18^th May 2009

Arran’s Special Wildlife has Starring Role at Wildlife Festival

Hundreds of visitors flocked to Arran this week for the 4^th Arran Wildlife Festival and were treated to over 70 events all over the island and some very special wildlife sightings. 

Arran is a haven for some of Scotland’s most iconic wildlife and during the festival hundreds of people have been having fantastic wildlife encounters in the company of local and visiting experts. Most events were fully booked before the festival even began!

The week kicked off in a bright and breezy way and although the Ailsa Craig trips on Wednesday were described by some as “a wee bit lumpy” the passengers on board Arran Power and Sail’s ribs were rewarded with views of 40,000 pairs of nesting gannets, and other seabirds such as puffins and guillemots that breed on this famous RSPB reserve 12 miles to the South of Arran.

Other highlights included close encounters with Barns owls courtesy of Rob Logan of Forestry Commision Scotland.  Participants were able to accompany Rob while he checked barn owl nests for breeding success.  Rob has a license to check barn owl nests- it is illegal for members of the public to disturb breeding owls so this was a once in a lifetime opportunity!

The COAST Holy Isle visits went ahead in difficult conditions in Lamlash Bay, and a good day was had by all.  Special thanks are due to Tom Jim and John of the Holy Isle Ferry who went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure these events were a success. COAST were involved with a number of events during the festival, including a exceptional chance to view some of the marine wildlife of Lamlash Bay courtesy of COAST divers and Arran Power and Sail who obtained special permission to bring samples of plants and animals to the surface to show an spellbound audience onboard an awaiting RIB.

Arran’s bird recorder and regular Banner contributor Jim Cassels was particularly busy during the wildlife festival.  Jim was the guide on a number of events including a minibus safari that left passengers gasping in astonishment as red squirrels, hen harriers and otters put in more than one appearance on the journey around the Southend of Arran.   Jim was also in action at the Northend for a number of events.  Jim said: "The highlight of the Raptor Ramble on Sunday was a stunning view of a Golden Eagle through the telescope as it sat on the limb of a tree. The golden head was clearly visible. The majestic bird dwarfing the two mobbing crows that pursued it each time it took to the air gave an excellent size comparison."

There were many events that required an early start, but this did not put anybody off,  with keen folk coming along to listen to the dawn chorus and to witness Terry Southall ringing birds in kildonan.  The "early birds" on Saturday 16 May had a plethora of species to enjoy in the "Introduction to Seawatching" including Manx Shearwater, Great Northern Diver, Puffin, Kittiwake, Black Guillemot, Razorbill, Gannet, Shag, and Pomarine Skua. The skuas gave an acrobatic display as they harried the Kittiwakes.

At the other end of the day, evening events were held in village halls and relaxed venues around the island.  A particular treat was the Bats and Beer event at the Ormidale Hotel.  Graeme Walker of SNH gave a presentation on bats before taking the group outside with bat detectors to seek out the real thing, that wizzed and crackled past in the dusk. This event had a surprise special guest in the form of Dan Sealy of the US Ranger Service.  Dan was visiting Scotland on a holiday and decided to come and enjoy the festival.  He soon became part of the programme and gave a fascinating talk on the legacy of Scotland’s own John Muir who is the father of the US national Parks.