Loch Gruinart

A wonderful walk a couple of weeks ago on the western shores of Loch Gruinart in bright sunshine with lots of geese and the grand finale was an otter running up the sand towards me!
Becky

Pair of Otters - Niall Colthart

Taken by Niall during a kayaking trip to MacArthur's Head.  More shots on Niall's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/#!/niall.colthart?fref=ts

Otter - Bruichladdich Minimarket

Photos from Mathew

Thanks to Mathew, who is visiting the island at the moment, for these wonderful early morning shots of a feeding otter. He also has a fantastic video which we're hoping to feature soon.
Becky

Otter - Niall Colthart

Further lovely shots from Niall from earlier today can be found on his Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002008889033

Photos from Mark and Sally

Otter at Kennacraig

Otter at Bunnahabhain

Otter at Bunnahabhain

Mark and Sally Johnston, regular visitors to Islay, have just returned from their first January trip to the island and have kindly sent some photos. These are just the first few and show that it really does pay to sit and wait - and that there are some advantages to cancelled ferries!
Becky

Otters - Mick Durham

Two wonderful shots of Islay otters taken by Mick Durham who gave such an excellent presentation last month.  Many thanks Mick...

More of his shots can be enjoyed at....

http://www.wildlife-photographer.net/

Otter at Bunnahabhain

Thanks to James Deane for sending us these three lovely shots of an otter at Bunnahabhain.  They were taken by James' friend Paul Murphy who is visiting Islay...

Photos from Fiona Skinner

Thanks to Fiona for these wonderful photos of a Curled Octopus which she saw at Port Askaig and the fantastic photos of the otter feeding at Bunnahabhain.
Becky

Nature Holiday on Islay - Tim, Jo, Alfie and Freddie Madgwick

The Trust was delighted to receive the following email and photographs from the Madgwick family...




We visited Islay for a family holiday last week 16th-23rd April and we wanted to share some of our experiences from our stay.

Watching Bottle Nosed Dolphins off Port Askaig

On Sunday 17th April we were crabbing at Port Askaig harbour, just after the 8pm ferry had cleared its decks of the latest arrivals to the island. It was to our surprise that we spotted 5 dolphin like shapes swimming around in the water close to the ferry. We rushed over for a better look and sure enough they were swimming around enjoying themselves, arching out of the water so that we could see them in all their splendour. We weren't the only people present, another couple were witness to this amazing spectacle. I've attached a photo of the family at Port Askaig with a dolphin fin showing to the right.

Alfie and Freddie Madgwick

The following night, at the same location during another crabbing session we spotted a small head bobbing up and down in the water. It appeared too small to be a seal and it then swam towards us and on to some rocks so that we could clearly see that it was an otter. It was as interested in us as we were in it and appeared to entertain us with his swimming skills. Later the otter (Oscar we named it) ran across the pier right in front of us, having just stolen some clams from a trawler. It then re-appeared a few minutes later from the ramp to the Jura ferry and proceeded to run the length of the pier and disappeared off the end. We shared this incredible show with a gentleman who said he'd waited 55 years to see that sight. He'd spotted the otter from outside the hotel and had run over to enjoy the show.

An action shot of a 'Green Bug' Activity Pack

On a trip to the American Monument the following day, on the advice of the gentleman from the night before, we parked up about a mile short of the car park and after about 10 minutes we spotted in the far distance two huge birds of prey that we soon realised were Golden Eagles. They were enjoying the beautiful day and warm air currents to soar above and around our position. Their size was noticeable from quite a distance and our two boys couldn't believe their luck. This was their 3rd visit to the island and the first definate sighting of a Golden Eagle. The birds gradually disappeared from view as they moved up the valley. It was a very memorable experience.
During our week stay we saw so many amazing wildlife sights, too numerous to list. We'll be back in April 2012 to enjoy the natural beauty of Islay, Jura and Colonsay.
With best wishes
Tim, Jo, Alfie and Freddie Madgwick

Otter at Machir Bay - Video by Armin Grewe

Nice one Armin!!

European Otter (Lutra lutra) - Gordon Yates

Thanks to Gordon for this lovely shot of an otter taken on Islay.  Gordon has kindly sent us a sequence of otter shots to be used in a new presentation of Islay's mammals being prepared for the new season at the Centre in Port Charlotte.

Three otters at the Shorefield

Alan and Linda, whose house overlooks the Shorefield, told us they were watching three, maybe four, otters this morning for around 15 minutes.  Just before we arrived to feed the beasts... 
Carl