Wildlife and Woodland
Sunart is one of the few areas in Scotland that retain their ancient coastal oakwoods coilltean daraich.Thousands of years ago the Atlantic coasts of Europe were fringed with oakwoods and they stretched as far south as Spain. The Sunart woodlands are among the last remnants of these temperate rain forests. The steep lochside has been wooded since the glaciers melted back around 12,000 years ago. They have played an important part in the natural and human history of the area since then, surviving because local people daoine duchail managed and nurtured the woods.
The oakwoods of Sunart have been fenced to prevent encroachment by deer and have been coppiced for generations, thus promoting the growth of mature deciduous woodland. The exceptionally clean and humid air has allowed a profusion of mosses, liverworts and lichens to thrive. The presence of these rare and sensitive growths is testimony to the pollution free environment.
Loch Sunart provides an ideal habitat for otters. The extensive rocky shoreline cladach, isolated islands and coastal woodlands enable them to forage, rest and breed. They search the shallow waters of the shoreline, hunting sealg down their prey of fish, crabs and other animals which shelter within the protective fronds of the seaweed feamainn. The kelp beds are a good place to watch if you want to spot an otter.
Common and grey seals live in Loch Sunart. They feed in the sea and haul out on the lochs beaches and rocks creagan to rest breed and moult.
You may catch a glimpse of deer on the hills at dusk, or in your headlights when driving at night. During the autumn rut you may hear the males roaring to assert dominance over fellow stags. In winter they come down to more sheltered ground to forage for more accessible vegetation.
The elusive pine marten is found throughout Sunart and is a frequent visitor to Seaview Grazings. They are most often seen around dusk, but the more cheeky among them will venture onto the picnic table outside your verandha if some bread and raspberry jam is left to tempt them! The photograph of the pine marten reaching towards the bag of nuts was taken by one of our guests outside one of our lodges.
The Sunart area is rich in insect life. The emperor moth and pearl bordered fritillary butterfly add brief extra colour to the plants on which they land. The black and yellow stripes of the golden ringed dragonfly reflect on the surface of the water as it hunts for prey. The chequered skipper butterfly is treasured in these oakwoods, and from May to July it can be seen flitting itealaich through clearings between the trees.
As dusk falls the bat begins its day. The pipistrelle is Britain’s smallest bat dialtag, seeming fast and jerky as it pursues small insects, which are caught and eaten in flight. A single pipistrelle may consume up to 3000 insects in a night.
The raptors are common in Sunart. The Golden Eagle, the Sea Eagle, the hen harrier, Merlin and Buzzard can all be seen.
In the summer the woods of Sunart ring with birdsong. The dawn chorus at Seaview Grazings has to be heard to be believed!
Remember that you must be patient so see the profusion of wildlife that Sunart and Ardnamurchan have to offer. Take your time, look and listen; it will be worth the wait. There are few such pristine environments left in Europe.
Otter
Pine Marten
Red Skipper Butterfly
Otter
Pine Marten
White Tailed Sea Eagle