Summer is on its way! We can’t wait for all the stunning species and spectacles that the season will bring. In this blog, RSPB Scotland’s Allie McGregor shares some of her top things to see in summer, and some tips for where you might be able to head to see them.
The spectacular species of Scotland’s summer
Eagles
Few things take my breath away quite like the sight of a majestic eagle soaring overhead – I am certainly not picky about which kind. In Scotland we are particularly spoilt for eagle watching with both white-tailed eagles and golden eagles to be seen in many spots, particularly along our west coast.
White-tailed Eagle, Isle of Mull
My main memory of a golden eagle sighting is sitting in the passenger seat while my mother drove across the Hebrides and being constantly terrified of a car accident due to all the excitement of a stunning pair flying overhead (To be fair to her, when amazing birds are removed from the equation she is the best driver I know).
Scotland’s islands are a great place to go for eagle watching. Mull eagle watch is a must or, if you’re at the other end of the country, Hoy eagle watch is another fantastic opportunity. Between the two there is a hide at Kylerhea situated in an absolutely stunning location on Skye.
Seabirds and Marine creatures
Scotland has over half of the UK’s coastline and 70% of the UK’s seabirds. In summer there are amazing seabird colonies at numerous locations, and it’s also a great time of year to see other species such as dolphins, seals, or maybe even a basking shark!
If marine creatures are at the top of your summer list, then you are in luck! Personally, I have loved going out to the islands – Orkney is definitely one of my favourite parts of Scotland, excellent seabirds being just one of the reasons – If you’re that far north you must check out Marwick Head! Go a bit further and make your way to Sumburgh head in Shetland for cliffs bursting to life with seabird colonies, and look out to the sea for dolphins and whales.
Bottlenose dolphin
Many more of Scotland’s islands are havens for marine wildlife. There are spots all up and down the Uists, Lewis, and Harris. I stayed at Berneray once and we had a charming view of some seals lolling about directly outside our window. If you’re headed to Coll or Islay keep an eye out from the ferry for a basking shark!
On the mainland, Dunnet Head is place to go for a seabird safari, and there are guided seabird walks throughout summer. We couldn’t forget Dolphinwatch, which is one of the most special opportunities to see all kinds of marine life and seabirds. Aberdeen stands out as a super spot for this summer spectacle.
Osprey
In the early 1900s Ospreys became extinct as a breeding bird in the UK. 60 years ago, in 1959, the first chicks hatched and fledged in Scotland since 1916 thanks to the project ‘Operation Osprey’. I think you would be hard pressed to find a bird with more avid fans, each summer they have a dedicated audience waiting for their return.
While sadly the most famous of our Ospreys, EJ, has not yet returned this year, our Loch Garten reserve, home to Operation Osprey, has cause to celebrate as it’s been an amazing 60 years since the operation kicked off. There will be a fantastic exhibition to visit alongside all the other amazing wildlife on the reserve and the occasional Osprey swooping overhead!
The Trossachs is another fantastic area to spot the majestic Osprey, and there have been numerous sightings at our Loch Lomond reserve this year – there’s a fairly good chance of seeing them on a wildlife cruise. Loch Leven has been a top notch spot for spotting Opsrey out fishing. If you are up north, Insh Marshes is not far from Loch Garten in the brathtaking Cairngorms, and has been another top spot for Ospreys this season.
Red Squirrels
Red squirrels are one of Scotland’s most charismatic animals, and we love seeing the charming photos pour in each year from people seeing them at our reserves! Who can resist taking a snap of such gorgeous creatures?
There are so many places up and down Scotland to see them, but I have to mention Loch Garten, where just last week I saw one hanging upside down on a feeder - it was quite a sight! It looked like it was swinging freely about from it's tail and I could have watched it for hours.
Luckily I don't always have to venture to the Cairngorms to spot a squirrel. You might see them delightfully dart about at Loch Leven, Loch of Kinnordy, Wood of Cree, Ken Dee Marshes... the list goes on - aren't we spoilt!
Butterflies & Moths
The beauty and fragility of butterflies has made them an object of human fascination for centuries. Growing up it seemed every single year at primary school we would once again go through the life cycle of butterflies, bringing in some swan plants and watching caterpillars become chrysalises become monarch butterflies. More recently during a visit to Copenhagen I visited their Geological Museum which had a small but delightful butterfly exhibit including a room with projections of butterflies covering the walls.
Neither of those experiences are in Scotland, so that’s not much good for us now! Luckily, we aren’t short of opportunities to see some butterfly beauties here in the summer.
Small tortoiseshell butterfly
If you’re hoping to spot something more unusual why not head to Islay and try your luck for a marsh fritillary butterfly? Corrimony might be your reserve of choice if you’re hoping for a chequered skipper or spread your wings and heat to the Uists for belted beauty moth.
There’s also the Wood of Cree, known for Scotch argus and purple hairstreaks, and Mull of Galloway has a stunning line up: painted ladies, small coppers, graylings, wall browns, common blue. The bumblebee meadow at Loch Leven is just a lovely place to go and is often frequented by butterflies too!
With butterflies and moths, you have the joy of knowing that whichever species you see will be a little bit touched with magic...
I hope you find your perfect wildlife summer spectacular in the coming months and I would love to hear about what your favourite summer species are!