Otters in Argyll.........

16 Aug - Courtesy of a gift voucher on leaving work, I had another chance for a morning with Philip Price of lochvisions.co.uk, the target being the elusive Otters in the area. A bright windy day with passing showers, and initially a good variety of migrating waders seen - also flocks of Kittiwakes and Gannets, with an associated Arctic Skua. After 3 hours, we spotted an Otter feeding on a large fish on the tideline, and we crawled across the rocks and seaweed to within 30m or so for great views. Subsequently we found the mother and well-grown cub fishing further round the bay, and were spellbound as they dived and fished gradually closer and closer until we could hardly dare breathe as the female clambered onto the rocks barely 10m away and crunched unconcernedly on a fish. An amazing experience, especially when it turned and looked straight at us. Special views of a special creature.