The Wildlife of Knapdale
Knapdale is a treasure trove of habitats set within the area of Mid Argyll, itself a remarkably biodiverse region of Scotland. Knapdale's Atlantic Rainforest was chosen as the site for the first licenced reintroduction of a mammal into the UK in 2009 (the Eurasian beaver). Not without controversy at the time, this ground-breaking project has paved the way for multiple releases throughout the UK. Lars Isaac's beautifully produced short film serves as an introduction to Knapdale's latest residents and the subject of rewilding.
Plan Your Wildlife Experience
Eurasian Beaver (Castor fiber)
Argyll's newest resident and the UK's first mammal reintroduction. Beavers have been transforming Knapdale's landscape since 2009. Ecosystem engineers extraordinaire they bring multiple benefits to a host of other species on both land iand in water. Join one of our walks, held weekly between March and September, to explore their habitat and perhaps catch sight of them.
During late autumn and early winter, when beavers are very busy preparing for colder weather, we also run walks where we look at the sometimes spectacular and habitat-changing results of their activities.
Osprey
The world's most efficient raptor. Osprey are superbly adapted for catching fish, and are making a steady recovery in Argyll. They arrive here in late March from southern Africa and nest in proximity to our lochs and coasts. The Add Estuary is a great place to spend time watching for them and admiring their fishing skills.
Red Squirrel
Scotland's indigenous squirrel. They love pine cones and hazelnuts and are regularly seen in Knapdale. They can have up to two litters a year and store nuts and fungi for retrieval in winter, although their memories are not that great!
White-Tailed Sea Eagle
Scotland's last sea eagle was shot in 1919. Reintroductions commenced in the 1970's and they can now be found from Mull to the Black Isle. Look out for them along our coasts. Often described as a 'flying barn door' they are unmistakable and live in closer proximity to humans than the golden eagle.
Marsh Fritillary Butterfly
Once widespread throughout Britain, this species has suffered a dramatic decline, with a drop in numbers of 66% from 1990 to 2000. They need a supply of the plant devil’s bit scabious to feed its larvae, and good habitat will have an abundant supply of this. The damp meadows interspersed by woodlands, that are found here, are ideal habitat for this plant. Unfortunately many of the populatiuons are isolated and projects to link these are ongoing.
Harbour Seal (Phoca vitulina)
Harbour seals are found around sheltered shores and estuaries, hauled out on sandbanks and beaches. they often rest in a distinctive ‘banana’ position. They feed on fish, squids, whelks, crabs and mussels. The young are born during the summer.
They can be distinguished from the grey seal by their smaller size and shorter head with a blunter, more dog-like profile.
Pine Marten (Martes martes)
The pine marten (Martes martes) is a cat-sized member of the weasel family. It has dark brown fur and a large, peachy-white patch at the throat. Resourceful and intelligent they are regular nightime (and occasional daytime) visitors to the centre. They have a habit of running off with our feeders and breaking into the feed bins.
Palmate Newt (Lissotriton helveticus)
A common site around Knapdale. The palmate newt looks similar to the smooth newt, but favours shallow pools on acidic soils like heathlands. During the breeding season, males grow distinctive black webbing on their hind feet. In Scotland the tadpoles (known as efts) can take two years to lose their gills and move onto land.
Dor Beetle (Geotrupes stercorarius)
One of the first beetles to appear around our centre in April. The Geotrupinae are large black heavily-built beetles (10-26mm), often with green or blue metallic reflections. Dor Beetles are burying or dung beetles and excavate short (5-60cm) burrows beneath or directly beside dung.
This provides food for the larvae, and amongst many other 'detritivores', these insects are vital components in ecosystems, ensuring that nutrients are restored to the soil.
Adder (Vipera berus)
The adder is a relatively small, stocky snake that prefers woodland and moorland habitats. It hunts lizards and small mammals, as well as ground-nesting birds, such as skylark and meadow pipit. In spring, male adders perform a 'dance' during which they duel to fend off competition to mate. Females incubate the eggs internally (viviparious), 'giving birth' to three to twenty live young. Adders hibernate from October, emerging in the first warm days of March, which is the easiest time of year to find them basking on a warm rock next to the track up to the centre.
European Badger (Meles meles)
Another regular visitor to our centre. Badgers live in clans and their setts remain occupied for many years. A true omnivore, but their favourite food are earthworms. The Badger is the UK's largest remaining predator.
The cubs are born in February and emerge in the spring, the best time to spot them.
Golden-Ringed Dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii)
A voracious predator that will even eat other dragonflies, the Golden-ringed Dragonfly is the UK's longest species. On the wing from May to September. The female of this species is the UK's longest dragonfly because of her long ovipositor. They are fast, agile and powerful flyers. The specimen in the picture is feeding on a bumblebee.
Flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius)
Flapper skate (previously known as common skate) are members of the shark family (Elasmobranchs) and are the world’s largest skate. They are found off Scotland’s north-west coast, usually at depths of 100-200m, but sometimes much shallower.
They are thought to reach 50-100 years old and reach sexual maturity after 11 years can reach 200kg and are rarer than pandas! The Loch Sunart to Sound of Jura MPA is one of only two areas in the UK where skate are known to breed.
Click link to see footage of one of our local flapper skates and learn about some of the threats they face.
Whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus)
The whooper swan is a large white swan, bigger than a Bewick's swan. It has a long thin neck, which it usually holds erect (unlike the curved neck of the mute swan), and black legs. Its black bill has a large triangular patch of yellow on it, which is unique to each bird. It is a winter visitor to Argyll from Iceland.
Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation (HAWO) is a registered Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation | Charity No: SC047167