Wildlife of Islay & Jura

Islay and Jura are fascinating islands with complex geology and a wide range of plant and animal species, some at either the northern or southern limits of their ranges. While rightly well known for bird watching, Islay and Jura have much more to offer. There really is something different around every corner on these islands!

This island group is one of the most wildlife-rich areas in the UK. An unusually compact habitat mosaic of wet grassland, moorland, machair, blanket bog, lochs, intertidal areas and shoreline supports internationally significant populations of priority bird species, rare plants, beautiful butterflies and iconic west-coast animals such as otter, seals and red deer. Islay and Jura can offer a genuinely year-round wildlife experience.

Spring

Brown hares box and run around the fields choosing their mates. Wintering ducks and geese depart for northern climes – you can sense their excitement if you are here before they leave. Hundreds of displaying wading birds like lapwings, redshanks, curlews and drumming snipe take over centre stage. The first call of the corncrake can be heard in mid-May. Moths and butterflies are on the move. Early plants brighten the fields and moorland.

Summer

Hunting birds of prey are evident as they feed their growing broods; hen harriers, golden eagles, merlins and peregrines. Chough – the red-billed crow can be seen in family parties. Red and roe deer may be seen grazing with their young and otter cubs will be out and about with their mothers. Common and grey seals will be readily spotted around the coast. Some areas of Islay and Jura produce virtual carpets of orchids and other flowering plants. The blooming heather in late summer fills the air with its scent and the eye with its colour. Marsh fritillary butterflies are on the wing.

Autumn

The bellowing of red deer stags provides the soundtrack for this time of year as they enter the rut. Barnacle and white-fronted geese arrive from Greenland, late September – early October, often providing a tremendous spectacle; 20,000 barnacle geese have been known to arrive in just a few hours. Migrating waders arrive, occasionally bringing wayward rarities with them from Russia and America. Wintering ducks return.

Winter

Hunting hen harriers, golden eagles and peregrines are readily seen. Wading birds such as dunlins, godwits, oystercatchers, redshanks, ringed plovers and turnstones feed on the sands and mud of the two main sea lochs.

Red deer can be seen remarkably close to the roads in some areas, as they come down from the higher ground for the winter. The barnacle and white-fronted geese can be seen all over the island but dawn and dusk provide marvellous views of them as they leave and return to their roosts at Bridgend and Loch Gruinart.