The Nature of Scotland

A bunny runs through it
Mammal watching is usually a challenge, but summer gives
opportunities to see a wider range of species than during
other seasons. On the west coast and around the Hebrides
and Northern Isles, these could include dolphins, porpoises,
seals or otters at any time of day. Inland on the Scottish
mainland, early morning and evening can be the best times
for mammal viewing.
Try sitting at dusk by the edge of broadleaved woods to
catch sight of pipistrelles or other bats. Rabbit warrens are
also fun to watch when the younger bunnies are on the hop.
They may be common, but you need patience to observe
rabbits at close range.
For good ranger-led badger viewing, go to the Scottish
Wildlife Trust’s Falls of Clyde reserve, near New Lanark.
Here, you can look at Glasgow’s home river in a different
light, as it tumbles through steep and wooded gorges
and over large waterfalls, then arrange to see some of the
woodland’s most distinctively hairy inhabitants.
3
Originally native to
Spain and Portugal,
then kept in guarded
warrens, rabbits have
only become common
across Scotland in the
last two centuries.
4
The pied flycatcher is
scarce in Scotland, so
hearing one in a
summer oakwood is
always an enjoyable
surprise.
5
Every part of the Isle of
Eigg’s coast is
interesting. But the
Singing Sands, where
dry grains can squeak
underfoot, is both
beautiful and
remarkable.
Web tip:
www.swt.org.uk/visit/reserves and click ‘Visit’ then
‘Reserves’
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6 The Nature of Scotland