nature & wildlife

Like its bigger neighbour Mull, Iona abounds with wildlife. Depending on the season, corncrakes can be heard and sometimes seen on Iona. The long indented coastline is the ideal place to watch oystercatchers, ringed plovers, common sandpipers, redshanks and curlews and the small flocks of whimbrel passing though on migration.

Observe predatory birds including Sea Eagle, Golden Eagle, Hen Harrier, Peregrine, Merlin and short eared owl at most times of the year. Wild greylag geese can be seen year round whilst in autumn and winter the rare greenland white-fronted geese are present.

Of special significance and particularly enjoyable to visit are the smaller offshore islands of Staffa and Treshnish. On Staffa puffins can be encountered at very close quarters, whilst at Treshnish visitors will be stunned by the sheer number of breeding seabirds including guillemots, razorbills, puffins, fulmars, shags, gulls and kittiwakes. If you're lucky you'll have spectacular views of dolphins and porpoises with the occasional glimpse of a whale too.

Iona Wildlife

Week runs every year in May and is well worth pride of place in the birdwatcher's and wildlife watcher's diary.

Superb sightseeing and marine wildlife trips around Iona are run by Gordon and Val MacCormick Kilona Isle of Iona PA76 6SP Tel:  01681 700362. Email gordon@volanteiona.com

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