Top Five Birds To Watch For In Gairloch!

Top Five Birds To Watch For In Gairloch!

Gairloch has a wide variety of birds for those with the patience and the eyes to see them. Here is a list of the top five birds to look for when visiting this wonderful landscape.

1. The Black Throated Diver: (Gavia arctica) These beautiful birds can be found the northwest of Scotland but are currently on the amber conservation tier of birds whose numbers have taken a decline in numbers. According to the RSPB (Royal Society for the protection of birds) there are only 215 breeding pairs in the UK currently. Which is why if you manage to set eyes on these rare birds you should make to sure appreciate them from a distance and try not to disturb them if possible.
   

   Black-throated diver (Gavia arctica) adult on loch, Scotland, UK

    

2. Golden Eagle: (Aquila chrysaetos) Few animals give a sense of scale and magnificence as the golden eagle does. When sighted you feel a sense of being in a landscape far removed from civilisation and can feel quite in awe of its freedom and beauty. According to the RSPB there are 510 breeding pairs in the country since their reintroduction in 1969 which now have a range that covers most of the north west of Scotland in some of our more rugged and rural landscapes.
   

   Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) Flying low in Scotland

    

3. Sea/White Tailed Eagles: (Haliaeetus albicilla) Sea Eagle or White Tailed Eagle were reintroduced 1983 and have begun to repopulate the country since then. According to the RSPB there are 150 breeding pairs in the UK and are found near lochs and coastal regions across the UK and Ireland. They are the largest raptors in the UK and are quite capable of hunting large mammals and fish but are also opportunistic hunters who will often scavenge off other animals or even humans as they have been seen following fishing vessels and picking off the left overs from the ships.
   

   White tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) in flight with a catch.

    

4. Gannets: (Morus bassanus) These coastal birds are often a favourite with tourists and sea kayakers. They will gather for breeding in colonies on the sides of cliffs along the coasts in colonies up to a thousand at each site. These birds are famous for the show they put on when hunting for fish, as they will dive at the water reaching speeds up to 62mph before hitting the water in an attempt to catch their prey. They have air sacks in their face and head which when inflated act like shock absorbers before hitting the water at these neck breaking speeds, for some younger Gannets who haven’t gotten their technique down, this is literally what happens.
   

   Gannet colony

   

   A pair of Northern Gannets at the Gannet colony on Bass Rock, Scotland

5. Peregrin Falcon: (Falco peregrinus) these raptors are famous across the world for their speed. they are capable of diving at their prey at over 200 hundred mph making them not only the fastest bird in the world but also the fastest create in the animal kingdom. they are very adaptable and are found in most places of the planet excepting a few environments such as the extreme polar regions, the highest mountains and thick jungles.

Peregrine Falcon flying

While your here why not think about coming kayaking with us – [checkfront item_id=”7″ category_id=”10″ options=category_select]