Mammals, Birds and Where to Watch Birds

Mammals

The Highlands are one of the greatest reservoirs of wildlife left in Britain and most of the British mammal species are well represented. The majority of the species in our area are crepuscular (active in the low light conditions of late evening and early morning) or nocturnal. Nevertheless many can be seen by those who are willing to make the effort and be patient. 

On the brighter side, deer can frequently be seen from the lodges especially on the ridges of the hills at dawn and dusk.   Both common and grey seal are found in the loch in front of the lodges and if you are lucky you may spot an otter fishing along the loch shore at half tide. 

At Kylesku  pier, a few minutes walk, it is possible to take a boat trip up the loch to view the highest waterfall in Britain. The highlight of this trip, in my opinion, is not the waterfall, which can be a trickle after a dry spell of weather, but watching common seals on the islands. The seals have become accustomed to the regular boat trips and it is possible to get really close and to take some superb photographs. The common seals give birth in June and seal pups can be viewed from the boat all summer. A lucky few have actually witnessed a seal giving birth. 

 

Please click on the links below for further information on specific animals 

 Badger, Deer, Fox, Mountain Hare, Otter, Pine Martin, Rabbit, Seals, Stoats & Weasels, Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises, Wild Cat

Badger

Badgers are plentiful in the Assynt. They have adapted to living in a more open and rocky landscape. Their sets are sometimes built in sheltered cairns and can be found quite high up in the mountain. There is a badger set close to the hotel. However these mammals are nocturnal and are seldom seen in summer.

Deer

Both Red and Roe Deer can be found in our area. Roe deer are mostly solitary and live in sheltered areas in small woods. Red deer are usually in groups and, because they are generally found on higher ground, they are best spotted with binoculars. Close up views of deer are possible from the car in the late evening and early morning as they descend from the hills at night to graze. Good places to spot red deer are on the hill in front of the hotel, in the limestone valley around Inchnadamph (15 minutes by car) and  just north of Kylesku Bridge (5 minutes by car).

Fox

The fox is plentiful and can be sighted anywhere from the high mountain to the edge of the sea. Their den is mostly in cairns. The droppings, about 10cm long with a twisted point at one end, are composed mainly of fur, feathers and bone fragments.

Mountain Hare

This mammal turns white in winter. They may be seen in the mountains of the Assynt in winter where they feed during the day. In summer they are nocturnal or crepuscular and will only be seen if accidentally disturbed as they lie in "forms", a body shaped hollow, often in deep heather.

Otter

The otter is common along the coast in the north west highlands. The walk along Loch Glendhu (10 minutes drive from the hotel) is a good place to sight otters. Otters have regular beats and resting points. An otter holt can be recognised by the presence of droppings (spraints) which are deposited at regular places, usually at the water’s edge . The droppings are mostly bright green and composed of fish scales and bones. The best chance of seeing an otter during the day is from a boat, as it basks on weed covered rocks at low tide. They are most active early in the morning.

Pine Martin

The highlands are a stronghold for the pine martin. It prefers mixed woodland but has adapted to rocky hills where it lives in cairns covered by heather. It is a secretive animal and is seldom seen.

Rabbit

Rabbits are plentiful and can be seen in the early morning and late evening. Rabbits are an important source of food for the buzzard.

Stoats and Weasels

Both prey on rabbits and hunt by day and night. The stoat is thought to be more common in the Assynt. They are bold and curious animals and are thus frequently seen, especially around small cairns.

Wild Cat

The wild cat is the most elusive of our mammals and is seldom seen. Wild cat dens are difficult to find as it leaves few signs. The droppings which are shorter than the fox (around 5-7cm) are used as boundary markers.

Seals

Both grey and common seal are seen off the shores of the north west highlands. The common seal is the more numerous around Newton Lodge as it breeds on the off-shore islands in Loch Glencoul, overlooked by our hotel. Common seals have a dog-like face whereas grey seals, which are larger, have a large convex roman nose.

Grey seals give birth to a singe pup from July to November. The closest breeding site to Kylesku is Loch Eriboll on the north coast where they breed in hidden sea caves. Grey seal pups are born with a silky white coat which is not waterproof. As a result they are helpless at birth. The pups are only nursed for around 3 weeks. After weaning the pup moults and acquires a darker waterproof coat. It lives on its stored fat until it learns to forage and catch its own fish.

Common seals give birth from May to July, early in June at Loch Glencoul. The seal pups are dark, have a waterproof coat and can swim within 5 minutes of birth. The common seal pup learns to forage at a much earlier than the grey seal pup as it accompanies its mother on short trips during the three to five weeks when she nurses it. They also spend more time playing in the water from a very early age. June is a great time to visit Newton Lodge as the newly born seal pups can be viewed from the telescope in our conservatory.

Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises

From the land sightings are most likely from a high vantage point on calm days. Good sightings have been reported from Stoer point and from Handa island. There is a chance of seeing dolphins and whales on a boat trip, to view seals, from Lochinver harbour.

Birds