16 wild about our winter creatures This season is the perfect time to spot all kinds of wonderful wildlife in our great outdoors, from seals and otters to red squirrels and birds of prey. Here are expert tips to give you the best chance to see them.

cotland’s landscape is stark and hostile S during winter, yet it’s a surprisingly good time to spot our wonderful wildlife. Mammals and birds are often easier to see because of bare trees and a contrasting backdrop of ice and snow. Shorter days mean that wildlife is forced to make the most of the precious light to hunt. It’s a season when animals may take majestic greater risks to seek out food – or head A stag cuts to man-made food stations. a fine In some cases, winter will be the only figure in time for spotting birds when they fly in the snowy for a Scottish season. wilderness We asked the experts for tips on of the where to spot the best winter wildlife. Highlands Seals is home to both grey and common (harbour) seals and in winter they company Wild West, said: “Feeding The red can be spotted times are dictated by the tide so look ‘‘ hauled out on in seaweed on beaches at a rising tide.” squirrel, coastal shores. Ian suggests Loch Ailort and Loch With fewer tourists Nan Uamh, both in Lochaber, in with tufted and quieter beaches, the Highlands. seals appear in greater Again, the Arran coast can be an ears, stands abundance on the Isle otter hotspot. of Arran. Lucy, of Arran Wild Walks, said: out against Lucy Wallace, of “My top tips are dawn and dusk for a wintry Arran Wild Walks, the highest chances of seeing these recommends the FIONA beautiful creatures.” landscape Kildonan section RUSSELL Other recommendations include of the island’s the Falls of Clyde Reserve, South shore for viewing Lanarkshire and Taynish, Argyll. natural common seals. Red deer habitat A water-based tour from Arran is Bad weather and scarce food sources An otter can also a good idea. bring our largest land mammal, the be spotted Russ Cheshire, of Ocean Breeze Rib red deer, into Scotland’s glens. courtesy of Boat tours, said: “We have fabulous The Highlands and islands provide Wild West winter days when it’s cold but the sky many hotspots for these majestic tours. Right, a is blue and the sea is calm. animals, especially the Cairngorms red squirrel in “That’s when we are most likely to National Park and Glen Garry, the Atholl spot grey and common seals.” in Lochaber. Estates You could also head to Forvie In Argyll, red deer may be spotted National Nature Reserve (NNR), grazing in the fringes of Glasdrum , where hundreds of NNR at Appin. Fort William. Look out for red Ptarmigan and grey seals lounge at the mouth of the Further south at , squirrels pinching peanuts from bird mountain hares Ythan at Newburgh. west of , and at Cairnsmore of feeders at Muir of NNR, Ptarmigan and mountain hares Tentsmuir in is another popular Fleet NNR, in Dumfries and Galloway, Aberdeenshire, and , change guise for winter so they will haunt for grey seals in winter. you often see red deer coming down Tentsmuir, Fife. be harder to spot. For easy roadside spots in the from the hills in search of grazing. Another great place to see red But this shouldn’t stop you looking Highlands, check out Sallachan on squirrels is Atholl Estates, near for these beautiful creatures with Loch Linnhe or the Garbh Ailean hide Red squirrels Pitlochry, where you can join a Red their white feathers and fur. on Loch Sunart. In winter, the red squirrel with its Squirrel Safari. Both live on higher lands, especially Otters tufted ears, stands out against a Estate manager Polly Freeman said: in the north-west of Scotland. Winter’s tidal patterns can provide wintry landscape. “Winter is one of the best times to see A Highland Safaris landrover tour the key to spotting the elusive otter. For the easiest sightings head to our squirrels, especially as they are in Perthshire is a good bet for spotting Ian MacLeod, of wildlife tour the forestry hide at Inchree, near busy feeding in daylight hours.” ptarmigans and hares, especially on