Sir James Matheson. The Stornoway Woods support several
species of birds and plants that are not to be found elsewhere in the Western
Isles, and is home to the only flock of Rooks resident on the island. Attempts
have been made to introduce more woodland throughout the islands, but most
of this has been in the form of shelterbelts planted with non-native and
unsuitable species such as Lodgepole Pine.
Several rivers on Lewis still have
significant runs of Salmon and Sea Trout, and sport fishing is very popular.
The Guinness Book of Records recorded the highest catch of Salmon by a
single individual using a rod and line in one day, on the Grimersta system
of rivers.
Finally, we must not forget the largest
and most abundant habitat of all, the sea. The sea surrounding the Western
Isles is home to a huge variety of wildlife. Both the Atlantic Grey and
Common Seal are to be found, but on Lewis you are most likely to come across
the Atlantic Grey that can even be seen regularly in Stornoway Harbour
as they follow the fishing fleet in looking for an easy meal. Dolphins,
Harbour Porpoise and several species of Whale pass through our coastal
waters and can sometimes be seen from the land on a calm day.
There are a number of operators who
organise boat trips to take visitors to some of the very inaccessible parts
of our coastline, as well as offering trips to St Kilda and the Flannen
Isles.
In general, Lewis and its neighbouring
island Harris cover a large geographic area, and many hours can be spent
travelling around trying to identify good wildlife watching habitats. There
are several qualified guides on the island, one of whom is also a qualified
wildlife guide. A guided tour in the company of a local guide can help
you to optimise your wildlife watching experience and give an insight into
island life that is less likely to be gained when travelling on ones own.
Email:
hebrides@doune-braes.co.uk |
