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Website launches wildlife spotting guide for watersports enthusiasts

8th October 2014 Print
Ocean Breeze RiB boat

Ayrshire & Arran’s WatersportsCoast.com has revealed some of the surprising ways in which visitors can discover both common and rare coastal wildlife this autumn and winter. The not-for-profit website also highlights some of the places amateur wildlife enthusiasts can learn how to protect endangered species around Ayrshire & Arran, an area of outstanding natural beauty on Scotland’s west coast.

Speaking about what visitors might discover by watersports, Russ Cheshire from Ocean Breeze RiB boat tours on the Isle of Arran (which is known as Scotland in Miniature for its rich diversity of wildlife, geology and scenery) said:

“Discovering wildlife from the water offers a unique perspective and is the ideal way to get some close encounters with species that are more difficult to spot on dry land. This autumn we’ll be hoping to show visitors basking sharks, as well as birds such as Manx Shearwater preparing to migrate to warmer regions. Grey Seal pupping has just started and the Grey Seal bulls are becoming territorial in preparation for their mating time. There is also at least one Minke whale in the Firth of Clyde just now. Other cetaceans may appear over the winter.”

“You never know what you might see as the weather can throw some surprises our way at any time – for example sightings of Great Skua have been reported recently. These birds normally frequent the Northern Isles and the North Sea, but we are beginning to see them more often in the Firth of Clyde.”

Recording sightings is one way in which people can help to protect wildlife. Ocean Breeze RiB Boat tours keep a range of literature at their base so that enthusiastic customers can find out how to do this effectively.

The team at Ocean Breeze are also involved in a number of initiatives to protect the marine environment - from official scientific research in partnership with recognised bodies to raising awareness of the benefits of the Lamlash No Take Zone, which has just celebrated its sixth birthday. The No Take Zone is now starting to see biodiversity increase and the seabed slowly recover.

Other companies offering wildlife watching tours in Ayrshire and Arran include Cumbrae Voyages in Largs and Mark McCrindle’s Ailsa Craig Boat Trips based in Girvan.

There are many additional ways in which experienced watersports enthusiasts can discover Ayrshire & Arran’s wildlife by sea. Watersportscoast.com provides a a one-stop website with detailed information about 12 different activities – from yachting, dinghy sailing and sea kayaking to kite surfing, scuba diving and paddle boarding.

To ensure that enthusiasts observe wildlife responsibly, the website has recently published a guide on what to do before undertaking a watersports wildlife adventure. This can be found on the website’s “About” section, under “Latest News”.

For more information or to plan your trip to Ayrshire and Arran’s Watersports Coast, visit watersportscoast.com.

More Photos - Click to Enlarge

Ocean Breeze RiB boat Basking sharks