Observed Wildlife

This is a list of wildlife observed by Claire Chalmers while on her St Hilda cruise from Holy Loch to Crinan via the Kyles of Bute, Loch Fyne and the Crinan Canal.

Birds

Holy Loch: Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Eider Duck
East Kyle: Black Guillemot, Gannet
Burnt Islands Anchorage: Heron, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Cormorant, Mallard, Pied Wagtail, Red Breasted Merganser, Eider Duck
West Kyle of Bute and Loch Fyne: Guillemot (many), Manx Shearwater, Tern, Greylag Geese, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull
Crinan Canal: Sandpiper – shoreline, Hooded Crow – shoreline, Swallow – many nesting in pontoons and loch gates, House Martin, Buzzard, Goldfinch, Grey Wagtail, Song Thrush, Stonechat, Hen Harrier, Siskin
From Bird Hide: Canada geese, Mute swans
Birds heard but not seen along canal: Raven, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Garden Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler (rare), Goldcrest
Cycling along Canal to Kilmarten: Sand Martin, Sparrowhawk
Crinan Canal Wood: Chaffinch, Raven, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Wren, Bullfinch

Mammals

Clyde: Grey Seal
Kyles of Bute: Common Seal
Inchmarnock Sound: Harbour Porpoise
Crinan Canal: Pipistrelle Bat
Benmore Woods: Roe Deer and young

Flowers

Iris (Canal tow path)

Orchids

Trees

Sweet Chestnut

St Hilda Sea Adventures is very aware of the special nature of the environment in which it operates and makes every effort to run the boat in a way that protects the pristine places it visits.