For those British travellers and outdoor enthusiasts looking to enjoy a staycation this winter, Scotland provides incredible opportunities to spot an abundance of wildlife wonders, from pure white Mountain Hares and Ptarmigan in their winter coats, to the notoriously difficult to spot Golden Eagle and iconic Red Deer.
SWAROVSKI OPTIK, the leading long-range optic specialists, has teamed up with Paul Sharman of Hebridean Adventures, a specialist wildlife watching operator based in Scotland, to offer top tips for nature enthusiasts hoping to spot some of these elusive wildlife species.
Paul’s top five tips on wildlife spotting in Scotland include:
1. Be in the right place at the right time for the best chance of success.
There are some very seasonal highlights as well as localised species to target in Scotland, and a little forward planning and research will pay dividends if you are hoping to try and seek out something in particular. One personal favourite would be the opportunity to look for the beautiful mountain hares and ptarmigan high up on the hills and mountains in their white winter coats, and another is the chance to spot the enigmatic red squirrels who have their stronghold here in the north. Use online resources such as the RSPB, Scottish Wildlife Trust and Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels websites to find good locations and times of year to visit.
2. Plan your visit accordingly to maximise your time.
Wildlife watching takes many forms. Some of us love to spend whole days or weeks carefully exploring a certain area known for perhaps some specific species, while other wildlife lovers may only have a very limited time to visit and really want to be able to tick off a special species they have longed to see before having to return home. Luckily, the variety of Scotland’s magnificent landscapes and habitats, plus the special services offered by experienced wildlife guides and specialised hides, can offer everyone their own unique experience. If you are the itinerant type then you can’t go wrong with a magnificent location such as the Cairngorms National Park, thanks to its combination of ancient Caledonian pine forest, mountain plateaus and freshwater rivers and lochs. If you are very short on time and Scottish specialities like red squirrels and crested tits are what you are desperate to see (and perhaps photograph), then there are several excellent commercial wildlife hides that will probably give you the best chance of achieving your dream encounter. Of course, you could also visit a well-known public wildlife feeding area like the one at the RSPB’s Loch Garten visitor centre too which almost always has squirrels and crested tits around, but you will also be sharing the experience with lots of other people so you need to add that to the equation too. Remember to take some birdseed or peanuts in your pocket as many of the birds will fly to your hand in the winter if you stay still!
3. Be comfortable and have what you need to enjoy your day in Scotland.
It sounds simple doesn’t it, but I’m as guilty as anyone of dashing out the door, eager to get to where I’m going and then wishing I’d packed a drink/warm hat/spare camera battery/etc. with me! Try and get organised the night before at the very least – check the weather forecast, think in terms of clothing layers that are easy to add or take off if you are hot or cold – Scotland is famous for its changeable weather. Have a waterproof and windproof layer with you, some food and drink, and of course, make sure you have some quality binoculars safely stowed away. Swarovski Optik have a great range called the CL series of compact quality binoculars that easily fit in a backpack or large pocket and do an amazing job even in very low light. If you are heading up into the high mountains in particular, then please take the appropriate level of care in your preparation. The mountains in winter can be extremely cold, treacherous and the weather extremes can easily fool the unwary. Maybe use a mountain guide if you are a serious adventurer, or for a quick visit try driving up to the funicular railway base-station area on Cairn Gorm mountain outside Aviemore. It is popular most days and there is more safety with others around you but still GO PREPARED! Snow buntings are often seen around the car park area.
4. Scotland is perfect for an organised wildlife break.
More so than anywhere else in Britain, there are a wealth of wildlife tour operators, wildlife-oriented hotels and professional guides ready and waiting to welcome you and guide you on some amazing nature experiences in Scotland. They will all have their own areas of expertise, with some focusing on a few specific species and locations, and others who will be able to show you a wide range of habitats, animals, birds and flora. This can just be for a few hours, a day trip or for longer as you desire – check their reviews for an idea of what to expect and call them to ask questions if you need to. Cruising and wildlife watching is much more prevalent in Scotland in particular but is an April-October season mainly, with the West Coast and the Islands the main hub of activity for the best chances of seeing a variety of cetacean species, as well as the magnificent white-tailed eagle, a myriad of seabirds from puffins to gannets, but also other favourites like seals and otters. Hebridean Adventures for example will also give you the chance to go ashore in remote areas so you also have the chance to spot land-based species too like red deer, golden eagles, butterflies and perhaps fascinating local plants like Northern marsh orchids, sundews and butterworts. In winter all is not lost though – try shore-watching from cliff-top vantage points – you never know what you might see. Check the Hebridean Whale Trail for suggestions along Scotland’s west coast and islands.
5. The closer you look, the more you see.
My final tip for wildlife spotting in Scotland was brought home to me just this past weekend. I was up in the local hills walking in a pine forest that had a rich ground covering of shrubs, heather, grasses, mosses and lichens, as well as many unusual fungi species which is what I was searching for to photograph. The closer I looked at this the more and more species I could see, it was amazing. Then I started to notice the rustling and scurrying of voles and shrews when I stopped and stayed quiet for a while, and of course a wide variety of insects, both flying and ground-based such as beetles, caterpillars and the like. Sometimes it is easy to get too focused on trying to spot the larger, and dare I say it, more glamorous species, when at your feet there may be dozens or even hundreds of different flora and fauna species that are just as fascinating in their own way but often totally overlooked and can make an average day for spotting big wildlife turn into a wonderfully enjoyable one!
The world belongs to those who can see beauty.
Experience the moment!
SEE THE UNSEEN.
For further details on Hebridean Adventures visit www.hebrideanadventures.co.uk and for more information on Paul Sharman’s work visit Paul Sharman Outdoors.
Photo caption:
Image 1: A mountain hare already in its winter coat despite the lack of snow on the ground. Photograph courtesy of Paul Sharman.
Image 2: Scottish waters are home to a variety of cetaceans including Risso’s dolphins like this one, even in winter. Photograph courtesy of Paul Sharman/Hebridean Adventures.
Image 3: Outdoor photographer Paul Sharman of Hebridean Adventures enjoying the magnificent views from the Shiant Isles in the Outer Hebrides. Photograph courtesy of Harry Martin.
ABOUT SWAROVSKI OPTIK
SWAROVSKI OPTIK, headquartered in Absam, Tyrol, is part of the Swarovski group of companies. Founded in 1949, the Austrian company specialises in the development and manufacturing of long-range optical instruments of the highest precision in the premium segment of the market. The binoculars, spotting scopes, rifle scopes, and optronic instruments are products of choice for demanding users. The company’s success is based on its innovative strength, the quality and intrinsic value of its products, and their functional and esthetic design. The appreciation of nature is an essential part of its company philosophy and is reflected commendably in its environment-friendly production and its long-term commitment to selected nature conservation projects. The turnover in 2017 was 146.3 million euros (2016: 140 million euros), with an export ratio of 91%. The company has around 950 employees.
ABOUT PAUL SHARMAN AND HEBRIDEAN ADVENTURES
Paul Sharman is the Business Development Manager for Hebridean Adventures, a specialist wildlife-watching cruise operator based in Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides, which offers small-boat slow-travel cruises from 2 to 6 nights aboard their specially converted former fishing boat, the MV Monadhliath. It’s a natural fit as Paul has also been a published freelance outdoor photographer and writer for over 20 years with wildlife always being a core interest, and a deep love for the Highlands of Scotland where a great many childhood holidays were spent. Originally from Sussex, he now lives near Inverness within easy reach of wildlife hotspots such as the Moray Firth, the West Coast Highlands & Islands as well as the Cairngorms to the south.
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