The
Isle of Lewis is the most northerly of the Western Isles, and is part of an
archipelago situated on the extreme edge of Scotland. The island is blessed with
a diverse range of habitats many of which are rich in wildlife. Although
Lewis is the most densely populated of the Western Isles, much of the population
is centred in and around Stornoway. This
leaves large areas of the island sparsely populated, with most of the small
rural communities hugging the coastline.
Lewis
has a varied topography, with the land to the north of
Stomoway
largely comprised of undulating peat moorland and fresh water lochs. This
landscape comes to a dramatic climax at the Butt of Lewis where the spectacular
cliffs are home to several species of seabird including Fulmar Petrel,
Kittiwake, Shag and Black Guillemot. Add to this the spectacle of hundreds of
foraging Gannets and passing cetaceans, and you have one of the best wildlife
watching areas in the Western Isles.
The
southwest of Lewis is a complete contrast to the north, as it contains some of
the most beautiful beaches on Lewis, and is altogether a much more rugged
landscape. The Uig hills are very rugged indeed and are known to support
several pairs of breeding Golden Eagles and a sizeable herd of Red Deer. There
have been a number of sightings of White-tailed Eagles in this area, and these
magnificent birds are certainly expanding their range following re-introduction
to Scotland.
The
coastline of the Uig and Bernera district is constantly being pounded by the
Atlantic Ocean, and bears the brunt of the southwesterly gales of autumn and
winter. This has created a very dramatic landscape where in addition to the
wonderful beaches and flower covered machair, there are the majestic cliffs and
sea stacks at Mangersta.
Southeast
Lewis is a huge contrast to the Uig and Bemera district, as it totally lacks the
fertile soils and golden sands. It is however an area that is full of lochs and
lochans and these together with the surrounding moorland and rolling hills,
provide rich habitats supporting a diverse range of wildlife.
The
southeastern area of Lewis is known as the Pairc District, and much of the land
is under the ownership of the Pairc Estate. The district is named thus, due to
the estate having managed much of the land as a deer park. Red Deer are still
present in this area today, as well as in the North Harris hills and the Uig
District. The Pairc District forms a part of the aptly named South Lochs
District of Lewis, and the many fresh and salt water lochs are home to a large
variety of waders and other shoreline feeding birds. Among the many species that
can be seen feeding in this area are: Redshank, Greenshank, Oystercatcher,
Curlew, Ringed Plover and Dunlin. Shelduck and
Red-breasted
Merganser are to be seen on Loch Erisort, and large numbers of Greylag Geese and
Lapwing are found throughout the district. Merlin can be seen speeding over the
moor in pursuit of Meadow Pipit or Wheatear, and our most common bird osprey the
Buzzard is well represented in this part of the island.
Some
of the quieter lochs may have a pair of Red Throated Divers fishing on them, and
if you are very lucky, you may even spot a pair of the elusive Black Throated
Divers. South Lochs is quite a sparsely populated area of Lewis, and is one of
the best places on the island to see Otter. Otters are sensitive to human
disturbance, and although we have a good population on the islands, the quieter
areas tend to be more rewarding for the otter spotter. The central part of Lewis
consists of a vast area of peat moorland and bog dotted with many fresh water
lochs. Many of these lochs are home to sizable populations of Brown Trout the
ancestors of which arrived towards the end of the last Ice Age approximately
10,000 years ago.
This central part of the island has been
recognised internationally as an area of great conservation importance due to
the large number and variety of breeding birds it supports.
Woodland is a relatively scarce habitat on
Lewis, with the most significant area being the Stomoway Woods. This large
woodland policy was created by the Matheson family following their purchase of
the island in the mid-1840's, and encircles the Lews Castle that was built by
Sir James Matheson. The Stornoway Woods support several species of birds and
plants that are not to be found elsewhere in the Western Isles, and is home to
the only flock of Rooks resident on the island. Attempts have been made to
introduce more woodland throughout the islands, but most of this has been in the
form of shelterbelts planted with non-native and unsuitable species such as
Lodgepole Pine.
Several rivers on Lewis still have
significant runs of Salmon and Sea Trout, and sport fishing is very popular. The
Guinness Book of Records recorded the highest catch of Salmon by a single
individual using a rod and line in one day, on the Grimersta system of rivers.
Finally, we must not forget the largest and
most abundant habitat of all, the sea. The sea surrounding the Western Isles is
home to a huge variety of wildlife. Both the Atlantic Grey and Common Seal are
to be found, but on Lewis you are most likely to come across the Atlantic Grey
that can even be seen regularly in Stornoway Harbour as they follow the fishing
fleet in looking for an easy meal. Dolphins, Harbour Porpoise and several
species of Whale pass through our coastal waters and can sometimes be seen from
the land on a calm day.
There are a number of operators who organise
boat trips to take visitors to some of the very inaccessible parts of our
coastline, as well as offering trips to St Kilda and the Flannen Isles.
In general, Lewis and its neighbouring island
Harris cover a large geographic area, and many hours can be spent travelling
around trying to identify good wildlife watching habitats. There are several
qualified guides on the island, one of whom is also a qualified wildlife guide.
A guided tour in the company of a local guide can help you to optimise your
wildlife watching experience and give an insight into island life that is less
likely to be gained when travelling on ones own.
