a report on marine wildlife compiled by Roger Cottis
Inshore, both grey and common seals, in moderate numbers, frequent the coastline and islands associated with South Rona. The islands in the north provide good hauling out sites.
Further out in the Sound of Raasay and the Inner Sound, Common porpoise can be seen at any time of the year, especially on calm days when several may be seen gently surfacing, showing small dark dorsal fins, pods of one to eight would be typical.
Minke whales are seen during late summer, and on calm days long brown backs with a relatively small dorsal fin can be seen breaking the surface.
Orcas or killer whales frequent the waters, with sightings in winter and spring, but more spasmodically throughout the remainder of the year. Seen usually in pods of up to ten, and identified by large erect dorsal fins with variable areas of white on their black body.
Northern bottlenosed whales migrate south during late summer and have been seen close to the west coast of Rona.
Several species of dolphin have been reported, including, striped, common, bottlenosed and white beaked.
Basking sharks are becoming more common. In 2008 numbers increased dramatically, during one boat trip on the MV Rona in September more than 15 were spotted in a journey from Big Harbour to the north end of the island. 3 or 4 could be spotted from the shore for most of late summer.
Otters frequent much of the shoreline and hinterland and have been recorded at many points around the island. There is a territory centred on the area of Dry Harbour, vigilant observers will be rewarded. Two holt sites were found on the Island. Fresh water is at a premium and the otters require a supply to maintain their coats in a healthy condition. A good example is where otters are using the two pools formed to provide water to the house at Big Harbour, these are adjacent to the track heading north to Dry Harbour. The water supply for the MOD base in the north, and burn draining to Loch á Bhràige is extensively used by otters. A regular route extends from the loch to the east coast around Rubha Chùil-tairbh. The drainage of the glen running south from the bealach to the south of Loch Braig provides a route for the otters to the bay due east from Dry Harbour. Heading south from Big Harbour on the old track, evidence of otters was found at several of the small burns piped under the track. As with all of the sites, spraint (faeces) is deposited on a regular basis to establish territorial boundaries and demarcate feeding areas. Where these are deposited on grass, there is usually an enrichment of the grass, which enhances the colour, amongst which, can be found the remains of prey items. Specific locations should remain confidential.
Otters are listed on Schedules 5 and 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and The EC Habitats Directive, implemented through The Conservation (Natural Habitats &) Regulations 1994. Under these regulations it is also an offence to disturb an otter, which might be the case if people were informed of specific holt sites.
Many thanks to Roger Cottis for permission to re-produce this report.
Roger Cottis
Tawny Croft Wildlife Consultants
Tawny Croft
Isleornsay
Sleat
Isle of Skye
IV43 8QS
seals in Big Harbour
minke whale at close quarters during a boat
trip on the mv Rona
dolphin
basking shark spotted from mv Rona
basking shark in caol rona
otter in big harbour
