VisitShetland

Focus on Wildlife - Novemeber / December 2007

DARK BUT NOT DIM!

By Hugh Harrop

As we slowly approach the darkest days of the year, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are the dimmest for viewing wildlife!

Our lochs are jam-packed with wintering wildfowl from Iceland, northern Europe and western Siberia. Hundreds of Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Teal and Goldeneye can be found with ease, as can Whooper Swans, which seem to have arrived in awesome numbers thus far. For the really keen birder there’s often a goodie or two to be seen – a Ring-necked Duck can often be found among the Tufted Ducks at Loch of Tingwall or Clickimin Loch and around the Sumburgh area there’s usually a Green-winged Teal or American Wigeon.

Fanatical birders like myself often spend far too long looking at…..gulls! I openly admit to not liking the Herring Gulls that try and steal my fish ‘n’ chips on Victoria Pier in ‘the toon’ but it’s the rare gulls that we are really looking for, and Shetland is a pretty good place to see them. Glaucous and Iceland Gulls cause quite a bit of a stir on the Mainland, but here, they are regular sights. But it’s the REAL rarities that we hope for – like a beautiful adult Ivory Gull or an exquisite pink-washed Ross’s Gull. And every few years or so, our hopes are answered with the appearance of one of these artic waifs.

If the thought of spending hours looking at seagulls around a smelly fish factory doesn’t do it for you (and quite frankly, you have far more sense that I do), then think mammal because at this time of year, one furry critter in particular becomes far less secretive and a lot easier to see – Otter.

There are many misconceptions about watching Otters here in Shetland. Folk will tell you that dawn and dusk are the best times, some folk will tell you they are impossible to see at any time of year and some folk will tell you that they are so rare, you just don’t stand a chance. Believe me, adages like that are nothing more than old wives tales!

So how do you go about looking for Otters? Firstly, location is key. Otters love shallow and gradually sloping bays with a low sloping foreshore. This is why the environs around Nesting, Vidlin and Lunna Ness, Yell, southeast Unst and parts of the West Mainland are good places to start looking. Secondly – tide. Otters tend to feed more a couple of hours either side of the tide when, presumably, the ‘new’ water of the day is brining in rich pickings. Thirdly – good field craft and patience.

So, you’ve worked out what seems to be a good site, you are there two hours before high tide and now the fun begins! Patience is a virtue at any time in life, more so when watching Otters. Sit quietly among the rocks or use some ‘dead’ ground so you are not breaking the skyline. Wear neutral colours (even though Otters have terrible eyesight they may pick up high-contrast clothing) and be quiet! Otters have a good sense of hearing and the rustling of a jacket or moving of a pebble may just send them running or swimming before you’ve even caught a glimpse!

Once you’ve blended in and tuned in to your environment, then start scanning. Use a decent pair of binoculars to scan the bay and also scan with your naked eye. What you’re looking for is a little head popping out from an empty sea like a cork. Make sure its not a seal by watching the animal when it dives – if you see the backside ‘rise’ out of the water to be followed by a tail, you’ve got an Otter. If it just slowly slips under the surface, its almost certainly a seal. Otters rarely swim that far from where you last saw the animal but its important to check every arc as they often change direction underwater, especially if they are chasing prey. Typically you will be faced with an anxious 25 – 30 seconds before it pops up again. If it has caught prey, you’re in for a treat as Otters typically eat their prey ‘in –situ’ and you’ll probably be treated to great views. If the prey item is to large to dispatch ‘at sea’ then they will bring it ashore. This is when Otter watching can be tricky. I don’t know how many times I have ‘lost’ an Otter as its come ashore through a whole maze of kelp and seaweed-strewn rocks!

Once you’re done, its important to leave the site as quietly as you entered. Just because you haven’t seen an Otter doesn’t mean that there’s not one there! If you’re not successful the first time, keep trying. We have the highest density of Otters of anywhere else in northwest Europe here in Shetland so there really are no excuses...

Good Luck!

View previous article:
Focus on Wildlife - October 2007

To find out more about birdwatching and wildlife holidays in Shetland visit Shetland Wildlife (www.shetlandwildlife.co.uk). The company has been running birding holidays in Shetland for 15 years and offers week-long fully guided trips to all corners of Mainland Shetland, the North Isles, Whalsay and Out Skerries. As well as offering organised group holidays, Shetland Wildlife also offers a bespoke guide service for individuals and small private groups. The authors of this article welcome contact from visiting birders so feel free to email Hugh (info@shetlandwildlife.co.uk) with any questions or advice you may require.

Return to list of all features.

Advertising Feature

2008 Wildlife Holidays In Shetland

Shetland offers the best wildlife-watching in Scotland - FACT.

Over a million breeding seabirds, the highest density of Otters in Europe, regular sightings of Killer Whales and superb displays of rare sub-arctic flora. Our award-winning holidays offer everything from fully guided wildlife weeks and long weekends, dedicated birdwatching holidays plus photographic, walking and insight holidays.

Visit our extensive website www.shetlandwildlife.co.uk or call Shetland Wildlife on 01950 422483 for a choice of over 30 holidays!

Feature

Swan Trips 2008

Enjoy a trip on the Swan this summer and experience the world of a resilient vessel restored to glory. Join a crew who love the sea, and be part of a learning experience!

Find out more

Sunday Times article

Feature

Focus on Wildlife - Spring 2008

Fair Isle is famous in spring for its huge seabird colonies and rare migrants. Shetland birder Hugh Harrop is your expert guide on the ‘Mecca’ of British birding…

Read more

Feature

White Nights

'White Nights', Ann Cleeves' sequel to her award-winning 'Raven Black', has now been published.  Don't miss a reading and signing from Ann in the Lerwick tourist office, Market Cross at 11.30am on Saturday 17th May.

Feature

21st Century Shetland Travelogue

'Between Weathers', the new Shetland Travelogue will be launched in Lerwick on 6th June 2008... 

 

 

Read more

News

Shetland's First Ever Festival of Nature

Organisers of Shetland’s first ever Festival of Nature, to be piloted from 4th to 12th July 2008, are calling on local businesses...

Read full Press Release (pdf)

More information

View all news stories