The Isle of Skye has some of the best wildlife in the UK and fishing from the shore allows you to get up close to an amazing array of creatures. This plethora of species even makes up for those days when the fish aren't biting.
Bottlenose Dolphins Neist Point
Minke Whale at Neist Point
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From April through to November whales and dolphins can be a regular sighting from many locations across the island. Minke whales, Bottlenose dolphins and Harbour porpoise are the most common visitors but there have also been sightings of Fin, Humpback and Sperm Whale around the island. Although I have only glimpsed one briefly we do get Orca or Killer whales feeding in the area.
The best chance to see these beautiful cetaceans is to visit one of the islands extremities such as Rubha Hunish, Neist Point, Sleat Point, Rubh an Dunan or Waternish Point. Try and aim to visit on a calm evening as your chances of spotting them surfacing greatly increases when the water is smooth and glassy. Even with perfect conditions spotting whales from the shore involves a lot of patience and a fair bit of luck. But when it pays off and you see an 8 meter Minke Whale surface 30 feet away from your feet you really do get a sense of privilege and appreciation for the majesty of these amazing creatures. 
The Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Watch founded in 1994 is a fantastic charity which monitors cetacean species around the Scottish Hebrides.
Please click on the image on the left to visit their website for more information. |
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The ornithology around Skye really is something else. I couldn't even begin to try and rhyme off all the bird species resident to the island never mind the multitude of visitors that flock to our shores.
The most common birds that you will encounter when fishing around the island are; Gannet, Great Skua, Shag, Cormorant, Curlew, Guillemot, Razorbill, Oystercatcher and a number of Gull. At some locations around the Island you are lucky enough to see birds of prey including the Peregrine Falcon, Golden Eagle, Buzzard and the awe inspiring White Tailed Sea Eagle. A word of warning for anglers or walkers heading for some of the more remote areas along the coastline is to be wary of where your foot is going next. Many of the coastal bird species are ground nesting and are clever at camouflaging their nesting sites. The photos on the right show an Oystercatchers nest and a female Eider duck both of which were invisible against the backdrop until you are right on top of them (Thankfully she didn't mind her photo being taken). For more information on the birds around Skye or to get help identifying a sighting please visit this brilliant website here |
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Around the island we have two species of seal which are regular visitors for anglers. Common or Harbour Seal are the smaller of the two reaching about 6 feet long. The Grey Seal is almost double the size of the Harbour Seal reaching about 11 feet. Both these seal are very curious and you will often sea them staring at you from afar.
Across the island generally in quieter locations you can be see European Otters. These shy creatures can be spooked easily so its best to sit and wait patiently rather than try and get close. Among the best areas to see them are Kylerhea and around Loch Bracadale. |
The Isle of Skye also attracts some rare and elusive visitors which can be regarded as once in a lifetime sighting.
We are lucky enough to see basking shark from the shore lazily powering along feeding on plankton. Although not found in the same numbers are as found around the Inner Hebrides Skye does see its fair share in the summer months. Best times to see them are in the late afternoon once the phytoplankton are at the surface photosynthesizing.
The oddly shaped Sunfish may very rarely be seen from the shore although only around deep water. The fish may at first seem to be dead or dying as it lies on its side at the surface but this is been hypothesized to allow the fish to "thermally recharge" befor diving back to the cold depths.
Only once have I seen a turtle from the shore on Skye and this was merely a glimpse. Fishing from Aird near Staffin a huge shape emerged to the surface which I could barely comprehend when it turned side on and dove back down with only a flash of its pale underside confirming what it was. Having looked at a few species I am sure it was a Leatherback Turtle. This was probably the most amazing yet infuriating wildlife sighting I have ever made but it has definitely spurred me on to keep a close eye on the water when I'm fishing...and also to keep a camera ready.
We are lucky enough to see basking shark from the shore lazily powering along feeding on plankton. Although not found in the same numbers are as found around the Inner Hebrides Skye does see its fair share in the summer months. Best times to see them are in the late afternoon once the phytoplankton are at the surface photosynthesizing.
The oddly shaped Sunfish may very rarely be seen from the shore although only around deep water. The fish may at first seem to be dead or dying as it lies on its side at the surface but this is been hypothesized to allow the fish to "thermally recharge" befor diving back to the cold depths.
Only once have I seen a turtle from the shore on Skye and this was merely a glimpse. Fishing from Aird near Staffin a huge shape emerged to the surface which I could barely comprehend when it turned side on and dove back down with only a flash of its pale underside confirming what it was. Having looked at a few species I am sure it was a Leatherback Turtle. This was probably the most amazing yet infuriating wildlife sighting I have ever made but it has definitely spurred me on to keep a close eye on the water when I'm fishing...and also to keep a camera ready.