Wildlife of North & South Uist, Outer Hebrides

North Uist, South Uist and Benbecula together comprise the wild and spectacular southern islands of the Outer Hebrides and on this new 7-day holiday we will explore their terrific mountain, ‘machair’ and lakeland habitats. We begin in Oban, and on the five hour ferry journey to Lochboisdale we’ll watch for seabirds and cetaceans.

Benbecula lies at the heart of the Uists, joining North to South by bridges and causeways, and we will be based here for our week-long stay. Otters and Red Deer are seen on the island and we’ll venture to north and south as we seek out the islands’ lochs and machair (a green sward habitat rich in colourful wild flowers), as well as white shell-sand beaches and windblown landscapes. The lochs of South Uist support breeding waterfowl, including one of only two British breeding populations of wild Greylag Geese, plus such waders as Snipe, Redshank and Golden Plover.

Corncrakes, more easily seen this time of year, call persistently day and night from the hay meadows, and by the sea-lochs and in small inlets we’ll search for Otters, and both Grey and Common Seals. The Uists are one of the best places to watch the passage of all four Skua species - Pomarine, Long-tailed, Arctic and Great. Short-eared Owls are another highlight, as well as breeding raptors including Hen Harrier, Peregrine and Merlin, plus both White-tailed and Golden Eagle.

There’s also the opportunity of seeing all three of our Divers - Black-throated, Red-throated and Great Northern. Standing stones, cairns, and a vibrant Gaelic culture provide a rich cultural ingredient to this destination of lochs, mountains and dazzlingly white beaches, while the sighting of a rare Snowy Owl or early Red-necked Phalarope may add the final icing to the cake!